LVO LiveOne Inc

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 30, 2024

 

LIVEONE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		001-38249		98-0657263
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

269 South Beverly Drive, Suite 1450 

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(310) 601-2505

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

n/a

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share		LVO		The NASDAQ Capital Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On May 30, 2024, LiveOne, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its operating and financial highlights and results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The information included herein and in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On April 22, 2024, the Company issued a press release announcing, among other things, that it plans to provide a business update and discuss its operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 on Thursday, May 30, 2024. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

 

The information included herein and in Exhibit 99.2 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1*		Press release, dated May 30, 2024.
99.2*		Press release, dated April 22, 2024.
104*		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

*	Furnished herewith.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

	LIVEONE, INC.
Dated: May 30, 2024	By:	/s/ Aaron Sullivan
	Name:	Aaron Sullivan
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) Reports Record Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

 

-

Record Revenue of $118.4M, an Increase of 19% from Prior Year

 

-

Record Adjusted EBITDA* (excluding CPS division) of $14.1M

 

-

Consolidated Q4 FY 2024 Highlights:

 

o

Revenue of $30.9M an Increase of 21% from Prior Year

 

o

Adjusted EBITDA* (excluding CPS division) of $4.4M, an Increase of 124% from Prior Year

 

-

FY 2025 Guidance:

 

o

Consolidated Revenue Guidance of $140M - $155M

 

o

Adjusted EBITDA* of $16M - $20M

 

-

Audio Division (Slacker Radio and PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC)) FY 2024 Highlights:

 

o

Record Revenue of $109.3M, an Increase of 26% from Prior Year

 

o

Record Adjusted EBITDA* of $20.6M, an Increase of 17% from Prior Year

 

-

Audio Division Guidance for FY 2025

 

o

Revenue of $130M - $140M

 

o

Adjusted EBITDA* of $20M - $25M

 

-

LiveOne Has Repurchased 4.3 Million Total Shares, Including 392k Since April 1st, at an Average Price of $1.86, Leaving $4.5M of Its $10M Repurchase Program Remaining

 

-

Special Shareholders Call: Senior Management to Host a Special Shareholders Call on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. ET

 

Los Angeles, CA – May 30, 2024 – LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO), an award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment, and technology platform, announced today its operating results for the fourth fiscal quarter (“Q4 Fiscal 2024”) and fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (“Fiscal 2024”).

 

LiveOne’s CEO and Chairman, Robert Ellin, commented, “I am thrilled to announce that our company has achieved record revenues for the Fiscal 2024! This incredible accomplishment is a testament of our commitment to excellence and our unwavering creator first platform focused on superfans.” Ellin continued, “I am particularly proud of our efforts in cost-cutting initiatives, which have played a significant role in our financial achievements. By optimizing our resources and finding innovative solutions to streamline operations, we have not only enhanced our bottom line but also strengthened our competitive position in the market and delivered results to our shareholders.”

 

Recent and Q4 Fiscal 2024 Highlights

 

●

Paid members as of March 31, 2024 increased 675K or 30%, as compared to the prior year. Total members including free ad-supported memberships was approximately 3.75 million at May 25, 2024.**

 

●

PodcastOne was ranked 12th in Podtrac’s Podcast Industry Top Publishers Rankings for April 2024 with a U.S. Unique Monthly Audience of ~5.7 million and Global Downloads and Streams of ~19.1 million.

 

●

As previously announced with the assistance of J.P. Morgan, LiveOne is continuing a process to explore strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. Potential alternatives may include, among others, a strategic acquisition, divestiture, merger, sale or other form of business combination. There can be no assurance that LiveOne’s efforts will result in a specific transaction or any particular outcome or its timing.

 

 

Q4 Fiscal 2024 and 2023 and Fiscal 2024 and 2023 Results Summary (in $000’s, except per share; unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		March 31,								March 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue		$	30,899			$	25,548			$	118,440			$	99,611
Operating income (loss)		$	(1,161	)		$	(860	)		$	(4,668	)		$	(2,184	)
Total other income (expense)		$	(1,409	)		$	(4,500	)		$	(8,525	)		$	(7,770	)
Net income (loss)		$	(2,645	)		$	(5,410	)		$	(13,311	)		$	(10,019	)
Adjusted EBITDA*		$	2,785			$	1,495			$	10,977			$	10,930
Net income (loss) per share basic and diluted		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.06	)		$	(0.15	)		$	(0.12	)

 

Q4 Fiscal 2024 Results Summary Discussion

 

For Q4 Fiscal 2024, LiveOne posted revenue of $30.9 million versus $25.5 million in the same period in the prior year. Slacker had revenue of $17.6 million in Q4 Fiscal 2024 compared to $14.1 million in the same period in the prior year.

