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Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2018	Feb. 18, 2019	Jun. 28, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 27, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	NCMI
Entity Registrant Name	National CineMedia, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001377630
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-27
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 455,020,325
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,601,513

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 41.4	$ 30.2
Short-term marketable securities	24.0	13.1
Receivables, net of allowance of $6.0 and $6.0, respectively	149.9	160.6
Income tax receivable	0.3	0.2
Amounts due from founding members, net	5.8	0.0
Current portion of notes receivable - founding members (related parties of $4.2 and $4.2, respectively)	5.6	4.2
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3.9	4.3
Total current assets	230.9	212.6
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $62.5 and $70.4, respectively	33.6	30.7
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $172.7 and $145.4, respectively	684.5	717.2
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $80.1 and $98.1, respectively	173.9	186.0
Long-term notes receivable, net of current portion - founding members	0.0	4.1
Other investments	3.0	3.5
Long-term marketable securities	10.2	16.2
Debt issuance costs, net	5.0	1.3
Other assets	0.7	1.5
Total non-current assets	910.9	960.5
TOTAL ASSETS	1,141.8	1,173.1
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Amounts due to founding members, net	30.0	32.7
Payable to founding members under the TRA (related party payables of $11.2 and $19.6, respectively)	15.5	19.6
Accrued expenses	21.7	19.9
Accrued payroll and related expenses	15.3	11.1
Accounts payable	18.0	19.3
Deferred revenue	7.3	7.1
Short-term debt	2.7	0.0
Total current liabilities	110.5	109.7
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs of $7.8 and $8.7, respectively	920.9	923.3
Income tax payable	0.0	0.3
Payable to founding members under the TRA (related party payables of $141.1 and $212.6, respectively)	195.6	212.6
Other liabilities	4.0	2.0
Total non-current liabilities	1,120.5	1,138.2
Total liabilities	1,231.0	1,247.9
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 13)
NCM, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding, respectively	0.0	0.0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 175,000,000 shares authorized, 76,976,398 and 76,242,222 issued and outstanding, respectively	0.8	0.8
Additional paid in capital (deficit)	(215.2)	(233.1)
Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings)	(153.6)	(130.2)
Total NCM, Inc. stockholders’ equity/(deficit)	(368.0)	(362.5)
Noncontrolling interests	278.8	287.7
Total equity/(deficit)	(89.2)	(74.8)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT	$ 1,141.8	$ 1,173.1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICAL) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 6.0	$ 6.0
Current portion of notes receivable - founding members	5.6	4.2
Accumulated depreciation, property and equipment	62.5	70.4
Accumulated amortization, intangible assets	172.7	145.4
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	80.1	98.1
Current payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement	15.5	19.6
Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement	195.6	212.6
Debt issuance costs, long-term	$ 7.8	$ 8.7
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	76,976,398	76,242,222
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	76,976,398	76,242,222
Related Party Founding Members
Current portion of notes receivable - founding members	$ 4.2	$ 4.2
Current payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement	11.2	19.6
Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement	$ 141.1	$ 212.6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Revenue (including revenue from related parties of $28.4, $29.9 and $29.1, respectively)	$ 441.4	$ 426.1	$ 447.6
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Network costs	13.3	15.8	17.1
Theater access fees—founding members (including fees to related parties of $69.0, $76.5 and $75.1, respectively)	81.7	76.5	75.1
Selling and marketing costs	66.5	72.0	72.8
Administrative and other costs	48.3	37.9	43.8
Depreciation and amortization	39.9	37.6	35.8
Total	287.1	272.2	274.6
OPERATING INCOME	154.3	153.9	173.0
NON-OPERATING EXPENSES:
Interest on borrowings	55.4	52.8	54.0
Interest income	(1.5)	(1.2)	(1.5)
Loss on early retirement of debt, net	0.7	0.0	10.4
(Gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	(3.8)	(192.2)	1.2
Other non-operating income	(0.2)	(0.3)	0.0
Total	50.6	(140.9)	64.1
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	103.7	294.8	108.9
Income tax expense	23.5	180.3	14.4
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	80.2	114.5	94.5
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	50.4	56.2	61.6
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.	29.8	58.3	32.9
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.	$ 29.8	$ 58.3	$ 32.9
NET INCOME PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.89	$ 0.55
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.48	$ 0.54
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic (in shares)	76,859,087	65,226,817	59,788,026
Diluted (in shares)	157,403,910	151,067,270	60,605,570
Dividends declared per common share (in usd per share)	$ 0.68	$ 0.88	$ 0.88
Advertising operating costs
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Advertising operating costs	$ 37.4	$ 32.4	$ 30.0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (PARENTHETICAL) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Revenue	$ 441.4	$ 426.1	$ 447.6
Related Party Founding Members
Revenue	28.4	29.9	29.1
Fees to related parties	$ 69.0	$ 76.5	$ 75.1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 80.2	$ 114.5	$ 94.5
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX:
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.	$ 29.8	$ 58.3	$ 32.9

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (PARENTHETICAL) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income, tax	$ 23.5	$ 180.3	$ 14.4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY/(DEFICIT) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid in Capital (Deficit)	Retained Earnings (Distribution in Excess of Earnings)	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ (229.9)	$ 0.6	$ (357.0)	$ (108.8)	$ 235.3
Balance, (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		59,239,154
Distributions to founding members	(75.1)				(75.1)
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of intangible asset	21.1		9.2		11.9
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes	(2.3)		(3.7)		1.4
Comprehensive income, net of tax	94.5			32.9	61.6
Share-based compensation issued, value	(4.4)		(4.4)
Share-based compensation issued, shares		635,258
Share-based compensation expense/capitalized	18.8		12.4		6.4
Cash dividends declared	(54.9)			(54.9)
Balance at Dec. 29, 2016	(232.2)	$ 0.6	(343.5)	(130.8)	241.5
Balance, (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2016		59,874,412
Distributions to founding members	(85.0)				(85.0)
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of intangible asset	201.8		78.8		123.0
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes	(23.6)		28.6		(52.2)
Issuance of shares, value	84.9	$ 0.2	84.7
Issuance of shares, shares		15,600,000
NCM, Inc. investment in NCM LLC	(84.9)		(84.9)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	114.5			58.3	56.2
Share-based compensation issued, value	(4.1)		(4.1)
Share-based compensation issued, shares		767,810
Share-based compensation expense/capitalized	11.5		7.3		4.2
Cash dividends declared	(57.7)			(57.7)
Balance at Dec. 28, 2017	$ (74.8)	$ 0.8	(233.1)	(130.2)	287.7
Balance, (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2017	76,242,222	76,242,222
Distributions to founding members	$ (72.3)				(72.3)
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of intangible asset	15.9		7.7		8.2
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes	9.5		7.0		2.5
Comprehensive income, net of tax	80.2			29.8	50.4
Share-based compensation issued, value	(2.4)		(2.4)
Share-based compensation issued, shares		734,176
Share-based compensation expense/capitalized	7.9		5.6		2.3
Cash dividends declared	(53.0)			(53.0)
Balance at Dec. 27, 2018	$ (89.2)	$ 0.8	$ (215.2)	$ (153.6)	$ 278.8
Balance, (in shares) at Dec. 27, 2018	76,976,398	76,976,398

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY/(DEFICIT) (PARENTHETICAL) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends per share	$ 0.68	$ 0.88	$ 0.88

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Consolidated net income	$ 80.2	$ 114.5	$ 94.5
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense	23.3	181.9	16.7
Depreciation and amortization	39.9	37.6	35.8
Non-cash share-based compensation	7.8	11.2	18.3
Impairment on investment	0.4	3.1	0.7
Reversal of income tax reserve	(0.4)	(1.7)	(2.9)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	2.6	2.6	2.6
Loss on early retirement of debt, net	0.7	0.0	10.4
Non-cash (gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	(3.8)	(192.2)	1.2
Other	(0.5)	(0.3)	0.0
Cash distributions from non-consolidated entities	0.2	0.3	0.2
Proceeds from lessor on purchases of property, plant, and equipment	1.0	0.0	0.0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net	10.7	(0.1)	(13.5)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4.8	1.7	(4.1)
Amounts due to founding members, net	(0.1)	0.3	(0.1)
Payment to founding members under the TRA	(18.4)	(18.8)	(25.3)
Deferred revenue	0.2	(3.1)	0.0
Income taxes and other	1.7	1.9	(1.0)
Net cash provided by operating activities	150.3	138.9	133.5
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	(14.2)	(11.6)	(12.9)
Acquisition of a business	0.0	(0.2)	0.0
Purchases of marketable securities	(36.8)	(34.4)	(54.7)
Proceeds from sale and maturities of marketable securities	32.2	50.9	62.8
Proceeds from restricted cash	0.0	0.3	0.0
Purchases of intangible assets from network affiliates	(0.1)	(2.1)	(2.3)
Payments from related parties, notes receivable	2.8	5.6	2.8
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(16.1)	8.5	(4.3)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of dividends	(54.4)	(58.7)	(54.6)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	193.2	80.0	126.0
Repayments of revolving credit facility	(178.2)	(83.0)	(177.0)
Proceeds from term loan facility	270.0	0.0	0.0
Repayments of term loan facility	(270.7)	0.0	0.0
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes due 2026	0.0	0.0	250.0
Repayments of Senior Notes due 2026	(14.2)	0.0	0.0
Redemption of Senior Notes due 2021	0.0	0.0	(207.9)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(6.9)	0.0	(4.8)
Founding member integration payments and other encumbered theater payments	22.7	12.9	2.4
Distributions to founding members	(82.1)	(87.3)	(67.6)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	0.0	0.6	0.5
Repurchase of stock for restricted stock tax withholding	(2.4)	(4.7)	(4.9)
Net cash used in financing activities	(123.0)	(140.2)	(137.9)
CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH	11.2	7.2	(8.7)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	30.2	23.0	31.7
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	41.4	30.2	23.0
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activity:
Purchase of an intangible asset with NCM LLC equity	15.9	201.8	21.1
Accrued distributions to founding members	27.9	37.6	39.9
Accrued integration and other encumbered theater payments from founding members (including accrued payments due from related parties of $0.4, $0.0 and $0.0, respectively)	7.8	9.0	0.0
Purchase of subsidiary equity with NCM, Inc. equity	0.0	84.9	0.0
Accrued purchases of property and equipment	1.1	0.4	0.0
Increase in cost and equity method investments	0.0	0.0	2.0
(Decrease) increase in dividend equivalent accrual not requiring cash in the period	(1.4)	(1.0)	0.3
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	54.1	49.9	52.5
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 0.3	$ (1.7)	$ 0.5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (PARENTHETICAL) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Payments from related parties, notes receivable	$ 2.8	$ 5.6	$ 2.8
Payments from related parties, theater payments	22.7	12.9	2.4
Accrued payments due from related parties	7.8	9.0	0.0
Related Party Founding Members
Payments from related parties, notes receivable	1.4	5.6	2.8
Payments from related parties, theater payments	17.2	12.9	2.4
Accrued payments due from related parties	$ 0.4	$ 0.0	$ 0.0

