10-K 1 y90106e10vk.htm FORM 10-K e10vk
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-K
 
     
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from to
 
Commission File No. 001-34794
 
CKX, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  27-0118168
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
650 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(212) 838-3100
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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 þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, based on the closing sales price of the company’s common stock as of June 30, 2010, was $442,420,645.
 
As of March 4, 2011 there were 93,126,291 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Portions of the issuer’s definitive proxy statement to be filed in connection with its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.
 


 

 
CKX, Inc.
 
Annual Report on Form 10-K
December 31, 2010
 
                 
        Page
 
  PART I              
  Item 1.     Business     4  
  Item 1A.     Risk Factors     15  
  Item 1B.     Unresolved Staff Comments     22  
  Item 2.     Properties     23  
  Item 3.     Legal Proceedings     23  
  Item 4.     (Removed and Reserved)     23  
             
  PART II              
  Item 5.     Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     24  
  Item 6.     Selected Financial Data     27  
  Item 7.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     29  
  Item 7A.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     56  
  Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     58  
  Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     94  
  Item 9A.     Controls and Procedures     94  
  Item 9B.     Other Information     95  
             
  PART III              
  Item 10.     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     95  
  Item 11.     Executive Compensation     95  
  Item 12.     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     95  
  Item 13.     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     95  
  Item 14.     Principal Accounting Fees and Services     96  
             
  PART IV              
  Item 15.     Exhibits, Financial Statements and Schedule     96  
 EX-10.39
 EX-10.40
 EX-21.1
 EX-23.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2


2


Table of Contents

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
In addition to historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are those that predict or describe future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can generally identify forward-looking statements as statements containing the words “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “assume” or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements in this Annual Report regarding our future strategy, future operations, projected financial position, estimated future revenue, projected costs, future prospects, and results that might be obtained by pursuing management’s current plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date on which this Annual Report was filed with the SEC. We expressly disclaim any obligation to issue any updates or revisions to our forward-looking statements, even if subsequent events cause our expectations to change regarding the matters discussed in those statements. Over time, our actual results, performance or achievements will likely differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such difference might be significant and materially adverse to our stockholders.


3


Table of Contents

 
PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
CKX, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, will be referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) by terms such as “we,” “us,” “our,” “CKX,” the “registrant” and the “Company,” unless the context otherwise requires.
 
Overview
 
We are engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. As more fully described below, our primary assets and operations include:
 
  •  19 Entertainment Limited (“19 Entertainment”), which owns proprietary rights to the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television brands, both of which air in the United States, and, together with local adaptations of the format, around the world;
 
  •  An 85% ownership interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises, which owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, certain music and other intellectual property created by or related to Elvis Presley and the operations of Graceland and has partnered with Cirque du Soleil for the Viva ELVIS show in Las Vegas, Nevada; and
 
  •  An 80% ownership interest in Muhammad Ali Enterprises, which owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of, as well as certain trademarks and other intellectual property related to Muhammad Ali.
 
The former owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises maintains a 15% interest in the business and is entitled to certain future distributions and has other contractual rights. The former owner of Muhammad Ali Enterprises maintains a 20% interest in the business and is entitled to certain future distributions and has other contractual rights.
 
Our existing properties generate recurring revenue across multiple entertainment platforms, including music and television; licensing and merchandising; talent management; themed attractions and touring/live events.
 
Reorganization
 
In 2010, we undertook a significant reorganization and realignment of our business including making significant changes to our management team and business plan. Our management team engaged in a thorough review of all aspects of our business in 2010 which resulted in our decision to significantly alter our business plan for 19 Entertainment to focus principally on our core IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance properties. As a result of the decision to concentrate primarily on these brands, management exited most of the other businesses within 19 Entertainment in 2010. We closed our office in London, sold certain non-core properties and development projects to an entity affiliated with Simon Fuller, who left his position as a director of our company and as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment in January 2010, and shut down other development projects, collectively eliminating 155 positions at 19 Entertainment. We expect that the reduction in headcount and other costs will result in annualized cost savings of approximately $20 million. The Company incurred cash and non-cash charges of $19.3 million in 2010 as a result of this process. Despite the reduction in headcount, we believe that we have retained the creative and operational personnel needed to implement this new business plan and that we have sufficient capability to operate our IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance businesses.
 
As part of management’s review, we have also re-examined our approach to the development of new projects. We have determined that capital-intensive development projects do not generally yield an adequate return on investment and thus have decided to focus on projects which we believe have viability as television properties and also meet our internal criteria for having additional non-television revenue opportunities. We intend to remain in the television business and expect to pursue new television opportunities through joint ventures or acquisitions of television development and production companies, which we believe offer more attractive risk-reward opportunities.


4


Table of Contents

19 Entertainment
 
Through our subsidiary, 19 Entertainment Limited, we own proprietary rights to the IDOLS (including American Idol) and So You Think You Can Dance television brands, both of which air in the United States and, together with local adaptations of the formats, around the world. 19 Entertainment’s strategy is to create and retain an ownership interest in entertainment content and to seek to enhance the value of its content through the control of multiple complementary revenue streams including, for example, television, music, sponsorship, merchandising, touring and artist management.
 
IDOLS Brand
 
19 Entertainment’s multi-platform approach to the commercial utilization of its entertainment properties is best illustrated by the IDOLS brand. In 1998, 19 Entertainment created what was to become the concept for “Pop Idol,” a televised talent contest for musical artists that allowed the viewing audience to participate in and ultimately select the winning performer via text messaging and telephone voting. The audience participation generates a pre-established market for the winning artists and other finalists who 19 Entertainment then has the right to represent with respect to artist management, music, touring and merchandising. 19 Entertainment enters into exclusive recording agreements with the winning artists and other finalists. The first television program based on this concept was Pop Idol, first broadcast in the United Kingdom in 2001 and in the United States, under the name American Idol, in 2002. American Idol and/or local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format now collectively air in over 100 countries around the world. The popularity of the IDOLS brand around the world, most notably the American Idol series in the United States, has generated substantial revenue across multiple media platforms, in all of which 19 Entertainment retains a substantial ownership and/or economic interest.
 
19 Entertainment has a global television production and distribution agreement with FremantleMedia Limited (together with its affiliate, FremantleMedia North America, Inc., “FremantleMedia”), the content production arm of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company. Beginning with the season of American Idol airing in 2011, Universal Music Group is 19 Entertainment’s record label partner with respect to IDOLS artists in many major territories around the world. Through the 2010 season of American Idol, Sony Music Entertainment had been the company’s record label partner. Throughout this document we use the term “partner” or “partnership” to describe our business relationship with certain entities, in particular FremantleMedia, Universal Music Group and Sony Music. These terms are meant only to imply a cooperative business relationship involving the sharing of certain responsibilities or revenue streams and are not meant to imply a legal partnership or joint venture entity unless otherwise specifically indicated.
 
Though 19 Entertainment is a party to a variety of commercial relationships with its television and record label production and distribution partners to produce, broadcast, distribute and finance shows based on the IDOLS brand, 19 Entertainment retains a substantial interest in all aspects of such shows and their multiple revenue streams through its wholly owned operating subsidiaries both in the United States and the United Kingdom. 19 Entertainment’s principal operational and ownership interests are structured such that 19 Entertainment:
 
  •  owns two-thirds of the IDOLS brand and co-produces the show in the United States with FremantleMedia, which owns the other one-third of the IDOLS brand;
 
  •  receives certain fees and revenue relating to the sublicensing of the brand and production and marketing of the shows based on the IDOLS brand around the world, including licensing and producer fees;
 
  •  shares a percentage of the revenue FremantleMedia derives from on-air and off-air sponsorships and sales of IDOLS branded merchandise;
 
  •  has the exclusive right to sign recording contracts with the finalists from the American Idol series in the United States;
 
  •  has the exclusive right to manage the finalists from the American Idol series in the United States;
 
  •  has the exclusive right to produce IDOLS tours; and
 
  •  has the exclusive licensing and merchandising rights for the IDOLS tours in the United States.


5


Table of Contents

 
19 Entertainment/FremantleMedia Agreement
 
19 Entertainment has entered into a worldwide arrangement with FremantleMedia for the production and distribution of the IDOLS brand. The arrangement gives FremantleMedia the exclusive right to produce (or sublicense production) and distribute IDOLS programs and series throughout the world except in the United States, where 19 Entertainment co-produces the American Idol series. In the United States, the American Idol series airs on the FOX Network under an agreement between 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia and Fox Broadcasting Company (“Fox”), as more fully described below under “American Idol — Fox Agreement.”
 
Under the terms of the 19 Entertainment/FremantleMedia agreement, the IDOLS brand, together with all domain names and trademarks relating thereto are owned jointly by the parties, two-thirds by 19 Entertainment and one-third by FremantleMedia. In addition to its joint ownership of the IDOLS brand, 19 Entertainment has the right to receive certain fees and revenue relating to the sublicensing of the IDOLS brand and the production of television shows based on the IDOLS brand and format around the world. Specifically, 19 Entertainment receives:
 
  •  a percentage of the “Format Fee,” which is a percentage of the gross fees received by a local production company from a local broadcaster for production and transmission of the IDOLS series;
 
  •  a percentage of revenue derived from distribution of IDOLS series and programs after a deduction of a percentage of gross revenue and other deductions;
 
  •  a percentage of the net revenue derived from program sponsorship and program merchandising; and
 
  •  a percentage of the net revenue derived from local merchandising and management deals (outside the United States). 19 Entertainment and its affiliates retain 100% of artist management and artist merchandising income from the United States.
 
American Idol
 
19 Entertainment, Fox and FremantleMedia have entered into a series of agreements, the most recent of which was entered into in November 2005, which together encompass the terms under which Fox is granted the right to air American Idol in the United States. Fox has been granted a perpetual and exclusive license, including the right of first negotiation and last refusal, to broadcast any non-scripted television programs featuring the American Idol brand or based on the American Idol format, or featuring contestants who appear in their roles as American Idol winners, intended for broadcast within the United States and its territories. Under the terms of the 2005 agreement, Fox guaranteed production of four additional seasons of American Idol through and including American Idol 8, which aired during the first and second quarters of 2009, with an automatic renewal for up to two additional seasons upon the show achieving certain minimum ratings in 2009 and 2010. Based on ratings for the 2010 season, the show was automatically renewed for 2011 and began airing in January 2011. The Company anticipates that we will enter into discussions with Fox and FremantleMedia during the second quarter of 2011 for the economic terms of the 2012 season of American Idol and beyond.
 
Fox pays FremantleMedia a flat license fee per episodic hour, as well as a premium license fee for each hour in excess of the initial season order. These fees are used by FremantleMedia to fund American Idol series production costs, excluding the fees of the judges and certain other costs, over and above the license fees, which are paid directly by Fox. FremantleMedia retains the balance of the Fox license fees minus production costs, and pays 50% of the balance directly to 19 Entertainment. Under the terms of the 2005 amendment, Fox pays an additional contractual license fee directly to 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia.
 
In addition to license fees, Fox also pays bonus fees depending on where the American Idol series is rated and ranked in the 18-49 age demographic. 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia each receive 50% of the ratings/rankings bonus, with 19 Entertainment receiving its share directly from Fox. 19 Entertainment also receives an executive producer fee and a format fee per episodic hour.
 
On July 7, 2009, the Company entered into two agreements with Ryan Seacrest, the host of American Idol , and certain of his affiliates to (i) ensure Mr. Seacrest’s availability for three seasons of American Idol (years 2010, 2011 and 2012) and acquire Mr. Seacrest’s prime time television network exclusivity for future potential projects during the term of the agreement, and (ii) obtain the right to use Mr. Seacrest’s personal goodwill, merchandising rights,


6


Table of Contents

rights to his name, voice and image, and rights of publicity and promotion related to American Idol. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company paid $22.5 million upon execution of the agreements on July 7, 2009 and is paying Mr. Seacrest an additional $22.5 million in monthly installments during the term, for a total guaranteed amount of $45.0 million. Upon securing Mr. Seacrest’s services, the Company commenced negotiations with Fox related to a fee to be received by the Company for Mr. Seacrest’s services as the host of American Idol. The Company and Fox ultimately agreed to a fee arrangement of $5.0 million for Mr. Seacrest’s services as host of American Idol for each of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Company therefore expects to be responsible for a net amount of $30.0 million of the original $45.0 million guaranteed amount. The Company received payment for compensation related to the 2010 season in November 2010 and recognized $5.0 million as revenue in 2010 over the broadcast in the first and second quarters of the broadcast season.
 
So You Think You Can Dance
 
19 Entertainment created and co-produces the television show So You Think You Can Dance, a talent competition for amateur dancers in a wide range of dance styles, that allows the viewing audience to participate in and ultimately select the winning performer via text messaging and telephone voting. The winner is voted “America’s Favorite Dancer” and receives a cash prize. The show was initially broadcast in the United States on the FOX network in the summer of 2005 and has thus far aired for six summer seasons through the summer of 2010. In 2009, Fox ordered an additional season which aired in the third and fourth quarters of 2009. The show has been renewed for another season which will air in the summer of 2011.
 
19 Entertainment records all of the television and sponsorship revenue for So You Think You Can Dance and all of the operating expenses, including all of the production costs. Fox has been granted a perpetual and exclusive license, including the right of first negotiation and last refusal, to broadcast So You Think You Can Dance. Fox pays 19 Entertainment a variable, non-auditable license fee per episodic hour. These fees fund the production costs of the show. 19 Entertainment retains the balance of the Fox license fees minus production costs. 19 Entertainment also receives an executive producer fee per episode and generates revenue from sales of the U.S. show and sales of the format to 18 foreign countries. 19 Entertainment pays a contractual profit share to our production partners, Dick Clark Productions and Nigel Lythgoe, with Fox also sharing in the profit on foreign sales.
 
Recorded Music
 
In the United States, 19 Entertainment has the recording rights to the show’s contestants and typically options the recording rights from the finalists of American Idol and then enters into recording agreements with the winner and certain of the finalists. 19 Entertainment is currently a party to long-term recording agreements with Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, the winner and runner-up of American Idol 9, respectively, as well as numerous best-selling former IDOLS contestants, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, David Cook, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. In the majority of the rest of the world, 19 Entertainment has the exclusive right to select the record company to sign contestants on television shows based on the IDOLS brand to long-term recording contracts.
 
As part of a multi-year agreement, Universal Music Group is 19 Entertainment’s record label partner with respect to IDOLS-based recorded music in many major territories around the world including the season of American Idol airing in 2011. Universal Music Group’s Interscope Geffen A&M will market, promote and distribute American Idol winner and finalists albums globally across retail and new media platforms, and local Universal Music Group affiliates will market, promote and distribute other IDOLS winners and finalists in the local markets. 19 Entertainment enters into recording contracts with the finalists and then grants an optional exclusive license to Universal Music Group to handle the marketing, manufacturing and distribution of the records throughout the world.
 
For the 2010 season of American Idol and prior, Sony Music Entertainment (“Sony Music”) was 19 Entertainment’s record label partner. The agreement with Sony Music expired following the airing of the 2010 season of American Idol though the agreement will continue to cover all artists signed through the 2010 season. In further consideration for 19 Entertainment designating Sony Music as the record label for American Idol artists, Fox agreed in 2005 to pay to 19 Entertainment a non-recoupable annual fee of $5.0 million for each of the fifth through ninth


7


Table of Contents

seasons of American Idol. Fox’s obligation to make this payment terminated upon the expiration of the agreement with Sony Music.
 
In the United States, the record company that licenses the winning artist and/or any of the finalists pays to 19 Entertainment a recoupable advance, out of which 19 Entertainment funds an advance to the finalists/artists. Outside the United States, the designated record company licenses the winning artist and/or any of the finalists directly and pays to them advances and royalties commensurate with the terms of usual exclusive recording contracts for artists with one platinum selling album prior to signature in the relevant country. A subsidiary of 19 Entertainment then receives override advances and royalties with respect to these winning artists and/or finalists.
 
In addition to the aforementioned, 19 Entertainment controls the exclusive rights to record music from contestants on American Idol. For the season of American Idol airing in 2011, we will be recording performances from the top 13 contestants, licensing this music for use on the show and selling the music.
 
Internet and Telephony
 
19 Entertainment, together with FremantleMedia and Fox, is working to extend the reach of the American Idol brand across additional media platforms and distribution channels, starting with the development of an expanded presence on the Internet. Under the terms of the 2005 agreement with Fox, Fox agreed, at its own expense, to build and host www.americanidol.com, which serves as the show’s official website. 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia and Fox agreed to work together to develop content for the website. Fox pays 19 Entertainment/FremantleMedia two-thirds of net Internet revenue generated by Fox above certain thresholds on the primary site for each season through the 2011 season of American Idol. In addition to developing content with Fox for the primary site, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia retain their right to offer premium services on the website and retain 100% of the income generated from such premium services.
 
Additionally, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia have granted to Fox certain wireless telephony rights, including show-related or inspired ringtones, realtones and video footage. Fox is required to pay 19 Entertainment/FremantleMedia 50% of telephony revenue generated by Fox above certain thresholds for each season through the 2011 season of American Idol. To date, revenue has not exceeded the thresholds above which we would receive payment from Fox.
 
Sponsorship and Merchandising
 
19 Entertainment’s sponsorship and merchandising revenue is driven primarily by the IDOLS brand franchise. Fox has exclusive responsibility for selling on-air media on behalf of the American Idol series. However, to the extent that media buyers seek any off-air promotional tie-ins or in program identification rights, these rights can only be sold with the consent of 19 Entertainment/FremantleMedia. With respect to the American Idol tours, 19 Entertainment’s staff solicits sponsors directly and exclusively.
 
19 Entertainment also options the merchandising rights for the winner and certain finalists for each American Idol program and typically signs exclusive merchandising contracts with the winner and certain finalists. As noted above and except for tour merchandising which is controlled by 19 Entertainment, all merchandising and licensing associated with the American Idol television series is controlled by FremantleMedia on a world-wide basis, though 19 Entertainment receives 50% of net merchandising revenue.
 
Touring
 
With the success of the IDOLS brand, touring has become a significant source of revenue for 19 Entertainment. As discussed above, when the number of contestants on American Idol has been narrowed down to the final ten contestants, 19 Entertainment engages the finalists as talent for an American Idol branded tour produced by 19 Entertainment. In the summer of 2010, the American Idol tour, featuring the finalists from the show’s ninth season, played 44 dates in cities and venues across the United States and Canada.
 
Similarly, with the success of So You Think You Can Dance, the annual live tour featuring contestants from the recently-ended season has become a consistent source of revenue for the Company. The 2010 tour featuring


8


Table of Contents

contestants from the show’s seventh season played 40 dates in cities and venues across the United States and Canada.
 
Disney Attraction and Agreements
 
In 2008, 19 Entertainment, together with FremantleMedia, entered into an agreement with Walt Disney World Co. (“Disney”) for the creation of an American Idol attraction to be located at Disney’s Hollywood Studio theme park in Orlando, Florida. Guests at the attraction have the opportunity to perform before a live audience, compete for a chance to appear in a theme park show based on American Idol and participate as part of the judges panel as other guests perform. The attraction opened in February 2009. The agreement with Disney expires in February 2014. Disney has the right to extend the term for up to ten additional years. Under the agreement with Disney, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia receive an annual license fee, a clip fee, a percentage of sponsorships sold by Disney for the attraction and a percentage of American Idol merchandise sold by Disney.
 
19 Entertainment has also entered into a talent agreement with Disney pursuant to which 19 Entertainment receives an annual performance fee in exchange for making certain American Idol contestants available for limited promotional work, personal appearances and a performance for a Disney-owned property.
 
Artist Management
 
19 Entertainment options the right to manage the final contestants in each series of the IDOLS brand broadcasts in the United States. 19 Entertainment currently manages a number of American Idol winners and finalists, including David Cook, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Lee DeWyze. 19 Entertainment collects management fees from such activities as the artists’ performances and personal appearances.
 
Through our MBST division, we manage more than 30 clients, representing an array of Oscar®, Tony®, Emmy® and Grammy® winning artists, including Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Woody Allen for more than 25 years each. In addition to its management activities, our MBST division or its senior executives have acted as executive producers on a fee basis without significant profit participation for numerous motion pictures and television productions over the years, including Arthur, Good Morning Vietnam, The Vanishing, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, which won the 2009 Golden Globe award for best motion picture — musical or comedy, and the remake of Arthur scheduled for release in 2011. Typically, such fees have not, in the aggregate, contributed a material amount to our revenue.
 
Seasonality
 
19 Entertainment’s revenue is seasonal in nature, reflecting the timing of our television shows and tours in various markets. Historically, 19 Entertainment has generated higher revenue during the first three quarters of the calendar year, which corresponds to the dates our American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance series air on Fox in the United States and the timing of the annual American Idol summer tour.
 
Transactions with Simon Fuller and Restructuring of 19 Entertainment
 
On January 13, 2010, the Company entered into a series of agreements with Simon Fuller (i) securing Mr. Fuller’s long-term creative services as a consultant, (ii) providing the Company with an option to invest in XIX Entertainment Limited (“XIX Entertainment”), a new entertainment company that Mr. Fuller has launched, and (iii) agreeing to the termination of Mr. Fuller’s employment with 19 Entertainment. Upon entering into these agreements, Mr. Fuller resigned as a director of the Company and as an officer and director of 19 Entertainment. Pursuant to the consultancy agreement, the Company has engaged Mr. Fuller to provide services, including executive producer services, in respect of the Company’s IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance programs. In consideration for providing these services, Mr. Fuller will receive 10% of the Company’s net profits from each of the aforementioned programs for the life of the programs as long as Mr. Fuller continues to provide consulting services with respect to such programs. In 2010 and for each year after 2010, subject to certain conditions, Mr. Fuller will receive an annual advance against the consulting fee if American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance remain on the air. The advances are non-refundable to the Company, but we may recoup the amount of such


9


Table of Contents

advances within each year from the consulting fee payable to Mr. Fuller. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company has recorded $9.1 million of the consulting fee to cost of sales.
 
In addition to the aforementioned payment and supplementary separation payments, Mr. Fuller received additional consideration for providing creative and strategic advice with respect to our overall business for the six-month period through July 13, 2010 and the Company paid Mr. Fuller for an option to invest in Mr. Fuller’s new entertainment company. The Company elected not to exercise the option, which expired on March 15, 2010.
 
As noted previously, management undertook a review of each of the businesses conducted by 19 Entertainment and determined to focus its efforts principally around its established IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance brands. Following this review, management determined to exit most of the other businesses conducted by 19 Entertainment by the end of 2010, including the shut-down of its If I Can Dream project at the end of September 2010.
 
In pursuit of this plan, on August 11, 2010, certain of the businesses and assets of 19 Entertainment that the Company intended to exit were sold to XIX Management Limited (“XIX Management”), a company owned and controlled by Simon Fuller. These businesses and assets, which included the Company’s interest in Beckham Brands Limited, an interest in a fashion-based partnership and certain U.K. recorded music and management assets, were sold for the approximate book value of the transferred business.
 
Presley Business
 
We own an 85% interest in the entities which own and/or control the commercial utilization of the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operation of the Graceland museum and related attractions, as well as revenue derived from Elvis Presley’s television specials, films and certain of his recorded musical works (the “Presley Business”). The Presley Business consists primarily of three components: first, intellectual property, including the licensing of the name, image, likeness and trademarks associated with Elvis Presley, as well as other owned and/or controlled intellectual property and the collection of royalties from certain motion pictures, television specials and recorded musical works and music compositions; second, the operation of the Graceland museum and related attractions and retail establishments, including Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel and other ancillary real estate assets; and third, the relationship with Cirque du Soleil, including Viva ELVIS, the theatrical show presented in Las Vegas.
 
We believe the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, as well as related intellectual property assets, are prime examples of the type of content that offers opportunities to generate increased revenue from diverse platforms and distribution channels. Elvis Presley is the best-selling solo musical recording artist in U.S. history, having sold more than one billion albums and singles worldwide and having set records for the most albums and singles that have been certified Gold® and Platinum® by the Recording Industry Association of America. Over the past five years, more than twenty-five million Elvis Presley albums, including five million of digital downloads, have been sold worldwide and approximately 519,000 people visited Graceland in 2010.
 
While to date the Presley Business has been successful in accomplishing its primary goal of protecting and preserving the legacy of Elvis Presley, we believe there is a significant opportunity to further enhance the image of Elvis Presley and develop commercial opportunities for the Presley Business. Together with Cirque du Soleil and MGM MIRAGE, we launched Viva ELVIS, a permanent live theatrical Vegas-style Cirque du Soleil show based on the life, times and music of Elvis Presley. The show, which is being presented at the ARIA Resort and Casino in CityCenter on the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, opened in February 2010.
 
Licensing and Intellectual Property
 
Music Rights
 
We own co-publishing rights to approximately 650 music compositions, most of which were recorded by Elvis Presley. BMG Rights Management administers the majority of the Company’s share of these compositions, along with the shares of our co-publishers under an administration agreement. More than 48.3% of our publishing income from these compositions for 2010 originated outside the United States. The public performance rights for these


10


Table of Contents

compositions are administered by The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the two largest U.S. based companies which license and distribute royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of copyrighted musical works in the United States.
 
We also own rights to receive royalties from sales of certain Elvis Presley records. Under Elvis Presley’s recording contract with RCA Corporation (“RCA”) (now part of Sony Music), he was entitled to receive an artist’s royalty on record sales. In March 1973, Elvis Presley sold his ongoing record royalty rights on everything he had recorded up to that time to RCA. We continue to receive royalties on sales of records Elvis Presley recorded after March 1973 and a marketing royalty or other fee in exchange for the right to use Elvis Presley’s name, image and likeness in connection with the sale and marketing of certain newly released compilation records that include music Elvis Presley recorded before March 1973.
 
Sony Music (as RCA’s successor) generally does not have the right to license master recordings featuring Elvis Presley’s musical performances for any commercial use other than the sale of records. We negotiate, together with Sony Music, when requests are received for the use of these masters in a commercial setting. In addition, we retain the right to approve remixes and edits of any of the master recordings. For example, we receive a share of the artist royalty payments for the Elvis Presley Christmas Duets album (released in Fall 2008) in exchange for approving certain edits to the master recordings used on that album.
 
Name, Image and Likeness
 
We own the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley as well as trademarks in various names and images associated with Elvis Presley. We license to others the right to use this intellectual property for merchandising and other commercial exploitation. In addition, we enter into licenses for the use of video and audio clips of Elvis Presley from various motion pictures in which he starred and the television programs which we own.
 
Television/Video
 
We own and have the right to exploit the rights to two of Elvis Presley’s television specials: ‘‘68 Special” (1968) and “Aloha From Hawaii” (1973) and, as a result of this ownership, we have the right to negotiate for revenue associated with the use of footage from these specials in other media and formats. We own the rights to “Elvis by the Presleys” (2005), a two-hour documentary and four-hour DVD based on and including rare archival footage, home movies and photos, and interviews with Elvis Presley, his friends and relatives, including Lisa Marie Presley and Priscilla Presley. We also own the rights to “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas” (2007), a two-hour television special examining Elvis Presley’s influence on Las Vegas, incorporating rarely seen footage of Elvis Presley performing in Las Vegas, revealing interviews with those closest to him, and special performances from some of today’s top recording stars singing Elvis Presley’s Las Vegas classics.
 
Motion Pictures
 
Elvis Presley starred in 31 feature films as an actor and two theatrically released concert documentary films. Elvis Presley had, and we are entitled to receive, participation royalties in 24 of these films. We have the right to receive royalties, but do not own the films themselves or control the content or distribution of such films. In addition, we have the rights to and negotiate for revenue associated with the use of Elvis Presley’s images as extracted from these films and embodied in other media and formats.
 
Licensing
 
In addition to our own merchandising efforts, our licensing division is charged with the responsibility of protecting and preserving the integrity of Elvis Presley’s image, Graceland and other related properties. We seek to accomplish this through the pursuit of appropriate commercial opportunities that advance and complement our financial strategies while maintaining the desired branding and positioning for “Elvis” and our other properties.
 
The Presley Business currently has 247 licensees worldwide for the “Elvis” brand selling products in 122 countries with approximately 7,000 active skus or products in the marketplace. Examples of our licensed products and services (and the corresponding licensees) include: greeting cards (American Greetings Corporation);


11


Table of Contents

slot machines (IGT); satellite radio (Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc.); collectibles (The Bradford Exchange and Taylor Specialties); calendars and stationary (Mead Corporation); and The Hamilton Ventura Elvis Watch Collection (The Swatch Group).
 
Graceland Operations
 
Graceland
 
Graceland, the 13.5 acre estate which served as the primary residence of Elvis Presley from 1957 until his passing in 1977, is located in Memphis, Tennessee. Graceland was first opened to public tours in 1982. Over the past five years, Graceland has averaged approximately 552,000 visitors per year.
 
We operate Graceland under the terms of a 90-year lease with The Promenade Trust, which owns a 15% interest in the Presley Business, under which 84 years remain. We prepaid approximately $3.0 million of rent at closing of the acquisition of the Presley Business and will make monthly payments of $1.00 per month during the term of the lease. We own all worldwide rights, title and interest in and to the name “Graceland,” which name may be used at additional themed locations as well as in Memphis, Tennessee.
 
The focal point of the Graceland business is a guided mansion tour, which includes a walk through the historic residence as well as an extensive display of Elvis’ gold records and awards, career mementos, stage costumes, jewelry, photographs and more.
 
In addition to the mansion, the Graceland operations include an automobile museum featuring vehicles owned and used by Elvis, the “Sincerely Elvis” and “Everything Elvis” museums, which feature changing exhibits of Elvis Presley memorabilia, an aviation exhibition featuring the airplanes on which Elvis traveled while on tour, restaurants, a wedding chapel, ticketing and parking. We also own and operate retail stores at Graceland offering Elvis Presley-themed merchandise and exclusive licensed merchandise for visitors to Graceland.
 