 

Q4 Fiscal 2024 Operating Loss was ($1.2) million compared to a ($0.9) million Operating Loss in the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023 (“Q4 Fiscal 2023”). The $0.3 million increase in Operating Loss was largely a result of increased stock-based compensation offset by reductions in other operating expenses.

 

Q4 Fiscal 2024 Adjusted EBITDA* was $2.8 million, as compared to Q4 Fiscal 2023 Adjusted EBITDA* of $1.5 million, an improvement of $1.3 million. Q4 Fiscal 2024 Adjusted EBITDA* was comprised of Audio Division Adjusted EBITDA* of $7.7 million, Other Operations Adjusted EBITDA* of ($3.2) million and Corporate Adjusted EBITDA* of ($1.7) million. Audio Division Adjusted EBITDA* of $7.7 million was driven by improved Contribution Margins* along with decreases in operating expenses.

 

Capital expenditures for Q4 Fiscal 2024 totaled approximately $0.8 million, which were driven by capitalized software costs associated with development of LiveOne’s integrated music player and pay-per-view services.

  

LiveOne’s senior management will host a special shareholders call on 10:00 a.m. ET / 7:00 a.m. PT on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. 

 

The timing, price and actual number of shares repurchased under the stock repurchase program will be at the discretion of LiveOne’s management and will depend on a variety of factors, including stock price, general business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. The repurchase program will continue to be executed consistent with LiveOne’s capital allocation strategy, which will continue to prioritize growing LiveOne’s business. Under the stock repurchase program, repurchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, including open market purchases, all in compliance with the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The repurchase program does not obligate LiveOne to acquire any particular amount of shares, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at LiveOne’s discretion. LiveOne will review the stock repurchase program periodically and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size. A portion of the total stock repurchase program, which may include the possibility of buying back shares of common stock of PodcastOne, is subject to approval by LiveOne’s board of directors and any other applicable approvals and consents, which LiveOne fully expects to obtain.

 

 

About LiveOne

 

Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) is an award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment, and technology platform focused on delivering premium experiences and content worldwide through memberships and live and virtual events. LiveOne’s wholly-owned subsidiaries include Slacker Radio, PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC), PPVOne, CPS, LiveXLive, DayOne Music Publishing, Drumify and Splitmind. LiveOne is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Spotify, Samsung, Amazon Fire, Android TV, and through STIRR’s OTT applications. For more information, visit liveone.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter at @liveone. For more investor information, please visit ir.liveone.com.

 

* About Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

 

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), we present Contribution Margin (Loss) and Adjusted Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), which are non-GAAP financial measures, as measures of our performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, or superior to, operating loss and or net income (loss) or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or any other measures of our cash flows or liquidity.

 

We use Contribution Margin (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our operating segment. We believe that information about these non-GAAP financial measures assists investors by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results of our business separate from non-operational factors that affect operating income (loss) and net income (loss), thus providing insights into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results. Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. A limitation of the use of Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain amortizing assets used in generating revenue in our business. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, this measure may vary among other companies; thus, Adjusted EBITDA as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

Contribution Margin (Loss) is defined as Revenue less Cost of Sales. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, other (income) expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and before (a) non-cash GAAP purchase accounting adjustments for certain deferred revenue and costs, (b) legal, accounting and other professional fees directly attributable to acquisition activity, (c) employee severance payments and third party professional fees directly attributable to acquisition or corporate realignment activities, (d) certain non-recurring expenses associated with legal settlements or reserves for legal settlements in the period that pertain to historical matters that existed at acquired companies prior to their purchase date and a one-time minimum guarantee to effectively terminate a live events distribution agreement post COVID-19, (e) depreciation and amortization (including goodwill impairment, if any), and (f) certain stock-based compensation expense. Management does not consider these costs to be indicative of our core operating results.

 

With respect to projected full year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA, a quantitative reconciliation is not available without unreasonable efforts due to the high variability, complexity and low visibility with respect to purchase accounting adjustments, acquisition-related charges and legal settlement reserves excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. We expect that the variability of these items to have a potentially unpredictable, and potentially significant, impact on our future GAAP financial results.

