Wed, 05/12/2021

RealNetworks Announces First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

SEATTLE, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RealNetworks, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNWK), a leader in AI-powered digital media software and solutions, today announced its financial results* for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

  • Revenue of $15.9 million, driven by growth in AI-businesses offset by declines in some of the Company's foundation businesses
  • 160% year-over-year revenue growth for SAFRTM driven by successes in the U.S. Federal market and in global commercial applications
  • Net loss of $(10.6) million; adjusted EBITDA loss of $(3.0) million marking the seventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement; adjusted EBITDA of $(2.4) million excluding Scener
  • Completed public offering of common stock for approximately $20.3 million in net proceeds on April 29, 2021

Management Commentary

"2021 got off to a strong start at Real," said Rob Glaser, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of RealNetworks. "We continued to progress in our strategic transformation to an AI-based company. Our first AI business, SAFR, grew approximately 160% year-over-year and our second AI business, KONTXT, grew 10% year-over-year. We told our AI story publicly for the first time to investors as part of our recent public offering, and as a result, raised approximately $20.3 million in net proceeds. These additional resources position us well to accelerate our AI efforts."

First Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights from Continuing Operations

  • Revenue was $15.9 million, down 10% compared to $17.6 million in the prior quarter and down 6% compared to $16.8 million in the prior year period.
  • Revenue from key growth initiatives, SAFR and KONTXT, increased 160% and 10%, respectively, compared to the prior year period. SAFR and KONTXT together grew to represent 29% of total Mobile Services revenue for the first quarter of 2021.
  • Gross profit margin was 77%, unchanged from the prior quarter and up from 76% in the prior year period.
  • Operating expenses increased $10.3 million, or 127%, from the prior quarter and increased $0.9 million, or 5%, from the prior year period. Normalizing for certain one-time and non-cash items, operating expenses increased $1.2 million, or 8%, compared to the prior quarter and decreased $1.5 million, or 8%, from the prior year period. The increase in operating expenses compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 was primarily due to restructuring, fair value adjustments to the contingent consideration liability and higher stock-based compensation expenses.
  • Net loss attributable to RealNetworks was $(10.4) million, or $(0.27) per diluted share, compared to net income of $6.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in the prior quarter and a net loss of $(4.6) million, or $(0.12) per diluted share, in the prior year period. Included in net loss attributable to RealNetworks in the first quarter of 2021 was a loss of $4.3 million from the fair value adjustment to the Company's interest in MelodyVR stock (now Napster Group PLC (LSE: "NAPS")) and $3.2 million of restructuring.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $(3.0) million compared to a loss of $(0.9) million in the prior quarter and a loss of $(4.4) million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021 excluding $600,000 of costs related to Scener was a loss of $(2.4) million.
  • At March 31, 2021, the Company had $17.0 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents compared to $23.9 million at December 31, 2020 and $19.0 million at March 31, 2020. In April 2021, the Company strengthened its balance sheet with the closing of an underwritten public offering that resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $20.3 million.

Business Outlook

For the second quarter ending June 30, 2021, RealNetworks expects to achieve the following results from continuing operations:

  • Total revenue is expected to be in the range of $14.0 million to $15.5 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA loss is expected to be in the range of $(6.0) million to $(4.5) million, including Scener expenses of up to $750,000, and in the range of $(5.25) million to $(3.75) million, excluding Scener (which is in the process of being spun out).

As announced as part of the Company's April 2021 public offering, RealNetworks' management currently expects 2021 will be an investment year that will position the Company for double-digit revenue growth in 2022 and 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

RealNetworks will host a conference call today to review its results and discuss its performance at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 1-877-451-6152 (United States) or 1-201-389-0879 (International). A telephonic replay of the call will also be available shortly after the completion of the call, until 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (United States) or 1-412-317-6671 (International) and entering the replay pin number: 13718557.

A live webcast will be available on RealNetworks' Investor Relations site under the Events & Presentations section at http://investor.realnetworks.com and will be archived online upon completion of the conference call.