Adjacent to the Graceland real property, we own 53.4 acres of vacant land which includes sites that were previously two apartment complexes. We also own and operate the Graceland RV Park and Campground, an 18.9 acre site located directly across from the mansion, which we acquired in 2006 in connection with our plans to expand the Graceland attraction.
 
Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel
 
Adjacent to the mansion and related attractions, we operate Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel, which is marketed primarily to visitors to Graceland. Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel is a 128-room boutique hotel. The hotel had an average occupancy rate of approximately 67% during the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Graceland Improvements
 
We have previously announced preliminary plans to re-develop our Graceland attraction to include an expanded visitors center, new attractions and merchandising shops and potentially a new hotel. Although we continue to consider the exact scope, cost, financing plan and timing of such a project, we expect that the redevelopment of Graceland, if and when pursued, would take several years and could require a substantial financial investment by the Company. In addition, our ability to pursue such a project would be conditioned on a number of factors, including but not limited to general economic conditions, the availability of capital and obtaining necessary approvals and concessions from local and state authorities. The Company remains committed to the growth and vitality of the Graceland property and its surroundings and will continue to study the opportunity for redevelopment on its own or together with third parties.
 
Seasonality
 
Graceland’s business has historically been seasonal with sharply higher numbers of visitors during the late spring and summer seasons as compared to the fall and winter seasons.


12


Table of Contents

Relationship with Cirque du Soleil
 
Together with Cirque du Soleil and MGM MIRAGE (“MGM”), we launched Viva ELVIS, a permanent live theatrical Vegas-style Cirque du Soleil show based on the life, times and music of Elvis Presley. The show, which is being presented at the ARIA Resort and Casino in CityCenter on the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, opened in February 2010.
 
Under the terms of their joint venture, Elvis Presley Enterprises and Cirque du Soleil share the costs and expenses associated with developing and producing Viva ELVIS. In addition, the Company and its affiliates provide certain corporate services and license Elvis Presley-related intellectual property, and Cirque du Soleil and its affiliates provide creative input, conceptual guidance and related development experience, to the joint venture, in each case in return for agreed upon royalties and other consideration.
 
Under the terms of the agreement between the joint venture and MGM, MGM funded the development of the theater at the ARIA Resort and Casino in return for a portion of the ticket sales, show merchandise and other revenue related to Viva ELVIS. The portion of ticket sales, show merchandise and other revenue not allocated to MGM are shared by the joint venture and its respective affiliates.
 
The Company incurred cumulative expenditures in the investment of $26.4 million through 2010. In the first quarter of 2010, the Presley Business began reporting results from the Cirque du Soleil Viva ELVIS show in Las Vegas.
 
Ali Business
 
We own an 80% interest in the name, image, likeness and all other rights of publicity of Muhammad Ali, certain trademarks and copyrights owned by Mr. Ali and his affiliates and the rights to all existing Muhammad Ali license agreements (the “Ali Business”). The Ali Business consists of the commercial exploitation of the name, image, likeness and intellectual property of Muhammad Ali, primarily through endorsement and licensing agreements.
 
The primary revenue source comes from licensing Muhammad Ali’s name and likeness for consumer products, commercials and other uses. Licensing revenue is primarily derived from long-term contracts with terms of one to five years. The intellectual property that is owned by the Company is licensed to third parties for commercial exploitation under long-term agreements. The Ali Business also generates revenue from sports memorabilia signings performed by Mr. Ali.
 
International Operations
 
Approximately $48 million, or 17%, of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2010 was attributable to sales outside the United States.
 
Segment Information
 
The Company currently has four reportable segments: Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing, Presley Business — Graceland Operations, 19 Entertainment and the Ali Business. These designations have been made as the discrete operating results of these segments are reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision makers to assess performance and make operating decisions. Refer to Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and note 15 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for financial information about the Company’s segments.
 
Regulation
 
Our businesses are regulated by governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Because of our international operations, we must comply with diverse and evolving regulations. Regulation relates to, among other things, management, licensing, foreign investment, use of confidential customer information and content. Our failure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations could result in, among other things, regulatory actions or legal proceedings against us, the imposition of fines, penalties or judgments against us or significant limitations on our activities. In addition, the regulatory environment in which we operate is subject to change. New or revised


13


Table of Contents

requirements imposed by governmental authorities could have adverse effects on us, including increased costs of compliance. Changes in the regulation of our operations or changes in interpretations of existing regulations by courts or regulators or our inability to comply with current or future regulations could adversely affect us by reducing our revenue, increasing our operating expenses and exposing us to significant liabilities.
 
Intellectual Property
 
Our business involves the ownership, licensing and distribution of intellectual property. Such intellectual property includes copyrights, trademarks and service marks in names, domain names, logos and characters, rights of publicity, patents or patent applications for inventions related to our products and services, and licenses of intellectual property rights of various kinds.
 
Our intellectual property, including the rights to the names, images and likenesses of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali, and the names, trademarks and service marks of American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, is material to our operations. If we do not or cannot protect our material intellectual property rights against infringement or misappropriation by third parties, (whether for legal reasons or for business reasons relating, for example, to the cost of litigation), our revenue may be materially adversely affected.
 
We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright, rights of publicity and other laws, as well as licensing agreements and third party nondisclosure and assignment agreements. Because of the differences in foreign trademark, patent, copyright and other laws concerning proprietary rights, and various foreign and U.S. state laws concerning publicity rights, our intellectual property rights may not receive the same degree of protection in one jurisdiction as in another. Although we believe that our intellectual property is enforceable in most jurisdictions, we cannot guarantee such validity or enforceability. Our failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property rights for any reason could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We rely on trademarks, trade names, and brand names to distinguish our products from those of our competitors, and have registered or applied to register certain of these trademarks in jurisdictions around the world. In addition, FremantleMedia has registered certain of these trademarks, including the trademark American Idol and its logo, on our joint behalf. With respect to applications to register trademarks that have not yet been accepted, we cannot assure you that such applications will be approved. Third parties may oppose the trademark applications, seek to cancel existing registrations or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks. If they are successful, we could be forced to re-brand our products and services, which could result in loss of brand recognition, and could require us to devote resources to advertising and marketing new brands. We also grant third parties the right to use our trademarks. In an effort to preserve trademark rights, we enter into license agreements with these third parties which govern the use of the trademarks, and which require our licensees to abide by quality control standards with respect to the goods and services that they provide under the trademarks. Although we make efforts to police the use of the trademarks by our licensees, we cannot make assurances that these efforts will be sufficient to ensure that our licensees abide by the terms of their licenses. In the event that our licensees fail to do so, the trademark rights could be diluted, or subject to challenge or invalidation.
 
Although we rely on copyright laws to protect the works of authorship created by us or transferred to us via assignment or by operation of law as work made for hire, we do not typically register our works. Copyrights in works of U.S. origin authored after January 1, 1978, exist as soon as the works are authored and fixed in a tangible medium; however, the works must be registered before the copyright owners may bring an infringement action in the United States. Furthermore, if a copyrighted work of U.S. origin is not registered within three months of publication of the underlying work or before the act of infringement, the copyright owner cannot recover statutory damages or attorneys’ fees in any U.S. enforcement action; rather, the owner must prove he suffered actual damages or lost profits. Accordingly, if one of our unregistered works of U.S. origin is infringed by a third party, we will need to register the work before we can file an infringement suit in the United States, and our remedies in any such infringement suit could be limited. Furthermore, copyright laws vary from country to country. Although copyrights that arise under U.S. law will be recognized in most other countries (as most countries are signatories of the Berne Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention), we cannot guarantee that courts in other jurisdictions will afford our copyrights with the same treatment as courts in the United States.


14


Table of Contents

In addition to copyright and trademark protection, we rely on the rights of publicity to prevent others from commercially exploiting each of Elvis Presley’s and Muhammad Ali’s name, image and likeness. At this time, there is no federal statute protecting our rights of publicity to Elvis Presley’s and Muhammad Ali’s names, images and likenesses. As a result, we must rely on state law to protect these rights. Although most states have recognized the rights of publicity to some extent, not all 50 states have expressly done so through their statutes or their respective common law. Thus, there is no guarantee that the rights of publicity are enforceable in every state. Additionally, many countries outside of the United States do not recognize the rights of publicity at all or do so in a more limited manner. Thus, there is no guarantee that we will be able to enforce our rights of publicity in these countries.
 
As we seek in the future to acquire owners of content, we will be required to perform extensive due diligence in numerous domestic and foreign jurisdictions, both on the content we seek to acquire, and on the laws of the applicable jurisdiction to protect such content, which will increase the costs associated with such acquisitions.
 
Employees
 
As of December 31, 2010, the Company had a total of 310 full-time employees, 148 part-time employees and 11 seasonal employees. Management considers its relations with its employees to be good.
 
Company Organization
 
On March 25, 2005, the Company changed its state of incorporation from Colorado to Delaware and changed its capital stock from no par value to $0.01 par value per share.
 
The principal executive office of the Company is located at 650 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022 and our telephone number is (212) 838-3100.
 
Available Information
 
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act’’), and files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such reports and other information filed by the Company may be inspected and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as in the SEC’s public reference rooms in New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.
 
In addition, the Company makes available free of charge through its Web site, www.ckx.com, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This reference to our Internet website does not constitute incorporation by reference in this report of the information contained on or hyperlinked from our Internet website and such information should not be considered part of this report.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
The risks and uncertainties described below are those that we currently believe are material to our stockholders.
 
Risks Related to Our Business
 
The continued success of our businesses, including the popularity of our entertainment properties, is dependent on a variety of factors.
 
We rely heavily upon the continued appeal of the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance brands, including the American Idol series in the United States and, to a lesser extent, the foreign adaptations of both brands. Our revenue and income derived from those television programs depend primarily upon the initial and continued acceptance of


15


Table of Contents

that programming by the public. Public acceptance of particular programming is dependent upon, among other things, the quality of the programming, the strength of networks on which the programming is broadcast, the promotion and scheduling of the programming and the quality and acceptance of competing television programming and other sources of entertainment and information. Popularity of programming can also be impacted by the strength, appeal and continuity of on-air talent. Simon Cowell left as on-air talent on American Idol at the conclusion of the 2010 season and will launch X-Factor, a competing music-based competition program, in the United States in the fall of 2011. While we believe there has been significant public acceptance for our IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance brands as stand-alone products, the continued value of the brands could be materially adversely affected if any of its on-air talent were to lose popularity, be unable or unwilling to participate in our business or compete with the brands.
 
Any one or more of these factors could result in one of the television series losing its popularity among viewers. Regardless of the reason, a decline in the number of television viewers who tune in to the shows and a reduced number of their foreign adaptations could result in lower advertising revenue for the networks that broadcast television shows based on the aforementioned brands and hurt our ability to sell future format shows based on the brands. This in turn would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
 
We also rely upon the continued popularity of Elvis Presley and, to a lesser degree, Muhammad Ali and the market for products that exploit their names, images and likenesses. Although we believe that Elvis Presley fans will continue to visit Graceland and purchase Elvis Presley-related merchandise, any tarnishing of the public images of Elvis Presley could materially negatively impact our business and results of operations. Moreover, as the life, times and artistic works of Elvis Presley grow more distant in our past, their popularity may decline. If the public were to lose interest in Elvis Presley or form a negative impression of him, our business, operating results and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the success of the Muhammad Ali business is dependent upon our ability to utilize and exploit the brand. If we are unable to find opportunities to successfully utilize the brand, our investment in the Muhammad Ali business may be subject to further impairment.
 
Our success depends, to a significant degree, on our relationships with third parties, including our co-producers, television broadcasters and record companies.
 
Our ability to exploit new entertainment content depends on our ability to have that content produced and distributed on favorable terms. Although we have strong relationships in the entertainment industry, there can be no guarantee that these relationships will endure or that our production and distribution partners will honor their obligations to us. For example, we have historically depended heavily on the companies that co-produce and broadcast the American Idol series in the United States, namely Fox and FremantleMedia. Similarly, we depend on affiliates of Sony Music and, beginning in 2011, Universal Music, to make and distribute recordings by IDOLS winners in the United States and other significant markets and to pay us royalties on record sales and advance us monies against those royalties. We advance funds to the winners, after they sign recording contracts, from the monies we receive from the record companies. We also rely on Sony Music to distribute recordings featuring Elvis Presley. Any failure of Fox, FremantleMedia, Sony Music, Universal Music or other third parties on whom we rely to continue to honor their obligations to us and adhere to our past course of dealing and conduct would have a material adverse effect on our ability to realize continued revenue from the IDOLS platform. Revenue from Fox, FremantleMedia and Sony Music represented 35%, 10% and 5%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Many aspects of the current contractual arrangement with Fox and Fremantle with respect to the production and broadcast of the American Idol series expire at the conclusion of the 2011 season. If we are unable to negotiate a new contractual arrangement on favorable terms or if Fox chooses not to renew additional seasons of American Idol, our business, operating results and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
 
If we are unable to complete or integrate future acquisitions, our business strategy and common stock price may be negatively affected.
 
Our ability to identify and take advantage of attractive acquisition opportunities in the future is an important component in the implementation of our overall business strategy. We may be unable to identify, finance or


16


Table of Contents

complete acquisitions in the future. If the trading price of our common stock reflects the market’s expectation that we will complete acquisitions in the future, then the price of our common stock may drop if we are unable to complete such acquisitions. In addition, to the extent that the trading price of our common stock reflects a lower multiple than the private companies we may seek to acquire, we may be unable to use our common stock as currency in such an acquisition.
 
Even if we are able to complete future acquisitions, they could result in our incurrence of unanticipated liabilities or contingencies from such acquisitions, incurrence of potential operating losses from such acquisitions, engagement in competition with a larger universe of companies, incurrence of costs relating to possible additional regulatory requirements and compliance costs, issuance of more capital stock, which may dilute our stockholders’ percentage ownership in our company, incurrence of additional amounts of debt and/or amortization of additional intangible assets.
 
The successful integration of any businesses we may acquire in the future is a key element of our business strategy. We may be unable to effectively integrate businesses we may acquire in the future without encountering the difficulties described above. Failure to effectively integrate such businesses could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, the combined companies may not benefit as expected from the integration.
 
Certain affiliates, noncontrolling interests and third parties have the right to exploit our intellectual property for commercial purposes and may exercise those rights in a manner that negatively affects our business.
 
Certain third parties with whom we have contractual relationships have the right to commercially exploit certain of our intellectual property, including through shared music publishing rights and film and television production and distribution agreements. We receive a share of the resulting revenue. Our revenue share under such agreements depends on the ability of third parties to successfully market that content. If such third parties exploit our intellectual property in a manner that diminishes its value, or adversely affects the goodwill associated with such intellectual property, there may be a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow and, ultimately, the price of our common stock.
 
Our intellectual property rights may be inadequate to protect our business.
 
Our intellectual property, including the rights to the names, images and likenesses of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali, and the name, trademark and service mark “American Idol,” is material to our operations. If we do not or cannot protect our material intellectual property rights against infringement or misappropriation by third parties, (whether for legal reasons or for business reasons relating, for example, to the cost of litigation), our revenue may be materially adversely affected.
 
We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright, rights of publicity and other laws, as well as licensing agreements and confidentiality and assignment agreements. Because of the differences in foreign trademark, patent, copyright and other laws concerning proprietary rights and various foreign and U.S. state laws concerning publicity rights, our intellectual property rights may not receive the same degree of protection in one jurisdiction as in another. Although we believe that our intellectual property is enforceable in most jurisdictions, we cannot guarantee such validity or enforceability. Our failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property rights for any reason could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We rely on trademarks, trade names, and brand names to distinguish our products, services and content from those of our competitors, and have registered or applied to register certain of these trademarks in jurisdictions around the world. In addition, FremantleMedia has registered on our behalf certain trademarks that we co-own with them, including the trademark “American Idol” and its logo. With respect to applications to register trademarks that have not yet been accepted, we cannot assure you that such applications will be approved. Third parties may oppose the trademark applications, seek to cancel existing registrations or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks. If they are successful, we could be forced to re-brand our products, services and content, which could result in loss of brand recognition, and could require us to devote resources to advertising and marketing new brands. We also grant


17


Table of Contents

third parties the right to use our trademarks. In an effort to preserve trademark rights, we enter into license agreements with these third parties which govern the use of the trademarks, and which require our licensees to abide by quality control standards with respect to the goods and services that they provide under the trademarks. Although we make efforts to police the use of the trademarks by our licensees, we cannot make assurances that these efforts will be sufficient to ensure that our licensees abide by the terms of their licenses. In the event that our licensees fail to do so, the trademark rights could be diluted, or subject to challenge or invalidation.
 
Although we rely on copyright laws to protect the works of authorship created by us or transferred to us via assignment or by operation of law as work made for hire, we do not typically register our works. Copyrights in works of U.S. origin authored after January 1, 1978 exist as soon as the works are authored and fixed in a tangible medium; however, the works must be registered before the copyright owners may bring an infringement action in the United States. Furthermore, if a copyrighted work of U.S. origin is not registered within three months of publication of the underlying work or before the act of infringement, the copyright owner cannot recover statutory damages or attorneys’ fees in any U.S. enforcement action; rather, the owner must prove he suffered actual damages or lost profits. Accordingly, if one of our unregistered works of U.S. origin is infringed by a third party, we will need to register the work before we can file an infringement suit in the United States, and our remedies in any such infringement suit could be limited. Furthermore, copyright laws vary from country to country. Although copyrights that arise under U.S. and U.K. law will be recognized in most other countries (as most countries are signatories of the Berne Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention), we cannot guarantee that courts in other jurisdictions will afford our copyrights with the same treatment as courts in the United States or the United Kingdom.
 
In addition to copyright and trademark protection, we rely on the rights of publicity to prevent others from commercially exploiting Elvis Presley’s and Muhammad Ali’s names, images and likenesses. At this time, there is no federal statute protecting our rights of publicity to Elvis Presley’s and Muhammad Ali’s names, images and likenesses. As a result, we must rely on state law to protect these rights. Although most states have recognized the rights of publicity to some extent, not all 50 states have expressly done so through their statutes or their respective common law and certain of those states which have recognized such rights, have imposed certain limitations on the enforcement of these rights. Consequently, there is no guarantee that the rights of publicity are enforceable in every state. Additionally, many countries outside of the United States do not recognize the rights of publicity at all or do so in a more limited manner. Consequently, there is no guarantee that we will be able to enforce our rights of publicity in these countries.
 
We have incurred costs due to increased litigation intended to protect our intellectual property rights and, to the extent that we pursue additional litigation in the future, we may incur even higher costs.
 
Changes in U.S., global, or regional economic conditions could have an adverse effect on the profitability of some or all of our businesses.
 
A decline in economic activity in the United States and other regions of the world in which we do business can adversely affect demand for any of our businesses, thus reducing our revenue and earnings. The most recent decline in economic conditions and continued high unemployment can reduce demand for our products due to the discretionary nature of many of our revenue streams, such as music sales, touring attendance, visitors to Graceland and purchases of licensed product. Economic conditions can also impair the ability of those with whom we do business to satisfy their obligations to us.
 
The departure or a failure to recruit key personnel could have a detrimental effect on us.
 
Our success will depend to a significant extent upon a limited number of members of senior management and other key employees. The loss of the services of one or more key managers or other key creative, marketing or management employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, we believe that our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain additional management and marketing personnel. There can be no assurance we will be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel, and the failure to do so could have a detrimental effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.


18


Table of Contents

We may not be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms, or at all.
 
We expect that we will require additional financing over time. In March 2010 we entered into an amendment to our credit facility which included, among other changes, a reduction in the maximum size of the facility to $100.0 million. As a result of this amendment and the fact that we have previously drawn down $100.0 million, there are no additional borrowings available under the credit facility. Our existing revolving credit facility expires in May 2011. On March 3, 2011, we entered into a commitment letter with certain of the lenders party to our existing revolving credit facility to amend and restate the existing facility. Upon execution, the amended credit facility will require a paydown and permanent reduction of commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $40.0 million, which will reduce the total outstanding balance to $60.0 million. The amended credit facility would also extend the maturity date of the loans thereunder such that we will be required to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the amended credit facility on or before September 30, 2012. If we are not able to consummate the amended credit facility, we would need to repay the existing revolving credit facility in full in May 2011 out of cash on hand and/or proceeds from an alternate debt financing. The availability and cost of any such alternate debt financing would be dependant upon a number of factors including current and future performance of the Company and overall conditions in the debt markets.
 
In addition to the foregoing, our access to third party sources of capital will depend, in part, on the market’s perception of our current performance and growth potential, our current debt levels, our current and expected future earnings, our cash flow and the market price per share of our common stock.
 
Any future debt financing or issuances of preferred stock that we may make will be senior to the rights of holders of our common stock, and any future issuances of equity securities will result in the dilution of the then-existing stockholders’ proportionate equity interest.
 
We depend upon distributions from our operating subsidiaries to fund our operations and may be subordinate to the rights of their existing and future creditors.
 
We conduct substantially all of our operations through our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries must first satisfy their cash needs and then provide cash to satisfy the needs of our corporate structure, which includes salaries of our executive officers, insurance, professional fees and service of indebtedness that may be outstanding at various times. Financial covenants under future credit agreements, or provisions of the laws of Delaware, where we are organized, or Tennessee or England and Wales, where certain of our subsidiaries are organized, may limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make sufficient dividend, distribution or other payments to us. Creditors of our subsidiaries (including trade creditors) will be entitled to payment from the assets of those subsidiaries before those assets can be distributed to us. By virtue of our holding company status, our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, which is held by The Promenade Trust for the benefit of Lisa Marie Presley, is structurally junior in right of payment to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries. The inability of our operating subsidiaries to make distributions to us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The concentration of ownership of our capital stock with a small number of investors will limit your ability to influence corporate matters.
 
In contrast to previous years, our current executive officers and non-independent directors only own a small percentage of our outstanding capital stock. As of March 4, 2011, they together beneficially owned approximately 4.6% of our outstanding capital stock. Our current management’s ability to implement their strategic plans for the Company may therefore be impeded by the fact that they do not own a significant amount of our common stock.
 
Currently, four outside investors and their affiliates own, in the aggregate, a majority of our outstanding capital stock. Our largest stockholder is Robert F.X. Sillerman, our former chief executive officer and former chairman of the board of directors, who beneficially owns approximately 21.2% of our outstanding capital stock. These investors therefore have the ability to influence the outcome of matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election and removal of directors, amendments to our charter, approval of any equity-based employee compensation plan and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentrated control may limit your ability to influence corporate matters and, as a result, we may take actions that our other stockholders do not view as beneficial. As a result, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected.


19


Table of Contents

We are subject to extensive governmental regulation, and our failure to comply with regulations could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and business.
 
Our businesses are regulated by governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Because our operations are international, we must comply with diverse and evolving regulations. These regulations relate to, among other things, management, licensing, foreign investment, use of confidential customer information and content. Our failure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations could result in, among other things, regulatory actions or legal proceedings against us, the imposition of fines, penalties or judgments against us or significant limitations on our activities. In addition, the regulatory environment in which we operate is subject to change. New or revised requirements imposed by governmental authorities could have adverse effects on us, including increased costs of compliance. Changes in the regulation of our operations or changes in interpretations of existing regulations by courts or regulators or our inability to comply with current or future regulations could adversely affect us by reducing our revenue, increasing our operating expenses and exposing us to significant liabilities.
 
Our business involves risks of liability associated with entertainment content, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
As an owner and developer of entertainment content, we may face potential liability for defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, actions for royalties and accountings, trademark misappropriation, trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, negligence and/or other claims based on the nature and content of the materials distributed.
 
These types of claims have been brought, sometimes successfully, against broadcasters, publishers, merchandisers, online services and other developers and distributors of entertainment content. We could also be exposed to liability in connection with material available through our Internet sites. Any imposition of liability that is not covered by insurance or is in excess of insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on us.
 
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
 
We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, and the lack of cash dividends may have a negative effect on our common stock price.
 
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends or cash distributions on our common stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to support operations and to finance expansion and therefore do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of our existing credit agreement restrict the payment of cash dividends on our common stock.
 
Certain provisions of our stockholder rights plan, Delaware law and our charter documents could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable.
 
Our Board of Directors has adopted a stockholder rights plan, commonly referred to as a “poison pill.” This plan entitles existing stockholders to rights, including the right to purchase shares of our preferred stock, in the event of an acquisition of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. Because our stockholder rights plan could prevent or delay a change of control of the Company, the plan may prevent our stockholders from profiting from an increase in the market value of their shares upon such a change of control.
 
In addition to our stockholder rights plan, certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and by-laws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. These provisions include the following:
 
  •  Our Board of Directors has the right to elect directors to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the Board of Directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, subject to the right of the stockholders to elect a successor at the next annual or special meeting of stockholders, which limits the ability of stockholders to fill vacancies on our board of directors.


20


Table of Contents

 
  •  Our stockholders may not call a special meeting of stockholders, which would limit their ability to call a meeting for the purpose of, among other things, voting on acquisition proposals.
 
  •  Our by-laws may be amended by our Board of Directors without stockholder approval, provided that stockholders may repeal or amend any such amended by-law at a special or annual meeting of stockholders.
 
  •  Our by-laws also provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may not be taken by written action in lieu of a meeting.
 
  •  Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors, which could limit the ability of noncontrolling stockholders to elect director candidates.
 
  •  Stockholders must provide advance notice to nominate individuals for election to the board of directors or to propose matters that can be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.
 
  •  Our Board of Directors may authorize and issue, without stockholder approval, shares of preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to acquire our company.
 
As a Delaware corporation, by an express provision in our certificate of incorporation, we have elected to “opt out” of the restrictions under Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging, under certain circumstances, in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless:
 
  •  Prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
 
  •  Upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time such transaction commenced, excluding, for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, (1) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers of the corporation and (2) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
 
  •  On or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 662/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
 
In this context, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status owned, 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting securities.
 
A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of Section 203 with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws resulting from amendments approved by holders of at least a majority of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares. We elected to “opt out” of Section 203 by an express provision in our original certificate of incorporation. However, subject to certain restrictions, we may elect by an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to be subject to Section 203. Such an amendment would not, however, restrict a business combination between us and an interested stockholder if that stockholder became an interested stockholder prior to the effective date of such amendment.
 
Our certificate of incorporation may only be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and specifically provides that our Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal our by-laws. The by-laws additionally provide that they may be amended by action of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting, except for certain sections relating to indemnification of directors and officers.


21


Table of Contents

The conversion rights of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock may be detrimental to holders of our common stock.
 
We have 1,491,817 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding. The shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible by its holder(s) into shares of common stock at any time at a conversion price equal to the stated value of $15.30, subject to adjustments in connection with standard anti-dilution protections for stock splits, stock dividends and reorganizations. The shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock become convertible at our option from and after the third anniversary of the date of issuance, if, at any time, the average closing price of our common stock over a thirty-day trading period equals or exceeds 150% of the conversion price. During the period beginning August 7, 2012 and ending August 7, 2013, we can, at our sole discretion, redeem the outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, for an aggregate price equal to the stated value plus accrued but unpaid dividends through the date of redemption. If we do not exercise this redemption right, the conversion price for all remaining shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is thereafter reduced to the lower of (i) the conversion price then in effect and (ii) the average closing price of our common stock over a thirty-day trading period measured as of the last day of the redemption period.
 
The conversion of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock for our common stock would dilute stockholder ownership in the Company, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity or equity-linked securities. Any adjustments to the conversion rates of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock could exacerbate their dilutive effect.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.


22


Table of Contents

 
Item 2.   Properties
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the Company’s principal locations as of December 31, 2010. These properties were leased or owned by the Company for use in its operations. We believe that our facilities are suitable for the purposes for which they are employed, are adequately maintained and are adequate for the Company’s current requirements.
 
                     
Location   Segment   Name of Property   Type/Use of Property   Approximate Size   Owned or Leased
 
New York, NY
  Corporate/Ali Business   Corporate Headquarters   Offices   24,546 square feet   Lease expires in 2013
Memphis, TN
  Presley Business   Graceland   Museum/Home   13.53 acres   Lease expires in 2095
Memphis, TN
  Presley Business   Presley Business Headquarters/Retail/ Parking/Ancillary Use   Parking Lot/ Airplane Museum/Retail/EPE Corporate Office/Ancillary Use   38.60 acres   Owned
Memphis, TN
  Presley Business   Presley Business Office and Warehouses   Office and Warehouses   75,425 square feet   Leases expire in 2012
Memphis, TN
  Presley Business   Presley Business Offices   Offices   3,500 square feet   Owned
Los Angeles, CA
  19 Entertainment   19 Entertainment Headquarters(1)   Offices   21,852 square feet   Lease expires in 2014
Los Angeles, CA
  MBST and Presley Business   MBST and Presley Administrative Offices   Offices   11,910 square feet   Lease expires in 2013
 
 
(1) Prior to the restructuring of 19 Entertainment, the 19 Entertainment headquarters were located in London, England, with other offices in Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Nashville, TN and Paris, France. In connection with the restructuring, the Company relocated the 19 Entertainment headquarters to its Los Angeles office in 2010. The Company negotiated a sublease arrangement of a portion of the space in Los Angeles through mid-2011. The Company negotiated sublease arrangements of the entire 19 Entertainment New York administrative offices through the lease expiration in 2013 and the London offices through the lease expiration in 2012. We closed the Nashville office in 2010 and we plan to close the Paris office in early 2011. The Company has recorded provisions to restructuring for the estimated remaining liabilities for each of these properties.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
We are subject to certain claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business. It is the opinion of management that the outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Item 4.   (Removed And Reserved)


23


Table of Contents

PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Market Information
 
Since March 1, 2005, our common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) has been listed on The NASDAQ Global Market® under the ticker symbol “CKXE.” The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices of our Common Stock as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market® for each of the periods listed. The high and low closing sales prices for 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
 
                 
    2010
    High   Low
 
The NASDAQ Global Market®
               
Quarters Ended
               
December 31, 2010
  $ 5.30     $ 3.89  
September 30, 2010
  $ 5.60     $ 4.63  
June 30, 2010
  $ 6.30     $ 4.02  
March 31, 2010
  $ 6.12     $ 3.94  
 
                 
    2009
    High   Low
 
Quarters Ended
               
December 31, 2009
  $ 7.32     $ 5.26  
September 30, 2009
  $ 7.41     $ 5.87  
June 30, 2009
  $ 8.05     $ 4.10  
March 31, 2009
  $ 4.82     $ 3.12  
 
From January 1, 2011 through March 7, 2011, the high closing sales price for our Common Stock was $4.15, the low closing sales price was $2.91 and the last closing sales price on March 7, 2011 was $3.54. As of March 4, 2011, there were 1,026 holders of record of our Common Stock.
 