 

 

For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables entitled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure to GAAP Measure” included at the end of this release.  

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements,” which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as “may,” “might,” “will,” “will likely result,” “would,” “should,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “target” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including: LiveOne’s reliance on one key customer for a substantial percentage of its revenue; LiveOne’s and PodcastOne’s ability to consummate any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, special dividend, merger, distribution or transaction, including the spin-out of LiveOne’s pay-per-view business, the timing of the consummation of any such proposed event, including the risks that a condition to the consummation of any such event would not be satisfied within the expected timeframe or at all, or that the consummation of any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, merger, special dividend, distribution or transaction will not occur or whether any such event will enhance shareholder value; PodcastOne’s ability to continue as a going concern; PodcastOne’s ability to attract, maintain and increase the number of its listeners; PodcastOne identifying, acquiring, securing and developing content; LiveOne’s intent to repurchase shares of its and/or PodcastOne’s common stock from time to time under LiveOne’s announced stock repurchase program and the timing, price, and quantity of repurchases, if any, under the program; LiveOne’s ability to maintain compliance with certain financial and other covenants; PodcastOne successfully implementing its growth strategy, including relating to its technology platforms and applications; management’s relationships with industry stakeholders; uncertain and unfavorable outcomes in legal proceedings; changes in economic conditions; competition; risks and uncertainties applicable to the businesses of LiveOne and/or its other subsidiaries; and other risks, uncertainties and factors including, but not limited to, those described in PodcastOne’s Special Financial Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 29, 2023, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024, and in PodcastOne’s other filings and submissions with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and PodcastOne disclaims any obligation to update these statements, except as may be required by law. PodcastOne intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

**	Included in the total number of paid members for the reported periods are certain members which are the subject of a contractual dispute. LiveOne is currently not recognizing revenue related to these members.

 

LiveOne IR Contact:

 

Liviakis Financial Communications, Inc
(415) 389-4670
john@liviakis.com

 

Press Contact:

 

LiveOne
press@liveone.com

 

 

Financial Information

 

The tables below present financial results for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

LiveOne, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

  

		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		March 31,								March 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue:		$	30,899			$	25,548			$	118,440			$	99,611
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales			23,376				18,295				86,391				66,782
Sales and marketing			2,167				1,967				7,838				8,302
Product development			1,302				1,244				4,681				5,136
General and administrative			4,627				4,658				22,268				15,877
Impairment of intangible assets			-				-				115				1,356
Amortization of intangible assets			588				244				1,815				4,342
Total operating expenses			32,060				26,408				123,108				101,795
Loss from operations			(1,161	)			(860	)			(4,668	)			(2,184	)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net			(889	)			(1,548	)			(4,366	)			(7,341	)
Other income (expense)			(520	)			(2,952	)			(4,159	)			(429	)
Total other expense, net			(1,409	)			(4,500	)			(8,525	)			(7,770	)
Loss before provision (benefit) for income taxes			(2,570	)			(5,360	)			(13,193	)			(9,954	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			75				50				118				65
Net loss			(2,645	)			(5,410	)			(13,311	)			(10,019	)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			(691	)			-				(1,345	)			-
Net loss attributed to LiveOne		$	(1,954	)		$	(5,410	)		$	(11,966	)		$	(10,019	)
Net loss per share – basic and diluted		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.06	)		$	(0.15	)		$	(0.12	)
Weighted average common shares – basic and diluted			88,390,853				86,848,506				87,657,790				84,772,708

 

 