About RealNetworks

Building on a rich history of digital media expertise and innovation, RealNetworks has created a new generation of products that employ best-in-class artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance and secure our daily lives. Real's portfolio includes SAFR, the world's premier computer vision platform for live video; KONTXT, an industry leading NLP (Natural Language Processing) platform for text and multi-media analysis; and leveraging its digital media expertise, a mobile games business focused on the large free-to-play segment. For information about all of our products, visit www.realnetworks.com.

About Continuing and Discontinued Operations and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

*This release refers to "continuing" and "discontinued" operations due to the completion of the sale of Napster, RealNetworks' 84%-owned subsidiary, to MelodyVR Group PLC, which closed on December 30, 2020. Effective as of the August 25, 2020 announcement date, Napster has been treated as a discontinued operation for accounting and disclosure purposes; therefore, unless otherwise noted, results presented in this release relate to the continuing operations of RealNetworks, which exclude Napster.

To supplement RealNetworks' consolidated financial information presented in accordance with GAAP in this press release, the company also discloses certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA and contribution margin by reportable segment, which management believes provide investors with useful information.

In the financial tables of our earnings press release, RealNetworks has included reconciliations of GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA and operating income (loss) by reportable segment to contribution margin by reportable segment.

The rationale for management's use of non-GAAP measures is included in the supplementary materials presented with the quarterly earnings materials.  Please refer to Exhibit 99.2 ("Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures") to the company's report on Form 8-K, which is being submitted today to the SEC.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements relating to our current expectations regarding our future growth, profitability, and market position, our financial condition and liquidity, our strategic focus and initiatives, product plans, agreements with partners, and expectations and contingencies relating to the sale of Napster. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect our expectations as of today, and actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. Factors that could cause actual results for RealNetworks, on a consolidated basis, to differ from the results predicted include: our ability to realize operating efficiencies, growth and other benefits from the implementation of our growth initiatives and restructuring efforts; cash usage and conservation, and the pursuit of additional funding sources; successful monetization of our products and services; competitive risks; issues with the use of AI; potential outcomes and effects of claims and legal proceedings; risks associated with key customer or strategic relationships and business acquisitions and dispositions; challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; disruptions in the global financial markets; volatility of our stock price; material asset impairment; continued declines in subscription revenue; difficulty recruiting and retaining key personnel; regulatory, tax, accounting, and cross-border risks; and risks related to our governance structure. More information about potential risk factors that could affect our business and financial results is included in RealNetworks' latest annual report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2020, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in other reports and documents filed by RealNetworks from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The preparation of our financial statements and forward-looking financial guidance requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. RealNetworks assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which are in effect as of their respective dates.

For More Information:

Investor Relations for RealNetworks

Kimberly Orlando, Addo Investor Relations

310-829-5400

IR@realnetworks.com

RNWK-F

 

RealNetworks, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 
 

Quarter Ended March 31,

 

2021

 

2020

       
 

 (in thousands, except per

share data)

       

 Net revenue

$

15,888

   

$

16,822

 

 Cost of revenue

3,679

   

4,104

 

           Gross profit

12,209

   

12,718

 
       

 Operating expenses:

     

       Research and development

6,238

   

6,606

 

       Sales and marketing

5,137

   

6,000

 

       General and administrative

4,898

   

5,161

 

Fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liability

(1,040)

   

(300)

 

       Restructuring and other charges

3,171

   

86

 
       

           Total operating expenses

18,404

   

17,553

 
       

 Operating loss

(6,195)

   

(4,835)

 
       

 Other income (expenses):

     

       Interest expense

(95)

   

 

       Interest income

13

   

6

 

       Loss on equity and other investments, net

(4,272)

   

 

       Other income, net

104

   

238

 
       

           Total other income (expenses), net

(4,250)

   

244

 
       

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

(10,445)

   

(4,591)

 

 Income tax expense

109

   

25

 
       

Net loss from continuing operations

(10,554)

   

(4,616)

 

Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   

(73)

 

Net loss

(10,554)

   

(4,689)

 

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests of continuing operations

(106)

   

(53)

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of discontinued operations

   

6

 

Net loss attributable to RealNetworks

$

(10,448)

   

$

(4,642)