Dividend Policy
 
We have not paid and have no present intentions to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock. In addition, the terms of our existing credit agreement restrict the payment of cash dividends on our common stock.
 
Our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock requires payment of a cash dividend of 8% per annum in quarterly installments. On an annual basis, the total dividend payment on the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock will be $1.8 million. If we fail to make a quarterly dividend payment to the holder(s) of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock on a timely basis, the dividend rate increases to 12% per annum and all amounts owing must be paid within three business days in shares of common stock valued at the average closing price over the previous 30 consecutive trading days. After such payment is made, the dividend rate returns to 8% per annum. All such dividend payments have been made on a timely basis.
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
 
The table below shows information with respect to our equity compensation plans and individual compensation arrangements as of December 31, 2010. Additional information regarding stock-based compensation plans is presented in Note 13 — Share-Based Payments in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data located elsewhere in this report.


24


Table of Contents

                         
    Number of
       
    Securities to be
  Weighted-Average
   
    Issued Upon
  Exercise Price of
  Number of
    Exercise of
  Outstanding
  Securities
    Outstanding
  Options,
  Remaining
    Options, Warrants
  Warrants and
  Available for
Plan Category   and Rights   Rights   Future Issuance
    (#)   ($)   (#)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    2,679,600     $ 6.18       726,878  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 


25


Table of Contents

Performance Graph
 
The graph below compares CKX Inc.’s cumulative 5-year total shareholder return on common stock with the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 index and the S&P SuperCap Media index. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the company’s common stock and in each of the indexes (including reinvestment of dividends) was $100 on December 31, 2005 and tracks it through December 31, 2010.
 
 
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among CKX Inc., the S&P 500 Index
and S&P SuperCap Media Index
 
(COMPANY LOGO)
 
 
  $100 invested on 12/31/05 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.
 
Copyright© 2011 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
 
                                                             
      12/05     12/06     12/07     12/08     12/09     12/10
CKX Inc. 
      100.00         90.23         92.31         29.48         42.33         32.37  
S&P 500
      100.00         115.80         122.16         76.96         97.33         111.99  
S&P SuperCap Media Index
      100.00         129.36         109.59         66.98         95.81         119.11  
                                                             
 
The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
 
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
 
None.
 
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
 
None.


26


Table of Contents

 
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The selected consolidated financial data was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006. The data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
 
Our selected statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 includes the results of the Ali Business for the period following its acquisition on April 10, 2006.
 
                                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2010   2009   2008   2007   2006
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share and share information)
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Revenue
  $ 273,724     $ 328,353     $ 288,128     $ 266,777     $ 210,153  
Operating expenses(1)
    222,876       260,991       194,366       201,468       169,717  
Provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs
    19,291       1,418                    
Impairment charges
    24,637       2,526       35,661              
Depreciation and amortization
    18,687       19,241       21,161       22,551       20,541  
Operating income (loss)
    (11,767 )     44,177       36,940       42,758       19,895  
Interest income (expense), net
    (2,478 )     (3,027 )     (3,823 )     (3,946 )     240  
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates
    (14,245 )     41,150       33,117       40,993       16,812  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (1,043 )     15,358       14,430       19,432       6,178  
Equity in earnings of affiliates
    676       576       2,521       1,566       686  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (12,526 )     26,368       21,208       23,127       11,320  
Loss from discontinued operations
                      (8,430 )      
Net income (loss)
    (12,526 )     26,368       21,208       14,697       11,320  
Dividends on preferred stock
    (1,824 )     (1,824 )     (1,824 )     (1,824 )     (1,824 )
Net income (loss) available to CKX, Inc. 
    (14,350 )     24,544       19,384       12,873       9,496  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (1,366 )     (1,782 )     (2,257 )     (2,553 )     (2,127 )
Net income (loss) attributable to CKX, Inc. 
  $ (15,716 )   $ 22,762     $ 17,127     $ 10,320     $ 7,369  
Basic income (loss) per common share
  $ (0.17 )   $ 0.24     $ 0.18     $ 0.11     $ 0.08  
Diluted income (loss) per common share
  $ (0.17 )   $ 0.24     $ 0.18     $ 0.11     $ 0.08  
Average number of basic common shares outstanding
    92,907,981       93,298,778       96,674,706       96,901,172       92,529,152  
Average number of diluted common shares outstanding
    92,907,981       93,337,683       96,684,377       96,991,441       93,555,201  
 
 
(1) Operating expenses exclude provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs, impairment charges and depreciation and amortization.
 


27


Table of Contents

                                         
    As of December 31,
    2010   2009   2008   2007   2006
    (Amounts in thousands)
 
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 109,457     $ 66,587     $ 101,895     $ 50,947     $ 36,610  
Other current assets
    61,783       86,249       52,407       58,127       36,088  
Total assets
    460,833       499,214       476,061       525,455       489,117  
Current liabilities (excluding current portion of debt)
    61,668       77,718       78,292       59,845       39,432  
Current portion of debt
    100,515       482       489       652       631  
Total debt
    100,646       101,129       101,918       103,070       3,701  
Total liabilities
    180,734       206,892       210,319       207,992       91,153  
Redeemable restricted common stock
    7,347       7,347       23,002       23,002       23,002  
Total CKX, Inc. stockholders’ equity
    266,863       278,734       237,461       289,704       371,009  

28


Table of Contents

Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the Company’s historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Our future results of operations may change materially from the historical results of operations reflected in our historical financial statements.
 
Overview
 
We are engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. As more fully described below, our primary assets and operations include:
 
  •  19 Entertainment, which owns proprietary rights to the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television brands, both of which air in the United States, and, together with local adaptations of the format, around the world;
 
  •  An 85% ownership interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises, which owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, certain music and other intellectual property created by or related to Elvis Presley and the operations of Graceland and has partnered with Cirque du Soleil for Viva ELVIS in Las Vegas, Nevada; and
 
  •  An 80% ownership interest in Muhammad Ali Enterprises, which owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of, as well as certain trademarks and other intellectual property related to Muhammad Ali.
 
The former owners of Elvis Presley Enterprises and the Muhammad Ali Enterprises maintain a 15% and 20% interest in those businesses, respectively, and are each entitled to certain future distributions and have other contractual rights with respect thereto.
 
Our existing properties generate recurring revenue across multiple entertainment platforms, including music and television; licensing and merchandising; talent management; themed attractions and touring/live events.
 
Reorganization
 
In 2010, we undertook a significant reorganization and realignment of our businesses including making significant changes to our management team and business plan. Our review of all aspects of our business in 2010 resulted in our decision to significantly alter our business plan for 19 Entertainment to focus principally on our core IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance properties. As a result of the decision to concentrate primarily on these brands, management exited most of the other businesses within 19 Entertainment in 2010. We closed our office in London, sold certain non-core properties and development projects to an entity affiliated with Simon Fuller, who left his position as a director of our company and as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment in January 2010, and shut down other development projects, collectively eliminating 155 positions at 19 Entertainment.
 
19 Entertainment
 
19 Entertainment generates revenue from the creation and production of entertainment properties. Our primary revenue sources include production and license fees and related ratings and rankings bonuses from television programs, and royalties from the sale of recorded music by artists signed to our record label. We also derive revenue from the sale of merchandise, sponsorships and tours based on our television programs and recorded music artists, and fee income from management clients.
 
The majority of our revenue is derived from production and license fees and related performance bonuses from producing and licensing the IDOLS television show format in various countries and ancillary revenue streams from the IDOLS brand. Ancillary revenue from the IDOLS brand is generated through agreements which provide us with the option to sign finalists on the IDOLS television shows to long-term recording contracts, concert tours we produce featuring IDOLS finalists and the sale of sponsorships and merchandise involving the IDOLS brand.
 
The majority of our IDOLS related revenue is generated through our global television production and


29


Table of Contents

distribution agreement with FremantleMedia, and through agreements with our principal former global record label partners Ronagold Limited, for seasons American Idol 1 through American Idol 4, and, Simco Limited, for seasons American Idol 4 through American Idol 9, and with our current global record label partner Universal Music Group commencing with the 2011 season of American Idol. Therefore, we are highly dependent upon the continued ability of these entities to successfully maintain the IDOLS brand and promote our recording artists.
 
Other than American Idol, which is discussed below, the IDOLS television shows are generally produced or licensed under one year contracts under which each local television network has the right, but not the obligation, to renew the agreement for additional years. Our recording artists are generally signed to long-term recording contracts under which we and our record label partner have the right, but not the obligation, to have the artist release a specified number of albums.
 
Our revenue from the IDOLS brand is also highly dependent upon the continued success of the American Idol series which currently airs on the Fox network in the United States, and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show which air around the world. Our revenue is also dependent upon the continued success and productivity of our recording artists and management clients. A portion of our revenue from the American Idol series is dependent upon the number of hours of programming we deliver. The Fox network aired 56.0 hours in 2010 and 50.0 hours in 2009. On November 28, 2005, 19 Entertainment entered into a series of agreements with Fox, FremantleMedia and Sony Music/Simco, related to the American Idol television program. Under the terms of the agreements, Fox has guaranteed production through the 2011 season of American Idol. Additional terms of the agreements call for Fox to order a minimum of 37 hours and a maximum of 45 hours of American Idol programming each season (though 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia can agree to produce additional hours) and to pay 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia an increased license fee per season. The Company anticipates that we will enter into discussions with Fox and FremantleMedia during the second quarter of 2011 for the economic terms of the 2012 season of American Idol and beyond.
 
On July 7, 2009, the Company entered into two agreements with Ryan Seacrest, the host of American Idol, and certain of his affiliates to (i) ensure Mr. Seacrest’s availability for three future seasons of American Idol (years 2010, 2011 and 2012) and acquire Mr. Seacrest’s prime time television network exclusivity for future potential projects during the term of the agreement, and (ii) obtain the right to use Mr. Seacrest’s personal goodwill, merchandising rights, rights to his name, voice and image, and rights of publicity and promotion related to American Idol. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company paid $22.5 million upon execution of the agreements on July 7, 2009 and will pay Mr. Seacrest an additional $22.5 million in monthly installments during the term, for a total guaranteed amount of $45 million. Upon securing Mr. Seacrest’s services, the Company commenced negotiations with Fox related to a fee to be received by the Company for Mr. Seacrest’s services as the host of American Idol. The Company and Fox ultimately agreed to a fee arrangement of $5.0 million for Mr. Seacrest’s services as host of American Idol for each of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Company therefore expects to be responsible for a net amount of $30.0 million of the original $45.0 million guaranteed amount. The Company received payment for compensation related to the 2010 season in November 2010 and recognized $5.0 million as revenue in 2010 over the broadcast in the first and second quarters of the broadcast season. The Company is amortizing the aggregate payments of $45 million to cost of sales over the three-year term of the arrangement as the American Idol series airs, which is in accordance with our accounting policy as described below in “Application of Critical Accounting Policies — “Television Production Costs”.
 
19 Entertainment’s revenue is seasonal in nature, reflecting the timing of our television shows and tours in various markets. Historically, 19 Entertainment generated higher revenue during the first three quarters of the calendar year, which corresponds to the dates on Fox in the United States our American Idol show is broadcast (the first and second quarters) and the dates our So You Think You Can Dance series airs (the second and third quarters). In 2009, Fox ordered additional broadcast hours of So You Think You Can Dance which aired in the third and fourth quarters of 2009. We also aired Superstars of Dance, a special series, on NBC in the first quarter of 2009. As a result of the additional season of So You Think You Can Dance, our revenue in the fourth quarter of 2009 was significantly higher than in 2008 and 2010.
 
Our significant costs to operate 19 Entertainment include salaries and other compensation, royalties, tour


30


Table of Contents

expenses, rents and general overhead costs. Our discretionary costs include salary and overhead costs incurred in the development of new entertainment content.
 
Presley Business
 
The Presley Business consists of entities that own and/or control the commercial utilization of the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operation of the Graceland museum and related attractions, as well as revenue derived from Elvis Presley’s television specials, films and certain of his recorded musical works. The Presley Business consists of two reportable segments: Royalties and Licensing — intellectual property, including the licensing of the name, image, likeness and trademarks associated with Elvis Presley, as well as other owned and/or controlled intellectual property and the collection of royalties from certain motion pictures, television specials and recorded musical works and music compositions; and Graceland Operations — the operation of the Graceland museum and related attractions and retail establishments, including Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel and other ancillary real estate assets.
 
The Royalties and Licensing segment generates revenue from the exploitation of the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, including physical and intellectual property owned or created by Elvis Presley during his life. The primary revenue source of this segment comes from licensing Elvis Presley’s name and likeness for consumer products, commercials and other uses and royalties and other income derived from intellectual property created by Elvis Presley including records, movies, videos and music publishing. Licensing revenue is primarily derived from long-term agreements with terms of one to five years. Although we seek to obtain significant minimum guarantees, our licensing revenue varies based on the actual product sales generated by licensees. The intellectual property created by Elvis Presley during his lifetime which we own has generally been assigned to third parties for commercial exploitation under long-term agreements.
 
Although we maintain certain controls over the use of this content and, in certain cases, have rights to terminate these agreements if the third party fails to perform, our revenue from this intellectual property is highly dependent upon the ability of third parties to successfully market the content. The Presley Business began reporting results from the Cirque du Soleil Viva ELVIS show in Las Vegas in the first quarter of 2010.
 
The Graceland Operations segment generates its primary revenue from ticket and merchandise sales and related income from public tours of Graceland as well as from the operation of Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel and the other ancillary real estate assets. Revenue from Graceland has historically been seasonal with sharply higher numbers of visitors during the late spring and summer seasons as compared to the fall and winter seasons.
 
Most of the Presley Business’ revenue sources are dependent upon the public’s continued interest in Elvis Presley and the intellectual property he created.
 
Our significant costs to operate the Presley Business include salaries, rent and other general overhead costs. Most of our costs do not vary significantly with our revenue. Our discretionary costs are generally in our marketing and promotions department which we primarily incur to maintain and/or increase the number of visitors to Graceland. We also incur expenses in exploring additional opportunities to bring Elvis Presley-related attractions to Las Vegas and other strategic locations throughout the world.
 
Ali Business
 
The Ali Business consists of the commercial exploitation of the name, image, likeness and intellectual property of Muhammad Ali, primarily through endorsement and licensing arrangements.
 
The primary revenue source comes from licensing Muhammad Ali’s name and likeness for consumer products, commercials and other uses. Licensing revenue is primarily derived from long-term agreements with terms of one to five years. Although we seek to obtain significant minimum guarantees, our licensing revenue varies based on the actual product sales generated by licensees. The intellectual property that is owned by the Company is licensed to third parties for commercial exploitation under long-term agreements. Although we maintain certain controls over the use of this content and, in certain cases, have rights to terminate these agreements if the third party fails to perform, our revenue from this intellectual property is highly dependent upon the ability of third parties to successfully market the content. Most of our revenue sources are dependent upon the public’s continued interest in


31


Table of Contents

Muhammad Ali and associated intellectual property. The Ali Business also generates revenue from sports memorabilia signings performed by Muhammad Ali.
 
Our significant costs to operate the Ali Business include commissions, salaries and other general overhead costs. With the exception of commissions, most of our costs do not vary significantly with our revenue.
 
Transactions with Simon Fuller and Restructuring of 19 Entertainment
 
On January 13, 2010, Simon Fuller left his position as a director of our company and Chief Executive Officer of our 19 Entertainment business and the Company entered into a series of agreements with Mr. Fuller (i) securing Mr. Fuller’s long-term creative services as a consultant, (ii) providing the Company with an option to invest in XIX Entertainment, a new entertainment company that Mr. Fuller has launched, and (iii) agreeing to the termination of Mr. Fuller’s employment with 19 Entertainment. Upon entering into these agreements, Mr. Fuller resigned as a director of the Company and as an officer and director of 19 Entertainment. Pursuant to the consultancy agreement, the Company has engaged Mr. Fuller to provide services, including executive producer services, in respect of the Company’s IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance programs. In consideration for providing these services, Mr. Fuller will receive 10% of the Company’s net profits from each of the aforementioned programs for the life of the programs as long as Mr. Fuller continues to provide consulting services with respect to such programs. For calendar year 2010, Mr. Fuller has received $5.0 million as an advance against the consulting fee, which was paid in the year ended December 31, 2010. For each year after 2010, subject to certain conditions, Mr. Fuller will receive, as an annual advance against the consulting fee, $3.0 million if American Idol remains on the air and $2.0 million if So You Think You Can Dance remains on the air. The advances are non-refundable to the Company, but we may recoup the amount of such advances within each year from the consulting fee payable to Mr. Fuller. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company has recorded $9.1 million of the consulting fee to cost of sales.
 
In addition to the aforementioned payment, Mr. Fuller received an incremental $2.3 million in consideration for providing creative and strategic advice with respect to the overall business of the Company for the six-month period through July 13, 2010. The Company also paid Mr. Fuller $0.8 million in January 2010, representing consideration for the Company’s option to invest in Mr. Fuller’s new entertainment company. The Company elected not to exercise the option, which expired on March 15, 2010. Mr. Fuller also received $2.0 million in separation payments. The Company recorded $0.6 million of share-based compensation expense in the year ended December 31, 2010 due to the acceleration of the vesting of stock options held by Mr. Fuller upon the termination of his employment agreement. The Company recorded $5.6 million to the provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs in the year ended December 31, 2010 related to these agreements with Mr. Fuller.
 
In pursuit of the Company’s business plan, on August 11, 2010, certain of the businesses and assets of 19 Entertainment that the Company chose to exit were sold to XIX Management, a company owned and controlled by Simon Fuller. These businesses and assets, which included the Company’s interest in Beckham Brands Limited, an interest in a fashion-based partnership and certain U.K. recorded music and management assets, were sold for the approximate book value of the transferred business. For the year ended December 31, 2010, these businesses generated $6.7 million of revenue, had an operating loss of $1.4 million and had equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries of $0.6 million. For the 2009 fiscal year, the businesses had revenue of $10.0 million, operating income of $0.5 million and equity in earnings of affiliates of $0.6 million. The impact of these divested businesses was not deemed significant to warrant disclosure as discontinued operations. As part of this transaction, 60 of the Company’s employees whose functions were dedicated to the transferred businesses became direct employees of XIX Management and/or affiliates thereof and XIX Management and/or its affiliates assumed certain lease obligations from the Company.
 
Because XIX Management is owned and controlled by Simon Fuller, the above described transaction was deemed a related party transaction. The terms of the agreement with XIX Management were reached following extensive arms-length negotiation between the parties. The Board of Directors, acting upon the unanimous approval and recommendation of our independent directors, approved the transaction.
 
In addition to the transaction described above, during the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company terminated or exited certain other business activities at 19 Entertainment. As a result of this and the transaction with XIX Management, the Company has substantially reduced 19 Entertainment’s spending on programming and new


32


Table of Contents

development projects and the associated selling, general and administrative expenses. As of December 31, 2010, the Company has reduced 19 Entertainment’s headcount (including MBST and Storm) from 245 to 90 employees. The Company expects that the reduction in headcount and certain other costs will result in annualized cost savings of approximately $20 million at 19 Entertainment, of which approximately $10 million was realized in 2010.
 
In connection with the actions described above, for the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company incurred severance and other restructuring-related costs, including charges related to the closure of several offices, of $19.3 million. Certain management, legal and accounting functions at 19 Entertainment were absorbed by the Company’s corporate staff.
 
In addition to the costs described above, 19 Entertainment recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $2.5 million in 2009 to reduce the carrying amount of the assets of Storm Model Management (“Storm”), a U.K.-based modeling agency, as a result of Mr. Fuller’s resignation from 19 Entertainment and the resulting reduction in his role in the management, oversight and direction of that business. The Company acquired a 51% interest in Storm in the third quarter of 2009, with the expectation that Simon Fuller would be a key contributor to its growth and operations.
 
Executive Separation Costs
 
Robert F.X. Sillerman resigned as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and from the Company’s Board of Directors, effective as of May 7, 2010. In connection with his resignation, Mr. Sillerman and the Company entered into a separation and consulting agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to treat Mr. Sillerman’s resignation as a “constructive termination without cause” for purposes of Mr. Sillerman’s pre-existing employment agreement with the Company. As a result, Mr. Sillerman received a cash severance payment of $3.4 million, which amount became payable six months following the date of Mr. Sillerman’s separation from the Company. The Company has also agreed to provide Mr. Sillerman with $25,000 in each of 2010, 2011 and 2012, and $10,000 each year thereafter, to cover certain of Mr. Sillerman’s health insurance costs. All Company stock options held by Mr. Sillerman under the Company’s 2005 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan became immediately exercisable in connection with his termination and, subject to Mr. Sillerman’s compliance with certain terms of the separation and consulting agreement, will remain exercisable for the remainder of their original term. The Company recorded $1.3 million of share-based compensation expense in the year ended December 31, 2010 related to this accelerated vesting.
 
Mr. Sillerman and the Company also entered into a non-exclusive consulting arrangement whereby Mr. Sillerman is receiving a consulting fee of $1.0 million in consideration for his continued availability to promote the best interests of the Company and its subsidiaries on a monthly basis for a one-year period ending on May 30, 2011. In addition to the consulting fee, Mr. Sillerman is being reimbursed for the monthly cost of certain business expenses through December 31, 2011, at a monthly amount of $25,000.
 
In consideration for the severance payment and the consulting fee, Mr. Sillerman released the Company from all claims arising out of his employment, shareholder and/or other relationship with the Company and the termination of such relationships. The indemnification and confidentiality provisions in Mr. Sillerman’s pre-existing employment agreement are to remain in full force and effect and the Company and Mr. Sillerman agreed to enter into a mutual non-disparagement provision.
 
The Company recorded severance costs of $0.3 million related to the termination of two employees who reported to Mr. Sillerman, professional fees of $0.1 million related to the separation with Mr. Sillerman and $0.9 million related to a consulting agreement with a former executive as the Company has determined that it will not require any services in the future under the agreement.
 
Change in Functional Currency
 
The resignation of Simon Fuller as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment in January 2010, as previously noted, represented a significant change in circumstances for the 19 Entertainment operating segment. This underlying event caused management to undertake an assessment of the strategic and structural needs of 19 Entertainment’s creative development projects and market focus. These changes represent a significant change


33


Table of Contents

in facts and circumstances in the context of ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters, such that management has reassessed the functional currency of the 19 Entertainment operating segment. The Company concluded that it was appropriate to change the functional currency of substantially all of the subsidiaries comprising the 19 Entertainment operating segment from U.K. pound to U.S. dollars. The Company effected this change as of January 1, 2010. The change in functional currency had no impact on the Company’s historical financial information.
 
The impact of this change is that the 19 Entertainment operating segment is measured in U.S. dollars effective January 1, 2010. Historically, 19 Entertainment has generated foreign currency gains and losses as transactions denominated in U.S. dollars were re- measured into U.K. pound at the balance sheet date. As a result of the change, 19 Entertainment’s operating results reflect less foreign currency-related volatility in 2010 and the 2010 operating results of 19 Entertainment may not be directly comparable to prior years.
 
Other Corporate Activities
 
Exercise of Amended Call Option
 
In March 2005, in connection with the acquisition of 19 Entertainment, certain sellers of 19 Entertainment, primarily Simon Fuller, entered into a Put and Call Option Agreement that provided them with certain rights whereby, during a period of 20 business days beginning March 17, 2011, the Company could exercise a call right to purchase the common stock of such stockholders at a price equal to $24.72 per share and these sellers could exercise a put right to sell the common stock to the Company at a price equal to $13.18 per share. Of the 1,672,170 shares of common stock covered by the Put and Call Option Agreement, 1,507,135 were held by Mr. Fuller.
 
On June 8, 2009, the Company entered into an amendment to the Put and Call Option Agreement with Mr. Fuller. Pursuant to the amendment, the call price with respect to 1,138,088 of Mr. Fuller’s shares (the “Interim Shares”) was reduced to $13.18 per share and the exercise periods for the put and call of such shares were accelerated to allow for the their exercise at any time commencing on the date of the amended agreement. The terms of the original Put and Call Option Agreement remain in place with respect to Mr. Fuller’s remaining 369,047 shares of common stock.
 
Immediately following execution of the amendment to the Put and Call Option Agreement, the Company exercised its call option with respect to the Interim Shares and paid to Mr. Fuller a gross purchase price of $15.0 million. The Interim Shares purchased by the Company have been recorded as treasury shares.
 
Terminated Merger Agreement
 
On June 1, 2007, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended on August 1, 2007, September 27, 2007, January 23, 2008 and May 27, 2008, the “Merger Agreement”) with 19X, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“19X”), and 19X Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of 19X. Robert F.X. Sillerman, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CKX, and Simon R. Fuller, then a director of CKX and the Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, were the sole stockholders of 19X.
 
On November 1, 2008, 19X delivered a letter to the Board of Directors of the Company terminating the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, 19X was required to pay a termination fee of $37.5 million. Subsequently, 19X paid $37.0 million of the termination fee by delivery of 3,339,350 shares of CKX common stock, at the contractually agreed to assumed valuation provided for in the Merger Agreement of $11.08 per share, with the remainder of the termination fee ($0.5 million) paid in cash.
 
Transactions Involving FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc.
 
CKX acquired an aggregate approximate 50% interest in FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc. (“FXRE”) in 2007. As described below, on January 10, 2008, CKX distributed 100% of its interests in FXRE to CKX’s stockholders. The following information about FXRE is provided solely as background for the description of the historical transactions between the Company and FXRE. The Company does not own any interest in FXRE, has not guaranteed any obligations of FXRE, nor is it a party to any continuing material transactions with FXRE.
 
Simultaneous with our investment in FXRE, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. entered into a worldwide license


34


Table of Contents

agreement with FXRE, granting FXRE the exclusive right to utilize Elvis Presley-related intellectual property in connection with the development, ownership and operation of Elvis Presley-themed hotels, casinos and certain other real estate-based projects and attractions around the world. FXRE also entered into a worldwide license agreement with the Ali Business, granting FXRE the right to utilize Muhammad Ali-related intellectual property in connection with Muhammad Ali-themed hotels and certain other real estate-based projects and attractions.
 
As a result of the termination of the license agreements in March 2009, the Company recognized $10.0 million in licensing revenue that had previously been deferred related to the 2007 license payment received in April 2008. Per the Company’s revenue recognition policy, revenue from multiple element licensing arrangements is only recognized when all the conditions of the arrangements tied to the licensing payments to CKX are met. The termination of the license agreements resulted in the elimination of all remaining conditions to the arrangement and thus the revenue which had previously been deferred was recognized.
 
Use of OIBDAN
 
We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including a financial measure of operating income (loss) before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets and non-cash compensation and other non-cash charges, such as charges for impairment of intangible assets (which we refer to as “OIBDAN”). The Company considers OIBDAN to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses and the critical measure the chief operating decision maker (CEO) uses to manage and evaluate our businesses, including the ability to provide cash flows to service debt. However, a limitation of the use of OIBDAN as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue in our businesses or stock-based compensation expense. Accordingly, OIBDAN should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”), as OIBDAN is not a U.S. GAAP equivalent measurement.
 
We have reconciled OIBDAN to operating income in the following consolidated operating results table for the Company for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Consolidated Operating Results Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
       
    December 31,
    December 31,
       
    2010     2009     Variance  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
 
Revenue
  $ 273,724     $ 328,353     $ (54,629 )
Operating expenses
    285,491       284,176       1,315  
Provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs
    19,291       1,418       17,873  
Executive separation costs
    7,655             7,655  
Operating income (loss)
    (11,767 )     44,177       (55,944 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (1,043 )     15,358       (16,401 )
Net income (loss) attributable to CKX, Inc. 
    (15,716 )     22,762       (38,478 )
                         
Operating income (loss)
  $ (11,767 )   $ 44,177     $ (55,944 )
Impairment charges
    24,637       2,526       22,111  
Depreciation and amortization
    18,687       19,241       (554 )
Non-cash provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs and executive separation costs
    1,849             1,849  
Non-cash compensation
    1,578       1,563       15  
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 34,984     $ 67,507     $ (32,523 )
                         


35


Table of Contents

The decline in revenue of $54.6 million in 2010 was driven primarily by a decrease of $50.3 million at 19 Entertainment, which had higher revenue in 2009 from a second broadcast series of So You Think You Can Dance, and a non-recurring television program, Superstars of Dance, which was partially offset by higher American Idol revenue in 2010. Revenue decreased at the Presley Business primarily due to the recognition of $9.0 million of revenue related to the terminated FXRE license agreement in 2009, which was partially offset by increased royalty and licensing revenue, including revenue from Viva ELVIS. Operating costs in 2010 included non-cash impairment charges of $24.6 million, severance and other restructuring-related costs at 19 Entertainment of $19.3 million, executive separation costs of $7.7 million and costs at 19 Entertainment associated with Ryan Seacrest’s services and Simon Fuller’s services. These operating costs were offset by a decrease in costs related to So You Think You Can Dance.
 
19 Entertainment
 
The revenue decrease of $50.3 million in 2010 is due primarily to Superstars of Dance, a non-recurring television program which had a limited run in 2009, and the additional broadcast season of So You Think You Can Dance in 2009. Cost of sales declined $29.7 million in 2010 as the decline in broadcast hours for So You Think You Can Dance, the costs for Superstars of Dance and lower selling, general and administrative expenses were partially offset by $15.0 million of costs arising from Ryan Seacrest’s services agreement and the Simon Fuller consulting fee of $9.1 million. Overall weakness in the concert industry in 2010 resulted in fewer tour dates for the American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance tours.
 