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies



1.	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NCM, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware as a holding company with the sole purpose of becoming a member and sole manager of NCM LLC, a limited liability company owned by NCM, Inc., Cinemark and Regal. The terms “NCM”, “the Company” or “we” shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include the consolidated entity. The Company operates the largest cinema advertising network reaching movie audiences in North America, allowing NCM LLC to sell advertising under ESAs with the founding members and certain third-party theater circuits under long-term network affiliate agreements referred to in this document as “network affiliates”, which have terms from one to twenty years.

As of December 27, 2018, NCM LLC had 157,637,220 common membership units outstanding, of which 76,976,398 (48.8%) were owned by NCM, Inc., 41,142,178 (26.1%) were owned by Regal, 39,518,644 (25.1%) were owned by Cinemark and 0 (0.0%) were owned by AMC. The membership units held by the founding members are exchangeable into NCM, Inc. common stock on a one-for-one basis. On July 5, 2018, AMC closed on the sale of 100.0% of its remaining NCM LLC membership units to Cinemark and Regal.

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared its Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes of NCM, Inc. in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current presentation (refer to the Consolidated Balance Sheet, whereby the Company presented prepaid expenses and other assets as one line item and Note 7—Income Taxes, whereby a certain line item previously included within the 'Other' caption of the income tax provision reconciliation was broken out separately due to its significance in 2018).

As a result of the various related-party agreements discussed in Note 9—Related Party Transactions, the operating results as presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that might have occurred if all agreements were with non-related third parties.

Advertising is the principal business activity of the Company and is the Company’s only reportable segment under the requirements of ASC 280 – Segment Reporting.

Estimates—The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include those related to the reserve for uncollectible accounts receivable, share-based compensation and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting Period— The Company has a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year ending on the first Thursday after December 25. Fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018 contained 52 weeks. Throughout this document, the fiscal years are referred to as set forth below:



Fiscal Year Ended		Reference in this Document
December 27, 2018		2018
December 28, 2017		2017
December 29, 2016		2016

Revenue Recognition—The Company derives revenue principally from the advertising business, which includes on-screen and LEN advertising and lobby promotions and advertising on websites and mobile applications owned by NCM LLC and other companies. Revenue is recognized over time as the customer receives the benefits provided by NCM LLC’s advertising services and the Company has the right to payment for the performance to date. The Company considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment as more fully discussed in Note 2—Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Operating Costs—Advertising-related operating costs primarily include personnel and other costs related to advertising fulfillment, payments due to unaffiliated theater circuits under the network affiliate agreements, and to a lesser extent, production costs of non-digital advertising.

Payments to the founding members of a theater access fee is comprised of a payment per theater attendee, a payment per digital screen and a payment per digital cinema projector equipped in the theaters, all of which escalate over time. Refer to Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this document.

Network costs include personnel, satellite bandwidth, repairs, and other costs of maintaining and operating the digital network and preparing advertising and other content for transmission across the digital network.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—All highly liquid debt instruments and investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents and are considered available-for-sale securities. There are cash balances in a bank in excess of the federally insured limits or in the form of a money market demand account with a major financial institution.

Marketable Securities—The Company’s marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. The fair value of substantially all securities is determined by quoted market information and pricing models using inputs based upon market information, including contractual terms, market prices and yield curves. The estimated fair value of securities for which there are no quoted market prices is based on similar types of securities that are traded in the market.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers —Bad debts are provided for using the allowance for doubtful accounts method based on historical experience and management’s evaluation of outstanding receivables at the end of the period. Receivables are written off when management determines amounts are uncollectible. Trade accounts receivable are uncollateralized and represent a large number of geographically dispersed debtors. The collectability risk with respect to national and regional advertising is reduced by transacting with founding members or large, national advertising agencies who have strong reputations in the advertising industry and clients with stable financial positions. The Company has smaller contracts with thousands of local clients that are not individually significant. As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, there were no advertising agency groups or individual customers through which the Company sources national advertising revenue representing more than 10% of the Company’s outstanding gross receivable balance. During the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, there were no customers that accounted for more than 10% of revenue.

Receivables consisted of the following (in millions):



	As of
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017
Trade accounts	$	154.0		$	166.4
Other	1.9			0.2
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(6.0		)	(6.0		)
Total	$	149.9		$	160.6

Long-lived Assets—Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation or amortization. Generally, the equipment associated with the digital network of the founding member theaters is owned by the founding members, while the equipment associated with network affiliate theaters is owned by the Company. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized, while replacements, maintenance, and repairs that do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. The Company records depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:



Equipment	4-10 years
Computer hardware and software	3-5 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of lease term or asset life

Software and website development costs developed or obtained for internal use are accounted for in accordance with ASC 350—Internal Use Software and ASC 350– Website Development Costs. The subtopics require the capitalization of certain costs incurred in developing or obtaining software for internal use. Software costs related primarily to the Company’s inventory management systems, digital products, digital network distribution system (DCS) and website development costs, which are included in equipment, and are depreciated over three to five years. As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company had a net book value of $17.4 million and $16.5 million, respectively, of capitalized software and website development costs. Depreciation expense related to software and website development was approximately $6.7 million, $6.0 million and $3.9 million for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively. For the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company recorded $1.7 million, $3.6 million and $3.4 million in research and development expense, respectively.

The Company assesses impairment of long-lived assets pursuant with ASC 360 – Property, Plant and Equipment. This includes determining if certain triggering events have occurred that could affect the value of an asset. The Company recorded losses of $0.5 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million related to the write-off of property, plant and equipment during the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively. These balances have been included within depreciation expense within the respective audited Consolidated Statements of Income given the immaterial nature of the balances.

Intangible assets—Intangible assets consist of contractual rights to provide its services within the theaters of the founding members and network affiliates and are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization. The Company records amortization using the straight-line method over the contractual life of the intangibles, corresponding to the term of the ESAs or the term of the contract with the network affiliate. Intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be fully recoverable. In its impairment testing, the Company estimates the fair value of its ESAs or network affiliate agreements by determining the estimated future cash flows associated with the ESAs or network affiliate agreements. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, the intangible asset is written down to its estimated fair value. Significant judgment is involved in estimating long-term cash flow forecasts. The Company has not recorded impairment charges related to intangible assets.

Amounts Due to/from Founding Members—Amounts due to/from founding members include amounts due for the theater access fee, offset by a receivable for advertising time purchased by the founding members on behalf of their beverage concessionaire, plus any amounts outstanding under other contractually obligated payments. Payments to or received from the founding members against outstanding balances are made monthly. Available cash distributions are made quarterly.

Income Taxes— Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which differences are expected to be recovered or settled pursuant to the provisions of ASC 740 – Income Taxes. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company records a valuation allowance if it is deemed more likely than not that all or a portion of its deferred income tax assets will not be realized, which will be assessed on an on-going basis. In addition, income tax rules and regulations are subject to interpretation and the application of those rules and regulations require judgment by the Company and may be challenged by the taxation authorities. The Company follows ASC 740-10-25, which requires the use of a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and disclosures regarding uncertainties in income tax positions. Only tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are recognized.

The Company recognizes the tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits of the position, the tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or litigation. The tax benefits recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements from such a position are measured as the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Debt Issuance Costs—In relation to the issuance of outstanding debt discussed in Note 10—Borrowings, there is a balance of $12.8 million and $10.0 million in deferred financing costs as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively. The debt issuance costs are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the underlying obligations and are included in interest on borrowings, which approximates the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs are written-off in the event that the underlying debt is extinguished through partial or full repayment of the obligation.

