Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies from those previously disclosed in the consolidated financial statements included in the 2024 Form 10-K, other than those included below.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with the United States of America (“US”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the 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. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenue, allowance for doubtful accounts, the assigned value of acquired assets and assumed and contingent liabilities associated with business combinations and the related purchase price allocation, useful lives and impairment of property and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill and other assets, inventory calculations and reserves, the fair value of the Company’s equity-based compensation awards and convertible debt and debenture instruments, fair values of derivatives, and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates compared to historical experience and trends, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. There is a reasonable possibility that actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material to the financial position and results of operations, specifically in assessing when the collectability of revenue related consideration is probable, and the impairment assessment of goodwill, indefinite lived assets or long-lived assets that are depreciated or amortized.

Segment Reporting

The Company presents the financial statements by segment in accordance with ASC Topic No. 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”) to provide investors with transparency into how the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) manages the business. The Company determined the CODM is its Chief Executive Officer. The CODM reviews financial information and allocates resources across its one operating segments.

Revenue Recognition Policy

The Company accounts for a contract with a customer when an approved contract exists, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and the collectability of substantially all of the consideration is probable. Revenue is recognized when the Company satisfies its obligation by transferring control of the goods or services to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company uses the expected value method to estimate the value of variable consideration on advertising and with original equipment manufacturer contracts to include in the transaction price and reflect changes to such estimates in periods in which they occur. Variable consideration for these services is allocated to and recognized over the related time period such advertising and membership services are rendered as the amounts reflect the consideration the Company is entitled to and relate specifically to the Company’s efforts to satisfy its performance obligation. The amount of variable consideration included in revenue is limited to the extent that it is probable that the amount will not be subject to significant reversal when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.

Practical Expedients

The Company elected the practical expedient and recognized the incremental costs of obtaining a contract, if any, as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that would have been recognized is one year or less.

Gross Versus Net Revenue Recognition

The Company reports revenue on a gross or net basis based on management’s assessment of whether the Company acts as a principal or agent in the transaction and is evaluated on a transaction by transaction basis. To the extent the Company acts as the principal, revenue is reported on a gross basis net of any sales tax from customers, when applicable. The determination of whether the Company acts as a principal or an agent in a transaction is based on an evaluation of whether the Company controls the good or service prior to transfer to the customer. Where applicable, the Company has determined that it acts as the principal in all of its membership service, sponsorship, and merchandising streams and may act as principal or agent for its ticketing/live events, advertising and licensing revenue streams. 

The Company’s revenue is principally derived from the following services:

Membership Services

Membership services revenue substantially consist of monthly to annual recurring membership fees, which are primarily paid in advance by credit card or through direct billings arrangements. The Company defers the portions of monthly to annual recurring membership fees collected in advance and recognizes them in the period earned. Membership revenue is recognized in the period of services rendered. The Company’s membership revenue consists of performance obligations that are satisfied over time. This has been determined based on the fact that the nature of services offered are membership based where the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefit of the services provided regardless of whether the customer uses the services or not. As a result, the Company has concluded that the best measure of progress toward the complete satisfaction of the performance obligation over time is a time-based measure. The Company recognizes membership revenue straight-line through the membership period.

Membership Services consist of:

Direct member, mobile service provider and mobile app services

The Company generates revenue for membership services on both a direct basis and through memberships sold through certain third-party mobile service providers and mobile app services (collectively the “Mobile Providers”). For memberships sold through the Mobile Providers, the member executes an on-line agreement with Slacker outlining the terms and conditions between Slacker and the member upon purchase of the membership. The Mobile Providers promote the Slacker app through their e-store, process payments for memberships, and retain a percentage of revenue as a fee. The Company reports this revenue gross of the fee retained by the Mobile Providers, as the member is Slacker’s customer in the contract and Slacker controls the service prior to the transfer to the member. Membership revenues from monthly memberships sold directly through Mobile Providers are subject to such Mobile Providers’ refund or cancellation terms. Revenues from Mobile Providers are recognized net of any such adjustments for variable consideration, including refunds and other fees. The Company’s payment terms vary based on whether the membership is sold on a direct basis or through Mobile Providers. Memberships sold on a direct basis require payment before the services are delivered to the customer. The payment terms for memberships sold through Mobile Providers vary, but are generally payable within 30 days.