The following tables provide a breakdown of 19 Entertainment’s revenue, cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and other costs, OIBDAN and operating income for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (amounts reflected for 2009 have been recast to conform to the 2010 presentation):
 
                         
Year Ended December 31, 2010   Revenue     Cost of Sales        
    (Amounts in thousands)        
 
American Idol (including television production, foreign syndication, sponsorship, merchandise and touring)
  $ 91,092     $ (32,483 )   $ 58,609  
Other IDOLS television programs (including license fees and sponsorship)
    15,069       (1,810 )     13,259  
So You Think You Can Dance
    61,475       (50,729 )     10,746  
Music and artist management
    32,677       (16,866 )     15,811  
Other television productions
    1,012       (2,699 )     (1,687 )
Businesses divested or shut down
    11,877       (17,562 )     (5,685 )
                         
    $ 213,202     $ (122,149 )   $ 91,053  
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation
                    (28,659 )
Provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs (excluding non-cash compensation for accelerated vesting)
                    (18,739 )
Other expense
                    (1,226 )
                         
OIBDAN
                  $ 42,429  
                         
OIBDAN
                  $ 42,429  
Impairment charges
                    (4,389 )
Depreciation and amortization
                    (13,685 )
Non-cash provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs
                    (552 )
Non-cash compensation
                    (388 )
                         
Operating income
                  $ 23,415  
                         


36


Table of Contents

                         
Year Ended December 31, 2009   Revenue     Cost of Sales        
    (Amounts in thousands)        
 
American Idol (including television production, foreign syndication, sponsorship, merchandise and touring)
  $ 79,185     $ (18,548 )   $ 60,637  
Other IDOLS television programs (including license fees and sponsorship)
    13,461       (445 )     13,016  
So You Think You Can Dance
    108,381       (86,724 )     21,657  
Music and artist management
    33,846       (13,342 )     20,504  
Other television productions
    15,577       (14,505 )     1,072  
Businesses divested or shut down
    13,073       (18,274 )     (5,201 )
                         
    $ 263,523     $ (151,838 )   $ 111,685  
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation
                    (44,318 )
Other operating expense
                    (4,079 )
                         
OIBDAN
                  $ 63,288  
                         
OIBDAN
                  $ 63,288  
Impairment charge
                    (2,526 )
Depreciation and amortization
                    (13,792 )
Non-cash compensation
                    (514 )
                         
Operating income
                  $ 46,456  
                         
 
American Idol 9 aired 56 series hours in the U.S. in the year ended December 31, 2010 while American Idol 8 aired 50 series hours in the U.S. in the comparable 2009 season. American Idol revenue increased by $11.9 million as the increase of 6.0 hours of programming, an increase in guaranteed license fees and revenue from compensation related to Ryan Seacrest’s services on the program was partially offset by a reduction in the ratings bonus, a reduced producer fee and reduced revenue from sponsorship deals. Television ratings for American Idol declined in 2010 by approximately 10%. Cost of sales for American Idol increased $13.9 million due to $15.0 million of costs arising from Ryan Seacrest’s services agreement and Simon Fuller’s consulting fee, partially offset by lower touring costs due to fewer tour dates.
 
Other IDOLS revenue increased $1.6 million due to increased television and ancillary revenue. Cost of sales increased due to the Simon Fuller consulting fee.
 
So You Think You Can Dance revenue declined $46.9 million primarily due to fewer broadcast hours in 2010 due to the additional broadcast season in 2009 and a Canadian tour in 2009 which was partially offset by an increase in foreign tapes sales. Cost of sales declined $36.0 million due to the fewer broadcast hours and the prior year tour costs, which were partially offset by the 2010 Simon Fuller consulting fee.
 
Other television productions revenue decreased $14.6 million in 2010. $10.2 million of this decrease represents Superstars of Dance, a limited run program which aired 9.0 series hours on the NBC network in January 2009. Revenue in 2009 also included a Carrie Underwood Christmas special. Cost of sales declined $11.8 million due to the prior year broadcast of Superstars of Dance.
 
Music and artist management revenue declined $1.2 million from the prior year due to a decline in music downloads from the 2010 season of American Idol and reduced sales by former American Idol contestants partly due to the cyclical recording schedule of the artist group partially offset by an increase in revenue at Storm. Cost of sales increased $3.5 million due to the inclusion of Storm for a full year and Simon Fuller’s consulting fee, offset by reduced royalties paid to artists.


37


Table of Contents

Selling, general and administrative expenses declined $15.7 million from the prior year as a result of savings from restructuring initiatives. Other expense of $1.2 million and $4.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, represent foreign exchange losses generated at 19 Entertainment. In 2010, due to the change in 19 Entertainment’s functional currency from U.K. pound to U.S. dollar, the loss results from transactions in currencies other than U.S. dollars, primarily U.K. pounds. In 2009, the loss resulted from transactions recorded in currencies other than the U.K. pound functional currency, primarily the U.S. dollar.
 
Severance and other restructuring-related costs recorded by 19 Entertainment were $19.3 million in 2010, including $0.6 million of non-cash compensation for accelerated vesting.
 
19 Entertainment recorded an impairment charge of $2.2 million in 2010 to fully reduce the carrying amount of goodwill of one of its subsidiaries as the Company has closed the business and an impairment charge of $2.2 million to reduce the goodwill of MBST as a result of the Company’s annual impairment assessment. In 2009, 19 Entertainment recorded an impairment charge of $2.5 million to reduce the carrying amount of goodwill of Storm.
 
Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing
 
The following table provides a breakdown of Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing revenue, cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and OIBDAN for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
       
    December 31,
    December 31,
       
    2010     2009     Variance  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
 
Revenue
  $ 21,312     $ 24,473     $ (3,161 )
Cost of sales
    (3,844 )     (764 )     (3,080 )
Selling, general and administrative expense, excluding non-cash compensation
    (5,207 )     (4,314 )     (893 )
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 12,261     $ 19,395     $ (7,134 )
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 12,261     $ 19,395     $ (7,134 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (2,569 )     (2,582 )     13  
Non-cash compensation
    (52 )     (42 )     (10 )
                         
Operating income
  $ 9,640     $ 16,771     $ (7,131 )
                         
 
The decrease in royalties and licensing revenue of $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 was primarily due to the recognition of $9.0 million of revenue in 2009 related to the terminated FXRE license agreement. The decrease was partially offset by $6.4 million of revenue related to the Viva ELVIS Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. Royalties and licensing cost of sales increased $3.1 million primarily due to $3.6 million of third party royalties for the Viva ELVIS show offset by lower production costs for current year projects and lower DVD box set sales in 2010. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.9 million in 2010 primarily due to higher legal and professional fees.


38


Table of Contents

Presley Business — Graceland Operations
 
The following table provides a breakdown of the Presley Business — Graceland Operations revenue, cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and OIBDAN for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
       
    December 31,
    December 31,
       
    2010     2009     Variance  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
 
Revenue
  $ 35,992     $ 36,124     $ (132 )
Cost of sales
    (5,557 )     (5,267 )     (290 )
Selling, general and administrative expense, excluding non-cash compensation
    (24,715 )     (23,495 )     (1,220 )
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 5,720     $ 7,362     $ (1,642 )
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 5,720     $ 7,362     $ (1,642 )
Impairment charge
    (2,639 )           (2,639 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (2,402 )     (2,369 )     (33 )
Non-cash compensation
    (89 )     (97 )     8  
                         
Operating income
  $ 590     $ 4,896     $ (4,306 )
                         
 
The decrease in Graceland Operations revenue of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 was primarily due to decreases in tour and exhibit revenue and ancillary revenue offset by favorable results from retail operations. Tour and exhibit revenue of $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased $0.2 million over the prior year. This decrease resulted from a 4.4% decrease in attendance to 518,940 in 2010 from 542,728 in 2009 partially offset by a 2.9% increase in per visitor spending. Lower tourist traffic in Memphis, partly due to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, affected attendance in 2010. Retail operations revenue of $14.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased $0.9 million compared to the prior year, due primarily to merchandise sales from an Elvis the Concert series of performances in Europe and higher Graceland sales. Other revenue, primarily hotel room revenue and ancillary real estate income, of $7.2 million for year ended December 31, 2010 was down $0.8 million compared to the prior year. The decline was primarily due to lower rental income from ancillary real estate as a result of a former rental property being prepared for an alternative use in the future and lower rates and occupancy at the Heartbreak Hotel.
 
Graceland Operations cost of sales increased by $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the prior year primarily due to costs for merchandise for the Elvis the Concert series.
 
Graceland Operations selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 due to an increase in professional and legal fees of $1.6 million primarily related to a master plan initiative in 2010 that has been postponed and a $0.5 million provision for the estimated losses due to the early termination of a sublease of a property leased by the Presley Business in downtown Memphis, offset by the write-off of $0.9 million of deferred costs related to preliminary design work for the Graceland redevelopment initiative in 2009 and lower real estate taxes and other Graceland operating expenses in 2010. Graceland Operations recognized a non-cash impairment of $2.6 million to reduce the carrying amount of buildings for a former rental property owned by the Presley Business which is currently being prepared for an alternative use in the future.
 
Ali Business
 
The Ali Business contributed $3.2 million and $4.2 million of revenue in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to the recognition of $1.0 million of revenue in 2009 related to the terminated FXRE licensing agreement. An increase in licensing fees in 2010 over the prior year period was offset by lower revenue related to memorabilia signings by Muhammad Ali in 2010. Operating expenses increased to $19.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 from $3.2 million in the prior year period. Operating expenses in 2010 include a non-cash impairment charge of $17.6 million to reduce the carrying amount of trademarks and goodwill. Excluding the impairment charge, operating expenses decreased $1.7 million in 2010


39


Table of Contents

primarily due to severance costs of $1.4 million incurred in early 2009 due to the restructuring of the business and reduced commissions of $0.3 million in the current period. OIBDAN increased to $1.7 million from $1.1 million in the prior year period.
 
Corporate and Other
 
Corporate Expenses and Other Costs
 
The Company incurred corporate overhead expenses of $20.1 million and $21.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease of $1.1 million primarily reflects lower employee compensation costs and development expenses of $1.0 million in 2010 and payroll-related taxes of $0.8 million incurred due to the redemption of redeemable restricted common stock in 2009, offset by increases in consulting costs and office-related costs and a provision to reflect the amendment of a loan to fair market value in 2010.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company incurred $7.7 million of executive separation costs primarily related to the separation from the Company of Robert F.X. Sillerman, the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company incurred $1.7 million of third party advisory fees related to evaluating potential offers to buy the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred costs related to the terminated merger agreement of $0.7 million, due to the settlement of stockholder litigation.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred $2.6 million of acquisition-related costs, consisting of third party due diligence costs for potential acquisitions that were under evaluation and costs for the acquisition of the 51% interest in Storm.
 
Impairment Charges
 
The Company performed its annual impairment assessment of the carrying values of long-lived assets, including intangible assets and goodwill, as of October 1, 2010 in accordance with the methods outlined below in “Application of Critical Accounting Policies”. As a result the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $19.8 million ($13.8 million, net of tax) to reduce the carrying amount of the Ali Business trademark by $16.5 million, the Ali Business goodwill by $1.1 million and MBST goodwill by $2.2 million. These impairment charges recognized in the fourth quarter of 2010 were triggered by the 2011 budget process performed in the fourth quarter of 2010 which highlighted the likelihood that these businesses’ performance will not perform to prior expectations. Additionally, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $2.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2010 at 19 Entertainment to fully reduce the carrying amount of goodwill of one of its subsidiaries that the Company closed during the year.
 
In the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment of $2.6 million at the Graceland Operations segment of the Presley Business to reduce the carrying amount of buildings as the Company has ceased operations of a rental property that is currently being prepared for an alternative future use.
 
Based on the annual impairment test performed on October 1, 2009, no impairment charges were recorded as the carrying value of all of the Company’s long-lived assets did not exceed estimated future cash flows. The Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $2.5 million in 2009 to reduce the carrying amount of the assets of Storm as a result of Simon Fuller’s resignation from the Company in January 2010 and his resulting reduced role in the oversight, management and direction of the business.
 
Interest Income/Expense, net
 
The Company had interest expense of $2.7 million and $3.3 million in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to a reduction in the average borrowing rate on the Company’s credit facility from 2.31% in the year ended December 31, 2009 to 1.85% in the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company had interest income of $0.2 million and $0.3 million in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


40


Table of Contents

Income Taxes
 
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded a benefit for income taxes of $1.0 million. The benefit reflects an effective tax rate of 7.3%. The tax benefit is comprised of a federal income tax benefit of $6.5 million and a foreign income tax expense (primarily relating to the United Kingdom) of $5.5 million. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate primarily due to: a portion of impairment charges which are not deductible; the sale of assets to XIX Management which had no tax basis; and foreign taxes paid relating to the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance intellectual property, offset in part by the use of foreign tax credits and income taxed directly to noncontrolling owners.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $15.4 million. The provision reflects an effective tax rate of 37.3%. The tax provision is comprised of a federal income tax expense of $7.0 million, a state and local income tax expense of $2.1 million and a foreign income tax expense (predominantly relating to the United Kingdom) of $6.3 million. The effective rate is higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to: state and local taxes; the impairment charge related to Storm and other permanent items, offset in part by transaction costs; income taxed directly to noncontrolling owners; and a net benefit from the Company’s foreign activity.
 
Despite the 19 Entertainment restructuring and shutdown of U.K. operations, the Company expects to continue to be a U.K. taxpayer due to the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance intellectual property which was developed and continues to be owned by certain of our foreign subsidiaries in the U.K.
 
The Company’s uncertain tax positions relate primarily to state, local and foreign tax issues, as well as accounting method issues. The Company’s uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, are reflected in net income taxes payable. The Company does not expect any reasonably possible material changes to the estimated amount of liability associated with its uncertain tax positions through December 31, 2011. If all the uncertain tax positions were settled favorably with the taxing authorities, there would be a 27.6% adjustment to the effective tax rate.
 
The Company generally recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions through income tax expense. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $1.2 million accrued for interest and penalties. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company accrued interest and penalties of approximately $0.7 million.
 
Open tax years related to federal, state and local filings are for the years ended December 31, 2007 through 2010. The Internal Revenue Service is in the process of auditing the Company’s tax year ended December 31, 2007. France is in the process of auditing the business activities of 19 Entertainment for the years ending December 31, 2003 through December 31, 2008. The United Kingdom’s Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) is in the process of reviewing the 19 Entertainment Ltd. UK group’s tax year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates
 
The Company recorded $0.7 million and $0.6 million of earnings in unconsolidated affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The equity in earnings of affiliates in 2010 is due primarily to the earnings of Beckham Brands Limited prior to divestiture.
 
The earnings from the Viva ELVIS investment of $0.1 million reflect weaker than expected ticket sales. Ticket sales improved somewhat in the second half of 2010 as marketing programs for the show were improved somewhat and hotel occupancy rates rose as CityCenter fully ramped up its operations.
 
Noncontrolling Interests
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $1.4 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Both periods reflect shares in the net income of the Presley Business, the Ali Business and Storm related to the equity interests retained by the former owners.


41


Table of Contents

Consolidated Operating Results Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
       
    December 31,
    December 31,
       
    2009     2008     Variance  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
 
Revenue
  $ 328,353     $ 288,128     $ 40,225  
Operating expenses
    284,176       251,188       32,988  
Other operating income (expense)
    (4,079 )     15,910       (19,989 )
Operating income
    44,177       36,940       7,237  
Income tax expense
    15,358       14,430       928  
Net income attributable to CKX, Inc. 
    22,762       17,127       5,635  
                         
Operating income
  $ 44,177     $ 36,940     $ 7,237  
Impairment charges
    2,526       35,661       (33,135 )
Depreciation and amortization
    19,241       21,161       (1,920 )
Non-cash compensation
    1,563       2,954       (1,391 )
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 67,507     $ 96,716     $ (29,209 )
                         
 
Revenue growth of $40.2 million in 2009 was driven primarily by 19 Entertainment, which had higher television production revenue due to an increase in the broadcast hours for So You Think You Can Dance, and higher revenue for the Presley Business. Higher operating expenses of $33.0 million were driven by the additional broadcast hours of So You Think You Can Dance and merger and distribution-related costs of $0.7 million in 2009 whereas 2008 had merger and distribution related recoveries of $5.8 million, offset by higher non-cash impairment charges in 2008. Excluding the impairment charges and merger and distribution-related gains and losses, operating expenses increased $59.7 million as higher expenses at 19 Entertainment to support revenue growth, new projects and the increased broadcast hours for So You Think You Can Dance and higher corporate expenses were partially offset by decreased expenses at the Presley Business. Other operating expense of $4.1 million in 2009 reflects foreign exchange losses resulting from a weakening of the U.S. dollar compared to the U.K. pound as 19 Entertainment has significant U.S. dollar denominated revenue. Other operating income of $15.9 million in the 2008 period reflects foreign exchange gains.
 
19 Entertainment
 
Revenue for 19 Entertainment was $263.5 million in 2009, an increase of $34.3 million over the prior year. Operating expenses for 19 Entertainment, including amortization expense of intangible assets of $11.7 million and excluding other operating expense of $4.1 million and the Storm impairment charge of $2.5 million were $210.5 million, an increase of $40.0 million over the prior period.


42


Table of Contents

The following tables provide a breakdown of 19 Entertainment’s revenue, cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and other costs, OIBDAN and operating income for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (amounts reflected for 2009 and 2008 have been recast to conform to the 2010 presentation):
 
                         
Year Ended December 31, 2009   Revenue     Cost of Sales        
    (Amounts in thousands)        
 
American Idol (including television production, foreign syndication, sponsorship, merchandise and touring)
  $ 79,185     $ (18,548 )   $ 60,637  
Other IDOLS television programs (including license fees and sponsorship)
    13,461       (445 )     13,016  
So You Think You Can Dance
    108,381       (86,724 )     21,657  
Music and artist management
    33,846       (13,342 )     20,504  
Other television productions
    15,577       (14,505 )     1,072  
Businesses divested or shut down
    13,073       (18,274 )     (5,201 )
                         
    $ 263,523     $ (151,838 )   $ 111,685  
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation
                    (44,318 )
Other operating expense
                    (4,079 )
                         
OIBDAN
                  $ 63,288  
                         
OIBDAN
                  $ 63,288  
Impairment charge on Storm
                    (2,526 )
Depreciation and amortization
                    (13,792 )
Non-cash compensation
                    (514 )
                         
Operating income
                  $ 46,456  
                         
 
                         
Year Ended December 31, 2008   Revenue     Cost of Sales        
    (Amounts in thousands)        
 
American Idol (including television production, foreign syndication, sponsorship, merchandise and touring)
  $ 96,028     $ (22,455 )   $ 73,573  
Other IDOLS television programs (including license fees and sponsorship)
    15,349       (482 )     14,867  
So You Think You Can Dance
    59,802       (47,015 )     12,787  
Music and artist management
    36,295       (15,351 )     20,944  
Other television productions
                 
Businesses divested or shut down
    21,727       (22,647 )     (920 )
                         
    $ 229,201     $ (107,950 )   $ 121,251  
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation
                    (44,362 )
Other operating income
                    15,910  
                         
OIBDAN
                  $ 92,799  
                         
OIBDAN
                  $ 92,799  
Impairment charge on MBST
                    (7,922 )
Depreciation and amortization
                    (16,165 )
Non-cash compensation
                    (2,044 )
                         
Operating income
                  $ 66,668  
                         


43


Table of Contents

American Idol 8 aired 50 series hours in the U.S. in 2009 while American Idol 7 aired 52.5 series hours in the U.S. in the comparable 2008 season. American Idol revenue declined by $16.8 million due to the decrease of 2.5 hours of programming, reduced revenue from foreign syndication and reduced on-air and off-air sponsorship deals, partially offset by an increase in guaranteed license fees. The decline in foreign syndication revenue reflects the renewal of an agreement under less favorable terms to broadcast American Idol in the U.K. and the impact of foreign exchange. The decline in sponsorship revenue reflects the unfavorable impact of the global recession. Television ratings for American Idol declined in 2009 by approximately 10%, reflecting an overall decline in network television viewing. Cost of sales declined $3.9 million due to reduced tour costs and commissions on sponsorship deals.
 
Other IDOLS revenue declined $1.9 million due primarily to reduced sponsorship and television revenue in international markets.
 
Revenue from So You Think You Can Dance increased $48.6 million in 2009 as compared to 2008. $43.9 million of the increase was due to 33 hours of an additional broadcast series in the fall season from September to December 2009, which did not take place in 2008 and will not recur in 2010. The summer season that concluded in August 2009 broadcast 37 hours, the same as in 2008. The So You Think You Can Dance tour contributed $3.9 million of the revenue increase due to the introduction of a Canadian tour in 2009, which partially offset fewer U.S. tour dates in 2009. Commercial revenue increased $0.7 million due to an additional sponsor and higher tour merchandise sales.
 
Other television revenue was $15.6 million in 2009, primarily representing revenue of $10.2 million from Superstars of Dance, a special series aired on NBC in the first quarter of 2009, and a Carrie Underwood Christmas special. Cost of sales was $14.5 million related to the production costs for Superstars of Dance and the Carrie Underwood Christmas special.
 
Music and artist management revenue declined $2.5 million due to lower record sales, reduced touring schedules in 2009 for several artists as they worked on new album releases and reduced management fees at MBST, offset by revenue from Storm. Cost of sales declined $2.0 million as lower music royalties and expenses were partially offset by prior year artist tour costs.
 
Revenue from businesses divested and shut down in 2010, declined $8.7 million primarily due to management fees from the Spice Girls reunion tour and non-recurring projects in 2008. Cost of sales declined $4.4 million primarily due to non-recurring projects in 2008.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses were flat with the prior year due primarily to more costs being allocated to specific projects offsetting the unfavorable foreign exchange impact on U.K. pound denominated costs and increased compensation costs. Other operating expense of $4.1 million in 2009 and other operating income of $15.9 million in 2008 represents foreign exchange gains and losses generated at 19 Entertainment for transactions recorded in currencies other than the U.K. pound functional currency. The 2009 expense was due to strengthening of the U.K. pound compared to the U.S. dollar while the 2008 gain was due to the weakening of the U.K. pound compared to the U.S. dollar.


44


Table of Contents

Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing
 
The following table provides a breakdown of Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing revenue, cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and OIBDAN for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
       
    December 31,
    December 31,
       
    2009     2008     Variance  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
 
Revenue
  $ 24,473     $ 18,186     $ 6,287  
Cost of sales
    (764 )     (2,364 )     1,600  
Selling, general and administrative expense, excluding non-cash compensation
    (4,314 )     (5,330 )     1,016  
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 19,395     $ 10,492     $ 8,903  
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 19,395     $ 10,492     $ 8,903  
Depreciation and amortization
    (2,582 )     (2,582 )      
Non-cash compensation
    (42 )     (39 )     (3 )
                         
Operating income
  $ 16,771     $ 7,871     $ 8,900  
                         
 
The increase in royalties and licensing revenue of $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 was due to the recognition of $9.0 million of revenue, which had previously been deferred, related to the terminated FXRE license agreement and increased record royalties of $1.8 million, principally due to a settlement with Sony Music on historical audits and higher digital royalties. The increase was offset by 2008 revenue from the distribution of Elvis Viva DVD documentary of $1.8 million, lower merchandise licensing royalties of $1.3 million in the current period due to the unfavorable impact of the global recession and the strong carryover effect in 2008 from the prior anniversary year and by lower sales in the current period of a limited edition collectible DVD box set of Elvis Presley movies launched in 2007 of $1.1 million. Other royalties decreased by a net $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 with higher revenue from the sales of television and video rights offsetting lower publishing and film royalties. Royalties and licensing cost of sales decreased $1.6 million due to lower cost of production and commissions of $1.1 million related to the distribution of the 2008 Elvis Viva DVD and lower cost of sales of the DVD box set. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.0 million in the current period primarily due to lower advertising and marketing costs for the DVD box set of $0.4 million, $0.3 million of lower costs related to the Elvis Viva DVD and lower legal expenses.
 
Presley Business — Graceland Operations
 
The following table provides a breakdown of the Presley Business — Graceland Operations revenue, cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and OIBDAN for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
       
    December 31,
    December 31,
       
    2009     2008     Variance  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
 
Revenue
  $ 36,124     $ 36,713     $ (589 )
Cost of sales
    (5,267 )     (5,674 )     407  
Selling, general and administrative expense, excluding non-cash compensation
    (23,495 )     (24,835 )     1,340  
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 7,362     $ 6,204     $ 1,158  
                         
OIBDAN
  $ 7,362     $ 6,204     $ 1,158  
Depreciation and amortization
    (2,369 )     (2,251 )     (118 )
Non-cash compensation
    (97 )     (79 )     (18 )
                         
Operating income
  $ 4,896     $ 3,874     $ 1,022  
                         


45


Table of Contents

Graceland Operations revenue decreased $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008 due to lower ancillary revenue, which was partially offset by favorable results from tours and exhibits. Tour and exhibit revenue of $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 increased $0.5 million over the prior year. This increase resulted from a 2.4% increase in visitor spending and a 1.2% increase in attendance to 542,728 in 2009 from 536,196 in 2008. Retail operations revenue of $13.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased $0.4 million compared to the prior year due to lower e-commerce revenue and a slight decrease in per-visitor spending offset by the increase in attendance. Other revenue, primarily hotel room revenue and ancillary real estate income of $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, was down $0.7 million compared to the prior year. The decline was due to 13% lower hotel occupancy resulting from fewer foreign travelers, and the loss of rental income from ancillary real estate primarily due to the closure of one property.
 
Graceland Operations cost of sales decreased by $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior year due to cost improvements in merchandise.
 
Graceland Operations selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 primarily due to a $1.1 million provision recorded in 2008 for estimated losses due to the early termination of the sublease of a property leased by the Presley Business in downtown Memphis, decreases in salaries and benefits of $0.2 million, professional and legal costs primarily related to master plan initiatives of $0.5 million and insurance of $0.1 million and other operating expense declines, including lower costs related to special events of $0.1 million. These declines were offset by the write-off of $0.9 million of deferred costs related to preliminary design work for the Graceland redevelopment initiative. The Company has determined that there is a strong likelihood that the original preliminary design plans may require significant modifications or abandonment for a redesign due to current economic conditions and a lack of certainty as to exact scope, cost, financing plan and timing of this project. The lack of certainty and likely need for significant modifications and/or redesign was amplified by the termination of the FXRE license agreement, which had granted FXRE the rights to the development of one or more hotel(s) at Graceland as a component of the redevelopment initiative. Therefore, the Company determined that these cost should be written off in March 2009. The Company remains committed to the Graceland re-development and will continue to pursue opportunities on its own or with third parties.
 
Ali Business
 
The Ali Business contributed $4.2 million and $4.0 million of revenue in the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Revenue increased by $0.2 million primarily due to the recognition of $1.0 million of revenue related to the terminated FXRE licensing agreement which had previously been deferred and an increase in licensing fees offset by a decline in revenue from fewer memorabilia signings by Muhammad Ali in 2009 compared to the prior year period. Operating expenses decreased to $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $30.8 million in the prior year period. Operating expenses in 2008 include a non-cash impairment charge of $27.7 million to reduce the carrying amount of trademarks by $24.4 million and goodwill by $3.4 million. Excluding the impairment charge, operating expenses increased $0.1 million primarily due to severance costs of $1.4 million due to the restructuring of the business in early 2009 offset by lower personnel costs as a result of the restructuring and by reduced commissions of $0.7 million. OIBDAN increased to $1.1 million from $1.0 million in the prior year period.
 
Corporate and Other
 
Corporate Expenses and Other Costs
 
The Company incurred corporate overhead expenses of $21.2 million and $18.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase of $3.1 million primarily reflects development expenses of $1.0 million, $0.8 million in payroll-related taxes incurred due to the redemption of redeemable restricted common stock in June 2009, a $1.4 million reduction in the allocation of expenses to FXRE under the shared services agreement terminated as of June 30, 2009, $0.6 million in professional fees and a $0.7 million increase in travel and entertainment costs offset by a $1.4 million reduction in employee-related costs.


46


Table of Contents

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred $2.6 million of acquisition-related costs, consisting of third party due diligence costs for potential acquisitions that were under evaluation and costs for the acquisition of the 51% interest in Storm. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company incurred $2.3 million of acquisition-related costs, consisting of third party due diligence costs for potential acquisitions that were under evaluation.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred costs related to the terminated merger agreement of $0.7 million, due to the settlement of the stockholder litigation described elsewhere herein. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recognized a gain on the break-up fee of the terminated merger agreement of $8.1 million consisting of the $0.5 million fee received in cash plus $7.6 million, the value of the 3,339,350 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company incurred merger and distribution-related costs of $2.3 million in 2008. These costs primarily include the costs of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors formed to review the Merger and other merger-related costs, including legal and accounting costs.
 
Impairment Charges
 
The Company performed its annual impairment assessment of the carrying values of long-lived assets, including intangible assets and goodwill, on October 1, 2009 in accordance with the methods outlined in Application of Critical Accounting Policies. As a result of this assessment, no impairment charges were recorded as the carrying value of all of the Company’s long-lived assets do not exceed estimated future cash flows. The Company has recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $2.5 million as of December 31, 2009 to reduce the carrying amount of the assets of Storm Model Management as a result of Mr. Fuller’s resignation from the Company in January 2010 and his resulting reduced role in the oversight, management and direction of this business.
 