The changes in debt issuance costs are as follows (in millions):



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
Beginning balance	$	10.0		$	12.6		$	12.9
Debt issuance payments	6.4			—			4.8
Amortization of debt issuance costs	(2.6		)	(2.6		)	(2.6		)
Write-off of debt issuance costs	(1.0		)	—			(2.5		)
Ending balance	$	12.8		$	10.0		$	12.6

Share-Based Compensation— Through 2012, the Company issued stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. Since 2013, the Company has only issued restricted stock and restricted stock units. Restricted stock and restricted stock units vest upon the achievement of Company three-year cumulative performance measures and service conditions or only service conditions. Compensation expense of restricted stock that vests upon the achievement of Company performance measures is based on management’s financial projections and the probability of achieving the projections, which require considerable judgment. A cumulative adjustment is recorded to share-based compensation expense in periods that management changes its estimate of the number of shares expected to vest. Ultimately, the Company adjusts the expense recognized to reflect the actual vested shares following the resolution of the performance conditions. Dividends are accrued when declared on unvested restricted stock that is expected to vest and are only paid with respect to shares that actually vest.

Under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation, the Company recognizes share-based compensation net of an estimated forfeiture rate, and therefore only recognizes compensation cost for those shares expected to vest over the requisite service period of the award. Refer to Note 11—Share-Based Compensation for more information.

Fair Value Measurements— Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Consolidation—NCM, Inc. consolidates the accounts of NCM LLC under the provisions of ASC 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”). Under Accounting Standards Update 2015-2, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-2”), a limited partnership is a variable interest entity unless a simple majority or lower threshold of all limited partners unrelated to the general partner have kick-out or participating rights. The non-managing members of NCM LLC do not have dissolution rights or removal rights. NCM, Inc. has evaluated the provisions of the NCM LLC membership agreement and has concluded that the various rights of the non-managing members are not substantive participating rights under ASC 810, as they do not limit NCM, Inc.’s ability to make decisions in the ordinary course of business. As such, the Company concluded that NCM LLC is a variable interest entity and determined that NCM, Inc. should consolidate the accounts of NCM LLC pursuant to ASU 2015-2 because 1) it has the power to direct the activities of NCM LLC in its role as managing member and 2) NCM, Inc. has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, NCM LLC that could potentially be significant provided its 48.8% ownership in NCM LLC. Prior to the prospective adoption of ASU 2015-2 in the first quarter of 2016, the Company reached the same conclusion under previous guidance in ASC 810 to consolidate NCM LLC.

The following table presents the changes in NCM, Inc.’s equity resulting from net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and transfers to or from noncontrolling interests (in millions):



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.	$	29.8	$	58.3		$	32.9
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of intangible asset	7.7		78.8			9.2
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes	7.0		28.6			(3.7		)
NCM, Inc. investment in NCM LLC	—		(84.9		)	—
Issuance of shares to founding members	—		84.7			—
Change from net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and transfers from noncontrolling interests	$	44.5	$	165.5		$	38.4

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-9”) using the modified retrospective transition method. The Company identified the same performance obligations under ASU 2014-9 as compared with deliverables and separate units of account previously identified. ASU 2014-9 impacted the accounting for barter transactions where the Company exchanges advertising time for products and services used principally for selling and marketing activities. The Company historically recognized revenue for these transactions at the estimated fair value of the advertising exchanged based on the fair value received for similar advertising from cash paying customers. In accordance with the new guidance, the Company recognized revenue for these transactions based upon the fair value of the products and services received, rather than the value of the advertising provided. The modified retrospective transition method allows entities to apply the new revenue standard prospectively and record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period the new revenue standard is first applied. The Company elected to apply the new revenue standard only to contracts that were not completed as of the adoption date. Upon the adoption of ASU 2014-9 on December 29, 2017, the Company recorded a $0.2 million cumulative-effect adjustment related to the change in accounting for barter transactions on contracts that were not completed as of December 29, 2017 in the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-9 did not have a material impact on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company has incorporated additional disclosures in Note 2—Revenue from Contracts with Customers to comply with ASU 2014-9.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-1, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-1”), which requires equity investments that are not accounted for under the equity method of accounting to be measured at fair value with changes recognized in earnings (rather than reported through other comprehensive income) and updates certain presentation and disclosure requirements. In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-3, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2018-3”). These amendments clarify the guidance on certain topics referred to in ASU 2016-1. The Company has incorporated changes to the methodology utilized to value the Company’s investments and changes to disclosures in its notes to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements to comply with ASU 2016-1.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”) on a retrospective basis. ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on certain cash receipts and cash payments presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”) on a retrospective basis. ASU 2016-18 requires that the reconciliation of the beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown in the statement of cash flows include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. The Company has adjusted the audited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016 to include the restricted cash balance within the aforementioned captions. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 had no other impact on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2018-4, Investments – Debt Securities (Topic 320) and Regulated Operations (Topic 980): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 117 and SEC Release No. 33-9273 (“ASU 2018-04”), which amends and supersedes various paragraphs that contain SEC guidance in ASC 320, Investments-Debt Securities and ASC 980, Regulated Operations specifically surrounding other than temporary impairments. The ASU was effective upon issuance. The adoption of ASU 2018-4 did not have a material impact on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

During the third quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2018-9, Codification Improvements ("ASU 2018-9”), which made minor amendments to the codification in order to clarify, correct errors in, eliminate inconsistencies and provide clarifications in current guidance. The ASU amends Subtopics 470-50, Debt-Modifications and Extinguishments and 718-740, Compensation-Stock Compensation-Income Taxes and was effective immediately. The adoption of ASU 2018-9 did not have a material impact on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract ("ASU 2018-15"), which clarifies the accounting for implementation costs in cloud computing arrangements. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-15 in the fourth quarter of 2018. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company adopted a final rule issued by the SEC amending certain disclosure requirements deemed by the commission to be redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. The rule also added requirements to disclose (1) the changes in each caption of stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests for the current and comparative year-to-date periods, with subtotals for each interim period and (2) the amount of dividends per share for each class of shares. The Company believes that adopting the guidance will result in changes to the presentation of the audited Consolidated Statement of Equity as a quarter to date equity rollforward is now also required for the current and comparable period. The Company has implemented the annual amended disclosure requirements and will implement the quarterly amended disclosure requirements in the first quarter of 2019.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-2, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-2”). ASU 2016-2 establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Under the original standard, a modified retrospective transition approach was required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. In July 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-11 which allows companies to elect the “Comparatives Under 840” option where only the current period financial statements and related disclosures are presented in accordance with the new standard. The Company is still evaluating which transition approach to apply upon adoption. The Company expects to utilize the following practical expedients: (i) not being required to separate lease and nonlease components when accounting for the lease; and (ii) not accounting for short-term leases under the new standard. The Company is still evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-2 on the ESA and affiliate agreements, and thus, whether it will have a material impact on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company will adopt the standard and its provisions effective December 28, 2018 and will incorporate additional disclosures in its notes to its audited Consolidated Financial Statements to comply with ASU 2016-2 effective in the first quarter of 2019. The Company has designed and will implement changes to certain processes and internal controls upon the adoption of ASU 2016-2.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires a financial asset (or group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted and is to be adopted on a modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

In June 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-7, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-7”), which amends Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. ASU 2018-7 is effective for fiscal years beginning December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2018-07 to have a material impact on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with partial early adoption permitted for eliminated disclosures. The method of adoption varies by the disclosure. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

The Company has considered all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on its audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

Change in Accounting Principle

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company changed its method of accounting for its payable to founding members under the TRA, which requires the Company to pay to the founding members 90% of the expected cash savings of NCM, Inc. from federal, state, and local jurisdictions upon realization of amortization and other deductions specified under the TRA. At inception of the TRA in 2007, the payable was recorded at fair value by discounting the amounts expected to be payable to founding members under the TRA at the Company’s weighted average cost of capital. The Company then remeasured the present value of the payable to founding members under the TRA each subsequent reporting period.

As a result of the change in accounting principle, the payable is now stated at the undiscounted amount of all expected future payments under the agreement. The Company believes that the undiscounted presentation is preferable because it is consistent with the predominant accounting method used by other companies with such tax receivable agreements and is more consistent with the undiscounted approach used for the corresponding deferred tax assets that are subject to the TRA. Accordingly, the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income, Statements of Equity (Deficit) and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the respective prior periods have been recast to reflect retrospective application of the change in accounting principle. Since this change in accounting principle dates back to the Company’s initial public offering ("IPO") in 2007, the Company has recorded the cumulative effect for the change in accounting principle to beginning retained earnings as of December 29, 2016.

The audited Consolidated Financial Statements and corresponding footnotes for the prior periods have been recast from the amounts previously reported to reflect the change in accounting principle as shown within the tables below.