 
       

Net loss from continuing operations attributable to RealNetworks

$

(10,448)

   

$

(4,563)

 

Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to RealNetworks

   

(79)

 

Net loss attributable to RealNetworks

$

(10,448)

   

$

(4,642)

 
       

Net loss per share attributable to RealNetworks- Basic:

     

       Continuing operations

$

(0.27)

   

$

(0.12)

 

       Discontinued operations

   

 

              Net loss per share attributable to RealNetworks- Basic

$

(0.27)

   

$

(0.12)

 
       

Net loss per share attributable to RealNetworks- Diluted:

     

       Continuing operations

$

(0.27)

   

$

(0.12)

 

       Discontinued operations

   

 

              Net loss per share attributable to RealNetworks- Diluted

$

(0.27)

   

$

(0.12)

 
       

 Shares used to compute basic net loss per share

38,502

   

38,229

 

 Shares used to compute diluted net loss per share

38,502

   

38,229

 

 

RealNetworks, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 
 

March 31,

2021

 

December 31,

2020

 

 (in thousands)

ASSETS

 Current assets:

     

 Cash and cash equivalents

$

17,015

   

$

23,940

 

 Trade accounts receivable, net

12,469

   

10,229

 

 Deferred costs, current portion

262

   

196

 

 Investments

5,693

   

9,965

 

 Prepaid expenses and other current assets

3,833

   

3,480

 

   Total current assets

39,272

   

47,810

 
       

 Equipment and software

30,313

   

30,726

 

 Leasehold improvements

2,745

   

2,776

 

 Total equipment, software, and leasehold improvements

33,058

   

33,502

 

 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

31,381

   

31,631

 

 Net equipment, software, and leasehold improvements

1,677

   

1,871

 
       

 Operating lease assets

4,771

   

7,937

 

 Restricted cash equivalents

1,630

   

1,630

 

 Other assets

3,792

   

4,150

 

 Deferred costs, non-current portion

71

   

74

 

 Deferred tax assets, net

874

   

909

 

 Goodwill

17,191

   

17,375

 
       

 Total assets

$

69,278

   

$

81,756

 
       

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

       

 Current liabilities:

     

 Accounts payable

$

3,448

   

$

2,750

 

 Accrued and other current liabilities

15,230

   

17,850

 

 Deferred revenue, current portion

2,302

   

2,122

 

 Total current liabilities

20,980

   

22,722

 
       

 Deferred revenue, non-current portion

35

   

45

 

 Deferred tax liabilities, net

1,101

   

1,129

 

 Long-term lease liabilities

6,098

   

6,837

 

 Long-term debt

2,902

   

2,895

 

 Other long-term liabilities

2,171

   

2,241

 
       

 Total liabilities

33,287

   

35,869

 
       

 Total shareholders' equity

36,359

   

46,149

 
       

Noncontrolling interests

(368)

   

(262)

 
       

 Total equity

35,991

   

45,887

 
       

 Total liabilities and equity

$

69,278

   

$

81,756

 

 

RealNetworks, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 
 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2021

 

2020

 

 (in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Net loss from continuing operations

$

(10,554)

   

$

(4,616)

 

Adjustment to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash used in operating

activities:

     

Depreciation and amortization

204

   

280

 

Stock-based compensation

836

   

380

 

Loss on equity and other investments, net

4,272

   

 

Loss on impairment of operating lease assets

2,461

   

 

Foreign currency gain

(103)

   

(210)

 

Fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liability

(1,040)

   

(300)

 

Net change in certain operating assets and liabilities

(3,052)

   

(1,457)

 

Net cash used in operating activities - continuing operations

(6,976)

   

(5,923)

 

Net cash provided in operating activities - discontinued operations

   

1,299

 

Net cash used in operating activities

(6,976)

   

(4,624)

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

     

Purchases of equipment, software, and leasehold improvements

(56)

   

(80)

 

Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations

(56)

   

(80)

 

Net cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations

   

(14)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

(56)

   

(94)

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

     

Proceeds from issuance of common stock (stock options)

468

   

 

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

   

10,000

 

Tax payments from shares withheld upon vesting of restricted stock

(110)