Based on the annual impairment test performed on October 1, 2008, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $35.7 million ($25.5 million, net of tax) to reduce the carrying amount of the Ali Business trademark by $24.4 million, the Ali Business goodwill by $3.4 million and MBST goodwill by $7.9 million. The impairment charges recognized in the fourth quarter of 2008 were triggered by the 2009 budget process performed in the fourth quarter of 2008 which highlighted the severity and duration of the economic downturn on these businesses and the likelihood that these businesses’ performance will not fully recover to prior expectations.
 
Interest Income/Expense, net
 
The Company had interest expense of $3.3 million and $5.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to a reduction in the average borrowing rate on the revolving credit facility from 4.49% to 2.31%. The Company had interest income of $0.3 million and $1.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Interest income in 2008 included $0.5 million in interest income from FXRE on the 2007 license payments and the FXRE loan. The decline in interest income also reflects the Company shifting its U.S. cash balances to non-interest bearing accounts in late 2008 to qualify for unlimited insurance coverage offered under the FDIC Temporary Guarantee Program, which was extended through December 31, 2012.
 
Income Taxes
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $15.4 million. The provision reflects an effective tax rate of 37.3%. The tax provision is comprised of a federal income tax expense of $7.0 million, a state and local income tax expense of $2.1 million, and a foreign income tax expense (predominantly relating to the United Kingdom) of $6.3 million. The effective rate is higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to: state and local taxes; the impairment charge related to Storm and other permanent items, offset in part by transaction costs; income taxed directly to noncontrolling owners; and a net benefit from the Company’s foreign activity.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $14.4 million. The provision reflects an effective tax rate of 43.6%. The tax provision is comprised of a federal benefit of $0.9 million, a state and local income tax expense of $1.7 million, and a foreign income tax expense (predominantly relating to the United Kingdom) of $13.6 million. The effective rate is higher than the federal statutory rate of 35%


47


Table of Contents

primarily due to: state and local taxes; the MBST impairment charge; and disallowed executive compensation, offset in part by transaction costs,; recognition of a tax benefit on the repatriation of cash from our UK subsidiary; and other permanent items.
 
The decrease in the 2009 effective tax rate as compared with the 2008 effective tax rate relates primarily to lower non-recurring adjustments, such as disallowed executive compensation and impairment charges.
 
Beginning in 2009, a change in ASC 805, formerly SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations, impacted our the accounting for prior acquisitions. Starting in 2009, the reversal of existing income tax valuation allowances and tax uncertainty accruals resulting from acquisitions must be recorded as adjustments to income tax expense and not goodwill. As a result of this change, a $2.1 million decrease in the valuation allowance in 2009 was recorded to income tax expense instead of goodwill. In 2008, a $7.3 million decrease in the valuation allowance was recorded as an adjustment to goodwill.
 
The Company’s uncertain tax positions relate primarily to state, local and foreign tax issues, as well as accounting method issues. The Company’s uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, are reflected in net prepaid income taxes. The Company does not expect any reasonably possible material changes to the estimated amount of liability associated with its uncertain tax positions through December 31, 2010. If all the uncertain tax positions were settled with the taxing authorities there would have been less than a 6% effect on the effective tax rate.
 
The Company generally recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions through income tax expense. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $0.6 million accrued for interest and penalties. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company accrued interest and penalties of approximately $0.1 million.
 
Open tax years related to federal, state and local filings are for the years ended December 31, 2006, through 2009. The Internal Revenue Service is in the process of auditing the Company’s tax year ended December 31, 2006. Two foreign tax jurisdictions have commenced audits of the business activities of 19 Entertainment Limited and Elvis Presley Enterprises in their respective countries. New York State completed its audit for the tax years ended July 1, 2003, July 1, 2004 and March 17, 2005 for 19 Entertainment Inc. which resulted in no material liability. New York State completed its tax audit of the Company’s tax years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 which resulted in no material liability.
 
The United Kingdom’s Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) has reviewed the historic 19 Entertainment Ltd. UK group through December 2007 with the exception of a few entities where their review deadlines have been routinely extended into 2010. HMRC usually has 24 months from the end of the accounting period to review and query each return.
 
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates
 
The Company recorded $0.6 million and $2.5 million of earnings in unconsolidated affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, primarily reflecting the Company’s investment in Beckham Brand Limited. The decrease is due primarily to David Beckham’s services being loaned to AC Milan in 2009 which resulted in a reduction of payments from the LA Galaxy in 2009.
 
Noncontrolling Interests
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $1.8 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, primarily reflect shares in the net income of the Presley Business, the Ali Business and Storm related to the equity interests retained by the former owners.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Credit Facility — The Company is party to a credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with various lenders. Loans under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by all of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and certain of its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries. The loans are secured by a pledge of certain assets of the Company


48


Table of Contents

and its subsidiary guarantors, including ownership interests in all wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries, substantially all wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries and certain subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned. The total availability under the Credit Facility was reduced from $150.0 million to $141.7 million in September 2008 due to the bankruptcy of one of the lenders, Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc., a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers, Inc. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had drawn down $100.0 million on the Credit Facility. In March 2010, we entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility which included, among other changes, a reduction in the maximum size of the Credit Facility to $100.0 million. As a result of this amendment and the fact that we have previously drawn down $100.0 million, there are no additional borrowings available under the Credit Facility. In addition to the reduction in the size of the facility described above, the lenders agreed to remove a provision which tied an event of default under the Credit Facility to a reduction in the percentage of stock owned by Robert F.X. Sillerman, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, below a certain level and the Company agreed to the removal of the “Incremental Facilities” provision, which had provided the Company with an option to seek additional term loan commitments from the lenders in excess of the amount available under the Credit Facility.
 
Base rate loans under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the prime rate or (ii) the federal funds rate, plus 50 basis points plus margins of 50-125 basis points depending upon the Company’s ratio of debt to EBITDA (“Leverage Ratio”). Eurodollar loans under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate determined by a formula based on a published Telerate rate, adjusted for the reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding by a member bank of the Federal Reserve, plus margins of 150-225 basis points depending upon the Company’s Leverage Ratio. A commitment fee of 0.375%-0.50% on any daily unused portion of the Credit Facility is payable monthly in arrears. The effective interest rate on these borrowings under the revolving credit agreement as of December 31, 2010 was 1.79%. The Credit Facility requires the Company and its subsidiaries to maintain certain financial covenants, including (a) a maximum Leverage Ratio of 4.5 to 1.0 and (b) a minimum EBITDA to interest expense ratio. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income plus income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, extraordinary charges and non-cash charges and minus interest income, extraordinary gains and any other non-cash income. The Credit Facility also contains covenants that regulate the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ incurrence of debt, disposition of property, ability to fund acquisitions and joint ventures and make capital expenditures.
 
The Company was in compliance with all loan covenants as of December 31, 2010.
 
We are required to repay the Credit Facility in full on or before May 24, 2011. Based on the remaining term of the Credit Facility, the outstanding principal amount has been classified as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010. We intend to repay the $100.0 million out of a combination of cash on hand and proceeds from a new credit facility or other debt instrument which we expect to complete prior to the expiration date of the Credit Facility. Management believes that entering into a new smaller credit facility or other debt instrument which is pre-payable at the Company’s option will help minimize the Company’s overall borrowing cost while providing flexibility in the event the Company identifies a suitable future acquisition or other use of proceeds which may require additional debt financing.
 
On March 3, 2011, the Company entered into a commitment letter with certain of the lenders party to its existing Credit Facility to amend and restate such facility (the “Amended Credit Facility”). Upon execution, the Amended Credit Facility will require a paydown and permanent reduction of commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $40.0 million, which will reduce the total outstanding balance to $60.0 million. The Amended Credit Facility will also extend the maturity date of the loans thereunder such that the Company will be required to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility on or before September 30, 2012. Under the terms of the Amended Credit Facility, the Company will be required to make quarterly principal payments of $2.0 million beginning on June 30, 2011 and the loans will accrue interest at a higher interest rate than the current interest rate under the existing Credit Facility. The Amended Credit Facility will contain financial covenants that are more restrictive than those under the existing Credit Facility, and will contain affirmative and negative covenants applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to restrictions on incurrence of debt, liens, assets sales and other dispositions, acquisitions, investments and joint ventures, payments of cash dividends and capital expenditures. The closing of the Amended Credit Facility is subject to certain diligence requirements of the lenders and other conditions. Although the Company has received a commitment letter from the respective lenders, no assurance can be provided that the Company will be able to consummate the transactions contemplated by the


49


Table of Contents

Amended Credit Facility on the terms described above or alternate terms. In the event that the Amended Credit Facility is not consummated, the Company believes that it will be able to repay the Credit Facility in full with cash on hand and expected proceeds from an alternate debt financing which the Company expects to be able to complete prior to the maturity date of the Credit Facility. The availability and cost of any alternate debt financing would be dependant upon a number of factors, including current and future performance of the Company and overall conditions in the debt markets.
 
Cash Flow for the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
 
Operating Activities
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $49.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting the net loss of $12.5 million, including depreciation and amortization of $18.7 million, impairment charges of $24.6 million and normal seasonal patterns in cash collections and payments related to American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. This primarily reflects net income of $26.4 million, including depreciation and amortization of $19.2 million, impairment charges of $2.5 million, payments to Ryan Seacrest of $25.2 million, recognition of $10.0 million of revenue from the FXRE license payments in 2009 for which the cash was received in 2008 and normal seasonal patterns in cash collections and payments on certain American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance revenue and expenses as well as non-recurring projects, such as Superstars of Dance, a special series aired on NBC in the first quarter of 2009.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $60.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, reflecting net income of $21.2 million, which includes depreciation and amortization expenses of $21.2 million, impairment charges of $35.7 million and the impact of changes in working capital levels.
 
Investing Activities
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, reflecting capital expenditures related to the purchase of a building at Graceland and other purchases of property and equipment totaling $3.6 million and investments in the Cirque du Soleil partnership of $4.9 million and proceeds received by the Company of $1.9 million related to the sale of businesses and assets of 19 Entertainment to XIX Management Limited and the return of capital from the Cirque du Soleil partnership of $4.0 million.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, primarily reflecting the investment in the Cirque du Soleil partnership of $18.4 million, the acquisition of a 51% interest in Storm for $4.3 million, net of cash acquired, capital expenditures of $7.1 million, including the purchase of a fractional interest in a corporate airplane, and a loan of $0.5 million to a noncontrolling interest shareholder that was repaid in the first quarter of 2010.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, reflecting capital expenditures related primarily to the purchase of additional land adjacent to Graceland and other purchases of property and equipment of $7.8 million and the repayment to the Company of a loan to FXRE of $6.3 million.
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash used in financing activities was $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company made distributions of $1.7 million to noncontrolling interest shareholders, principal payments on notes payable of $0.5 million and dividend payments of $1.8 million to the holder of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
Cash used in financing activities was $20.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company made payments of $15.0 million related to the purchase of restricted redeemable common stock. The Company also made distributions of $2.6 million to noncontrolling interest shareholders, principal payments on notes payable of $0.8 million and dividend payments of $1.8 million to the holder of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
Cash used in financing activities was $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Company made


50


Table of Contents

distributions of $1.7 million to noncontrolling interest shareholders, principal payments on notes payable of $1.2 million and dividend payments of $1.8 million to the holder of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
Uses of Capital
 
At December 31, 2010, the Company had $100.6 million of debt outstanding and $109.5 million in cash and cash equivalents.
 
We believe that our current cash on hand together with cash flow from operations and proceeds from a new credit facility or other debt financing will be sufficient to fund our current operations, including payments of interest and principal on our debt, dividends on our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, mandatory minimum distributions to the non-controlling shareholders in the Presley Business and the Ali business and capital expenditures and the redemption of the Company’s redeemable restricted common stock.
 
Capital Expenditures
 
We presently anticipate that our capital expenditures for 2011 will total approximately $3.0 million.
 
We have previously announced preliminary plans to re-develop our Graceland attraction to include an expanded visitors center, new attractions and merchandising shops and potentially a new boutique convention hotel. Although we continue to consider the exact scope, cost, financing plan and timing of such a project, we expect that the redevelopment of Graceland, if and when pursued, would take several years and could require a substantial financial investment by the Company. In addition, our ability to pursue such a project would be conditioned on a number of factors, including but not limited to general economic conditions, the availability of capital and obtaining necessary approvals and concessions from local and state authorities. The Company remains committed to the growth and vitality of the Graceland property and its surroundings and will continue to study the opportunity for redevelopment on its own or together with third parties.
 
Dividends
 
Our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock requires payment of a cash dividend of 8% per annum in quarterly installments. On an annual basis, our total dividend payment on the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is $1.8 million. If we fail to make our quarterly dividend payments to the holder(s) of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock on a timely basis, the dividend rate increases to 12% and all amounts owing must be paid within three business days in shares of Common Stock valued at the average closing price over the previous 30 consecutive trading days. After such payment is made, the dividend rate returns to 8%. All such dividend payments were made on a timely basis.
 
We have no intention of paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of our existing credit agreement restrict the payment of cash dividends on our Common Stock.
 
Commitments and Contingencies
 
There are various lawsuits and claims pending against us and which we have initiated against others. We believe that any ultimate liability resulting from these actions or claims will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.


51


Table of Contents

The Company has a number of contracts that include future cash obligations. The scheduled maturities of the Company’s material contractual obligations as of December 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):
 
                                                         
    2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     Thereafter     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Debt principal
  $ 100,515     $ 131     $     $     $     $     $ 100,646  
Interest on debt
    751       7                               758  
Non-cancelable operating leases
    3,385       3,082       2,143       1,476       267       763       11,116  
Employment contracts and consulting agreements
    16,060       12,085       3,067       1,567       83             32,862  
Guaranteed minimum distributions(a)
    1,700       1,700       1,700       1,700       1,700             8,500  
19 Entertainment put right(b)
    7,039                                     7,039  
Series B convertible preferred stock dividend(c)
    1,826       1,826       1,826       1,826       1,826             9,130  
Ryan Seacrest agreement
    6,585       6,585                               13,170  
Television development agreement
    2,000       2,000                               4,000  
EPE Put Right(d)
                                         
MAE contingent consideration(e)
                                         
Uncertain tax positions(f)
    3,934                                     3,934  
                                                         
Total
  $ 143,795     $ 27,416     $ 8,736     $ 6,569     $ 3,876     $ 763     $ 191,155  
                                                         
 
 
(a) We are required to make guaranteed minimum distributions to the noncontrolling interest shareholder of at least $1.2 million annually for as long as the noncontrolling interest shareholder continues to own 15% of the Presley Business. We are also required to make guaranteed minimum distributions to the noncontrolling interest shareholder of at least $0.5 million annually for as long as the noncontrolling interest shareholder continues to own 20% of the Ali Business.
 
(b) We have granted to the former holders of capital stock of 19 Entertainment the right, during a period of 20 business days beginning March 17, 2011, to cause us to purchase up to 0.5 million shares of common stock from them at a price of $13.18 per share, which is reflected in the table above. These shares represent the remaining shares subsequent to the Company’s exercise of its call option under the amended Put and Call Option Agreement described elsewhere herein.
 
(c) We are required to pay an annual dividend of $1.8 million per year in quarterly installments on our outstanding Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issued in the acquisition of the Presley Business.
 
(d) The Promenade Trust has the right to require us to purchase up to all of its remaining ownership interest in the Presley Business at a price based on the fair market value of the business.
 
(e) The Muhammad Ali Family Trust also has the right to require the Company to purchase all of its remaining ownership interest in the Ali Business beginning on April 10, 2011 at a price based on the then current fair market value.
 
(f) By definition, the uncertain tax positions may or may not be paid. Due to such uncertainty, the Company is unable to estimate the timing of such potential payments. The amount includes interest and penalties of $1.2 million.
 
The chart above does not include the ongoing consulting fee obligations to Simon Fuller under the terms of his Consulting Agreement described elsewhere herein. The obligation to Mr. Fuller for 2010 was $9.1 million, inclusive of the advances, pursuant to the agreement.


52


Table of Contents

Ryan Seacrest Agreement
 
On July 7, 2009, the Company entered into two agreements with Ryan Seacrest, the host of American Idol, and certain of his affiliates. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company paid $22.5 million upon execution of the agreements on July 7, 2009 and is paying Mr. Seacrest an additional $22.5 million in monthly installments during the term, for a total guaranteed amount of $45.0 million. Upon securing Mr. Seacrest’s services, the Company commenced negotiations with Fox related to a fee to be received by the Company for Mr. Seacrest’s services as the host of American Idol. The Company and Fox ultimately agreed to a fee arrangement of $5.0 million for Mr. Seacrest’s services as host of American Idol for each of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Company therefore expects to be responsible for a net amount of $30.0 million of the original $45.0 million guaranteed amount. The Company received payment for compensation related to the 2010 season in November 2010 and has recognized $5.0 million as revenue during the first six months of 2010.
 
As of December 31, 2010, the Company has paid $31.9 million of the total amount due to Mr. Seacrest with the remaining $13.1 million to be paid in equal monthly installments through December 2012. The $10.0 million difference between the amount of expense related to the arrangement between the Company and Mr. Seacrest and the arrangement between the Company and Fox related to Mr. Seacrest’s services as host was recognized as incremental expense. We also expect to record $10.0 million of incremental expense during each of the first six months of 2011 and 2012, which coincides with the anticipated broadcast periods for American Idol.
 
Simon Fuller Transaction
 
Pursuant to the consultancy agreement with Mr. Fuller, we have engaged Mr. Fuller to provide services, including executive producer services, in respect of our American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance programs. In consideration for providing these services, Mr. Fuller will receive the consulting fee as described above. For calendar year 2010, Mr. Fuller received $5.0 million as an advance against the consulting fee, with an additional $4.1 million due to Mr. Fuller for the 2010 consulting fee is payable on March 31, 2011. For each year after 2010, subject to certain conditions, Mr. Fuller will receive, as an annual advance against the consulting fee, $3.0 million if American Idol remains on the air and $2.0 million if So You Think You Can Dance remains on the air.
 
Television Development Agreement
 
In March 2010, the Company entered into a three-year development agreement with a current 19 Entertainment television executive producer partner whereby the Company will pay advances of future profits of $2.0 million per year; the 2010 advance was paid in March 2010. After the Company recoups its investment, profits will be split evenly with the producer. The agreement expires on December 31, 2012. The Company also funds certain operating costs.
 
Future Acquisitions
 
We intend to acquire additional businesses that fit our strategic goals. We expect to finance our future acquisitions of entertainment related businesses from cash on hand, new credit facilities, additional debt and equity offerings, issuance of our equity directly to sellers of businesses and cash flow from operations. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain adequate financing to complete any potential future acquisitions we might identify.
 
Inflation
 
Inflation has affected the historical performances of the businesses primarily in terms of higher operating costs for salaries and other administrative expenses. Although the exact impact of inflation is indeterminable, we believe that the Presley Business has offset these higher costs by increasing prices at Graceland and for intellectual property licenses and that 19 Entertainment has offset these higher costs by increasing fees charged for its production services and higher royalty and sponsorship rates.


53


Table of Contents

Application of Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it requires assumptions to be made about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate or different estimates could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to television production costs, artist advances and recoupable recording costs, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes and share based payments. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The result of these evaluations forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amount of revenue and expenses that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions. We have discussed the development, selection and disclosure of our critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
The Company continuously monitors its estimates and assumptions to ensure any business or economic changes impacting these estimates and assumptions are reflected in the Company’s financial statements on a timely basis, including the sensitivity to change the Company’s critical accounting policies.
 
The following accounting policies require significant management judgments and estimates.
 
Television Production Costs
 
In accounting for television projects in development, third party costs incurred in producing television programs for which we have secured distribution agreements are capitalized and remain unamortized until the project is distributed or are written off at the time they are determined not to be recoverable. Third party costs incurred in developing concepts for new television programs are expensed as incurred until such time as we have secured distribution agreements.
 
The capitalized costs of producing television programs are expensed in accordance with the individual film forecast method, pursuant to which the Company estimates the ratio that revenue which is earned for such programming in the current period bears to its estimate at the beginning of the current year of total revenue to be realized from all media and markets for such programming. Amortization commences in the period in which revenue recognition commences. Management regularly reviews and revises its total revenue estimates for each project, which may result in modifications to the rate of amortization. If a net loss is projected for a particular project, the related capitalized costs are written down to estimated realizable value.
 
Artist Advances and Recoupable Recording Costs
 
Recoupable recording costs and artist advances, as adjusted for anticipated returns, are charged to expense in the period in which the sale of the record takes place. Recoupable recording costs and artist advances are only capitalized based on management’s judgment that past performance and current popularity of the artist for whom the recording costs are incurred or to whom the advance is made provide a sound basis for estimating that the amount capitalized will be recoverable from future royalties to be earned by the artist. Our management determines the recoverability of artist advances and recoupable recording costs on an artist-by-artist basis based on the success of prior records and projects and costs are only capitalized if the artist has developed a track record of success. Any portion of recoupable recording costs or artists advances that subsequently appear not to be fully recoverable from future royalties to be earned by the artist are charged to expense during the period in which the loss becomes evident.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Significant estimates and assumptions are made by management in the allocation of fair values to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are allocated to goodwill. Elements of the purchase price that meet certain requirements are valued as intangible assets upon acquisition. The significant assumptions used in these valuations include the duration or useful life of the assets, growth rates and amounts of future cash flows for each income


54


Table of Contents

stream. To determine these factors, management specifically makes assumptions regarding the future economic outlook for the industry, risks involved in the business and the impact of competition and technological changes.
 
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually or if certain circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist.
 
The Company performs its annual impairment assessment on goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets in accordance with the methods prescribed below on the first day of its fiscal fourth quarter.
 
The Company has evaluated the recoverability of goodwill using a two-step impairment test approach at the reporting unit level. In the first step the fair value for the reporting unit is compared to its book value including goodwill. The estimates of fair value of a reporting unit are determined primarily using a discounted cash flow analysis. A discounted cash flow analysis requires the Company to make various judgmental assumptions including assumptions about future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates are based on the Company’s internal budget and business plans. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the respective reporting units. In the case that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the book value, a second step is performed which compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the book value of the goodwill. The fair value for the goodwill is determined based on the difference between the fair values of the reporting units and the net fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of such reporting units. If the fair value of the goodwill is less than the book value, the difference is recognized as an impairment.
 
The Company has also performed the impairment test for its intangible assets with indefinite lives, which consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. Significant assumptions inherent in this test include estimates of royalty rates and discount rates. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the respective intangible assets. Assumptions about royalty rates are based on the rates at which similar brands and trademarks are being licensed in the marketplace.
 
Income Taxes
 
In accounting for income taxes, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates, for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns, judgment is required. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial performance of the operation that is recording a net deferred tax asset is considered along with any other pertinent information.
 
At year end, the actual effective tax rate is calculated based upon the actual results for the full fiscal year, taking into consideration facts and circumstances known at year end.
 
In the future, certain events could occur that would materially affect the Company’s estimates and assumptions regarding deferred taxes. Changes in current tax laws and applicable enacted tax rates could affect the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, thereby impacting the Company’s income tax provision.
 
Share-Based Payments
 
In accounting for share-based payments, the fair value of stock options is estimated as of the grant date based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Judgment is required in determining certain of the inputs to the model, specifically the expected life of options and volatility. As a result of the Company’s short operating history, limited reliable historical data is available for expected lives and forfeitures. We estimated the expected lives of the options granted using an estimate of anticipated future employee exercise behavior, which is partly based on the vesting schedule. We estimated forfeitures based on management’s experience. The expected volatility is based on the Company’s historical share price volatility, and an analysis of comparable public companies operating in our industry.


55


Table of Contents

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets — an amendment of FASB No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, which was later superseded by the FASB Codification and included in ASC 860. This standard amended the criteria for a transfer of a financial asset to be accounted for as a sale, redefined a participating interest for transfers of portions of financial assets, eliminated the qualifying special-purpose entity concept and provided for new disclosures. This standard was effective for the Company beginning in 2010 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), which was later superseded by the FASB Codification and included in ASC 810. The provisions of ASC 810 amended the consolidation guidance for variable interest entities (“VIE”) by requiring an on-going qualitative assessment of which entity has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of a VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. This standard was effective for the Company beginning in 2010 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In October 2009 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13 on multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. ASU 2009-13 addresses the unit of accounting for arrangements involving multiple deliverables and addresses how arrangement consideration should be allocated to the separate units of accounting. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010; early adoption is permitted. Entities can elect to apply the ASU prospectively to new or materially modified arrangements after its effective date or retrospectively for all periods presented. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of December 31, 2010, we did not have any off balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303 (a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
We are exposed to market risk arising from changes in market rates and prices, including movements in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and the market price of our common stock. To mitigate these risks, we may utilize derivative financial instruments, among other strategies. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
We had $100.6 million of total debt outstanding at December 31, 2010, of which $100.0 million was variable rate debt.
 
Assuming a hypothetical increase in the Company’s variable interest rate under the Credit Facility of 100 basis points, our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 would have increased by approximately $0.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2009, our net income would have decreased by approximately $0.6 million.
 
Foreign Exchange Risk
 
Following our restructuring of 19 Entertainment in 2010, we have no significant operations outside the United States. Prior to the completion of the 19 Entertainment restructuring, we had significant operations in the United Kingdom which conducted business in the local currency.
 
Assuming a hypothetical weakening of the U.S. dollar exchange rate with the U.K. pound of 10%, our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 would have increased by approximately $1.6 million and our net income for the year ended December 31, 2009 would have decreased by approximately $3.0 million. This reflects our formerly extensive operations in the United Kingdom prior to our recently completed restructuring. Prospectively, we expect that a 10% change in the U.K. exchange rate would have an immaterial effect on our net income.


56


Table of Contents

Historically, we have not entered into any foreign currency option contracts on other financial instruments intended to hedge our exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates.
 
19 Entertainment Put Option
 
In connection with the acquisition of 19 Entertainment, certain sellers of 19 Entertainment entered into a Put and Call Option Agreement, as amended on June 8, 2009, that provided them with certain rights whereby, during a period of 20 business days beginning March 17, 2011, the Company may exercise a call right to purchase the common stock of such stockholders at a price equal to $24.72 per share and these sellers may exercise a put right to sell the common stock to the Company at a price equal to $13.18 per share. The put and call rights applied to 1,627,170 of the shares issued in connection with the 19 Entertainment acquisition, 1,507,135 of which were owned by Simon Fuller. As described in “Item 7 — Other Corporate Activities — Exercise of Amended Call Option” above, 534,082 shares remain subject to the Put and Call Option Agreement.


57


Table of Contents


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
CKX, Inc.
New York, New York
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CKX, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CKX, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 8, 2011, expressed an adverse opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting because of a material weakness.
 
/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
New York, New York
March 8, 2011


59


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
CKX, Inc.
New York, New York
 
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of CKX, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on that risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weakness has been identified and included in management’s assessment:
 
The Company identified a material weakness in its process of accounting for income taxes. Specifically, the Company did not maintain an adequate review process of accounting for income taxes during the year ended December 31, 2010 that would have identified material misstatements in the underlying calculations during the Company’s income tax closing process.
 
This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010, of the Company and this report does not affect our report on such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.


60


Table of Contents

In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weakness identified above on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010, of the Company and our report dated March 8, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.
 
/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
New York, New York
March 8, 2011


61


Table of Contents

CKX, INC.
 
 
                 
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 109,457     $ 66,587  
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $798 at December 31, 2010 and $742 at December 31, 2009
    32,335       52,252  
Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence of $590 at December 31, 2010 and $661 at December 31, 2009
    1,689       1,977  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    25,282       26,092  
Prepaid income taxes
          4,610  
Deferred tax assets
    2,477       1,318  
                 
Total current assets
    171,240       152,836  
Property and equipment — net
    45,035       49,590  
Receivables
    1,720       2,693  
Loans to related parties
    354       2,221  
Other assets
    37,881       49,453  
Goodwill
    111,374       116,873  
Other intangible assets — net
    88,136       119,809  
Deferred tax assets
    5,093       5,739  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 460,833     $ 499,214  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 22,174     $ 39,144  
Accrued expenses
    25,615       25,689  
Current portion of long-term debt
    100,515       482  
Income tax payable
    741        
Deferred revenue
    13,138       12,885  
                 
Total current liabilities
    162,183       78,200  
Long-term liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
    131       100,647  
Deferred revenue
    2,062       2,850  
Other long-term liabilities
    2,502       2,828  
Deferred tax liabilities
    13,856       22,367  
                 
Total liabilities
    180,734       206,892  
                 
Redeemable restricted common stock — 534,082 shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009
    7,347       7,347  
CKX, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares:
               
Series B — 1,491,817 shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009
    22,825       22,825  
Series C — 1 share outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009
           
Common stock, $0.01 par value: authorized 200,000,000 shares, 96,898,206 shares issued at December 31, 2010 and 96,831,149 issued at December 31, 2009
    969       968  
Additional paid-in-capital
    398,257       394,839  
Accumulated deficit
    (99,573 )     (83,857 )
Common stock in treasury — 4,477,438 shares at December 31, 2010 and 2009
    (22,647 )     (22,647 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (32,968 )     (33,394 )
                 
Total CKX, Inc. stockholders’ equity
    266,863       278,734  
                 
Noncontrolling interests
    5,889       6,241  
                 
Total equity
    272,752       284,975  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 460,833     $ 499,214  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


62


Table of Contents

CKX, INC.
 