The following table presents the effect of the change in accounting principle to the December 29, 2016 beginning retained earnings balance and additional paid in capital (deficit) ("APIC") balance (in millions):



Beginning retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings), as of December 29, 2016 – as previously reported	$	(248.3	)
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle	117.6
Beginning retained earnings, as of December 29, 2016 – as adjusted	$	(130.7	)



Beginning additional paid in capital (deficit), as of December 29, 2016 – as previously reported	$	(110.5	)
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle	(233.1		)
Beginning additional paid in capital (deficit), as of December 29, 2016 – as adjusted	$	(343.6	)

The following table presents the effects of the change in accounting principle to the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):



	December 28, 2017
	As Reported			Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Long-term deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $98.1	$	161.0		$	25.0		$	186.0
TOTAL ASSETS	1,148.1			25.0			1,173.1
Long-term payable to founding members under the TRA	114.0			98.6			212.6
Total liabilities	1,149.3			98.6			1,247.9
Additional paid in capital (deficit)	13.8			(246.9		)	(233.1		)
Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings)	(303.5		)	173.3			(130.2		)
Total equity/(deficit)	(1.2		)	(73.6		)	(74.8		)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT	1,148.1			25.0			1,173.1

The following tables present the effects of the change in accounting principle to the audited Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 (in millions, except for per share data):



	Year Ended
	December 28, 2017
	As Reported			Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA	$	18.5		$	(18.5	)	$	—
Gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	(103.6		)	(88.6		)	(192.2		)
Total non-operating expenses	(33.8		)	(107.1		)	(140.9		)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	187.7			107.1			294.8
Income tax expense	129.0			51.3			180.3
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	58.7			55.8			114.5
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.	2.5			55.8			58.3

NET INCOME PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:
Basic	$	0.04		$	0.85		$	0.89
Diluted	$	0.02		$	0.46		$	0.48



	Year Ended
	December 29, 2016
	As Reported		Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA	$	19.6	$	(19.6	)	$	—
Loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	1.0		0.2			1.2
Total non-operating expenses	83.5		(19.4		)	64.1
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	89.5		19.4			108.9
Income tax expense	7.5		6.9			14.4
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	82.0		12.5			94.5
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.	20.4		12.5			32.9

NET INCOME PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:
Basic	$	0.34	$	0.21		$	0.55
Diluted	$	0.34	$	0.20		$	0.54

The following table presents the effects of the change in accounting principle to the audited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the years ended December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 (in millions):



	Year Ended
	December 28, 2017
	As Reported			Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Consolidated net income	$	58.7		$	55.8		$	114.5
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense	130.6			51.3			181.9
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA	18.5			(18.5		)	—
Non-cash gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	(103.6		)	(88.6		)	(192.2		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	138.9			—			138.9



	Year Ended
	December 29, 2016
	As Reported		Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Consolidated net income	$	82.0	$	12.5		$	94.5
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense	9.8		6.9			16.7
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA	19.6		(19.6		)	—
Non-cash gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	1.0		0.2			1.2
Net cash provided by operating activities	133.5		—			133.5

The change in accounting principle resulted in a decrease of $13.9 million and $0.7 million within the activity and a decrease of $246.9 million and $233.0 million in the ending balance of the additional paid in capital (deficit) balance for the years ended December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively. These adjustments were within the ‘Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes’ line of the audited Consolidated Statements of Equity included herein.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue from Contracts with Customers



2.	REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives revenue principally from the sale of advertising to national, regional and local businesses in Noovie, the Company’s cinema advertising and entertainment pre-show. The Company also sells advertising through the LEN, a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, as well as other forms of advertising and promotions in theater lobbies. In addition, the Company sells online and mobile advertising through the Cinema Accelerator digital product. The Company also has a long-term agreement to exhibit the advertising of the founding members’ beverage suppliers.

National and regional advertising, including advertising under the beverage concessionaire and PSA agreements, are sold on a CPM basis. The Company recognizes national and regional advertising over time as impressions (or theater attendees) are delivered. National advertising is also sold to content partners. The content partners provide the Company with original entertainment content segments, typically 90 seconds in length, that are entertaining, informative, or educational in nature in the Noovie pre-show and they make commitments to buy a portion of the Company’s advertising inventory at a specified CPM. The Company recognizes revenue for the content segments ratably over time as the content segments air. Local advertising is sold on a per-screen, per-week basis and to a lesser extent on a CPM basis. The Company recognizes local on-screen advertising revenue over the period in which the advertising airs as dictated by the underlying sales contracts. When sold separately, LEN advertising and lobby promotions are sold based on length and breadth of the promotion. The Company recognizes revenue derived from lobby network and promotions over time when the advertising is displayed in theater lobbies. The Company sells online and mobile advertising on a CPM basis. The Company recognizes revenue from branded entertainment websites and mobile applications over time as the online or mobile impressions are served.

Customer contracts often include multiple advertising services to reach the moviegoer at multiple points during a theater experience. The Company considers each of these advertising services to represent distinct performance obligations of the contract and allocates a portion of the transaction price to each service based upon the standalone selling price of the service, when available. When standalone selling prices are not available or not applicable given the nature of the customer, the Company allocates the transaction price based upon all information that is reasonably available and maximizes the use of observable inputs. Methods utilized include the adjusted market and expected cost-plus margin approaches.

The Company enters into barter transactions that exchange advertising program time for products and services used principally for selling and marketing activities. The Company records barter transactions at the estimated fair value of the products and services received. Revenue for advertising barter transactions are recognized when advertising is provided, and products and services received are charged to expense when used. Revenue from barter transactions for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 was $5.9 million, $0.8 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Expense recorded from barter transactions for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 was $5.0 million, $1.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

The Company makes contractual guarantees to deliver a specified number of impressions to view the customers’ advertising. If the contracted number of impressions are not delivered, the Company will run additional advertising to deliver the contracted impressions at a later date. The deferred portion of the revenue associated with undelivered impressions is referred to as a make-good provision. In rare cases, the Company will make a cash refund of the portion of the contract related to the undelivered impressions. Given the limited history of cash settlements of the make-good provision, the Company recognizes revenue on the guaranteed contracts as the impressions are delivered and no reserve for variable consideration is recorded. The Company defers the revenue associated with the make-good until the advertising airs to the theater attendance specified in the advertising contract. The make-good provision is recorded within accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company had a make-good provision of $8.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

The Company recognizes revenue as the performance obligation for the advertising services is satisfied. Invoices are generated following the processing of each revenue contract and payment is due from the customer within 30 days of the invoice date. Customers select to pay the invoice in full at the start of a contract or through equal monthly installments over the course of the contract. The Company records deferred revenue when cash payments are received, or invoices are issued, in advance of revenue being earned. Deferred revenue is classified as a current liability as it is expected to be earned within the next twelve months.

The Company has certain contracts with two-year terms that are noncancelable following a specified date within the contract period. The estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to these contracted performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of December 27, 2018, was $60.3 million, which is expected to be recognized in 2019. Agreements with a duration less than one year are not included within this disclosure as the Company elected to use the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14 for those contracts. In addition, other of the Company’s contracts longer than one year that are cancelable are not included within this disclosure.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company disaggregates revenue based upon the type of customer: national; local and regional; and beverage concessionaire. This method of disaggregation is in alignment with how revenue is reviewed by management and discussed with and historically disclosed to investors.

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016:



	Years ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
National advertising revenue	$	312.0	$	296.3	$	311.9
Local and regional advertising revenue	98.0		99.9		107.0
Founding member advertising revenue from beverage concessionaire agreements	31.4		29.9		28.7
Total revenue	$	441.4	$	426.1	$	447.6

Deferred Revenue and Unbilled Accounts Receivable

The changes in deferred revenue for the year ended December 27, 2018 were as follows (in millions):



	Year ended
	December 27, 2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	(7.1	)
Performance obligations satisfied	7.1
New contract liabilities	(7.3		)
Balance at end of period	$	(7.3	)

Unbilled accounts receivable is classified as a current asset as it is expected to be billed within the next twelve months. As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company had $6.0 million and $10.6 million in unbilled accounts receivable, included within the accounts receivable balance.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

The Company expenses sales commissions when incurred as the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses in the audited Consolidated Statement of Income.

The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share



3.	EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of potentially dilutive common stock options, restricted stock, and exchangeable NCM LLC common units using the treasury stock method. The components of basic and diluted earnings per NCM, Inc. share are as follows:



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (in millions)	$	29.8	$	58.3	$	32.9
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. following conversion of dilutive membership units (net of estimated taxes of $22.2, $42.5, and $0.0)	$	58.0	$	72.0	$	32.9
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	76,859,087		65,226,817		59,788,026
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and exchangeable NCM LLC common membership units	80,544,823		85,840,453		817,544
Diluted	157,403,910		151,067,270		60,605,570
Earnings per NCM, Inc. share:
Basic	$	0.39	$	0.89	$	0.55
Diluted	$	0.37	$	0.48	$	0.54

The diluted weighted average shares outstanding assumes the conversion of all founding member common units to NCM, Inc. shares for the years ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017. Upon the conversion of all common units, all of consolidated NCM LLC net income would be attributable to NCM, Inc. and thus has been utilized as the numerator of the diluted EPS calculation. Consolidated NCM LLC net income has been tax effected utilizing NCM, Inc.’s effective tax rates of 44.1% and 75.6% for the years ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively. The effect of the 77,020,686 exchangeable NCM LLC common membership units held by the founding members for the year ended December 29, 2016 was excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares and earnings per NCM, Inc. share as it was antidilutive in that period. NCM LLC common membership units do not participate in dividends paid on NCM, Inc.’s common shares. In addition, there were 2,141,535, 2,583,196 and 16,657 stock options and non-vested (restricted) shares for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively, excluded from the calculation as they were antidilutive, primarily because exercise prices associated with those shares were above the average market value. The Company’s non-vested (restricted) shares do not meet the definition of a participating security as the dividends will not be paid if the shares do not vest.

Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment



4.	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The following is a summary of property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation (in millions):



	As of
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017
Equipment, computer hardware and software	$	90.8		$	92.9
Leasehold improvements	2.4			4.0
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(62.5		)	(70.4		)
Subtotal	30.7			26.5
Construction in progress	2.9			4.2
Total property and equipment	$	33.6		$	30.7

For the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $12.6 million, $10.9 million, and $8.6 million, respectively.

Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets



5.	INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company’s intangible assets consist of contractual rights to provide its services within the theaters of the founding members and network affiliates. The Company records amortization using the straight-line method over the contractual life of the intangibles, corresponding to the term of the ESAs or the term of the contract with the network affiliate. The Company’s intangible assets with the founding members are recorded at the fair market value of NCM, Inc.’s publicly traded stock as of the date on which the common membership units were issued. The NCM LLC common membership units are fully convertible into NCM, Inc.’s common stock. The Company also records intangible assets for upfront fees paid to network affiliates upon commencement of a network affiliate agreement. Pursuant to ASC 350-10—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, the Company’s intangible assets have a finite useful life and the Company amortizes the assets over the remaining useful life corresponding with the ESAs or the term of the contract with the network affiliate.