Third-Party Original Equipment Manufacturers

The Company generates revenue for membership services through memberships sold through a third-party Original Equipment Manufacturer (the “OEM”). For memberships sold through the OEM, the OEM executes an agreement with Slacker outlining the terms and conditions between Slacker and the OEM upon purchase of the membership. The OEM installs the Slacker app in their equipment and provides the Slacker service to the OEM’s customers. The monthly fee charged to the OEM is based upon a fixed rate per vehicle, multiplied by the variable number of total vehicles which have signed up for a paid membership. The number of customers, or the variable consideration, is reported by OEMs and resolved on a monthly basis. The Company’s payment terms with OEM are up to 30 days.

Advertising Revenue

Advertising revenue primarily consist of revenues generated from the sale of audio, video, and display advertising space to third-party advertising exchanges. Revenues are recognized based on delivery of impressions over the contract period to the third-party exchanges, either when an ad is placed for listening or viewing by a visitor or when the visitor “clicks through” on the advertisement. The advertising exchange companies report the variable advertising revenue performed on a monthly basis which represents the Company’s efforts to satisfy the performance obligation. Additionally, following the acquisition of PodcastOne, the Company began deriving revenue from podcast advertising. PodcastOne earns advertising revenues primarily for fees earned from advertisement placement purchased by the customer during the time the podcast is delivered to the viewing audience, under the terms and conditions as set forth in the applicable podcasting agreement calculated using impressions.

From time to time the Company enters into barter transactions involving advertising provided in exchange for goods and services. Revenue from barter transactions is recognized ratably over time based on the terms of the contract as delivery of impressions is performed on a consistent basis. Services received are charged to expense in the same manner. If delivery of impressions have occurred before the receipt of goods or services, a receivable is recorded. Barter revenue for the three months ended  June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $6.0 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

Licensing Revenue

Licensing revenue primarily consists of sales of licensing rights to digitally stream the Company’s live music services. Licensing revenue is recognized when the Company satisfies its performance obligation by transferring control of the goods or services to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services, which is typically when the live event has aired. Any license fees collected in advance of an event are deferred until the event airs. We report our licensing revenue on a gross basis as we act as the principal in the underlying transactions.

Sponsorship Revenue

Sponsorship revenue primarily consists of sales of sponsorship programs that provide sponsors with opportunities to reach the Company’s customers. Sponsorship revenue is recognized as the event airs. Any sponsorship fees collected in advance of the contract term (typically an event) are deferred until the event airs. The Company reports sponsorship revenue on a gross basis as the Company acts as the principal in the underlying transactions.

Merchandising Revenue

Revenue is recognized upon the transfer of control to the customer. The Company recognizes revenue and measures the transaction price net of taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities. Sales also include shipping and handling charges billed to customers, with the related freight costs included in cost of goods sold. Sales commissions are expensed as incurred and are recorded in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s customer contracts do not have a significant financing component due to their short durations, which are typically effective for one year or less and have payment terms that are generally 30 to 60 days. Wholesale revenue is generally recognized when products are shipped, depending on the applicable contract terms. The Company records a refund liability for expected returns based on prior returns history, recent trends, and projections for returns on sales in the current period. The refund liability at  June 30, 2024 and 2023 was less than $0.1 million, respectively.

Ticket/Event Revenue

Ticket/Event revenue is primarily from the sale of tickets and promoter fees earned from venues or other co-promoters under one of several formulas, including a fixed guaranteed amount and/or a percentage of ticket sales or event profits.

Revenue from the promotion or production of an event is recognized at a point in time when the show occurs. Revenue collected in advance of the event is recorded as deferred revenue until the event occurs. Revenue collected from sponsorship agreements, which is not related to a single event, is classified as deferred revenue and recognized over the term of the agreement or operating season as the benefits are provided to the sponsor.