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Revenue
  $ 273,724     $ 328,353     $ 288,128  
Operating expenses:
                       
Cost of sales
    132,005       158,569       117,358  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    60,109       73,817       78,354  
Corporate expenses
    20,132       21,214       18,065  
Impairment charges
    24,637       2,526       35,661  
Depreciation and amortization
    18,687       19,241       21,161  
Provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs
    19,291       1,418        
Executive separation costs
    7,655              
Merger-related and advisory costs
    1,730       675       (5,768 )
Acquisition-related costs
          2,637       2,267  
Other expense (income)
    1,245       4,079       (15,910 )
                         
Total operating expenses
    285,491       284,176       251,188  
                         
Operating income (loss)
    (11,767 )     44,177       36,940  
Interest income
    202       308       1,778  
Interest expense
    (2,680 )     (3,335 )     (5,601 )
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates
    (14,245 )     41,150       33,117  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (1,043 )     15,358       14,430  
                         
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of affiliates
    (13,202 )     25,792       18,687  
Equity in earnings of affiliates
    676       576       2,521  
                         
Net income (loss)
    (12,526 )     26,368       21,208  
Dividends on preferred stock
    (1,824 )     (1,824 )     (1,824 )
                         
Net income (loss) available to CKX, Inc. 
    (14,350 )     24,544       19,384  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (1,366 )     (1,782 )     (2,257 )
                         
Net income (loss) attributable to CKX, Inc. 
  $ (15,716 )   $ 22,762     $ 17,127  
                         
Basic income (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) attributable to CKX, Inc. before preferred dividends
  $ (0.15 )   $ 0.26     $ 0.20  
Dividends on preferred stock
    (0.02 )     (0.02 )     (0.02 )
                         
Basic income (loss) per share
  $ (0.17 )   $ 0.24     $ 0.18  
                         
Diluted income (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) attributable to CKX, Inc. before preferred dividends
  $ (0.15 )   $ 0.26     $ 0.20  
Dividends on preferred stock
    (0.02 )     (0.02 )     (0.02 )
                         
Diluted income (loss) per share
  $ (0.17 )   $ 0.24     $ 0.18  
                         
Average number of common shares outstanding:
                       
Basic
    92,907,981       93,298,778       96,674,706  
Diluted
    92,907,981       93,337,683       96,684,377  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


63


Table of Contents

CKX, INC.
 
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,526 )   $ 26,368     $ 21,208  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    18,687       19,241       21,161  
Write-off of deferred costs
          874        
Impairment charges
    24,637       2,526       35,661  
Non-cash provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs and executive separation costs
    1,849              
Write-off of loan to related party
    1,410              
Unrealized foreign currency gains and losses
    945       3,114       (11,833 )
Share-based payments
    1,578       1,563       2,954  
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net of cash received
    (676 )     (576 )     264  
Merger termination recoveries, net of cash received
                (7,647 )
Deferred income taxes
    (8,590 )     3,670       (15,923 )
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    678       686       666  
Provision for accounts receivable allowance
    448       259       814  
Provision for inventory allowance
    38       101       114  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Receivables
    22,463       (12,112 )     83  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    2,496       (21,663 )     (9,926 )
Other assets
    10,482              
Prepaid income taxes
    4,610       (4,610 )      
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (17,044 )     18,734       5,215  
Deferred revenue
    (535 )     (18,362 )     19,473  
Income taxes payable
    741       (5,526 )     (700 )
Other
    (1,968 )     162       (1,357 )
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    49,723       14,449       60,227  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Investment in Cirque du Soleil partnership
    (4,915 )     (18,357 )      
Return of capital from Cirque du Soleil partnership
    3,984              
Proceeds from sales of businesses and assets
    1,921              
Additions to property and equipment
    (3,571 )     (7,062 )     (7,838 )
Purchase of 51% interest in business, net of cash acquired of $936
          (4,314 )      
Loan repayment from FXRE
                6,345  
Loan to noncontrolling interests
          (455 )     (500 )
Repayment of loan from noncontrolling interests
                500  
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (2,581 )     (30,188 )     (1,493 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Purchase of redeemable restricted common stock
          (15,000 )      
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
    (1,700 )     (2,600 )     (1,700 )
Principal payments on debt
    (483 )     (774 )     (1,152 )
Dividends paid on preferred stock
    (1,824 )     (1,824 )     (1,824 )
                         
Net cash used in financing activities
    (4,007 )     (20,198 )     (4,676 )
                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (265 )     629       (3,110 )
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents
    42,870       (35,308 )     50,948  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    66,587       101,895       50,947  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 109,457     $ 66,587     $ 101,895  
                         
Cash paid during the period for:
                       
Interest
  $ 1,941     $ 2,560     $ 5,266  
Income taxes
    10,633       21,869       30,106  
 


64


Table of Contents

         
         
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (amounts in thousands):
       
         
The Company had the following non-cash investing and financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2010:
       
         
Accrued but unpaid Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Dividends
  $ 456  
         
Note receivable for sale of businesses and assets
    1,456  
         
Write-off of related party loan
    1,410  
         
Pay-down of related party loan
    60  
         
The Company had the following non-cash operating, investing and financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2009:
       
         
Accrued but unpaid Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Dividends
  $ 456  
         
The Company had the following non-cash operating, investing and financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2008:
       
         
Shares received in merger termination
  $ 7,647  
         
Distribution of final 2% ownership interest in FXRE
    6,175  
         
Accrued but unpaid Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Dividends
    456  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

65


Table of Contents

CKX, INC.
 
 
                                                                                                 
                                                                Accumulated
       
                                                                Other
       
    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Additional
          Common Stock
    Comprehensive
       
    Series B     Series C     Shares
          Paid-In
    Accumulated
    in Treasury     Income
       
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Outstanding     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Shares     Amount     (Loss)     Total  
 
                                                                                                 
Balance at January 1, 2008
    1,491,817     $ 22,825       1     $       95,402,757     $ 954     $ 374,665     $ (123,746 )         $     $ 15,006     $ 289,704  
                                                                                                 
Shares issued to independent directors
                            38,628             475                               475  
                                                                                                 
Restricted shares issued to employees
                            200,000       2       1,904                               1,906  
                                                                                                 
Restricted shares forfeited by employees
                            (6,700 )                                          
                                                                                                 
Shares received upon merger termination
                            (3,339,350 )                       3,339,350       (7,647 )           (7,647 )
                                                                                                 
Stock option expense
                                        573                               573  
                                                                                                 
Series B preferred dividends
                                              (1,824 )                       (1,824 )
                                                                                                 
Net income
                                              18,951                         18,951  
                                                                                                 
Other comprehensive loss
                                                                (64,677 )     (64,677 )
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    1,491,817     $ 22,825       1     $       92,295,335     $ 956     $ 377,617     $ (106,619 )     3,339,350     $ (7,647 )   $ (49,671 )   $ 237,461  
                                                                                                 
Shares received upon exercise of call option
                                  11       15,580             1,138,088       (15,000 )           591  
                                                                                                 
Shares issued to independent directors
                            59,076       1       422                               423  
                                                                                                 
Restricted shares issued to employees
                                        152                               152  
                                                                                                 
Restricted shares forfeited by employees
                            (2,200 )                                          
                                                                                                 
Stock option exercised
                            1,500             6                               6  
                                                                                                 
Stock option expense
                                        1,062                               1,062  
                                                                                                 
Series B preferred dividends
                                              (1,824 )                       (1,824 )
                                                                                                 
Net income
                                              24,586                         24,586  
                                                                                                 
Other comprehensive income
                                                                16,277       16,277  
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2009
    1,491,817     $ 22,825       1     $       92,353,711     $ 968     $ 394,839     $ (83,857 )     4,477,438     $ (22,647 )   $ (33,394 )   $ 278,734  
                                                                                                 
Shares issued to independent directors
                            59,657       1       171                               172  
                                                                                                 
Restricted shares issued to employees
                                        134                               134  
                                                                                                 
Restricted shares forfeited by employees
                            (3,400 )                                          
                                                                                                 
Stock option exercised
                            10,800             45                               45  
                                                                                                 
Stock option expense
                                        3,068                               3,068  
                                                                                                 
Series B preferred dividends
                                              (1,824 )                       (1,824 )
                                                                                                 
Net loss
                                              (13,892 )                       (13,892 )
                                                                                                 
Other comprehensive loss
                                                                426       426  
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2010
    1,491,817     $ 22,825       1     $       92,420,768     $ 969     $ 398,257     $ (99,573 )     4,477,438     $ (22,647 )   $ (32,968 )   $ 266,863  
                                                                                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


66


Table of Contents

CKX, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.  Overview
 
General
 
CKX, Inc. (the “Company” or “CKX”) is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. As more fully described below, our primary assets and operations include:
 
  •  19 Entertainment Limited (“19 Entertainment”), which owns proprietary rights to the IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance television brands, both of which air in the United States and, together with local adaptations of the formats, around the world;
 
  •  An 85% ownership interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises (the “Presley Business” or “EPE”), which owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, certain music and other intellectual property created by or related to Elvis Presley, and the operations of Graceland; and has partnered with Cirque du Soleil for Viva ELVIS show in Las Vegas, Nevada; and
 
  •  An 80% ownership interest in Muhammad Ali Enterprises (the “Ali Business”), which owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of, as well as certain trademarks and other intellectual property related to Muhammad Ali.
 
The Company’s existing properties generate recurring revenue across multiple entertainment platforms, including music and television; licensing and merchandising; talent management; themed attractions and touring/live events.
 
2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries and the Company’s share of earnings or losses of joint ventures and affiliated companies under the equity method of accounting. The interests held by our noncontrolling shareholders in the Presley Business and the Ali Business are reported as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
Any variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary are consolidated.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted within the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the amounts shown on the financial statements. Cash and cash equivalents consist of unrestricted cash in accounts maintained with major financial institutions.
 
Inventory
 
Inventory, all of which is finished goods, is valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the


67


Table of Contents

 
first-in, first out method. Allowances are provided for slow-moving or obsolete inventory items based on management’s review of historical and projected sales data.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment, net, are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Expenditures for additions, major renewals, and improvements are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs not representing betterments are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization expenses were $3.5 million, $4.2 million, and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
                         
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009     Useful Lives  
    (In thousands)     (In thousands)        
 
Land
  $ 30,718     $ 29,543       n/a  
Buildings and improvements
    12,752       21,244       5-20  
Equipment, furniture and fixtures
    7,897       10,200       3-7  
Airplane
    2,632       2,632       5  
                         
      53,999       63,619          
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (8,964 )     (14,029 )        
                         
    $ 45,035     $ 49,590          
                         
 
The Presley Business recognized a non-cash impairment of $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2010 to reduce the carrying amount of buildings for a rental property that it owns which is being prepared for an alternative future use. The charge is recorded in the Presley Business — Graceland Operations operating segment.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Merchandising/Name, Image and Likeness Licensing Revenue:
 
A portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from licensing rights to third parties to sell merchandise based on intellectual property, including name, image and likeness rights and related marks. Revenue from these activities is recognized when all of the following conditions are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (iii) the price to the licensee or buyer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured. Licensing advances are deferred until earned under the licensing agreement. Licensing contracts normally provide for quarterly reporting from the licensee of sales made and royalties due. Guaranteed minimum royalties are recognized ratably over the term of the license or are based on sales of the related products, if greater.
 
Royalty Income:
 
Royalty income from music and film contracts is derived from the sale of records and DVDs or from the licensing of film/music rights to third parties. Revenue from recordings is recognized when all of the following conditions are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) the rights have been delivered to the licensee who is free to exercise them; (iii) the Company has no remaining significant obligations to furnish music or records; and (iv) when collectibility of the full fee is reasonably assured. A significant portion of royalty income is paid to the Company based on the timetable associated with royalty statements generated by third party processors, and is not typically known or estimable by the Company on a timely basis. This revenue is consequently not recognized until the amount is either known or reasonably estimable or until receipt of the statements from the third parties. The Company contracts with various agencies to facilitate collection of royalty income.


68


Table of Contents

 
When the Company is entitled to royalties based on gross receipts, revenue is recognized before deduction of agency fees, which are included as a component of cost of sales.
 
Television Revenue:
 
The following conditions must be met in order for the Company to recognize revenue from television productions: (i) persuasive evidence of a sale or licensing arrangement exists; (ii) the program is complete and has been delivered or is available for immediate and unconditional delivery; (iii) the license period of the arrangement has begun and the customer can begin its exploitation, exhibition or sale; (iv) the arrangement fee is fixed or determinable; and (v) collection of the arrangement fee is reasonably assured. Advance payments received from buyers or licensees are included in the financial statements as a component of deferred revenue.
 
Sponsorship Revenue:
 
The Company derives revenue from sponsorships associated with certain of its television productions and tours. Sponsorship fees relate to either (a) a one-time event, or (b) a period of time. Revenue from a one-time event is recognized when: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) the event has occurred; (iii) the price is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured. Non-refundable advance payments associated with sponsorships over a period of time are recognized on a straight line basis over the term of the contract. Sponsorship advances are deferred until earned pursuant to the sponsorship agreement.
 
Management and Production Services Revenue:
 
The Company recognizes revenue from management and production services at the time the services are provided. Revenue earned based on clients’ performances is earned when documentation that the client has performed the service is received; this revenue is typically based on a contractual percentage of the clients’ earnings. Revenue from the clients’ participation and residuals are recognized at the time such amounts can be reasonably determined, which is generally upon receipt of a statement from a third party.
 
Other Revenue:
 
Ticket sales for tours and exhibits at Graceland, as well as merchandise sales and food and beverage sales are recognized at point of sale. Advance ticket sales are recorded as deferred revenue pending the “event date” on the ticket. Revenue resulting from hotel room rentals is recognized concurrent with room usage. Revenue from concerts and other tours is recognized when the tour date is completed. The Company also derives a small portion of its revenue from other sources related to its principal business activities, such as subscriber fees related to the official Elvis Presley website and revenue from Internet and telephony rights granted. Management considers these revenue streams to be immaterial to the financial statements as a whole.
 
Television Production Costs
 
In accounting for television projects in development, third party costs incurred in producing television programs for which the Company has secured distribution agreements are capitalized and remain unamortized until the project is distributed or are written off at the time they are determined not to be recoverable. Third party costs incurred in developing concepts for new television programs are expensed as incurred until such time as the Company has secured distribution agreements.
 
The capitalized costs of producing television programs are expensed in accordance with the individual film forecast method, pursuant to which the Company estimates the ratio that revenue which is earned for such programming in the current period bears to its estimate at the beginning of the current year of total revenue to be realized from all media and markets for such programming. Amortization commences in the period in which revenue recognition commences. Management regularly reviews and revises its total revenue estimates for each project, which may result in modifications to the rate of amortization. If a net loss is projected for a particular project, the related capitalized costs are written down to estimated realizable value.


69


Table of Contents

 
Artist Advances and Recoupable Recording Costs
 
Recoupable recording costs and artist advances are charged to expense in the period in which the sale of the record takes place. Recoupable recording costs and artist advances are only capitalized if the past performance and current popularity of the artist for whom the recording costs are incurred or to whom the advance is made provide a sound basis for estimating that the amount capitalized will be recoverable from future royalties to be earned by the artist. Any portion of recoupable recording costs or artists advances that subsequently appear not to be fully recoverable from future royalties to be earned by the artist are charged to expense during the period in which the loss becomes evident. The Company had capitalized artist advances of $1.4 million and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Advertising Expense
 
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs charged to expense were $1.6 million, $1.7 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. There were no advertising costs deferred as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are provided using the asset and liability method. Under this method, income taxes (i.e., deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities, taxes currently payable/refunds receivable and tax expense) are recorded based on amounts refundable or payable in the current year and include the results of any difference between U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and tax reporting. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effect of net operating loss, capital loss and general business credit carryforwards and the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax reporting purposes, as determined under enacted tax laws and rates. Valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The financial effect of changes in tax laws or rates is accounted for in the period of enactment.
 
Foreign Currency
 
As fully described in Note 8, the Company determined that it was appropriate to change the functional currency of substantially all of the subsidiaries comprising the 19 Entertainment operating segment from U.K. pound to U.S. dollars. The Company effected this change as of January 1, 2010. Following the restructuring of 19 Entertainment, the Company maintains limited operations outside the United States. In the year ended December 31, 2010, foreign currency adjustments resulted from foreign currency movements related to subsidiaries at 19 Entertainment that did not change functional currency from U.K. pound to U.S. dollars. Prior to 2010, foreign currency translation adjustments resulted from the conversion of 19 Entertainment’s financial statements from U.K. pounds to U.S. dollars.
 
Gains and losses from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are included as operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively, the Company, primarily at 19 Entertainment, had $1.2 million, $4.1 million, and ($15.9) million, respectively, of foreign exchange (gains) and losses.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually on the first day of the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter or if certain circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to the estimated residual values.
 
The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Upon such an occurrence, recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to forecasted undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated future cash


70


Table of Contents

 
flows, an impairment charge would be recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
 
Equity Investments
 
Investments in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the business and policies of the investee, but contain less than a controlling voting interest, are accounted for using the equity method.
 
Under the equity method, only the Company’s investment in and amounts due to and from the equity investee are included in the consolidated balance sheet; only the Company’s share of the investee’s earnings (losses) is included in the consolidated statement of operations.
 
At December 31, 2010, the Company had equity investments of $20.7 million, representing the Company’s 50% ownership in the Elvis Presley Cirque du Soleil show partnership. At December 31, 2009, the Company had equity investments of $23.2 million, representing the Company’s one-third ownership of Beckham Brands Limited and the Company’s 50% ownership in the Elvis Presley Cirque du Soleil show partnership (see Note 7). Equity investments are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
Share-Based Payments
 
In conjunction with the stock-based compensation plan that is more fully described in note 13, the Company records compensation expense for all share-based payments (including employee stock options) based on their fair value over the requisite service period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model at the date of option grants to estimate the fair value of options granted. Grants with graded vesting are expensed evenly over the total vesting period.
 
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets — an amendment of FASB No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, which was later superseded by the FASB Codification and included in ASC 860. This standard amended the criteria for a transfer of a financial asset to be accounted for as a sale, redefined a participating interest for transfers of portions of financial assets, eliminated the qualifying special-purpose entity concept and provided for new disclosures. This standard was effective for the Company beginning in 2010 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), which was later superseded by the FASB Codification and included in ASC 810. The provisions of ASC 810 amended the consolidation guidance for variable interest entities (“VIE”) by requiring an on-going qualitative assessment of which entity has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of a VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. This standard was effective for the Company beginning in 2010 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In October 2009 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13 on multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. ASU 2009-13 addresses the unit of accounting for arrangements involving multiple deliverables and addresses how arrangement consideration should be allocated to the separate units of accounting. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010; early adoption is permitted. Entities can elect to apply the ASU prospectively to new or materially modified arrangements after its effective date or retrospectively for all periods presented. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
3.  Transactions with Simon Fuller and Restructuring of 19 Entertainment
 
On January 13, 2010, the Company entered into a series of agreements with Simon Fuller (i) securing Mr. Fuller’s long-term creative services as a consultant, (ii) providing CKX with an option to invest in XIX Entertainment Limited, a new entertainment company that Mr. Fuller has launched, and (iii) agreeing to the


71


Table of Contents

 
termination of Mr. Fuller’s employment with 19 Entertainment. Upon entering into these agreements, Mr. Fuller resigned as a director of CKX and as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment. Pursuant to the consultancy agreement, the Company has engaged Mr. Fuller to provide services, including executive producer services, in respect of the Company’s IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance programs. In consideration for providing these services, Mr. Fuller received 10% of the Company’s net profits from each of the aforementioned programs for the life of the programs as long as Mr. Fuller continues to provide consulting services with respect to such programs. For calendar year 2010, Mr. Fuller received $5.0 million as an advance against the consulting fee, which was paid in the year ended December 31, 2010. For each year after 2010, subject to certain conditions, Mr. Fuller will receive, as an annual advance against the consulting fee, $3.0 million if American Idol remains on the air and $2.0 million if So You Think You Can Dance remains on the air. The advances are non-refundable to CKX, but CKX may recoup the amount of such advances within each year from the consulting fee payable to Mr. Fuller. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company has recorded $9.1 million of the consulting fee to cost of sales.
 
In addition to the aforementioned payment, Mr. Fuller received an incremental $2.3 million in consideration for providing creative and strategic advice with respect to the overall business of CKX for the six-month period through July 13, 2010. The Company also paid Mr. Fuller $0.8 million in January 2010, representing consideration for CKX’s option to invest in Mr. Fuller’s new entertainment company. The Company elected not to exercise the option, which expired on March 15, 2010.. Mr. Fuller also received $2.0 million in separation payments. The Company recorded $0.6 million of share-based compensation expense in the year ended December 31, 2010 due to the acceleration of the vesting of stock options held by Mr. Fuller upon the termination of his employment agreement (see Note 12). The Company recorded $5.6 million to the provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs in the year ended December 31, 2010 related to these agreements with Mr. Fuller.
 
In connection with the transaction with Simon Fuller described above, management undertook a review of each of the businesses conducted by 19 Entertainment and determined to focus its efforts principally around its established IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance brands. Following this review, management exited most of the other businesses within 19 Entertainment in 2010.
 
In pursuit of the Company’s business plan, on August 11, 2010, certain of the businesses and assets of 19 Entertainment that the Company chose to exit were sold to XIX Management Limited, a company owned and controlled by Simon Fuller. These businesses and assets, which included the Company’s interest in Beckham Brands Limited, an interest in a fashion-based partnership and certain U.K. recorded music and management assets, were sold for the approximate book value of the transferred business. For the year ended December 31, 2010, these businesses generated $6.7 million of revenue, had an operating loss of $1.4 million and had equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries of $0.6 million. For the 2009 fiscal year, the businesses had revenue of $10.0 million, operating income of $0.5 million and equity in earnings of affiliates of $0.6 million. The impact of these divested businesses was not deemed significant to warrant disclosure as discontinued operations. As part of this transaction, 60 of the Company’s employees whose functions were dedicated to the transferred businesses became direct employees of XIX Management and/or affiliates thereof and XIX Management and/or its affiliates assumed certain lease obligations from the Company.
 
Because XIX Management Limited is owned and controlled by Simon Fuller, the above described transaction was deemed a related party transaction. The terms of the agreement with XIX Management were reached following extensive arms-length negotiation between the parties. The Board of Directors, acting upon the unanimous approval and recommendation of our independent directors, approved the transaction.
 
In addition to the transaction described above, during the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company terminated or exited certain other business activities at 19 Entertainment. As a result of this and the transaction with XIX Management, the Company has substantially reduced 19 Entertainment’s spending on programming and new development projects and the associated selling, general and administrative expenses. As of December 31, 2010, the Company has reduced 19 Entertainment’s headcount from 245 to 90. The Company expects that the reduction in headcount and certain other costs will result in annualized cost savings of approximately $20 million at 19 Entertainment, of which approximately $10 million were realized in 2010.
 
In connection with the actions described above, for the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company incurred severance and other restructuring-related costs, including charges related to the closure of several offices, of


72


Table of Contents

 
$19.3 million. Certain management, legal and accounting functions at 19 Entertainment were absorbed by the Company’s corporate staff.
 
The following table outlines the details of the components of the restructuring charges, including costs for the transaction with Simon Fuller, and the payments made in the year ended December 31, 2010:
 
                         
    Provision for the
    Payments/Writeoffs/Vesting
       
    Year Ended
    During the Year Ended
    Liability as of
 
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2010     December 31, 2010  
 
Severance and other employee-related termination costs
  $ 7,300     $ (6,894 )   $ 406  
Costs associated with transaction with Simon Fuller
    5,564       (5,564 )      
Costs associated with termination of leases related to office closures
    3,318       (1,796 )     1,522  
Costs associated with termination of projects and ventures
    1,776       (1,625 )     151  
Other
    1,333       (1,236 )     97  
                         
    $ 19,291     $ (17,115 )   $ 2,176  
                         
 
In the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded a provision for severance costs of $1.4 million at the Ali Business, which was reclassified to the provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs from selling, general and administrative expenses to conform to the 2010 presentation.
 
4.  Executive Separation Costs
 
Robert F.X. Sillerman resigned as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and from the Company’s Board of Directors, effective as of May 7, 2010. In connection with his resignation, Mr. Sillerman and the Company entered into a separation and consulting agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to treat Mr. Sillerman’s resignation as a “constructive termination without cause” for purposes of Mr. Sillerman’s pre-existing employment agreement with the Company. As a result, Mr. Sillerman received a cash severance payment of $3.4 million, which amount became payable six months following the date of Mr. Sillerman’s separation from the Company. The Company has also agreed to provide Mr. Sillerman with $25,000 in each of 2010, 2011 and 2012, and $10,000 each year thereafter, to cover certain of Mr. Sillerman’s health insurance costs. All Company stock options held by Mr. Sillerman under the Company’s 2005 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan became immediately exercisable in connection with his termination and, subject to Mr. Sillerman’s compliance with certain terms of the separation and consulting agreement, will remain exercisable for the remainder of their original term. The Company recorded $1.3 million of share-based compensation expense in the year ended December 31, 2010 related to this accelerated vesting (see Note 13).
 
Mr. Sillerman and the Company also entered into a non-exclusive consulting arrangement whereby Mr. Sillerman is receiving a consulting fee of $1.0 million in consideration for his continued availability to promote the best interests of the Company and its subsidiaries on a monthly basis for a one-year period ending on May 30, 2011. In addition to the consulting fee, Mr. Sillerman is being reimbursed for the monthly cost of certain business expenses through December 31, 2011, at a monthly amount of $25,000. The Company also recorded severance costs of $0.3 million related to the termination of two employees who reported to Mr. Sillerman , professional fees of $0.1 million related to the separation with Mr. Sillerman and $0.9 million related to a consulting agreement with a former executive as the Company has determined that it will not require any services in the future under this agreement.
 
In consideration for the severance payment and the consulting fee, Mr. Sillerman released the Company from all claims arising out of his employment, shareholder and/or other relationship with the Company and the termination of such relationships. The indemnification and confidentiality provisions in Mr. Sillerman’s pre-existing employment agreement are to remain in full force and effect and the Company and Mr. Sillerman agreed to enter into a mutual non-disparagement provision.


73


Table of Contents

 
The following table outlines the details of the executive separation costs and the payments made in the year ended December 31, 2010:
 
                         
    Provision for the
    Payments/Vesting
       
    Year Ended
    During the Year Ended
    Liability as of
 
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2010     December 31, 2010  
 
Severance and other one-time costs
  $ 3,812     $ (3,812 )   $  
Consulting costs
    1,824       (671 )     1,153  
Share-based compensation costs due to acceleration of stock options
    1,297       (1,297 )      
Office and other administrative costs
    500       (200 )     300  
Health insurance costs
    222       (36 )     186  
                         
    $ 7,655     $ (6,016 )   $ 1,639  
                         
 
5.  Transactions Involving FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc.
 
About FXRE
 
CKX acquired an aggregate approximate 50% interest in FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc. (“FXRE”) in June and September of 2007. On January 10, 2008, CKX distributed 100% of its interests in FXRE to CKX’s stockholders. The following information about FXRE is provided solely as selected background for the description of the historical transactions between the Company and FXRE. The Company does not own any interest in FXRE, has not guaranteed any obligations of FXRE, nor is it a party to any continuing material transactions with FXRE.
 
Terminated License Agreements
 
Simultaneous with our investment in FXRE, EPE entered into a worldwide license agreement with FXRE, granting FXRE the exclusive right to utilize Elvis Presley-related intellectual property in connection with the development, ownership and operation of Elvis Presley-themed hotels, casinos and certain other real estate-based projects and attractions around the world. FXRE also entered into a worldwide license agreement with the Ali Business, granting FXRE the right to utilize Muhammad Ali-related intellectual property in connection with Muhammad Ali-themed hotels and certain other real estate-based projects and attractions.
 
Under the terms of the license agreements, FXRE was required to pay to EPE and the Ali Business a specified percentage of the gross revenue generated at the properties that incorporate the Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali intellectual property, as applicable. FXRE was required to pay a guaranteed annual minimum royalty during each year of the agreements, which amount was to be recoupable against royalties paid during such year as described above. The aggregate guaranteed minimum royalty due for 2007 of $10.0 million, together with interest of $0.4 million, was paid to the Company in April 2008 and was deferred under the Company’s revenue recognition policy.
 
As a result of the termination of the license agreements on March 9, 2009, following FXRE’s failure to make the $10 million annual guaranteed minimum royalty payments for 2008 when due, EPE and the Ali Business entered into a Termination, Settlement and Release agreement with FXRE, pursuant to which the parties agreed to terminate the EPE and Ali Business license agreements and to release each other from all claims related to or arising from such agreements. The $10.0 million in 2007 license revenue was recognized in March 2009 upon termination of the license agreement.
 
6.  Capital Structure
 
Redeemable Restricted Common Stock
 
As of December 31, 2010, 534,082 shares remain subject to the Put and Call Option Agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition of 19 Entertainment and can be put to the Company beginning March 17, 2011 (see Note 17). The Company’s total obligation in the event all of the shares are put to the Company is $7.0 million. These


74


Table of Contents

 
shares represent a single equity instrument. As the stock is puttable to the Company at the option of these sellers, these shares are presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as temporary equity under the heading Redeemable Restricted Common Stock at an estimated fair value inclusive of the put/call rights; the fair value of the remaining 534,082 shares is $7.3 million.
 
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
 
Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock has a stated value of $15.30 and entitles the holder to receive an annual dividend calculated at a rate of 8% of the stated value. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is valued for accounting purposes at its stated value of $15.30 per share, which approximated its fair value on issuance.
 
The shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible by their holders into shares of common stock at any time at a conversion price equal to the stated value, subject to adjustments in connection with standard anti-dilution protections for stock splits, stock dividends and reorganizations. The shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock become convertible at the Company’s option from and after the third anniversary of the date of issuance, if, at any time, the average closing price of the Company’s common stock over a thirty day trading period equals or exceeds 150% of the conversion price.
 
The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock vote with the holders of Common Stock on all matters on an as converted basis and vote separately as a class with respect to authorizing any of the following: (i) an increase in the authorized number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, (ii) the issuance of additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock, (iii) the creation or issuance of any equity securities having rights, preferences or privileges senior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock, (iv) amending the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws in a manner that is adverse to the Series B Preferred Stock, (v) the declaration or payment of dividends on equity securities ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series B Preferred Stock, and (vi) the repurchase or redemption of any of the Company’s outstanding equity securities other than shares of the Series B Preferred Stock.
 