LiveOne, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

		March 31,				March 31,
		2024				2023
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	6,987			$	8,409
Restricted cash			155				240
Accounts receivable, net			13,205				13,658
Inventories			1,801				2,596
Prepaid expense and other current assets			2,187				2,823
Total Current Assets			24,335				27,726
Property and equipment, net			3,646				3,325
Goodwill			23,379				23,379
Intangible assets, net			12,415				11,035
Other assets			-				423
Total Assets		$	63,775			$	65,888
Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Stockholders’ Deficit
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	26,592			$	22,772
Accrued royalties			10,862				12,826
Notes payable, current portion			692				15
Bridge loan			-				4,726
Senior secured revolving line of credit, net			7,000				-
Deferred revenue			728				992
Derivative liabilities			607				3,148
Total Current Liabilities			46,481				44,479
Senior secured revolving line of credit, net			-				7,000
Notes payable, net			771				148
Lease liabilities, noncurrent			-				161
Derivative liabilities, noncurrent			-				376
Other long-term liabilities			9,611				9,578
Deferred income taxes			339				332
Total Liabilities			56,945				62,074
Commitments and Contingencies
Mezzanine Equity
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 5,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively			4,962				4,827
Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 18,814 and 16,177 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively			18,814				16,177
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 92,457,459 and 89,632,161 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively			92				90
Additional paid in capital			216,116				209,151
Treasury stock			(4,782	)			(2,162	)
Accumulated deficit			(238,711	)			(224,269	)
Total LiveOne’s Stockholders’ Deficit			(8,471	)			(1,013	)
Non-controlling interest			10,339				-
Total equity (deficit)			1,868				(1,013	)
Total Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)		$	63,775			$	65,888

 

 

LiveOne, Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure to GAAP Measure

Adjusted EBITDA* Reconciliation (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

														Non-
														Recurring
		Net				Depreciation								Acquisition and				Other
		Income				and				Stock-Based				Realignment				(Income)				Provision				Adjusted
		(Loss)				Amortization				Compensation				Costs (1)				Expense (2)				for Taxes				EBITDA*
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Operations – PodcastOne		$	(1,049	)		$	438			$	921			$	77			$	(184	)		$	55			$	258
Operations – Slacker			5,429				770				648				37				542				-				7,426
Operations – Other			(1,533	)			345				194				63				(2,246	)			-				(3,177	)
Corporate			(5,492	)			1				353				99				3,297				20				(1,722	)
Total		$	(2,645	)		$	1,554			$	2,116			$	276			$	1,409			$	75			$	2,785
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Operations – PodcastOne		$	(3,951	)		$	82			$	250			$	435			$	3,132			$	-			$	(52	)
Operations – Slacker			(1,701	)			764				180				4				(435	)			-				(1,188	)
Operations – Other			2,497				251				23				(786	)			2,708				-				4,693
Corporate			(2,255	)			4				597				551				(905	)			50				(1,958	)
Total		$	(5,410	)		$	1,101			$	1,050			$	204			$	4,500			$	50			$	1,495

 

														Non-
														Recurring
		Net				Depreciation								Acquisition and				Other
		Income				and				Stock-Based				Realignment				(Income)				Provision				Adjusted
		(Loss)				Amortization				Compensation				Costs (1)				Expense (2)				for Taxes				EBITDA*
Year Ended March 31, 2024
Operations – PodcastOne		$	(14,732	)		$	1,148			$	3,645			$	881			$	9,666			$	55			$	663
Operations – Slacker			12,806				2,926			$	1,684			$	1,026			$	1,535				-				19,977
Operations – Other			(1.397	)			1,134				672				457				(4,879	)			-				(4.013	)
Corporate			(9,988	)			14				1,964				94				2,203				63				(5,650	)
Total		$	(13,311	)		$	5,222			$	7,965			$	2,458			$	8,525			$	118			$	10,977
Year Ended March 31, 2023
Operations – PodcastOne		$	(6,967	)		$	323			$	1,001			$	939			$	5,132			$	-			$	428
Operations – Slacker			8,648				6,789				802				197				792				-				17,228
Operations – Other			(2,800	)			2,348				319				(262	)			144				27				(224	)
Corporate			(8,900	)			22				1,834				(1,198	)			1,702				38				(6,502	)
Total		$	(10,019	)		$	9,482			$	3,956			$	(324	)		$	7,770			$	65			$	10,930

 

(1)

Other Non-Operating and Non-Recurring Costs include outside legal, accounting and other professional fees directly attributable to acquisition activity in the period, in addition to certain non-recurring expenses associated with legal settlements or reserves for legal settlements in the period that pertain to historical matters that existed at certain acquired companies prior to their purchase date and non-recurring employee severance payments and to a lesser extent, a one-time minimum guarantee to effectively terminate a live-event distribution agreement post COVID-19.

 

(2)

Other (income) expense above primarily includes interest expense, net, loss on debt extinguishment and change in fair value of derivatives. These are included in the statement of operations in other income (expense) and are an add back to net loss above in the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA* to loss.