   

 

Net cash provided by financing activities - continuing operations

358

   

10,000

 

Net cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations

   

(2,404)

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

358

   

7,596

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(251)

   

(637)

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(6,925)

   

2,241

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period

25,570

   

22,179

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period

18,645

   

24,420

 

Less: Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from discontinued operations

   

8,025

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash from continuing operations, end of period

$

18,645

   

$

16,395

 

 

RealNetworks, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Financial Information

(Unaudited)

 
   

2021

 

2020

   

Q1

 

 Q4

 

 Q3

 

 Q2

 

 Q1

   

 (in thousands)

Net Revenue by Segment

                 

Consumer Media (A)

 

$

3,309

   

$

3,384

   

$

2,543

   

$

3,159

   

$

3,495

 

Mobile Services (B)

 

5,980

   

7,338

   

6,400

   

6,461

   

6,690

 

Games (C)

 

6,599

   

6,879

   

7,611

   

7,465

   

6,637

 

     Total net revenue

 

$

15,888

   

$

17,601

   

$

16,554

   

$

17,085

   

$

16,822

 
                     

Net Revenue by Product

                   

Consumer Media

                   

- Software License (D)

 

$

1,875

   

$

1,593

   

$

642

   

$

1,702

   

$

2,020

 

- Subscription Services (E)

 

818

   

867

   

892

   

898

   

929

 

- Product Sales (F)

 

438

   

625

   

193

   

261

   

222

 

- Advertising & Other (G)

 

178

   

299

   

816

   

298

   

324

 
                     

Mobile Services

                   

- Software License (H)

 

1,391

   

2,376

   

931

   

972

   

831

 

- Subscription Services (I)

 

4,589

   

4,962

   

5,469

   

5,489

   

5,859

 
                     

Games

                   

- Subscription Services (J)

 

2,528

   

2,589

   

2,705

   

2,730

   

2,770

 

- Product Sales (K)

 

3,163

   

3,315

   

3,874

   

3,712

   

2,978

 

- Advertising & Other (L)

 

908

   

975

   

1,032

   

1,023

   

889

 
                     
                     

     Total net revenue

 

$

15,888

   

$

17,601

   

$

16,554

   

$

17,085

   

$

16,822

 
                     

Net Revenue by Geography

                   

United States

 

$

9,932

   

$

10,893

   

$

11,855

   

$

10,742

   

$

10,214

 

Rest of world

 

5,956

   

6,708

   

4,699

   

6,343

   

6,608

 

     Total net revenue

 

$

15,888

   

$

17,601

   

$

16,554

   

$

17,085

   

$

16,822

 
                     

Net Revenue by Segment

                 

(A) The Consumer Media segment primarily includes revenue from the licensing of our portfolio of video codec technologies. Also included is RealPlayer and related products, such as the distribution of third-party software products, advertising on RealPlayer websites, sales of RealPlayer Plus software to consumers, and consumer subscriptions such as RealPlayer Plus and SuperPass.

(B) The Mobile Services segment primarily includes revenue from SaaS services and sales of professional services provided to mobile carriers.

(C) The Games segment primarily includes revenue from player purchases of in-game virtual goods within our free-to-play games, mobile and PC games, online games subscription services, and advertising on games sites and social network sites.

Net Revenue by Product

                   

(D) Software licensing revenue within Consumer Media includes revenues from licenses of our video codec technologies.

(E) Subscriptions revenue within Consumer Media includes revenue from subscriptions such as our RealPlayer Plus and SuperPass offerings.

(F) Product sales within Consumer Media includes sales of RealPlayer Plus software to consumers.

(G) Advertising & other revenue within Consumer Media includes distribution of third-party software products and advertising on RealPlayer websites.

(H) Software license revenue within Mobile Services includes revenue from our integrated RealTimes platform and our facial recognition platform, SAFR.

(I) Subscription services revenue within Mobile Services includes revenue from our messaging products, including Metcalf intercarrier messaging services and Kontxt, as well as ringback tones and related professional services provided to mobile carriers.

(J) Subscription services revenue within Games includes revenue from online games subscriptions.