During the period beginning August 7, 2012 and ending August 7, 2013, the Company can, at its sole discretion, redeem the outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, for an aggregate price equal to the stated value plus accrued but unpaid dividends through the date of redemption. If the Company does not exercise this redemption right, the conversion price for all remaining shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is thereafter reduced to the lower of (i) the conversion price then in effect and (ii) the average closing price of the Company’s common stock over a thirty day trading period measured as of the last day of the redemption period.
 
Upon a liquidation of the Company, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive in preference to the holders of any other class or series of the Company’s equity securities, a cash amount per share equal to the greater of (x) the stated value plus accrued but unpaid dividends, or (y) the amount to which they would be entitled to receive had they converted into Common Stock.
 
The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock has been classified as permanent equity in the accompanying financial statements as the security is redeemable in cash solely at the option of the Company.
 
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
 
The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of common stock and is pari passu with the common stock with respect to dividends and distributions upon liquidation. The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is not transferable and automatically converts into one share of common stock at such time as The Promenade Trust, which owns a 15% interest in the Presley Business, ceases to own at least 50% of the aggregate sum of the outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock plus the shares of common stock received upon conversion of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The holder of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock has the right to elect a designee to serve on the Company’s board of directors for no additional compensation or expense.
 
Common Stock
 
The Company’s Credit Facility prohibits the Company from paying cash dividends on its Common Stock.


75


Table of Contents

 
Stockholder Rights Plan
 
On June 23, 2010, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”), also known as a “poison pill,” to protect stockholders from potentially coercive takeover tactics and to provide fair and equal treatment for all of the Company’s stockholders. Pursuant to the Rights Plan, each outstanding share of common stock as of the record date received a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”). Prior to exercise, the Rights do not give its holders any dividend, voting or liquidation rights.
 
In the event that a person or group has obtained beneficial ownership at least 15% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, the Rights become exercisable 10 days after the public announcement of such an event. The holder of a Right would then be entitled to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for $20. This will give the stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as would one share of common stock. Stockholders who currently hold 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock will not trigger the exercisability of the Rights unless they acquire beneficial ownership of an additional 1% or more of the outstanding Common Stock. The terms of the Rights Plan may be amended by the Board of Directors without the consent of the holders of the Rights, provided that the Board of Directors may not lower the threshold at which a person or group triggers the Rights to below 10% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. In addition, the Board of Directors may redeem the Rights for $.01 per Right at any time before any person or group triggers the Rights.
 
The Rights will expire upon the earlier to occur of the close of business on June 22, 2020 and the time at which these rights are redeemed or exchanged under the Rights Plan.
 
7.  Elvis Presley Cirque du Soleil Show
 
Together with Cirque du Soleil and MGM MIRAGE, the Company launched Viva ELVIS, a permanent live theatrical Cirque du Soleil show based on the life and music of Elvis Presley. The show, which is being presented at the ARIA Resort and Casino in CityCenter on the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, opened in February 2010. The show was developed and is operated in a partnership jointly owned by Cirque du Soleil and the Company which has been determined by the Company to be a variable interest entity. The Company is not, for accounting purposes, the primary beneficiary of the partnership because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the partnership that most significantly impact its economic performance and therefore accounts for its investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the partnership is its funding for the show, which is its investment in the partnership. The Company and Cirque du Soleil each paid one-half ($26.4 million) of the creative development and production costs of the show. These development costs are being amortized over five years by the partnership.
 
Additionally, another entity was created by Cirque du Soleil and the Company to hold the intellectual property related to the show, to collect royalty-related revenue based on the profitability of the show and to distribute royalty payments to the various rights holders of the show’s intellectual property. The Company licenses the Elvis Presley intellectual property to this partnership. This entity also holds the rights to intellectual property created during the creation of the show and pays a royalty to other third party creators of the show. As this partnership generates a distinct royalty stream, the Company records the royalties earned related to intellectual property it owns and it acquires through third parties as revenue. Costs incurred to third parties by the Company are recorded as expenses. The Company also recognized as revenue a management fee it receives from the operating partnership to cover any operational expenses incurred to support the partnership.
 
The Company recorded revenue of $6.4 million and cost of sales of $3.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2010 related to royalties on the Company’s intellectual property from the partnership with Cirque du Soleil for Viva ELVIS. The Company recorded income of $0.1 million from unconsolidated affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2010 related to the Company’s investment in the Cirque du Soleil operating partnership. The income is primarily due to an operating profit on the show offset by certain one-time costs associated with the gala opening of the show in February 2010. Additionally, the Company recorded a return of production capital of $5.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, including $1.8 million receivable at December 31, 2010. The Company’s net investment in the partnership with Cirque du Soleil of $20.7 million at December 31, 2010 is


76


Table of Contents

 
recorded in the Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing segment within other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
 
8.  Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s net income to comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,526 )   $ 26,368     $ 21,208  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    426       16,277       (64,677 )
                         
      (12,100 )     42,645       (43,469 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (1,366 )     (1,782 )     (2,257 )
                         
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (13,466 )   $ 40,863     $ (45,726 )
                         
 
Change in Functional Currency
 
As described in Note 3, Simon Fuller resigned as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment and a director of the Company in January 2010. This departure represented a significant change in circumstances for the 19 Entertainment operating segment. This underlying event caused management to undertake an assessment of the strategic and structural needs of 19 Entertainment’s creative development projects and market focus. These changes represent a significant change in facts and circumstances in the context of ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters, such that management reassessed the functional currency of the 19 Entertainment operating segment. The Company concluded that it is appropriate to change the functional currency of substantially all of the subsidiaries comprising the 19 Entertainment operating segment from U.K. pounds to U.S. dollars. The Company effected this change as of January 1, 2010. The change in functional currency had no impact on the December 31, 2009 and 2008 financial information previously included in the Company’s 2009 and 2008 Form 10-Ks.
 
The impact of this change is that the 19 Entertainment operating segment is measured in U.S. dollars effective January 1, 2010. Historically, 19 Entertainment has generated foreign currency gains and losses as transactions denominated in U.S. dollars were re-measured into U.K. pounds at the balance sheet date. As a result of the change, 19 Entertainment’s operating results reflect less foreign currency-related volatility in 2010 and the 2010 operating results of 19 Entertainment may not be directly comparable to 2009.
 
9.  Earnings Per Share/Common Shares Outstanding
 
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to CKX, Inc. before dividends on preferred stock by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. For the year ended December 31, 2010, diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share as a result of the Company’s net loss in the current period. Diluted earnings per share includes the determinants of basic earnings per share and, in addition, gives effect to potentially dilutive common shares, including one incremental share for the assumed exercise of the Company’s Series C preferred stock. The diluted earnings per share calculations exclude the impact of the conversion of 1,491,817 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred shares and the impact of employee stock plan awards that would be anti-dilutive. In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, 2,097,750 and 916,100 shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share due to stock plan awards that were anti-dilutive.


77


Table of Contents

 
The following table shows the reconciliation of the Company’s basic common shares outstanding to the Company’s diluted common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding (including redeemable restricted common stock)
    92,907,981       93,298,778       96,674,706  
Incremental shares for assumed exercise of Series C preferred stock, restricted stock, warrants and stock options
          38,905       9,671  
                         
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding (including redeemable restricted common stock)
    92,907,981       93,337,683       96,684,377  
                         
 
10.  Intangible Assets and Goodwill
 
The Company is required to perform a fair value-based impairment test of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives at least annually. The Company performed annual impairment assessments of the carrying values of long-lived assets, including indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill, on October 1, 2010 and October 1, 2009 in accordance with the methods outlined in Note 2.
 
The Company evaluated the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives using a two-step impairment test approach at the reporting unit level. In step one, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units were estimated using the present values of cash flows, using assumptions about expected future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates were based on the Company’s internal budget and business plans. Discount rate assumptions were based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the respective reporting units. The results of step one in 2010 indicated that the book values of the Ali Business and MBST reporting units exceeded the fair value of the respective businesses. Therefore, step two was performed which compared the implied fair value of each reporting unit’s goodwill to the book value of the goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives. As a result of the assessment on October 1, 2010, non-cash impairment charges of $17.6 million ($11.6 million, net of tax) were recognized to reduce the carrying amount of the Ali Business trademarks by $16.5 million and goodwill by $1.1 million and of $2.2 million to write-off MBST’s remaining goodwill in the year ended December 31, 2010. These impairment charges recorded in the fourth quarter of 2010 for the Ali Business resulted from the decision not to pursue certain potential projects in 2010 and the additional impairment charges recorded in the fourth quarter of 2010 for MBST resulted from less work expected to be performed by certain clients.
 
Additionally, as noted in Note 3, management completed a review of each of the businesses conducted by 19 Entertainment. Following this review, the Company determined to focus its efforts principally around its established IDOLS and So You Think You Can Dance brands and to exit most of the other businesses within 19 Entertainment. These actions were a triggering event and the Company therefore evaluated the 19 Entertainment goodwill and intangible assets for impairment. As a result of this review, a non-cash impairment charge of $2.2 million was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2010 to fully reduce the carrying amount of goodwill of one of its subsidiaries that was closed. No other 19 Entertainment goodwill and intangible assets were impaired.
 
As a result of the assessment on October 1, 2009, no impairment charges were recorded as the carrying value of all of the Company’s long-lived assets did not exceed estimated future cash flows. As a result of Simon Fuller’s termination of employment at 19 Entertainment as discussed in Note 3, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $2.5 million in 2009 to reduce the carrying amount of assets of Storm.


78


Table of Contents

 
Indefinite lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2010 consist of (in thousands):
 
                         
    Balance at
          Balance at
 
    December 31,
          December 31,
 
    2009     Impairment     2010  
 
Presley trademarks, publicity rights and other intellectual property
  $ 38,165     $     $ 38,165  
Ali trademarks, publicity rights and other intellectual property
    28,200       (16,500 )     11,700  
                         
    $ 66,365     $ (16,500 )   $ 49,865  
                         
 
Definite lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2010 consist of (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
                                 
    Weighted
                   
    Average
                   
    Remaining
    Gross
          Net
 
    Useful Life
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
 
    (In years)     Amount     Amortization     Amount  
 
Presley record, music publishing, film and video rights
    9.1     $ 28,900     $ (11,242 )   $ 17,658  
Other Presley intangible assets
    11.2       13,622       (7,812 )     5,810  
19 Entertainment IDOLS television programming, merchandising and sponsorship relationships
    1.3       64,517       (52,798 )     11,719  
19 Entertainment other artist management, recording, merchandising, sponsorship and model relationships
    1.6       17,954       (15,313 )     2,641  
MBST artist contracts, profit participation rights and other intangible assets
    2.7       4,270       (3,827 )     443  
                                 
            $ 129,263     $ (90,992 )   $ 38,271  
                                 
 
The gross carrying amount of intangible assets of $129.3 million as of December 31, 2010 in the table above differs from the amount of $129.4 million as of December 31, 2009 in the table below due to foreign currency movements of $0.1 million.
 
Definite lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2009 consist of (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
                         
    Gross
          Net
 
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
 
    Amount     Amortization     Amount  
 
Presley record, music publishing, film and video rights
  $ 28,900     $ (9,298 )   $ 19,602  
Other Presley intangible assets
    13,622       (6,538 )     7,084  
19 Entertainment IDOLS television programming, merchandising and sponsorship relationships
    64,517       (43,423 )     21,094  
19 Entertainment other artist management, recording, merchandising, sponsorship and model relationships
    18,087       (13,387 )     4,700  
MBST artist contracts, profit participation rights and other intangible assets
    4,270       (3,306 )     964  
                         
    $ 129,396     $ (75,952 )   $ 53,444  
                         
 
Amortization expense for definite lived intangible assets was $15.1 million, $15.0 million and $17.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At December 31, 2010, the projected annual


79


Table of Contents

 
amortization expense for definite lived intangible assets for the next five years, assuming no further acquisitions or dispositions, is as follows (in thousands):
 
         
Year Ending December 31,
       
2011
  $ 13,800  
2012
    5,800  
2013
    3,100  
2014
    2,900  
2015
    2,100  
 
Goodwill as of December 31, 2010 consists of (in thousands):
 
                         
    Balance at
          Balance at
 
    December 31,
          December 31,
 
    2009     Impairments     2010  
 
Presley royalties and licensing
  $ 14,413     $     $ 14,413  
Presley Graceland operations
    10,166             10,166  
19 Entertainment
    89,009       (2,214 )     86,795  
MBST
    2,175       (2,175 )      
Ali Business
    1,110       (1,110 )      
                         
Total
  $ 116,873     $ (5,499 )   $ 111,374  
                         
 
11.  Debt
 
On March 12, 2010, the Company entered into an amendment to its revolving credit agreement with various lenders (the “Credit Facility”). As a result of the amendment: (i) the maximum size of the Credit Facility was reduced from $141.7 million to $100.0 million, (ii) the lenders agreed to remove a provision which tied an event of default under the Credit Facility to a reduction in the percentage of stock owned by Robert F.X. Sillerman, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, below a certain level and (iii) the Company agreed to the removal of the “Incremental Facilities” provision, which had provided the Company with an option to seek additional term loan commitments from the lenders in excess of the amount available under the Credit Facility. As a result of this amendment and the previous borrowings by the Company, there are no additional borrowings available under the Credit Facility. The Company has written off $0.2 million of deferred financing fees to interest expense in the year ended December 31, 2010 for the reduction in the size of the Credit Facility.
 
A commitment fee of 0.375%-0.50% on any daily unused portion of the Credit Facility was payable monthly in arrears through the date of the amendment entered into by the Company as described above (March 12, 2010). Under the Credit Facility, the Company may make Eurodollar borrowings or base rate borrowings. The $100.0 million outstanding at December 31, 2010 bears interest at the Eurodollar rate resulting in an effective annual interest rate at December 31, 2010 of 1.79% based upon a margin of 150 basis points. Deferred financing fees are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and are amortized over the remaining term of the agreement, which ends on May 24, 2011.
 
The Credit Facility contains covenants that regulate the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ incurrence of debt, disposition of property, acquisitions and joint ventures, payment of cash dividends and capital expenditures. The Company and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all financial and non-financial loan covenants as of December 31, 2010.
 
The Company is required to repay the Credit Facility in full on or before May 24, 2011. Based on the remaining term of the Credit Facility the outstanding principal amount has been classified as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010. The Company intends to repay the $100.0 million outstanding balance on the Credit Facility from a combination of cash on hand and expected proceeds from a new credit facility or other debt financing which we expect to complete prior to the maturity date of the Credit Facility. Although the Company believes that it will be able to secure such financing prior to the expiration of the Credit Facility, the availability and terms of such debt will be dependent upon a number of factors including the Company’s


80


Table of Contents

 
current and future performance and overall conditions in the credit markets. The Company expects that the interest rate on any new debt financing will be higher than the rate is currently paid on the existing Credit Facility. See Note 20 for a description of the Company’s commitment letter to amend and restate the Credit Facility.
 
The fair value of the Company’s debt has been calculated using a present value model and an observable market rate is $99.0 million as of December 31, 2010, reflecting the favorable interest rates on the Company’s debt instruments.
 
The scheduled repayments of debt outstanding as of December 31, 2010, are as follows (in thousands):
 
         
 
Years Ending December 31,
       
2011
  $ 100,515  
2012
    131  
         
    $ 100,646  
         
 
12.  Stockholders’ Equity
 
Changes in stockholders’ equity attributable to CKX, Inc. and non-controlling interests for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
          Noncontrolling
       
    CKX, Inc.     Interests     Total  
 
Balance at January 1, 2010
  $ 278,734     $ 6,241     $ 284,975  
Net income (loss)
    (13,892 )     1,366       (12,526 )
Distributions/distributions payable to noncontrolling interest shareholders
          (1,700 )     (1,700 )
Series B preferred dividends
    (1,824 )           (1,824 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    426             426  
Non-cash compensation and other
    3,419       (18 )     3,401  
                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 266,863     $ 5,889     $ 272,752  
                         
 
                         
          Noncontrolling
       
    CKX, Inc.     Interests     Total  
 
Balance at January 1, 2009
  $ 237,461     $ 5,279     $ 242,740  
Net income
    24,586       1,782       26,368  
Distributions/distributions payable to noncontrolling interest shareholders
          (2,600 )     (2,600 )
Series B preferred dividends
    (1,824 )           (1,824 )
Other comprehensive income
    16,277             16,277  
Purchase of 51% interest in business
          1,813       1,813  
Non-cash compensation and other
    2,234       (33 )     2,201  
                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 278,734     $ 6,241     $ 284,975  
                         
 
13.  Share-Based Payments
 
The Company’s 2005 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2005 Plan”) was approved by shareholders in March 2005. Under the 2005 Plan, the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be subject to stock options, stock awards, deferred shares, or performance shares is 4,000,000. Shares available for future grants under the 2005 Plan were 726,878 at December 31, 2010. The Company’s policy for issuing share-based awards is to utilize shares eligible under the 2005 Plan.


81


Table of Contents

 
Restricted Stock Grants
 
The Company issued 200,000 restricted shares to an executive in 2008. These restricted shares were valued at $1.7 million and were subject to various vesting requirements. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the full value of the grant was charged to non-cash compensation as the grant was fully vested because performance targets were met. The Company issued 55,500 restricted shares to employees valued at $0.7 million in 2007. These shares are subject to various vesting requirements and the grants are charged to non-cash compensation expense ratably over the vesting periods, which do not exceed five years. As of December 31, 2010, 13,600 of restricted shares granted to employees with a weighted average grant date fair value of $12.07 remain unvested. As of December 31, 2009, 25,500 restricted shares granted to employees with a weighted average grant date fair value of $12.06 were unvested. A cumulative total of 12,300 restricted shares have been forfeited as of December 31, 2010 and therefore will not vest, of which 3,400 with a weighted average grant date fair value of $12.03 were forfeited during 2010. No restricted shares were issued in 2009 or 2010.
 
Stock Option Grants
 
The Company granted 1,296,500, 1,412,000 and 223,500 stock options to employees in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These options vest 20% on each anniversary of the respective dates of grant. Excluding options which were vested on an accelerated basis during 2010 as discussed in Notes 3 and 4, options vest 20% on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of grant. The options expire 10 years from the date of grant and were granted with an exercise price equal to the weighted average fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period, assuming 10%-40% of the options granted will not vest. The vesting assumption depends on the specific employee or group of employees granted options.
 
As noted in Notes 3 and 4, respectively, the Company also recorded $1.3 million of additional expense to executive separation costs in the year ended December 31, 2010 due to the acceleration of stock options held by Robert F.X. Sillerman upon his separation from the Company and $0.6 million of additional expense to provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs in the year ended December 31, 2010 due to the acceleration of the vesting of stock options held by Simon Fuller upon the termination of his employment agreement.
 
Compensation expense for stock option grants is being recognized ratably over the vesting period, assuming a weighted average of 83% of the options granted in 2010 will ultimately vest.
 
The following assumptions were used in valuing stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:
 
                         
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Risk-free average interest rate
    3.1 %     2.4 %     3.1 %
Volatility
    41.9 %     44.8 %     37.0 %
Expected life (years)
    6.5       6.5       6.5  
Dividend yield
    0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %
Weighted average grant date fair value
  $ 2.61     $ 1.99     $ 3.54  
 
The Company estimated forfeitures based on its experience of management and employee forfeitures. Due to the Company’s short operating history of approximately six years, the expected volatility is based on the Company’s historical share price volatility and an analysis of comparable public companies operating in our industry. Also due to the Company’s short operating history, the Company estimates the expected life of each option granted by taking the average of the minimum and maximum life for each vesting tranche. The Company calculated a risk-free rate based upon the rates on five and ten year treasury notes at the dates of grant.


82


Table of Contents

 
A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and changes during the years then ended are presented below:
 
                                                 
    2010     2009     2008  
          Weighted
          Weighted
          Weighted
 
          Average
          Average
          Average
 
    Options     Exercise Price     Options     Exercise Price     Options     Exercise Price  
 
Balance outstanding at beginning of year
    2,072,250     $ 6.52       712,100     $ 11.42       515,000     $ 12.75  
Granted
    1,296,500     $ 5.61       1,412,000     $ 4.19       223,500     $ 8.28  
Exercised
    (10,800 )   $ 4.19       (1,500 )   $ 4.19              
Forfeited
    (678,350 )   $ 6.16       (50,350 )   $ 10.59       (26,400 )   $ 10.92  
                                                 
Balance outstanding at end of year
    2,679,600     $ 6.18       2,072,250     $ 6.52       712,100     $ 11.42  
                                                 
Balance exercisable at end of year
    1,423,100     $ 6.54                                  
                                                 
Balance expected to vest in future years
    1,150,566     $ 5.96                                  
                                                 
 
Total expected compensation cost not yet recognized for stock options as of December 31, 2010 is $2.5 million and the weighted average future period for recognizing this cost is 3.5 years. The weighted average remaining life of outstanding stock options is 8.1 years which approximates the weighted average remaining contractual term. Total compensation cost not yet recognized for all restricted stock grants as of December 31, 2010 is $0.2 million and the weighted average remaining vesting period is 1.2 years.
 
Compensation expense for all stock plan awards to employees for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $3.0 million, $1.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The Company issued 59,657, 59,076 and 38,628 shares to independent directors as compensation in the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Related compensation expense for all stock issuances to independent directors in the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
 
14.  Income Taxes
 
Domestic and foreign income (loss) from continuing operations are as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Domestic operations
  $ (39,017 )   $ (7,039 )   $ (4,785 )
Foreign operations
    24,772       48,189       37,902  
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates
  $ (14,245 )   $ 41,150     $ 33,117  
                         


83


Table of Contents

 
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following:
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Current provision
                       
Federal
  $ (1,727 )   $ 423     $ 9,369  
Foreign
    8,555       9,636       17,509  
State
    690       1,276       3,475  
                         
      7,518       11,335       30,353  
Deferred provision (benefit)
                       
Federal
    (4,801 )     6,584       (10,226 )
Foreign
    (3,095 )     (3,376 )     (3,951 )
State
    (665 )     815       (1,746 )
                         
      (8,561 )     4,023       (15,923 )
                         
Total income tax expense (benefit)
  $ (1,043 )   $ 15,358     $ 14,430  
                         
 
Income tax expense (benefit) as reported is different than income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the statutory federal rate of 35% in 2010, 2009 and 2008. The differences are as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Income tax expense (benefit) at statutory federal rate
  $ (4,986 )   $ 14,402     $ 11,591  
Effect of state and local income taxes
    540       1,360       1,124  
Foreign earnings
    5,627       6,261       13,558  
Foreign tax credits
    (6,564 )     (7,597 )     (14,784 )
Income taxed directly to noncontrolling interests
    (470 )     (414 )     (314 )
Transaction related costs
          (794 )     (792 )
Impairment charge
    2,848       884       2,773  
Sale of business
    805              
Other permanently non-deductible related items
    1,157       1,256       1,274  
                         
Income tax expense (benefit)
  $ (1,043 )   $ 15,358     $ 14,430  
                         
 
The 2010 impact of the impairment charge of $2.8 million relates to a Presley Business former rental property, 19 Entertainment goodwill, Ali Business goodwill and MBST goodwill. The 2009 impairment impact is related to Storm. The 2008 impairment impact is related to MBST.
 
In preparing the 2010 tax provision, the Company identified $1.1 million of additional tax expense relating to prior fiscal years. The impact of these adjustments was determined not to have a material impact on the current year and prior years’ reported consolidated financial statements.


84


Table of Contents

 
Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows (the 2009 current deferred tax assets were reclassified to conform with the 2010 presentation):.
 
                 
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Deferred income tax assets:
               
Current
               
Inventory
  $ 298     $ 338  
Accounts receivable
    735       451  
Accrued expenses
    1,343       304  
Other
    101       225  
                 
Current deferred income tax assets
    2,477       1,318  
                 
Non-current
               
Foreign tax credits
    22,944       23,827  
Property and equipment
    2,549       1,012  
Deferred revenue
    313       256  
Non-cash compensation
    2,118       1,213  
Less: valuation allowance
    (22,831 )     (20,569 )
                 
Non-current deferred income tax assets
    5,093       5,739  
                 
Total deferred income tax assets, net
    7,570       7,057  
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Intangible assets
    (9,817 )     (18,775 )
Investment
    (4,039 )     (3,484 )
Unremitted earnings
          (108 )
                 
Total deferred income tax liabilities
    (13,856 )     (22,367 )
                 
Total deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net
  $ (6,286 )   $ (15,310 )
                 
 
The deferred income tax assets at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were reduced by a valuation allowance of $22.8 million and $20.6 million, respectively. The valuation allowance is primarily due to uncertainty regarding the future realizability of tax benefits related to future foreign tax credit carryforwards.
 
The deferred tax liability for intangible assets decreased primarily because of the impairment to the Ali business, the timing of amortization for the Ryan Seacrest deal and amortization of the 19 Entertainment intangible assets.
 
The foreign tax credits will start to expire as of December 31, 2017.
 
The Company’s uncertain tax positions relate primarily to state, local and foreign tax issues, as well as accounting method issues. The Company’s uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, are reflected in the tax payable account. The Company does not expect any material changes to the estimated amount of liability associated with its uncertain tax positions through December 31, 2011. If all the uncertain tax positions were settled


85


Table of Contents

 
favorably with the taxing authorities, there would be a 27.6% adjustment to the effective tax rate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized benefit is as follows:
 
                         
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance at January 1
  $ 1,817     $ 193     $ 193  
Increases/(decreases) related to prior period positions
    1,223       1,624        
Increases/(decreases) related to current period positions
                 
Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities
    (37 )            
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations
    (291 )            
                         
Balance at December 31
  $ 2,712     $ 1,817     $ 193  
                         
 
The Company generally recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions through income tax expense. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $1.2 million accrued for interest and penalties. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company accrued interest and penalties of approximately $0.7 million.
 
Open tax years related to federal, state and local filings are for the years ended December 31, 2007, through 2010. The Internal Revenue Service is in the process of auditing the Company’s tax year ended December 31, 2007. France is in the process of auditing the business activities of 19 Entertainment Limited for the years ending December 31, 2003 through December 31, 2008. The United Kingdom’s Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) is in the process of reviewing the 19 Entertainment Ltd. UK group’s tax year ended December 31, 2008.
 
15.  Segment Information
 
The Company has four reportable segments: Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing, Presley Business — Graceland Operations, 19 Entertainment and the Ali Business. In 2009, the Company began to report MBST in the 19 Entertainment segment due to a change in management structure; prior to 2009, MBST was reported as part of Corporate and Other for segment purposes. All amounts reflected for 2008 have been recast to conform to the current presentation. These designations have been made as the discrete operating results of these segments are reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to assess performance and make operating decisions. All inter-segment transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company evaluates its operating performance based on several factors, including a financial measure of operating income (loss) before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets and non-cash compensation and other non-cash charges, such as charges for impairment of intangible assets (which we refer to as “OIBDAN”).
 
The Company considers OIBDAN to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses and the critical measure the chief operating decision maker (CEO) uses to manage and evaluate our businesses, including the ability to provide cash flows to service debt. However, a limitation of the use of OIBDAN as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue in our businesses or stock-based compensation expense. Accordingly, OIBDAN should be


86


Table of Contents

 
considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with US GAAP as OIBDAN is not a GAAP equivalent measurement.
 
                                                 
    Presley Business                 Corporate
       
    Royalties and
    Graceland
    19
    Ali
    and
       
Segment Information   Licensing     Operations     Entertainment     Business     Other     Total  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
 
Year ended December 31, 2010:
                                               
Revenue
  $ 21,312     $ 35,992     $ 213,202     $ 3,218     $     $ 273,724  
                                                 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 9,640     $ 590     $ 23,415     $ (15,900 )   $ (29,512 )   $ (11,767 )
                                                 
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 2,569     $ 2,402     $ 13,685     $ 36     $ (5 )   $ 18,687  
                                                 
OIBDAN
  $ 12,261     $ 5,720     $ 42,429     $ 1,745     $ (27,171 )   $ 34,984  
                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2009:
                                               
Revenue
  $ 24,473     $ 36,124     $ 263,523     $ 4,233     $     $ 328,353  
                                                 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 16,771     $ 4,896     $ 46,456     $ 1,031     $ (24,977 )   $ 44,177  
                                                 
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 2,582     $ 2,369     $ 13,792     $ 47     $ 451     $ 19,241  
                                                 
OIBDAN
  $ 19,395     $ 7,362     $ 63,288     $ 1,083     $ (23,621 )   $ 67,507  
                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2008:
                                               
Revenue
  $ 18,186     $ 36,713     $ 229,201     $ 4,028     $     $ 288,128  
                                                 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 7,870     $ 3,875     $ 66,668     $ (26,805 )   $ (14,668 )   $ 36,940  
                                                 
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 2,582     $ 2,251     $ 16,165     $ 59     $ 104     $ 21,161  
                                                 
OIBDAN
  $ 10,491     $ 6,205     $ 92,799     $ 1,008     $ (13,787 )   $ 96,716  
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Presley Business                 Corporate
       
    Royalties and
    Graceland
    19
    Ali
    and
       
    Licensing     Operations     Entertainment     Business     Other     Total  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
 
Asset Information:
                                               
Segment assets at December 31, 2010
  $ 96,703     $ 71,295     $ 158,727     $ 13,739     $ 120,369     $ 460,833  
                                                 
Segment assets at December 31, 2009
  $ 98,662     $ 73,379     $ 211,911     $ 31,262     $ 84,000     $ 499,214  
                                                 
Investment in affiliates at December 31, 2010
  $ 20,677     $     $     $     $     $ 20,677  
                                                 
Investment in affiliates at December 31, 2009
  $ 21,470     $     $ 1,699     $     $     $ 23,169  
                                                 
Purchase of property and equipment for year ended December 31, 2010
  $     $ 2,702     $ 832     $ 5     $ 32     $ 3,571  
                                                 
Purchase of property and equipment for year ended December 31, 2009
  $ 1,915     $     $ 2,430     $     $ 2,717     $ 7,062  
                                                 
Purchase of property and equipment for year ended December 31, 2008
  $     $ 4,562     $ 3,223     $ 4     $ 49     $ 7,838  
                                                 


87


Table of Contents

 
Below is a reconciliation of the Company’s OIBDAN to net income (loss):
 
                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009     2008  
    (Amounts in thousands)  
 
OIBDAN
  $ 34,984     $ 67,507     $ 96,716  
Impairment charges
    (24,637 )     (2,526 )     (35,661 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (18,687 )     (19,241 )     (21,161 )
Non-cash compensation included in severance and other restructuring-related costs and executive separation costs
    (1,849 )            
Non-cash compensation
    (1,578 )     (1,563 )     (2,954 )
Interest income
    202       308       1,778  
Interest expense
    (2,680 )     (3,335 )     (5,601 )
Equity in earnings of affiliates
    676       576       2,521  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    1,043       (15,358 )     (14,430 )
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,526 )   $ 26,368     $ 21,208  
                         
 
Based upon the location of customers, for the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company had revenue from international markets totaling $47.7 million, of which $5.5 million was attributable to the Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing segment and $42.2 million was attributable to the 19 Entertainment segment. The Company had revenue from international markets totaling $51.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, of which $4.9 million was attributable to the Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing segment, and $46.7 million was attributable to the 19 Entertainment segment. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company had revenue from international markets totaling $48.2 million, of which $4.8 million was attributable to the Presley Business — Royalties and Licensing segment, and $43.4 million was attributable to the 19 Entertainment segment.
 