In accordance with NCM LLC’s Common Unit Adjustment Agreement with its founding members, on an annual basis NCM LLC determines the amount of common membership units to be issued to or returned by the founding members based on theater additions or dispositions during the previous year. In addition, NCM LLC’s Common Unit Adjustment Agreement requires that a Common Unit Adjustment occur for a specific founding member if its acquisition or disposition of theaters, in a single transaction or cumulatively since the most recent Common Unit Adjustment, results in an attendance increase or decrease in excess of two percent of the annual total attendance at the prior adjustment date.

If an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an alternative provider is in place with respect to any acquired theaters, the founding members may elect to receive common membership units related to those encumbered theaters in connection with the Common Unit Adjustment. If the founding members make this election, then they are required to make payments on a quarterly basis in arrears in accordance with certain run-out provisions pursuant to the ESAs (“integration payments”). Because the Carmike and Rave theaters are subject to an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an alternative provider, AMC and Cinemark will make integration payments to NCM LLC. The integration payments will continue until the earlier of (i) the date the theaters are transferred to NCM LLC’s network or (ii) the expiration of the ESA. Integration payments are calculated based upon the advertising cash flow that the Company would have generated if it had exclusive access to sell advertising in the theaters with pre-existing advertising agreements. The ESA additionally entitles NCM LLC to payments related to the founding members’ on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements for encumbered theaters (“encumbered theater payments”). These payments are also accounted for as a reduction to the intangible asset. If common membership units are issued to a founding member for newly acquired theaters that are subject to an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an alternative provider, the amortization of the intangible asset commences after the existing agreement expires and NCM LLC can utilize the theaters for all of its services.

The following is a summary of the Company’s intangible asset’s activity (in millions) during 2018 and 2017:



	As of December 28, 2017			Additions (1)		Amortization			Integration and other encumbered theater payments (3)			As of December 27, 2018
Gross carrying amount	$	862.6		$	16.0	$	—		$	(21.4	)	$	857.2
Accumulated amortization	(145.4		)	—		(27.3		)	—			(172.7		)
Total intangible assets, net	$	717.2		$	16.0	$	(27.3	)	$	(21.4	)	$	684.5



	As of December 29, 2016			Additions (2)		Amortization			Integration and other encumbered theater payments (3)			As of December 28, 2017
Gross carrying amount	$	679.4		$	204.1	$	—		$	(20.9	)	$	862.6
Accumulated amortization	(118.9		)	—		(26.5		)	—			(145.4		)
Total intangible assets, net	$	560.5		$	204.1	$	(26.5	)	$	(20.9	)	$	717.2

(1)

During the first quarter of 2018, NCM LLC issued 2,821,710 (3,736,860 issued, net of 915,150 returned) common membership units to its founding members for the rights to exclusive access to the theater screens and attendees added, net of dispositions by the founding members to NCM LLC’s network during the 2017 fiscal year and NCM LLC recorded a net intangible asset of $15.9 million during the first quarter of 2018 as a result of the Common Unit Adjustment.

During 2018, the Company purchased intangible assets for $0.1 million associated with network affiliate agreements.

(2)

During the first quarter of 2017, NCM LLC issued 2,351,029 common membership units to its founding members for the rights to exclusive access to net new theater screens and attendees added by the founding members to NCM LLC’s network during 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company issued 18,425,423 NCM LLC common membership units to AMC in respect of the annual attendance at the acquired Carmike theaters in accordance with the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement. AMC’s acquisition of Carmike meets the criteria for a Common Unit Adjustment because it resulted in an extraordinary attendance increase of approximately 9.5%. Further, the Final Judgment required AMC to transfer advertising rights to 17 theaters from NCM LLC to another advertising provider. AMC surrendered 4,657,673 NCM LLC common membership units in respect of such theaters. The 4,657,673 NCM LLC common membership units were comprised of (i) 2,850,453 NCM LLC common membership units pursuant to the adjustment for divested theaters in the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement and (ii) an additional 1,807,220 NCM LLC common membership units valued at $25.0 million to compensate for NCM LLC’s lost operating income for these theaters during the 10-year term of the Final Judgment. NCM LLC recorded a net intangible asset of $201.8 million in the first quarter of 2017 as a result of these Common Unit Adjustments.

During 2017, the Company purchased intangible assets for $2.1 million associated with network affiliate agreements.

During 2017, the Company purchased intangible assets for $0.2 million associated with acquired software.

(3)

Carmike and Rave Cinemas had pre-existing advertising agreements for some of the theaters it owned prior to their acquisitions by AMC and Cinemark. As a result, AMC and Cinemark will make integration and other encumbered theater payments over the remaining term of those agreements. During the year ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, NCM LLC recorded a reduction to net intangible assets of $21.4 million and $20.9 million, respectively, related to integration and other encumbered theater payments due from AMC and Cinemark. During the year ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, AMC and Cinemark paid a total of $22.7 million and $12.9 million, respectively, related to integration and other encumbered theater payments.

As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company’s intangible assets related to the founding members, net of accumulated amortization was $657.6 million and $687.1 million, respectively with weighted average remaining lives of 18.2 years and 19.2 years as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively.

As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company’s intangible assets related to the network affiliates, net of accumulated amortization was $26.9 million and $30.0 million, respectively with weighted average remaining lives of 10.0 years and 11.0 years as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively.

As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company’s intangible assets related to acquired software, net of accumulated amortization was $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively with weighted average remaining lives of 1.5 years and 2.5 years as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively.

For the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company recorded amortization expense of $27.3 million, $26.5 million and $27.0 million, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years is as follows (in millions

Accrued Expenses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accrued Expenses



6.	ACCRUED EXPENSES

The following is a summary of the Company’s accrued expenses (in millions):



	As of
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017
Make-good reserve	$	8.0	$	5.5
Accrued interest	10.3		11.6
Deferred rent	0.2		0.8
Other accrued expenses	3.2		2.0
Total accrued expenses	$	21.7	$	19.9

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes



7.	INCOME TAXES

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states. The Company’s tax returns for the calendar years 2015 through 2017 remain open to examination by the IRS in their entirety. With respect to state taxing jurisdictions, the Company’s tax returns for calendar years ended 2014 through 2017 are eligible for examination by various state revenue services.

Tax Receivable Agreement—On the IPO date, NCM, Inc. and the founding members entered into a TRA. Under the terms of this agreement, NCM, Inc. will make cash payments to the founding members in amounts equal to 90% of NCM, Inc.’s actual tax benefit realized from the tax amortization of the intangible assets described below. For purposes of the TRA, cash savings in income and franchise tax will be computed by comparing NCM, Inc.’s actual income and franchise tax liability to the amount of such taxes that NCM, Inc. would have been required to pay had there been no increase in NCM, Inc.’s proportionate share of tax basis in NCM LLC’s tangible and intangible assets and had the TRA not been entered into. The TRA applies to NCM, Inc.’s taxable years up to and including the 30th anniversary date of the offering. The Company paid the founding members $18.4 million in 2018 for the 2017 tax year, $18.8 million in 2017 for the 2016 tax year, and $25.3 million in 2016 ($2.7 million was net operating loss carrybacks for the 2013 tax year and $22.6 million for the 2015 tax year).

NCM, Inc. recorded a long-term payable to founding members related to the TRA. Changes in the tax rate each period led to a re-measurement of the payable resulting in decreases of $3.8 million and $192.2 million during the years ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively, and an increase of $1.2 million during the year ended December 29, 2016. The decrease of $192.2 million during the year ended December 28, 2017 was related to Tax Reform, as described further below.

Provision for Income Taxes—The Company has provided total income taxes, as follows (in millions):



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
Current:
Federal	$	(0.3	)	$	(1.6	)	$	(2.5	)
State	0.5			—			0.2
Total current income tax (benefit)/expense	$	0.2		$	(1.6	)	$	(2.3	)
Deferred:
Federal	$	13.2		$	142.1		$	15.0
State	10.1			39.8			1.7
Total deferred income tax expense	$	23.3		$	181.9		$	16.7
Total income tax provision on Consolidated Statements of Income	$	23.5		$	180.3		$	14.4

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes as reported and the amount computed by multiplying income before taxes, less noncontrolling interest, by the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% as of December 27, 2018 and 35.0% as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 was (in millions):



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
Provision calculated at federal statutory income tax rate:
Income before income taxes	$	21.8		$	102.6		$	37.9
Less: Noncontrolling interests	(10.6		)	(19.7		)	(21.6		)
Income attributable to NCM, Inc.	11.2			82.9			16.3
Current year change to enacted federal and state rate (1)	6.5			92.2			(2.2		)
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	2.6			8.7			2.0
NCM LLC income taxes	0.4			0.2			0.1
Share-based compensation	1.1			0.8			(0.1		)
Uncertain tax positions (2)	(0.4		)	(1.7		)	(2.9		)
Change in the valuation allowance	0.5			(4.2		)	—
NCM LLC membership unit issuance to NCM, Inc.	0.2			0.5			0.9
Executive compensation	1.4			0.4			0.3
Other	—			0.5			—
Total income tax provision	$	23.5		$	180.3		$	14.4


(1)	Refer to the discussion of the impact of the Tax Act within the ‘Tax Reform’ section below.