 

*

See the definition of Adjusted EBITDA under “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” within this release.

 

 

LiveOne, Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure to GAAP Measure

Contribution Margin* Reconciliation (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024				2023
Revenue:		$	30,899			$	25,548
Less:
Cost of sales			(23,376	)			(18,295	)
Amortization of developed technology			(761	)			(408	)
Gross Profit			6,762				6,845
Add back amortization of developed technology:			761				408
Contribution Margin*		$	7,523			$	7,253

  

		Year Ended March 31,
		2024				2023
Revenue:		$	118,440			$	99,611
Less:
Cost of sales			(86,391	)			(66,782	)
Amortization of developed technology			(3,009	)			(3,300	)
Gross Profit			29,040				29,529
Add back amortization of developed technology:			3,009				3,300
Contribution Margin*		$	32,049			$	32,829

 

*

See the definition of Contribution Margin under “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” within this release.

 

##END##

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

Update: LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) Anticipates Record Q4 and FY24 Results

 

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FY24: Expects $118.5M revenue, $14.4M Adjusted EBITDA* (excluding $3.5M CPS division loss)

 

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Q4 FY24: Expects $30.3M revenue, $4.3M Adjusted EBITDA* (excluding $1.6M CPS loss)

 

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LVO Anticipates Completing CPS restructuring adding $3M Adjusted EBITDA* in FY25

 

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Maintains FY25 guidance: $140M-$155M revenue and $16M-$20M Adjusted EBITDA*

 

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Audio Division FY25 guidance: $130M-$140M revenue, $20M-$25M Adjusted EBITDA* and $17M+ positive cash flow

 

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Repurchased ~4M shares since program inception, with $5M remaining dedicated for continued repurchases

 

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$10.6M current cash position

 

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Senior Management Will Host a Live Conference Call and Audio Webcast Beginning at 10:00 A.M. ET on Thursday, May 30, 2024

 

LOS ANGELES, CA, April 22, 2024 -- LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), an award-winning, creator-first music, entertainment, and technology platform, announced today certain of its preliminary and unaudited results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (“Q4 Fiscal 2024” and “Fiscal 2024”, respectively).

 

Robert Ellin, CEO: “LiveOne had an exceptional year, with strong revenue growth in both subscription and sponsorship. We’ve strengthened our balance sheet by converting all debt to equity at $2.1 per share and maintaining a cash position of close to $11 million. 

“LiveOne is poised for 30%+ revenue growth after closing a $20 million+ B2B partnership, adding over 30 podcasts, and seeing subscriptions surge to 3.7 million, led by Tesla. Our publishing subsidiary has grown 300%, celebrity brands possesses huge revenue potential, we are witnessing a resurgence in demand for live streaming and pay-per-view, and our scripted hit podcasts, such as Vigilante and Varnamtown, have sparked unprecedented studio interest. 

“LiveOne will remain aggressive on our share buyback program as we believe our stock remains undervalued and continue to focus on delivering results for our shareholders.”

 

The select anticipated financial results discussed in this press release are based on management’s preliminary unaudited analysis of financial results Q4 Fiscal 2024. As of the date of this press release, LiveOne has not completed its financial statement reporting process for Q4 Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2024, and LiveOne’s independent registered accounting firm has not audited the preliminary financial results discussed in this press release. During the course of LiveOne’s quarter-end and fiscal year-end closing procedures and review process, LiveOne may identify items that would require it to make adjustments, which may be material, to the information presented above. The estimated preliminary unaudited financial results contained in this press release are based only on currently available information as of the date hereof. As a result, the estimates above constitute forward-looking information and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including possible adjustments to preliminary financial results, and are not guarantees of future performance and may differ from actual results.

 

The timing, price and actual number of shares repurchased under the stock repurchase program will be at the discretion of LiveOne’s management and will depend on a variety of factors, including stock price, general business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. The repurchase program will continue to be executed consistent with LiveOne’s capital allocation strategy, which will continue to prioritize growing LiveOne’s business. Under the stock repurchase program, repurchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, including open market purchases, all in compliance with the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The repurchase program does not obligate LiveOne to acquire any particular amount of shares, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at LiveOne’s discretion. LiveOne will review the stock repurchase program periodically and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size. The increased stock repurchase program, which may include the possibility of buying back shares of common stock of PodcastOne, is subject to approval by LiveOne’s board of directors and any other applicable approvals and consents, which LiveOne fully expects to obtain.