International revenue from the United Kingdom was $12.8 million in 2010. Assets based in the United Kingdom, primarily goodwill and intangible assets, are $130.7 million as of December 31, 2010. In 2010, the Company had revenue from one customer that represented greater than 10% of the Company’s total revenue. This customer accounted for $95.8 million of the 19 Entertainment segment’s total revenue.
 
16.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
Commitments
 
Total rent expense for the Company under operating leases was $3.8 million, $4.5 million, and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. Minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
 
         
 
Year Ending December 31,
       
2011
  $ 3,385  
2012
    3,082  
2013
    2,143  
2014
    1,476  
2015
    267  
Thereafter
    763  
         
    $ 11,116  
         
 
The Company is required to make guaranteed minimum distributions to The Promenade Trust of at least $1.2 million annually for as long as The Promenade Trust continues to own 15% in the Presley Business. The Company is required to make guaranteed minimum distributions to The Muhammad Ali Family Trust of at least


88


Table of Contents

 
$0.5 million annually for as long as The Muhammad Ali Family Trust continues to own 20% in the Ali Business. These distributions are a component of noncontrolling interests on the consolidated balance sheets.
 
The Company has entered into employment contracts with certain key executives and employees, which include provisions for severance payments and benefits payable in the event of specified terminations of employment. Expected payments under employment contracts as of December 31, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):
 
         
 
Year Ending December 31,
       
2011
  $ 16,060  
2012
    12,085  
2013
    3,067  
2014
    1,567  
2015
    83  
Thereafter
     
         
    $ 32,862  
         
 
Redeemable Restricted Common Stock
 
In connection with the acquisition of 19 Entertainment, certain sellers of 19 Entertainment entered into a Put and Call Option Agreement (as amended on June 8, 2009) that provided them with certain rights whereby, during a period of 20 business days beginning March 17, 2011, the Company could exercise a call right to purchase the common stock of such stockholders at a price equal to $24.72 per share and these sellers could exercise a put right to sell the common stock to the Company at a price equal to $13.18 per share. The put and call rights applied to 1,627,170 of the shares issued in connection with the 19 Entertainment acquisition, 1,507,135 of which were owned by Simon Fuller.
 
Immediately following execution of the amendment to the Put and Call Option Agreement, the Company exercised its call option with respect to 1,138,088 shares and paid to Mr. Fuller a gross purchase price of $15.0 million. Following this transaction, 534,082 shares remain subject to the Put and Call Option Agreement and can be put to the Company beginning March 17, 2011. The Company’s total obligation in the event all of the shares are put to the Company is $7.0 million.
 
Ryan Seacrest Agreement
 
On July 7, 2009, the Company entered into two agreements with Ryan Seacrest, the host of American Idol, and certain of his affiliates. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company paid $22.5 million upon execution of the agreements on July 7, 2009 and is paying Mr. Seacrest an additional $22.5 million in monthly installments during the term, for a total guaranteed amount of $45.0 million. Upon securing Mr. Seacrest’s services, the Company commenced negotiations with Fox related to a fee to be received by the Company for Mr. Seacrest’s services as the host of American Idol. The Company and Fox ultimately agreed to a fee arrangement of $5.0 million for Mr. Seacrest’s services as host of American Idol for each of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Company therefore expects to be responsible for a net amount of $30.0 million of the original $45.0 million guaranteed amount. The Company received payment of $5.0 million for compensation related to the 2010 season in November 2010 and has recognized that amount as revenue in 2010 over the broadcast in the first and second quarters of the broadcast season.
 
As of December 31, 2010, the Company has paid $31.9 million of the total amount due to Mr. Seacrest with the remaining $13.1 million to be paid in equal monthly installments through December 2012. The $10.0 million difference between the amount of expense related to the arrangement between the Company and Mr. Seacrest and the arrangement between the Company and Fox related to Mr. Seacrest’s services as host, was recognized as incremental expense. We also expect to record $10.0 million of incremental expense during each of the first six months of 2011 and 2012, which coincides with the anticipated broadcast periods for American Idol.
 
Simon Fuller Transaction
 
See Note 3 for a description of commitments related to the Simon Fuller transaction.


89


Table of Contents

 
Executive Separation Costs
 
See Note 4 for a description of commitments related to the agreements with Robert F.X. Sillerman.
 
Television Development Agreement
 
In March 2010, the Company entered into a three-year development agreement with a current 19 Entertainment television executive producer partner whereby the Company will pay advances of future profits of $2.0 million per year; the 2010 advance was paid in March 2010 and expensed in 2010. After the Company recoups its investment, profits will be split evenly between the producer and the Company. The agreement expires on December 31, 2012. The Company also pays certain operating costs.
 
MBST
 
In connection with the acquisition of MBST, the sellers were entitled to receive an additional 150,000 shares of common stock upon satisfaction of certain performance thresholds over the five-year period ending August 9, 2010 which the business did not meet. In connection with an extension of the employment agreements of the sellers/principals of MBST in the third quarter of 2010, the terms of the escrow of such shares were amended to provide that from August 10, 2010 through August 9, 2013, such shares may be released upon a “change of control” of the Company or upon a termination without “cause” of one of the principals/sellers.
 
Contingencies
 
There are various lawsuits and claims pending against the Company. The Company believes that any ultimate liability resulting from these actions or claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
 
17.  Related Party Transactions
 
In March 2005, in connection with the acquisition of 19 Entertainment, certain sellers of 19 Entertainment entered into a Put and Call Option Agreement that provided them with certain rights whereby, during a period of 20 business days beginning March 17, 2011, the Company could exercise a call right to purchase the common stock of such stockholders at a price equal to $24.72 per share and these sellers could exercise a put right to sell the common stock to the Company at a price equal to $13.18 per share. Of the 1,672,170 shares of common stock covered by the Put and Call Option Agreement, 1,507,135 were held by Simon Fuller.
 
On June 8, 2009, the Company entered into an amendment to the Put and Call Option Agreement with Mr. Fuller. Pursuant to the amendment, the call price with respect to 1,138,088 of Mr. Fuller’s shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Interim Shares”) was reduced to $13.18 per share and the exercise periods for the put and call of such shares were accelerated to allow for their exercise at any time commencing on the date of the amended agreement. The terms of the original Put and Call Option Agreement remain in place with respect to Mr. Fuller’s remaining 369,047 shares of our common stock.
 
Immediately following execution of the amendment to the Put and Call Option Agreement, the Company exercised its call option with respect to the Interim Shares and paid to Mr. Fuller a gross purchase price of $15.0 million. The Interim Shares purchased by the Company were recorded as treasury shares. The Company recorded a cost of $0.8 million for payroll-related taxes associated with the exercise of the call option in the second quarter of 2009.
 
The remaining redeemable restricted common stock under the put and call option is a single equity instrument. As the stock is puttable to the Company at the option of these sellers, these shares are presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as temporary equity under the heading Redeemable Restricted Common Stock at an estimated fair value inclusive of the put/call rights; the fair value of the remaining 534,082 shares is $7.3 million.
 
Please see Note 3, Transactions with Simon Fuller and Restructuring of 19 Entertainment.
 
Please see Note 4, Executive Separation Costs.


90


Table of Contents

 
Please see Note 5, Transactions Involving FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc.
 
On December 8, 2009, the Company made a loan in the amount of $455,115 to the holder of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The principal amount of the loan along with interest was repaid from the proceeds of the quarterly dividend on the preferred stock on February 8, 2010. On July 1, 2010, the Company made a loan of $455,615 to the holder of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The principal amount of the loan along with interest was repaid from the proceeds of the quarterly dividend on the preferred stock on August 8, 2010. On August 19, 2010, the Company made a loan of $446,356 to the holder of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The principal amount of the loan along with interest was repaid from the proceeds of the quarterly dividend on the preferred stock on November 8, 2010.
 
On February 7, 2005, EPE and EPE Holding Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a consulting agreement with Priscilla Presley securing Ms. Presley’s consulting services in connection with promotion of EPE’s business. Pursuant to the terms of the consulting agreement, Ms. Presley was paid $560,000 in 2009. On July 12, 2010, the consulting agreement was amended, effective as of the date of the amendment, to increase Ms. Presley’s annual consulting fee to $800,000. Upon the execution of this amendment, Ms. Presley also received a $250,000 bonus.
 
The Company subleases from a third party 24,546 square feet, comprising the entire 15th and 16th floors at 650 Madison Avenue, for its principal corporate offices in New York, New York. CKX sublicensed a portion of the 15th floor to each of Flag Anguilla Management (“Flag Anguilla”), Flag Luxury Properties and FXRE, companies which are affiliated with Robert F.X. Sillerman, the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. CKX is responsible for payment of the full rental amount each month to the sublandlord, and each of Flag Anguilla, Flag Luxury Properties an FXRE pay its pro rata share of the rent for the space it occupies to CKX. As of December 31, 2010 and through March 2011, Flag Anguilla, FXRE and Flag Luxury Partners were each current on all rent payments.
 
In 2007, the Company entered into a $1.8 million loan agreement with a vendor that provides marketing and branding consulting services to the Company. This vendor is owned by several individuals who collectively own less than a one percent interest in the Company. The loan bears interest at 10% per annum and is due monthly; interest payments were current as of March 2011. On January 14, 2011, the Company amended the loan agreement, effective July 1, 2010 to extend the maturity date from August 2012 to April 2013. Principal payments are due each February during the years 2009 through 2013 based on a rate of 50% of the vendor’s annual cash flow, as defined. No principal payments were due or have been made through February 2011 as the vendor had negative cash flow. The Company also amended a consulting agreement with the vendor that commenced in 2007 to extend the expiration date from December 31, 2010 to April 30, 2013. The Company paid monthly consulting fees totaling $1.5 million in the years 2007 through 2010 under the agreement. Commencing July 1, 2010, in lieu of payment of the monthly consulting fee in cash, the monthly consulting fee is deemed paid by reducing the outstanding balance of the loan. Based on the provision for the settlement of the loan balance through non-cash consulting fees, the fair value of the loan was determined to be $0.3 million at December 31, 2010, resulting in a write-down of $1.5 million which was recorded to corporate expenses. The consulting agreement may be terminated by either party upon sixty days notice.
 
 
18.  Retirement Plan
 
The Company has a defined contribution plan covering U.S. employees who have met certain eligibility requirements. The Company matches 100% on the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% of an employee’s salary that an employee elects to contribute to the plan. The Company’s matching contribution for each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $0.5 million.
 
19.  Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
 
In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included on a quarterly basis.
 
As a result of the seasonality of the Company’s businesses, including the timing of the airing of its principal television


91


Table of Contents

 
properties, the Company has historically generated lower revenue, a loss from operations and a net loss in its fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the broadcast of an additional season of So You Think You Can Dance partially offset the seasonal factors noted above. All amounts for all periods shown are in thousands, except share information.
 
                                         
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
       
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010   Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Total  
 
Revenue
  $ 66,647     $ 89,439     $ 80,137     $ 37,501     $ 273,724  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,143       5,172       4,068       4,304       18,687  
Impairment charges
    4,853                   19,784       24,637  
Provision for severance and other restructuring-related costs
    6,118       3,794       8,253       1,126       19,291  
Executive separation costs
          6,781       874             7,655  
Operating income (loss)
    (3,290 )     9,095       1,530       (19,102 )     (11,767 )
Income tax expense (benefit)(1)
    636       884       2,654       (5,217 )     (1,043 )
Equity in earnings of affiliates
    (12 )     (62 )     339       411       676  
Net income (loss)
    (4,755 )     7,619       (1,358 )     (14,032 )     (12,526 )
Dividends on preferred stock
    (456 )     (456 )     (456 )     (456 )     (1,824 )
Net income (loss) available to CKX, Inc. 
    (5,211 )     7,163       (1,814 )     (14,488 )     (14,350 )
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    178       (592 )     (582 )     (370 )     (1,366 )
Net income attributable to CKX, Inc. 
    (5,033 )     6,571       (2,396 )     (14,858 )     (15,716 )
Basic income (loss) per common share
  $ (0.05 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.03 )   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.17 )
Diluted income (loss) per common share
  $ (0.05 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.03 )   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.17 )
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
    92,882,596       92,897,048       92,915,518       92,933,991       92,907,981  
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
    92,882,596       92,901,151       92,915,518       92,933,991       92,907,981  
 
 
(1) In preparing the 2010 tax provision, the Company identified $1.1 million of additional tax expense relating to prior fiscal years that was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2010. The impact of these adjustments was determined not to have a material impact on the current year fourth quarter, the current year and prior years’ reported consolidated financial statements.


92


Table of Contents

 
                                         
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
       
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009   Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Total  
 
Revenue
  $ 81,506     $ 79,533     $ 87,395     $ 79,919     $ 328,353  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,438       4,560       5,033       5,210       19,241  
Impairment charges
                      2,526       2,526  
Other operating (income) expense
    128       5,712       (1,697 )     (64 )     4,079  
Operating income (loss)
    23,576       11,192       11,006       (1,597 )     44,177  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    9,294       5,035       (1,781 )     2,810       15,358  
Equity in earnings of affiliates
    62       (321 )     97       738       576  
Net income (loss)
    13,397       5,030       12,240       (4,299 )     26,368  
Dividends on preferred stock
    (456 )     (456 )     (456 )     (456 )     (1,824 )
Net income (loss) available to CKX, Inc. 
    12,941       4,574       11,784       (4,755 )     24,544  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (878 )     (566 )     (591 )     253       (1,782 )
Net income attributable to CKX, Inc. 
    12,063       4,008       11,193       (4,502 )     22,762  
Basic income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.13     $ 0.05     $ 0.12     $ (0.05 )   $ 0.24  
Diluted income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.13     $ 0.05     $ 0.12     $ (0.05 )   $ 0.24  
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
    93,798,843       93,702,530       97,054,680       92,860,927       93,298,778  
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
    93,954,400       93,702,531       97,060,937       92,926,738       93,337,683  
 
20.  Subsequent Events
 
The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date of this filing.
 
On March 3, 2011, the Company entered into a commitment letter with certain of the lenders party to its existing Credit Facility to amend and restate such facility (the “Amended Credit Facility”). Upon execution, the Amended Credit Facility will require a paydown and permanent reduction of commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $40.0 million, which will reduce the total outstanding balance to $60.0 million. The Amended Credit Facility will also extend the maturity date of the loans thereunder such that the Company will be required to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility on or before September 30, 2012. Under the terms of the Amended Credit Facility, the Company will be required to make quarterly principal payments of $2.0 million beginning on June 30, 2011 and the loans will accrue interest at a higher interest rate than the current interest rate under the existing Credit Facility. The Amended Credit Facility will contain financial covenants that are more restrictive than those under the existing Credit Facility, and will contain affirmative and negative covenants applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to restrictions on incurrence of debt, liens, assets sales and other dispositions, acquisitions, investments and joint ventures, payments of cash dividends and capital expenditures. The closing of the Amended Credit Facility is subject to certain diligence requirements of the lenders and other conditions. Although the Company has received a commitment letter from the respective lenders, no assurance can be provided that the Company will be able to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Amended Credit Facility on the terms described above or alternate terms. In the event that the Amended Credit Facility is not consummated, the Company believes that it will be able to repay the Credit Facility in full with cash on hand and expected proceeds from an alternate debt financing which the Company expects to be able to complete prior to the maturity date of the Credit Facility. The availability and cost of any alternate debt financing would be dependant upon a number of factors, including current and future performance of the Company and overall conditions in the debt markets.


93


Table of Contents

 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls
 
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
As of December 31, 2010, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2010.
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
 
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 404) and as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, management is required to provide the following report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting:
 
1. The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company.
 
2. The Company’s management has evaluated the system of internal control using the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) framework. Management has selected the COSO framework for its evaluation as it is a control framework recognized by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board that is free from bias, permits reasonably consistent qualitative and quantitative measurement of the Company’s internal controls, is sufficiently complete so that relevant controls are not omitted and is relevant to an evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting.
 
3. Based on management’s evaluation under this framework, the Company determined that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2010.
 
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The Company identified a material weakness in its process of accounting for income taxes. Specifically, the Company did not maintain an adequate review process of accounting for income taxes during the year ended December 31, 2010 that would have identified material mistatements in the underlying calculations during the Company’s income tax closing process.
 
In light of the material weakness, the Company is undertaking several remedial steps to enhance controls including expanding technical resources in the income tax accounting function and implementing income tax accounting software solutions. Additionally, the Company performed additional analyses and post-closing procedures related to its income tax accounts to conclude that reasonable assurance exists regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


94


Table of Contents

4. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
5. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued their report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. This report is located on page 60 of this Form 10-K.
 
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
 
No changes in internal control over financial reporting have occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2010 that have materially affected CKX’s internal controls over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information
 
None.
 
PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information required by this Item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) within 120 days after December 31, 2010 and is incorporated herein by reference. If we do not file a definitive proxy statement in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2010, we will file such information with the SEC pursuant to an amendment to this Form 10-K within 120 days after December 31, 2010.
 
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is applicable to all our employees and directors, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Company has also adopted a separate Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Management that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Legal and Governmental Affairs and other officers in our finance and accounting department. The codes of conduct and ethics are posted on our website located at www.ckx.com.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
The information required by this Item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2010 and is incorporated herein by reference. If we do not file a definitive proxy statement in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2010, we will file such information with the SEC pursuant to an amendment to this Form 10-K within 120 days after December 31, 2010.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The information required by this Item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2010 and is incorporated herein by reference. If we do not file a definitive proxy statement in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2010, we will file such information with the SEC pursuant to an amendment to this Form 10-K within 120 days after December 31, 2010.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships, Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
The information required by this Item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2010 and is


95


Table of Contents

incorporated herein by reference. If we do not file a definitive proxy statement in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2010, we will file such information with the SEC pursuant to an amendment to this Form 10-K within 120 days after December 31, 2010.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
The information required by this Item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement issued in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2010 and is incorporated herein by reference. If we do not file a definitive proxy statement in connection with the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2010, we will file such information with the SEC pursuant to an amendment to this Form 10-K within 120 days after December 31, 2010.
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statements and Schedule
 
Financial Statements
 
See Table of Contents to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 58.
 
Financial Statement Schedule
 
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. This schedule appears on page 97.


96


Table of Contents

Financial Statement Schedule
 
SCHEDULE II
 
CKX, Inc.
 
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009, AND 2008
 
                                         
    Balance at
    Additions Charged
    Additions Charged
             
    Beginning of
    (Credited) to Costs
    (Credited) to
          Balance at
 
Description   Period     and Expenses     Other Accounts     Deductions     End of Period  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
2010
                                       
Accounts receivable
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 742     $ 448     $     $ (392 )   $ 798  
Inventory allowance for obsolescence
    661       38             (109 )     590  
Deferred taxes valuation allowance
    20,569       809       1,453             22,831  
2009
                                       
Accounts receivable
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 803     $ 259     $     $ (320 )   $ 742  
Inventory allowance for obsolescence
    649       101             (89 )     661  
Deferred taxes valuation allowance
    15,809       2,251       2,509             20,569  
2008
                                       
Accounts receivable
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 832     $ 814     $     $ (843 )   $ 803  
Inventory allowance for obsolescence
    627       114             (92 )     649  
Deferred taxes valuation allowance
    23,116             (7,307 )           15,809  


97


Table of Contents

Exhibits
 
The documents set forth below are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference to the location indicated.
 
         
Exhibit
   
No.   Description
 
  3 .1   Certificate of Incorporation (Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  3 .2   Amended and Restated Bylaws (Previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4 .1   Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 7, 2005, between the Company and The Huff Alternative Fund, L.P. and the Huff Alternative Parallel Fund, L.P. (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Form 8-K/A filed February 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4 .2   Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 7, 2005, between the Company and The Promenade Trust (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Form 8-K/A filed February 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4 .3   Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 17, 2005, by and among the Company, Simon Robert Fuller and Fuller Nominees Limited (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4 .4   Letter Agreement, dated June 6, 2005, among the Company, The Huff Alternative Fund, L.P. and The Huff Alternative Parallel Fund, L.P. (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.9 to Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1/A (Registration Statement No. 333-123995) filed June 21, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4 .5   Form of Promissory Term Note made on July 13, 2009, payable to Priscilla Presley (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4 .6   Rights Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2010,, between CKX, Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC, which includes the form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K filed June 24, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4 .7   Amendment No. 1, dated as July 13, 2010, to the Rights Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2010, between CKX, Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC (Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K filed July 13, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .1   Lease Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2005, by and between The Promenade Trust and the Company with respect to the Graceland property (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Form 8-K/A filed February 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .2   Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Shareholders Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2005 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Form 8-K/A filed February 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .3   Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Elvis Presley Enterprises, LLC, dated as of February 7, 2005 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Form 8-K/A filed February 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .4   Agreement for the sale and purchase of the entire issued share capital of 19 Entertainment Limited, dated March 17, 2005, among Simon Robert Fuller, Fuller Nominees LTD, Ingenious Ventures LTD, the Company and CKX UK Holdings Limited (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).


98


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
No.   Description
 
  10 .5   Agreement (the “Fox Letter Agreement”) between 19 TV Limited, FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and Fox Broadcasting Company, dated as of April 22, 2002 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.15 to Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1/A (Registration Statement No. 333-123995) filed June 21, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .6   Letter Agreement, between Pearson Television Operations BV, (predecessor in interest to FremantleMedia North America, Inc.) and 19 TV Limited, dated July 6, 2001 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1/A (Registration Statement No. 333-123995) filed June 21, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .7   Agreement (the “SonyBMG Agreement”), between 19 Recordings Limited and Ronagold Limited, dated February 8, 2002, as amended (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.17 to Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1/A (Registration Statement No. 333-123995) filed June 21, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .8   Agreement, between 19 TV Limited, FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and Fox Broadcasting Company, amending the Fox Letter Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2003 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.23 to Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1/A (Registration Statement No. 333-123995) filed June 21, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .9   Letter Agreement between 19 Recordings Limited and Ronagold Limited, amending the SonyBMG Agreement, dated October 14, 2004 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1/A (Registration Statement No. 333-123995) filed June 21, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .10   Agreement among 19 Recordings Limited, 19 TV Limited, Simco Limited, CKX UK Holdings Limited, 19 Entertainment Limited and Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Limited, dated November 28, 2005 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the Form 10-K filed March 14, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .11   Agreement between 19 Recordings Limited and Ronagold Limited, dated November 28, 2005, amending the terms of the SonyBMG Agreement (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.32 to the Form 10-K filed March 14, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .12   Binding Heads of Terms among Fox Broadcasting Company, FremantleMedia North America Inc. and 19 TV Limited regarding the American Idol television series (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Form 10-K filed March 14, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .13   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert F.X. Sillerman (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .14   Separation and Consulting Agreement, dated as of May 22, 2010, between the Company and Robert F.X. Sillerman (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed May 24, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .15   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Mitchell J. Slater (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .16   Consulting Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2010, between the Company and Mitchell J. Slater (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K filed March 15, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .17   Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2010, between the Company and Howard J. Tytel (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed March 15, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*


99


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
No.   Description
 
  10 .18   Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2010, between the Company and Thomas P. Benson (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed March 15, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .19   Employment Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2010, between the Company and Michael G. Ferrel (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed June 16, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .20   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2010, by and between the Company and Kraig G. Fox (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed October 13, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .21   Director’s Service Agreement, dated March 17, 2005, between 19 Entertainment Limited and Simon Robert Fuller (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .22   Confidentiality, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, and Non-Recruitment Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2005, by and between Simon Robert Fuller, the Company and CKX UK Holdings Limited (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .23   Consultancy Deed, dated January 13, 2010, by and between 19 Entertainment Limited and Simon R. Fuller (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed January 15, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .24   Option Agreement, dated January 13, 2010, by and between CKX, Inc., Simon R. Fuller, and XIX Entertainment Limited (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed January 15, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .25   Compromise Agreement, dated January 13, 2010, by and between CKX, Inc., 19 Entertainment Limited, and Simon R. Fuller (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K filed January 15, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .26   Service Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2006, between 19 Entertainment Limited and Robert Dodds (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed February 2, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .27   Amendment to Service Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2010, between 19 Entertainment Limited and Robert Dodds (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed February 2, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .28   Compromise Agreement, dated September 29, 2010, by and between CKX, Inc., 19 Entertainment Limited, and Robert Dodds (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed October 5, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
  10 .29   Revolving Credit Facility Commitment Letter, dated June 2, 2005, among the Company, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., Bear Stearns Corporate Lending Inc., Credit Suisse, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. and The Bank of New York (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.29 to Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1/A (Registration Statement No. 333-123995) filed June 6, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
  10 .30   Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2006, among the Company, the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., as exclusive advisor, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner, UBS Securities LLC and The Bank of New York, as co-syndication agents, Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc. and Credit Suisse, as codocumentation agents and Bear Stearns Corporate Lending Inc., as administrative agent (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .31   First Amendment and Waiver dated as of February 20, 2007 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2006 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.).


100


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
No.   Description
 
  10 .32   Second Amendment dated as of June 1, 2007 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2006 as amended February 20, 2007 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period September 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  10 .33   Third Amendment dated as of September 27, 2007 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2006 as amended February 20, 2007 and June 1, 2007. (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.)
  10 .34   Fourth Amendment dated as of March 12, 2010 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2006 as amended February 20, 2007, June 1, 2007 and September 27, 2007 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed March 16, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .35   Letter Agreement, dated April 10, 2006, among the Company, CKX G.O.A.T. Holding Corp. (formerly GOAT Acquisition, Inc.) Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC (formerly G.O.A.T. LLC), G.O.A.T., Inc. and Muhammad Ali and Yolanda E. Ali, each individually and as trustees of the Muhammad Ali Family Trust, and Yolanda E. Ali as trustee of the Yolanda E. Ali Family Trust, dated October 22, 2002 (Previously filed at Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .36   Termination, Settlement and Release Agreement, dated March 9, 2009, by and among FX Luxury, LLC, FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc., Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.32 to the Form 10-K filed March 10, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .37   Letter Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, by and between CKX,Inc. and Ryan Seacrest Enterprises, Inc. (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed July 13, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .38   Letter Agreement, dated July 7, 2009, by and between CKX, Inc. and The Ryan Seacrest Revocable Trust UDT dated June 13, 2003 (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed July 13, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
  10 .39   Consulting Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2005, by and between EPE Holding Corporation, Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (Filed herewith).*
  10 .40   Amendment to Consulting Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2010, by and between EPE Holding Corporation, Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (Filed herewith).*
  14 .1   Code of Ethics (Previously filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Form 8-K/A filed February 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
  21 .1   List of Subsidiaries (Filed herewith).
  23 .1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Filed herewith).
  31 .1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer (Filed herewith).
  31 .2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer (Filed herewith).
  32 .1   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer (Filed herewith).
  32 .2   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer (Filed herewith).
 
 
* Indicates management contracts, compensatory plans or arrangements of the company required to be filed as an exhibit


101


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
CKX, Inc. (Registrant)
 
  BY: 
/s/  MICHAEL G. FERREL
Michael G. Ferrel
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
 
March 9, 2011
 
Each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Michael G. Ferrel and Thomas P. Benson, and each of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitution and full power to act without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act in his or her name, place and stead and to execute in the name and on behalf of each person, individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file any and all amendments to this annual report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing, ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
         
         
By:  
/s/  MICHAEL G. FERREL

Michael G. Ferrel
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)
  March 9, 2011
         
By:  
/s/  THOMAS P. BENSON

Thomas P. Benson
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  March 9, 2011
         
By:  
/s/  HOWARD J. TYTEL

Howard J. Tytel, Director
  March 9, 2011
         
By:  
/s/  EDWIN M. BANKS

Edwin M. Banks, Director
  March 9, 2011
         
By:  
/s/  BRYAN BLOOM

Bryan Bloom, Director
  March 9, 2011
         
By:  
/s/  KATHLEEN DORE

Kathleen Dore, Director
  March 9, 2011
         
By:  
/s/  JACQUES D. KERREST

Jacques D. Kerrest, Director
  March 9, 2011
         
By:  
/s/  JACK LANGER

Jack Langer, Director
  March 9, 2011
         
By:  
/s/  PRISCILLA PRESLEY

Priscilla Presley, Director
  March 9, 2011


102


Table of Contents

 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
         
Exhibit
   
No.   Description
 
  10 .39   Consulting Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2005, by and between EPE Holding Corporation, Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
  10 .40   Amendment to Consulting Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2010, by and between EPE Holding Corporation, Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
  21 .1   List of Subsidiaries
  23 .1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  31 .1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer
  31 .2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer
  32 .1   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
  32 .2   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer


103