(2)

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company established a reserve for material, known tax exposures of $4.9 million, including accrued interest and penalties. The reserve relates to tax exposures from prior periods (2010 through 2014). During the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016 the Company reversed approximately $0.4 million of its reserve ($0.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits and $0.1 million of accrued interest and penalties), $1.7 million of its reserve ($1.3 million of income tax benefits and $0.4 million of accrued interest and penalties) and $2.9 million ($2.3 million of income tax benefits and $0.6 million of accrued interest and penalties), respectively, because the statute of limitations expired. Further information is provided below.

Deferred Tax Assets—Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets consisted of the following (in millions):



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Investment in consolidated subsidiary NCM LLC (1)	$	233.5		$	266.0
Share-based compensation	3.0			3.7
Net operating losses	15.8			12.7
Accrued bonus	0.5			0.4
Other	1.2			1.3
Total gross deferred tax assets	$	254.0		$	284.1
Valuation allowance (1)	(80.1		)	(98.1		)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$	173.9		$	186.0

(1)

The Company recognized a deferred tax asset in the amount of $233.5 million and $266.0 million as of 2018 and 2017, respectively, associated with the basis difference in our investment in NCM LLC. However, a portion of the total basis difference will only reverse upon a sale of the Company’s interest in NCM LLC, which the Company expects would result in a capital loss for which no offsetting capital gain is expected. Therefore, as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017 the Company has a valuation allowance in the amount of $80.1 million and $98.1 million, respectively, against the deferred tax asset to which this portion relates. The change in the valuation allowance from December 28, 2017 to December 27, 2018 was primarily driven by outside basis differences which do not impact tax expense and thus are not reflected within the rate reconciliation presented above.

During the year ended December 28, 2017, the Company recorded a reduction to its deferred tax assets of approximately $32.2 million related to the tax affected difference between the tax basis and book basis of the intangible assets recorded for the extraordinary Common Unit Adjustment and offsetting integration payments, as discussed further in Note 5 – Intangible Assets, respectively. These items also resulted in a net reduction to additional paid-in capital of approximately $32.2 million. Further, the Company recognized a deferred tax asset related to a tax basis note receivable of $27.7 million in connection with the common membership unit redemptions that occurred in the third and fourth quarter of 2017, as discussed further in Note 9 – Related Party Transactions. Following the re-measurement of the deferred balances upon the application of the Tax Act, discussed further below, this deferred tax asset decreased to $18.7 million as of December 28, 2017. The Company recognized an additional deferred tax asset of $10.3 million in the third quarter of 2018 due to the sale of AMC's remaining LLC membership units to Cinemark and Regal. This increase was partially offset by the receipt of $3.0 million related to the principal portion of integration payments for tax purposes for a balance as of December 27, 2018 of $26.0 million.

Tax Reform— On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act which makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that affected the Company’s fiscal year ending December 27, 2018, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate, (2) allowing full expensing of qualified property, (3) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (4) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss carryforwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and (5) limiting the amount of compensation that can be deducted for highly compensated officers by terminating the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the $1 million per employee, per year limitation. Following the enactment of the Tax Act, the SEC staff issued SAB 118 which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. As of December 27, 2018, the Company has recorded the impact of the reduction in the corporate tax rate, bonus depreciation that will allow for immediate expensing of qualified property and the reduction in deductions related to executive compensation. The decrease in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate decreased NCM, Inc.’s blended state and federal rate from 38.58% during the year ended December 28, 2017 to 25.38% during the year ended December 27, 2018.

The Company recorded a $191.0 million reduction to the ‘Payable to founding members under the TRA’ related to the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate. The reduction was recorded as a gain of $191.0 million within non-operating income within the Consolidated Statements of Income. Additionally, the Company revalued its deferred balances utilizing the lower blended state and federal rate resulting in a reduction of the net deferred tax asset of $92.2 million. The reduction of the net deferred tax asset was recorded as an increase in deferred tax expense. The expected payments to the founding members under the TRA during 2019, as presented within the current payable to founding members under the TRA balance within the Consolidated Balance Sheet, decreased $8.1 million due to the decrease in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate under the Tax Act.

Carryforwards— As of December 27, 2018, the Company had gross federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $59.0 million, which expire in 2035 through 2038. As of December 27, 2018, the Company had gross state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $68.0 million, which expire at various dates between 2018 and 2038. As of December 27, 2018, the Company had gross federal and state research and experimentation tax credit carryforwards of approximately $1.1 million, which expire at various dates between 2029 and 2038.

Uncertain Tax Positions— The Company has established a reserve for material, known tax exposures. As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the total amount of the tax reserve was $0.0 million and $0.3 million, including accrued interest and penalties, respectively. During the year ended December 27, 2018, the Company reversed approximately $0.4 million of its contingency reserve ($0.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits and $0.1 million of accrued interest and penalties) because the statute of limitations expired.

Unrecognized tax benefits represent the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the amounts otherwise recognized in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows (in millions):



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	0.3		$	1.6
Reductions based on the lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(0.3		)	(1.3		)
Balance at end of period	$	—		$	0.3

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $0.0 million and $0.3 million as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively, excluding interest and penalties. The Company has accrued $0.0 million and $0.3 million for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties with respect to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income and records the liability in income taxes payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 740. The Company recognized $0.0 million, $0.0 million and $0.6 million in interest and penalties during the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.

Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Equity



8.	EQUITY

As of December 27, 2018, the Company has authorized capital stock of 175,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.01 per share. There were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding as of December 27, 2018. There were 76,976,398 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of December 27, 2018.

The holders of NCM, Inc. common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted for action by the NCM, Inc. stockholders. Holders of common stock are entitled to share equally, share for share, in declared dividends.

The authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including share based compensation, future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and exchange on a one-for-one basis under the founding members’ right to convert their NCM LLC membership units into Company common stock.

NCM LLC’s founding members received all proceeds from NCM, Inc.’s IPO and related issuances of debt, except for amounts needed to pay out-of-pocket costs of the financings and other expenses. The ESAs with the founding members were amended and restated in conjunction with the IPO under which NCM LLC became the exclusive provider of advertising services to the founding members for a 30-year term. In conformity with accounting guidance of the SEC concerning monetary consideration paid to promoters, such as the founding members, in exchange for property conveyed by the promoters, the excess over predecessor cost was treated as a special distribution. Because the founding members had no cost basis in the ESAs, nearly all payments to the founding members with the proceeds of the IPO and related debt, have been accounted for as distributions. The distributions by NCM LLC to the founding members made at the date of the IPO resulted in a consolidated stockholders’ deficit. As a noncontrolling interest cannot be shown as an asset, the founding members’ interest in NCM LLC’s members equity is included in distributions in excess of paid in capital in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Related Party Transactions



9.	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founding Member Transactions— In connection with NCM, Inc.’s IPO, the Company entered into several agreements to define and regulate the relationships among NCM, Inc., NCM LLC and the founding members which are outlined below. Following the sale of 100.0% of AMC's remaining NCM LLC membership units to Cinemark and Regal, AMC remains a party to the ESA, Common Unit Adjustment Agreement, TRA and certain other original agreements, and AMC will continue to participate in the annual Common Unit Adjustment, receive TRA payments, receive theater access fee payments, and make payments under the beverage concessionaire agreements, among other things. AMC is not currently a member under the terms of the NCM LLC Operating Agreement and will not receive available cash distributions or allocation of earnings and losses in NCM LLC, unless it receives NCM LLC membership units pursuant to a Common Unit Adjustment. Further, the sale does not impact future integration payments and other encumbered theater payments owed to NCM LLC by AMC. AMC is considered a related party through the divestiture date (July 5, 2018) and related party transactions with AMC through this period are included within the disclosures below.

•

ESAs. Under the ESAs, NCM LLC is the exclusive provider within the United States of advertising services in the founding members’ theaters (subject to pre-existing contractual obligations and other limited exceptions for the benefit of the founding members). The advertising services include the use of the DCN equipment required to deliver the on-screen advertising and other content included in the Noovie pre-show, use of the LEN and rights to sell and display certain lobby promotions. Further, 30 to 60 seconds of advertising included in the Noovie pre-show is sold to the founding members to satisfy the founding members’ on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements. In consideration for access to the founding members’ theaters, theater patrons, the network equipment required to display on-screen and LEN video advertising and the use of theaters for lobby promotions, the founding members receive a monthly theater access fee.


•	Common Unit Adjustment Agreement. The common unit adjustment agreement provides a mechanism for increasing or decreasing the membership units held by the founding members based on the acquisition or construction of new theaters or sale of theaters that are operated by each founding member and included in NCM LLC’s network.

•

Tax Receivable Agreement. The TRA provides for the effective payment by NCM, Inc. to the founding members of 90% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax that is actually realized as a result of certain increases in NCM, Inc.’s proportionate share of tax basis in NCM LLC’s tangible and intangible assets resulting from the IPO and related transactions.

•

Software License Agreement. At the date of the Company’s IPO, NCM LLC was granted a perpetual, royalty-free license from the founding members to use certain proprietary software that existed at the time for the delivery of digital advertising and other content through the DCN to screens in the U.S. NCM LLC has made improvements to this software since the IPO date and NCM LLC owns those improvements, except for improvements that were developed jointly by NCM LLC and the founding members, if any.