(K) Product sales revenue within Games includes revenue from player purchases of in-game virtual goods, retail and wholesale games-related revenue, sales of mobile games.

(L) Advertising & other revenue within Games includes advertising on games sites and social network sites.

 

RealNetworks, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Segment Results of Operations and Reconciliation to non-GAAP Contribution Margin

(Unaudited)

 
   

2021

 

2020

   

Q1

 

Q4

 

Q1

   

 (in thousands)

Consumer Media

           
             

Net revenue

 

$

3,309

   

$

3,384

   

$

3,495

 

Cost of revenue

 

478

   

550

   

611

 

Gross profit

 

2,831

   

2,834

   

2,884

 
             

Gross margin

 

86

%

 

84

%

 

83

%

             

Operating expenses

 

2,201

   

2,135

   

2,458

 

Operating income (loss), a GAAP measure

 

$

630

   

$

699

   

$

426

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

16

   

17

   

13

 
             

Contribution margin, a non-GAAP measure

 

$

646

   

$

716

   

$

439

 
             

Mobile Services

           
             

Net revenue

 

$

5,980

   

$

7,338

   

$

6,690

 

Cost of revenue

 

1,492

   

1,736

   

1,696

 

Gross profit

 

4,488

   

5,602

   

4,994

 
             

Gross margin

 

75

%

 

76

%

 

75

%

             

Operating expenses

 

6,145

   

5,940

   

7,588

 

Operating income (loss), a GAAP measure

 

$

(1,657)

   

$

(338)

   

$

(2,594)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

84

   

130

   

98

 
             

Contribution margin, a non-GAAP measure

 

$

(1,573)

   

$

(208)

   

$

(2,496)

 
             

Games

           
             

Net revenue

 

$

6,599

   

$

6,879

   

$

6,637

 

Cost of revenue

 

1,705

   

1,744

   

1,794

 

Gross profit

 

4,894

   

5,135

   

4,843

 
             

Gross margin

 

74

%

 

75

%

 

73

%

             

Operating expenses

 

5,098

   

4,885

   

4,923

 

Operating income (loss), a GAAP measure

 

$

(204)

   

$

250

   

$

(80)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

76

   

72

   

138

 
             

Contribution margin, a non-GAAP measure

 

$

(128)

   

$

322

   

$

58

 
             

Corporate

           
             

Cost of revenue

 

$

4

   

$

6

   

$

3

 

Gross profit

 

(4)

   

(6)

   

(3)

 
             

Gross margin

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

             

Operating expenses

 

4,960

   

(4,843)

   

2,584

 

Operating income (loss), a GAAP measure

 

$

(4,964)

   

$

4,837

   

$

(2,587)

 

Other expense, net

 

104

   

(227)

   

238

 

Foreign currency (gain) loss

 

(103)

   

305

   

(210)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

28

   

28

   

31

 

Fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liability

 

(1,040)

   

(8,400)

   

(300)

 

Restructuring and other charges

 

3,171

   

1,432

   

86

 

Stock-based compensation

 

836

   

327

   

380

 
             

Contribution margin, a non-GAAP measure

 

$

(1,968)

   

$

(1,698)

   

$

(2,362)

 

 

RealNetworks, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Net income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure

(Unaudited)

 
   

2021

 

2020

   

 Q1

 

 Q4

 

 Q1

   

(in thousands)

             

Reconciliation of GAAP Net income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:

       
             

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

 

$

(10,554)

   

$

5,972

   

$

(4,616)

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

109

   

(551)

   

25

 

Interest expense

 

95

   

8

   

 

Interest income

 

(13)

   

(7)

   

(6)

 

(Gain) loss on equity and other investments, net

 

4,272

   

(201)

   

 

Foreign currency (gain) loss

 

(103)

   

305

   

(210)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

204

   

247

   

280

 

Fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liability

 

(1,040)

   

(8,400)

   

(300)

 

Restructuring and other charges

 

3,171

   

1,432

   

86

 

Stock-based compensation

 

836

   

327

   

380

 

   Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure

 

$

(3,023)

   

$

(868)

   

$

(4,361)