Equity Method Investment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2020

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. 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 to acquire 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 27, 2020 and December 29, 2019, the fair market value of this option was $20,602 and $22,145, respectively, and was included as a component of other liabilities. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded (gains) losses of $1,543, $1,295 and $(540) 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 $19,880 and $22,755 at December 27, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and is included as a component of other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company made payments under the tax sharing agreement to Discovery of $4,692, $4,760 and $7,087, 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 27, 2020 the Company had $15,063 of prepaid royalties related to this agreement, all of which are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets as the licensing agreement in place as of December 27, 2020 is ending in 2021. As of December 29, 2019 the Company's prepaid royalties related to this agreement were $26,941, of which $12,236 were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $14,705 of which were 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 27, 2020 and December 29, 2019 the Company’s investment in the Network totaled $216,567 and $223,769, respectively. The Company’s share in the earnings of the Network for the years ended December 27, 2020, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 totaled $21,841, $23,642 and $21,145, 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 2020, 2019 and 2018, these transactions were not material.