Following is a summary of the related party transactions between the Company and the founding members (in millions):



	Years Ended
Included in the Consolidated Statements of Income: (1)	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
Revenue:
Beverage concessionaire revenue (included in advertising revenue) (2)	$	28.4	$	29.9	$	28.7
Advertising inventory revenue (included in advertising revenue) (3)	—		—		0.4
Operating expenses:
Theater access fee (4)	69.0		76.5		75.1
Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and rental of theater space (included in selling and marketing costs) (5)	1.1		2.1		1.6
Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and rental of theater space (included in advertising operating costs)	0.1		0.1		—
Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and rental of theater space (included in other administrative and other costs)	—		—		0.1
Non-operating expenses:
Interest income from notes receivable (included in interest income) (6)	0.3		0.6		0.8


(1)	AMC is no longer considered a related party as of July 5, 2018, as described further above. As such, the figures within the table above only include related party activity with AMC for the first six months of 2018.

(2)

For the full years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, two of the founding members purchased 60 seconds of on-screen advertising time and one founding member purchased 30 seconds (with all three founding members having a right to purchase up to 90 seconds) from NCM LLC to satisfy their obligations under their beverage concessionaire agreements at a 30 second equivalent CPM rate specified by the ESA.


(3)	The value of such purchases is calculated by reference to NCM LLC’s advertising rate card.


(4)	Comprised of payments per theater attendee, payments per digital screen with respect to the founding member theaters included in the Company’s network and payments for access to higher quality digital cinema equipment.


(5)	Used primarily for marketing to NCM LLC’s advertising clients.


(6)	Refer to the discussion of the Fathom Events sale under AC JV, LLC transactions below.



	As of
Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017
Current portion of note receivable (1) (2)	$	4.2	$	4.2
Long-term portion of note receivable (2)	—		4.1
Interest receivable on notes receivable (included in other current assets) (2)	0.1		—
Common unit adjustments, net of amortization and integration payments (included in intangible assets) (3)	657.6		687.1
Current payable to founding members under the TRA (1) (4) (5)	11.2		19.6
Long-term payable to founding members under the TRA (1) (4) (5)	141.1		212.6


(1)	AMC is no longer considered a related party as of July 5, 2018, as described further above. As such, the figures within the table above only include related party activity with AMC for the first six months of 2018.


(2)	Refer to the discussion of the Fathom Events sale under AC JV, LLC transactions below.


(3)	Refer to Note 5—Intangible Assets for further information on common unit adjustments and integration payments.


(4)	The Company paid the founding members $18.4 million in payments pursuant to the TRA during 2018 which was for the 2017 tax year. The Company paid the founding members $18.8 million in 2017 which was for the 2016 tax year.


(5)	These balances have been recast following the adoption of the change in accounting principle discussed within Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

At the date of the Company’s IPO, NCM LLC was granted a perpetual, royalty-free license from the founding members to use certain proprietary software that existed at the time for the delivery of digital advertising and other content through the DCN to screens in the U.S. NCM LLC has made improvements to this software since the IPO date and NCM LLC owns those improvements, except for improvements that were developed jointly by NCM LLC and the founding members, if any.

Pursuant to the terms of the NCM LLC Operating Agreement in place since the completion of the IPO, NCM LLC is required to make mandatory distributions on a proportionate basis to its members of available cash, as defined in the NCM LLC Operating Agreement, on a quarterly basis in arrears. Mandatory distributions for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 are as shown within the table below (in millions). The amount presented within the tables for the distribution paid to AMC for the year ended December 27, 2018 represents only the distribution for the three months ended March 29, 2018 to AMC. AMC’s distribution for the three months ended June 28, 2018 was paid to Cinemark and Regal to accommodate agreements between AMC and each of Cinemark and Regal. Further, there was no distribution to AMC for the three months ended September 27, 2018 and December 27, 2018 as they had no ownership in these periods.



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
AMC	$	2.2	$	27.1	$	23.6
Cinemark	34.3		29.1		25.4
Regal	35.8		28.8		26.1
Total founding members	72.3		85.0		75.1
NCM, Inc.	69.1		75.9		57.5
Total	$	141.4	$	160.9	$	132.6

The mandatory distributions of available cash by NCM LLC to its founding members for the quarter ended December 27, 2018 of $27.9 million, is included in amounts due to founding members in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 27, 2018 and will be made in the first quarter of 2019. The distributions to NCM, Inc. are eliminated in consolidation.

Amounts due to founding members, net as of December 27, 2018 were comprised of the following (in millions):



	Cinemark			Regal		Total
Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues and other encumbered theater payments	$	1.0		$	1.5	$	2.5
Distributions payable to founding members	13.7			14.2		27.9
Integration payments due from founding members	(0.4		)	—		(0.4		)
Total amounts due (from) to founding members, net	$	14.3		$	15.7	$	30.0

Amounts due to founding members, net as of December 28, 2017 were comprised of the following (in millions):



	AMC			Cinemark			Regal		Total
Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues and other encumbered theater payments	$	1.5		$	1.0		$	1.5	$	4.0
Distributions payable to founding members	10.8			13.5			13.3		37.6
Integration payments due from founding members	(8.5		)	(0.4		)	—		(8.9		)
Total amounts due to founding members, net	$	3.8		$	14.1		$	14.8	$	32.7

Common Unit Membership Redemption and AMC Mandatory Ownership Divestitures— The NCM LLC Operating Agreement provides a redemption right of the founding members to exchange common membership units of NCM LLC for shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis, or at the Company’s option, a cash payment based on the three-day variable weighted average closing price of NCM, Inc.’s common stock prior to the redemption date. In December 2016, AMC agreed to a proposed final judgment in a lawsuit brought by the DOJ in connection with AMC’s acquisition of Carmike. Pursuant to the final judgment, AMC was required to divest the majority of its equity interests in NCM LLC and NCM, Inc., based upon a predetermined schedule so that by June 20, 2019 it owned no more than 4.99% of NCM LLC’s common membership units and NCM, Inc. common stock, taken together, on a fully converted basis (“NCM’s outstanding equity interests”). During the year ended December 28, 2017, AMC exercised the redemption right of an aggregate 15.6 million common membership units for a like number of shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock. Pursuant to ASC 810-10-45, the Company accounted for the change in its ownership interest in NCM LLC as an equity transaction whereby, the issuance of shares of NCM, Inc. common stock were offset by the purchase of NCM LLC’s (a subsidiary’s) equity within the Consolidated Statement of Equity. Further, no gain or loss was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. During the years ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, AMC sold 1.0 million and 14.8 million shares of NCM, Inc., respectively. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of its common stock by AMC. During the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, AMC received cash dividends of approximately $0.3 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, on its shares of NCM, Inc. common stock. AMC sold the remaining 21,477,480 NCM LLC membership units to Cinemark and Regal in July 2018. As of December 27, 2018, AMC did not own any of NCM’s outstanding equity interests.

AC JV, LLC Transactions— In December 2013, NCM LLC sold its Fathom Events business to a newly formed limited liability company (“AC JV, LLC”) owned 32% by each of the founding members and 4% by NCM LLC. In consideration for the sale, NCM LLC received a total of $25.0 million in promissory notes from its founding members (one-third or approximately $8.3 million from each founding member). The notes receivable bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.0% per annum, compounded annually. Interest and principal payments are due annually in six equal installments commencing on the first anniversary of the closing. Future minimum principal payments under the notes receivable as of December 27, 2018 are $5.6 million which is due in 2019.

NCM LLC’s investment in AC JV, LLC was $0.9 million and $1.0 million as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively. The Company accounts for its investment in AC JV, LLC under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323-30, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323-30”) because AC JV, LLC is a limited liability company with the characteristics of a limited partnership and ASC 323-30 requires the use of equity method accounting unless the Company’s interest is so minor that it would have virtually no influence over partnership operating and financial policies. Although NCM LLC does not have a representative on AC JV, LLC’s Board of Directors or any voting, consent or blocking rights with respect to the governance or operations of AC JV, LLC, the Company concluded that its interest was more than minor. During the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, NCM LLC received a cash distribution from AC JV, LLC of $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. NCM LLC recorded equity in earnings for AC JV, LLC of $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.0 million during the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively, which are included in other non-operating expense in the audited Consolidated Statements of Income.

In connection with the sale, NCM LLC entered into a transition services agreement to provide certain corporate overhead services for a fee and reimbursement for the use of facilities and certain services including creative, technical event management and event management for the newly formed limited liability company. In addition, NCM LLC entered into a services agreement with a term coinciding with the ESAs, which grants the newly formed limited liability company advertising on-screen and on the LEN and a pre-feature program prior to Fathom events reasonably consistent with what was previously dedicated to Fathom. NCM LLC has also agreed to provide creative and media production services for a fee. NCM LLC received $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million during the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively, for these services, which are included as an offset to network costs in the audited Consolidated Statements of Income.

Borrowings

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Borrowings



10.	BORROWINGS

The following table summarizes NCM LLC’s total outstanding debt as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017 and the significant terms of its borrowing arrangements:



	Outstanding Balance as of
Borrowings ($ in millions)	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			Maturity Date	Interest Rate
Senior secured notes due 2022	$	400.0		$	400.0		April 15, 2022	6.000%
Revolving credit facility	27.0			12.0			June 20, 2023	(1)
Term loans	269.4			270.0			June 20, 2025	(1)
Senior unsecured notes due 2026	235.0			250.0			August 15, 2026	5.750%
Total borrowings	931.4			932.0
Less: Debt issuance costs related to term loans and senior notes	(7.8		)	(8.7		)
Total borrowings, net	923.6			923.3
Less: current portion of debt	(2.7		)	—
Carrying value of long-term debt	$	920.9		$	923.3


(1)	The interest rates on the revolving credit facility and term loan are described below.

