Equity Method Investment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2019

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investment

Equity Method Investment

The Company owns an interest in a joint venture, Discovery Family Channel (the “Network”), with Discovery Communications, Inc. (“Discovery”). The Company has determined that it does not meet the control requirements to consolidate the Network and accounts for the investment using the equity method of accounting. The Network was established to create a cable television network in the United States dedicated to high-quality children’s and family entertainment. In October 2009, the Company purchased an initial 50% share in the Network for a payment of $300,000 and certain future tax payments based on the value of certain tax benefits expected to be received by the Company. On September 23, 2014, the Company and Discovery amended their relationship with respect to the Network and Discovery increased its equity interest in the Network to 60% while the Company retained a 40% equity interest in the Network.

In connection with the amendment, the Company and Discovery entered into an option agreement related to the Company’s remaining 40% ownership in the Network, exercisable during the one-year period following December 31, 2021. The exercise price of the option agreement is based upon 80% of the then fair market value of

the Network, subject to a fair market value floor. At December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, the fair market value of this option was $22,145 and $23,440, respectively, and was included as a component of other liabilities. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded (gains) losses of $1,295, $(540) and $(4,790) in other (income) expense, net relating to the change in fair value of this option.

The Company also has a related liability due to Discovery under the existing tax sharing agreement. The balance of the associated liability, including imputed interest, was $22,755 and $25,289 at December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively, and is included as a component of other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized a gain of $19,911 in the fourth quarter of 2017 related to a reduction of this liability due to the reduction of the future payments under the agreement as a result of U.S. tax reform passed in December 2017. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company made payments under the tax sharing agreement to Discovery of $4,760, $7,087 and $6,785, respectively.

The Company has a license agreement with the Network that requires the payment of royalties by the Company to the Network based on a percentage of revenue derived from products related to television shows broadcast by the joint venture. The license includes a minimum royalty guarantee of $125,000, which was paid in five annual installments of $25,000 per year, commencing in 2009, which can be earned out over approximately a 12-year period. As of December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, the Company had $26,941 and $41,041, respectively, of prepaid royalties related to this agreement, $12,236 and $13,216, respectively, of which are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $14,705 and $27,825, respectively, of which are included in other assets. The Company and the Network are also parties to an agreement under which the Company will provide the Network with an exclusive first look in the U.S. to license certain types of programming developed by the Company based on its intellectual property. In the event the Network licenses the programming from the Company to air, it is required to pay the Company a license fee.

As of December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 the Company’s investment in the Network totaled $223,769 and $236,934, respectively. The Company’s share in the earnings of the Network for the years ended December 29, 2019, December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 totaled $23,642, $21,145 and $23,270, respectively, and is included as a component of other (income) expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company also enters into certain other transactions with the Network including the licensing of television programming and the purchase of advertising. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, these transactions were not material.