 

 

About LiveOne, Inc.

 

Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) is an award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment, and technology platform focused on delivering premium experiences and content worldwide through memberships and live and virtual events. LiveOne’s subsidiaries include Slacker Radio, PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC), PPVOne, CPS, LiveXLive, DayOne Music Publishing, Drumify and Splitmind. LiveOne is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Spotify, Samsung, Amazon Fire, Android TV, and through STIRR’s OTT applications. For more information, visit liveone.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter at @liveone. For more investor information, please visit ir.liveone.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements,” which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as “may,” “might,” “will,” “will likely result,” “would,” “should,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “continue,” “target” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including: LiveOne’s reliance on one key customer for a substantial percentage of its revenue; LiveOne’s ability to consummate any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, special dividend, merger, distribution or transaction, the timing of the consummation of any such proposed event, including the risks that a condition to the consummation of any such event would not be satisfied within the expected timeframe or at all, or that the consummation of any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, merger, special dividend, distribution or transaction will not occur or whether any such event will enhance shareholder value; LiveOne’s ability to continue as a going concern; LiveOne’s ability to attract, maintain and increase the number of its users and paid members; LiveOne identifying, acquiring, securing and developing content; LiveOne’s intent to repurchase shares of its and/or PodcastOne’s common stock from time to time under LiveOne’s announced stock repurchase program and the timing, price, and quantity of repurchases, if any, under the program; LiveOne’s ability to maintain compliance with certain debt covenants; LiveOne successfully implementing its growth strategy, including relating to its technology platforms and applications; management’s relationships with industry stakeholders; uncertain and unfavorable outcomes in legal proceedings; changes in economic conditions; competition; risks and uncertainties applicable to the businesses of LiveOne’s subsidiaries; and other risks, uncertainties and factors including, but not limited to, those described in LiveOne’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 29, 2023, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024, and in LiveOne’s other filings and submissions with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and LiveOne disclaims any obligation to update these statements, except as may be required by law. LiveOne intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.*

 

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), we present Contribution Margin (Loss) and Adjusted Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), which are non-GAAP financial measures, as measures of our performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, or superior to, operating loss and or net income (loss) or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or any other measures of our cash flows or liquidity.

 

We use Contribution Margin (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of our operating segment. We believe that information about these non-GAAP financial measures assists investors by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results of our business separate from non-operational factors that affect operating income (loss) and net income (loss), thus providing insights into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results. Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. A limitation of the use of Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain amortizing assets used in generating revenue in our business. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, this measure may vary among other companies; thus, Adjusted EBITDA as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

 

Contribution Margin (Loss) is defined as Revenue less Cost of Sales. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, other (income) expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and before (a) non-cash GAAP purchase accounting adjustments for certain deferred revenue and costs, (b) legal, accounting and other professional fees directly attributable to acquisition activity, (c) employee severance payments and third party professional fees directly attributable to acquisition or corporate realignment activities, (d) certain non-recurring expenses associated with legal settlements or reserves for legal settlements in the period that pertain to historical matters that existed at acquired companies prior to their purchase date and a one-time minimum guarantee to effectively terminate a live events distribution agreement post COVID-19, (e) depreciation and amortization (including goodwill impairment, if any), and (f) certain stock-based compensation expense. Management does not consider these costs to be indicative of our core operating results.

 

With respect to projected full year 2024 and 2025 Adjusted EBITDA, a quantitative reconciliation is not available without unreasonable efforts due to the high variability, complexity and low visibility with respect to purchase accounting adjustments, acquisition-related charges and legal settlement reserves excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. We expect that the variability of these items to have a potentially unpredictable, and potentially significant, impact on our future GAAP financial results.

 

For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables entitled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure to GAAP Measure” included at the end of this release.  

 

LiveOne IR Contact:

 

Liviakis Financial Communications, Inc.
(415) 389-4670
john@liviakis.com

 

LiveOne Press Contact:

 

LiveOne
press@liveone.com

 

 

v3.24.1.1.u2

Cover	May 30, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	May 30, 2024
Entity File Number	001-38249
Entity Registrant Name	LIVEONE, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001491419
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-0657263
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	269 South Beverly Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1450
Entity Address, City or Town	Beverly Hills
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	90212
City Area Code	310
Local Phone Number	601-2505
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	LVO
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false

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