Revenue from the Company’s ticketing operations primarily consists of service fees charged at the time a ticket for an event is sold in either the primary or secondary markets, including both online pay-per-view ("PPV") tickets as well as ticket physically purchased through a ticket sale vendor. For primary tickets sold to the Company’s PPV and festival events the revenue for the associated ticket service charges collected in advance of the event is recorded as deferred revenue until the event occurs. For PPV arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, i.e. delivery of the online stream, sponsorships, digital meet and greet, or physical merchandise, the Company allocates the total contract consideration to each performance obligation using the standalone selling price. If the standalone selling price is not readily determinable, it is estimated using observable inputs including an adjusted market-based approach, expected cost plus margin, or the residual approach.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period adjusted to addback dividends (declared or cumulative undeclared) applicable to the Series A Preferred Stock. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of contingent shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive contingent shares, which primarily consist of stock options issued to employees, directors and consultants, restricted stock units, warrants issued to third parties and accounted for as equity instruments and convertible notes would be excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because their effect is anti-dilutive.

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities such as our preferred stock. Under the two-class method, basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the basic and diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the basic and diluted weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share attributable to common stockholders adjusts basic net income per share for the potentially dilutive impact of stock options and restricted stock units ("RSUs").

The treasury stock method is used to calculate the potentially dilutive effect of stock options and RSUs. The if-converted method is used to calculate the potentially dilutive effect of the Preferred Stock. In both methods, diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding are adjusted to account for the impact of the assumed issuance of potential common shares that are dilutive, subject to dilution sequencing rules.

At June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had 2,266,667 and 3,500,191 options outstanding, respectively, 1,706,292 and 1,670,965 restricted stock units outstanding, respectively, and 4,949,399 and none common stock warrants, respectively.

The following table shows the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods Series A Preferred Stock was outstanding:

	Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended
In thousands, except per share amounts		June 30, 2024			June 30, 2023
Net loss attributed to LiveOne	$	(1,169	)	$	(515	)
Deemed dividends upon redemption of Series A preferred stock		(378	)		-
Dividends on Series A preferred stock		(316	)		-
Net loss attributed to LiveOne	$	(1,863	)	$	(515	)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding		94,419,692			86,895,208
Shares used in computation of basic and diluted earnings per share	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.01	)

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original maturities, when purchased, of three months or less.

The following table provides amounts included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024 (in thousands):

	June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,165	$	6,987
Restricted cash		155		155
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	6,320	$	7,142

Non- Controlling  Interest

The Company consolidates entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. The Company consolidates subsidiaries in which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting rights. Non-controlling interests represent third-party equity ownership interests in the Company’s consolidated entities. The amount of net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests is disclosed in the accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company maintains certain letters of credit agreements with its banking provider, which are secured by the Company’s cash for periods of less than one year. As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, the Company had restricted cash of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Generally, it records specific reserves to reduce the amounts recorded to what it believes will be collected when a customer’s account ages beyond typical collection patterns, or the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations.

The Company believes that the credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the large and established nature of its largest customers and the nature of its membership receivables. At June 30, 2024, the Company had one customer that made up 29% of the total accounts receivable balance. At June 30, 2023, the Company had one customer that made up 35% of the total accounts receivable balance. 

The Company’s accounts receivable at June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024 is as follows (in thousands):

	June 30,			March 31,
	2024			2024
Accounts receivable, gross	$	15,765		$	14,260
Less: Allowance for credit losses		(1,005	)		(1,055	)
Accounts receivable, net	$	14,760		$	13,205

Inventories

Inventories, principally raw materials awaiting final customization process, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories are relieved on a first-in, first-out basis.

The carrying value of inventories is reduced for any excess and obsolete inventory. Excess and obsolete reductions are determined based on currently available information, including the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers and liquidations, and the age of inventory.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company maintains cash balances at commercial banks. Cash balances commonly exceed the $250,000 amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and management believes that the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk with respect to such cash and cash equivalents.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements 

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures to update reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and information used to assess segment performance. This update is effective beginning with the Company’s 2024 fiscal year annual reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 on April 1, 2024 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”), which will require the Company to disclose specified additional information in its income tax rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 will also require the Company to disaggregate its income taxes paid disclosure by federal, state and foreign taxes, with further disaggregation required for significant individual jurisdictions. The Company will adopt ASU 2023-09 beginning in the first quarter of 2026. ASU 2023-09 allows for adoption using either a prospective or retrospective transition method. The Company is currently assessing the impact this standard will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.