Senior Secured Credit Facility – On June 20, 2018, NCM LLC entered into a credit agreement to replace NCM LLC's previous senior secured credit facility, dated as of February 13, 2007, as amended (the "previous facility"). Consistent with the structure of the previous facility, the new agreement consists of a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility. As of December 27, 2018, NCM LLC’s new senior secured credit facility consisted of a $175.0 million revolving credit facility and a $269.4 million term loan. The obligations under the senior secured credit facility are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of NCM LLC. During the second quarter of 2018, the Company capitalized approximately $6.5 million of debt issuance costs related to the new revolving credit facility and the term loan. The Company also recognized $1.2 million in non-operating loss related to the write-off of capitalized debt issuance costs related to the previous facility and recognition of debt issuance costs that did not qualify for capitalization.

Revolving Credit Facility – The revolving credit facility portion of NCM LLC’s total borrowings is available, subject to certain conditions, for general corporate purposes of NCM LLC in the ordinary course of business and for other transactions permitted under the senior secured credit facility, and a portion is available for letters of credit. As of December 27, 2018, NCM LLC’s total availability under the $175.0 million revolving credit facility was $143.2 million, net of $27.0 million outstanding and $4.8 million letters of credit. The unused line fee is 0.50% per annum which is consistent with the previous facility. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at NCM LLC’s option of either the LIBOR index plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% or the base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.25%. The margin changed to the aforementioned range from a fixed margin of LIBOR index plus 2.00% or the base rate plus 1.00%. The applicable margin for the revolving credit facility is determined quarterly and is subject to adjustment based upon a consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio for NCM LLC (the ratio of secured funded debt less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of up to $100.0 million, divided by Adjusted OIBDA). The revolving credit facility will mature on June 20, 2023 contingent upon the refinancing of NCM LLC's Notes due 2022 (defined below, see "Senior Secured Notes due 2022") on or prior to October 30, 2021. If the Notes due 2022 are not refinanced on or prior to October 30, 2021, then the revolving credit facility will instead mature on December 30, 2021. The weighted-average interest rate on the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility as of December 27, 2018 was 4.9%.

Term Loans – The interest rate on the term loans is a rate chosen at NCM LLC’s option of either the LIBOR index plus 3.00% or the base rate plus 2.00%. The rate increased from LIBOR index plus 2.75% or the base rate plus 1.75%. The weighted-average interest rate on the term loans as of December 27, 2018 was 5.5%. The term loan amortizes at a rate equal to 1.00% annually, to be paid in equal quarterly installments. As of December 27, 2018, NCM LLC has paid a principal of $0.6 million, reducing the outstanding balance to $269.4 million. The term loan will mature on June 20, 2025 contingent upon the refinancing of the Notes due 2022 on or prior to October 30, 2021. If the Notes due 2022 are not financed on or prior to October 30, 2021, then the term loan will instead mature on December 30, 2021.

The senior secured credit facility contains a number of covenants and financial ratio requirements, including (i) a consolidated net total leverage ratio covenant of 6.25 times for each for each quarterly period and (ii) with respect to the revolving credit facility, maintaining a consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio of equal to or less than 4.50 times on a quarterly basis for each quarterly period in which a balance is outstanding on the revolving credit facility. In addition, NCM LLC is permitted to make quarterly dividend payments and other restricted payments with its available cash as long as NCM LLC's consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio (after giving effect to any such payment) is below 5.50 times and no default or event of has occurred and continues to occur under the senior secured credit facility. As of December 27, 2018, the NCM LLC’s consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio was 3.10 times (versus the dividend payment restriction of 5.50 times and the covenant of 4.50 times) and NCM LLC's consolidated net total leverage ratio was 4.20 times (versus the covenant of 6.25 times).

Senior Secured Notes due 2022 – On April 27, 2012, NCM LLC completed a private placement of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Senior Secured Notes (the “Notes due 2022”). The Notes due 2022 pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, which commenced October 15, 2012. The Notes due 2022 were issued at 100% of the face amount thereof and are senior secured obligations of NCM LLC, rank the same as NCM LLC’s senior secured credit facility, subject to certain exceptions, and share in the same collateral that secures NCM LLC’s obligations under the senior secured credit facility.

NCM LLC may redeem all or any portion of the Notes due 2022, at once or over time, on or after April 15, 2017 at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), NCM LLC will be required to make an offer to each holder of Notes due 2022 to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes due 2022 for a cash payment equal to 101.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes due 2022 repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.

The indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict NCM LLC’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries, if any, to: (1) incur additional debt; (2) make distributions or make certain other restricted payments; (3) make investments; (4) incur liens; (5) sell assets or merge with or into other companies; and (6) enter into transactions with affiliates. All of these restrictive covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. In particular, NCM LLC has the ability to distribute all of its quarterly available cash as a restricted payment or as an investment, if it meets a minimum net senior secured leverage ratio. NCM LLC was in compliance with these non-maintenance covenants as of December 27, 2018.

Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026—On August 19, 2016, NCM LLC completed a private placement of $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.750% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the “Notes due 2026”) for which the registered exchange offering was completed on November 8, 2016. The Notes due 2026 pay interest semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, which commenced on February 15, 2017. The Notes due 2026 were issued at 100% of the face amount thereof and are the senior unsecured obligations of NCM LLC and will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured debt, including the Notes due 2022, its senior secured credit facility and any future asset backed loan facility. The Notes due 2026 will rank equally in right of payment with all of NCM LLC’s existing and future senior indebtedness, including the Notes due 2022, NCM LLC’s existing senior secured credit facility, any future asset backed loan facility, in each case, without giving effect to collateral arrangements. The Notes due 2026 will be effectively subordinated to all liabilities of any subsidiaries that NCM LLC may form or acquire in the future, unless those subsidiaries become guarantors of the Notes due 2026. NCM LLC does not currently have any subsidiaries, and the Notes due 2026 will not be guaranteed by any subsidiaries that NCM LLC may form or acquire in the future except in very limited circumstances. During 2018, NCM LLC repurchased and canceled a total of $15.0 million of the Notes due 2026, reducing the principal amount to $235.0 million as of December 27, 2018. This repurchase was treated as a partial debt extinguishment and resulted in the realization of a non-operating gain, net of written off debt issuance costs, of $0.6 million during the year ended December 27, 2018.

NCM LLC may redeem all or any portion of the Notes due 2026 prior to August 15, 2021, at once or over time, at 100% of the principal amount plus the applicable make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. NCM LLC may redeem all or any portion of the Notes due 2026, at once or over time, on or after August 15, 2021 at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. In addition, at any time prior to August 15, 2019, NCM LLC may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes due 2026 from the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 105.750% of the principal amount of the Notes due 2026 redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any to the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture), NCM LLC will be required to make an offer to each holder of the Notes due 2026 to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes due 2026 for a cash payment equal to 101.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes due 2026 repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.

Future Maturities of Borrowings – The scheduled annual maturities on the Senior Secured Credit Facility, Notes due 2022 and Notes due 2026 as of December 27, 2018 are as follows (in millions):



Year	Amount
2019	$	2.7
2020	2.7
2021	2.7
2022	402.7
2023	29.7
Thereafter	490.9
Total	$	931.4

Share-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation



11.	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The NCM, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) reserves 4,400,000 shares of common stock available for issuance or delivery under the 2016 Plan, of which 2,812,787 shares remain available for future grants as of December 27, 2018 (assuming 100% achievement of targets on performance-based restricted stock). The Company began issuing shares under the 2016 Plan in the second quarter of 2016, following its approval by NCM, Inc.’s stockholders. The 2016 Plan replaced NCM, Inc.’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”), which was set to expire by its terms in February 2017. The shares of common stock that were available for issuance under the 2007 Plan are no longer available for issuance following the approval of the 2016 Plan. Any forfeitures of shares granted pursuant to the 2007 Plan will be cancelled and not available for future grant. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2016 Plan include stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other stock based awards. Certain option and share awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control, as defined in the 2007 Plan and the 2016 Plan. Upon vesting of the restricted stock awards or exercise of options, NCM LLC will issue common membership units to the Company equal to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock represented by such awards.

Compensation Cost—The Company recognized $7.8 million, $11.2 million and $18.3 million for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively, of share-based compensation expense within network costs, selling and marketing costs and administrative and other costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income as shown in the table below.



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
Share-based compensation costs included in network costs	$	0.6	$	1.0	$	1.1
Share-based compensation costs included in selling and marketing costs	2.5		4.1		6.0
Share-based compensation costs included in administrative and other costs (1)	4.7		6.1		11.2
Total share-based compensation costs	$	7.8	$	11.2	$	18.3


(1)	Includes $0.0 million, $0.0 million, and $2.3 million of expense associated with the modification of certain former executive equity awards during the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016, respectively, as described further below.

During the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million was capitalized, respectively, in a corresponding manner to the capitalization of employee’s salaries for capitalized labor. The income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based compensation was approximately $1.7 million, $3.0 million, and $2.5 million for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively. As of December 27, 2018, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, as stock options were fully vested as of December 27, 2018. As of December 27, 2018, unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock and restricted stock units was approximately $5.2 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 1.6 years.

Stock Options— The Company has not granted stock options since 2012 and as of December 27, 2018 all options are fully vested. Stock options awarded under the 2007 Plan were granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of NCM, Inc. common stock on the date the Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant. Options have either 10-year or 15-year contractual terms. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the year was $0.0 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively. A summary of option award activity under the 2007 Plan as of December 27, 2018, and changes during the year then ended are presented below:



	Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding as of December 28, 2017	2,165,181		$	16.47	—	$	—
Forfeited	(123,953	)	$	16.94
Expired	(90,478	)	$	16.14
Outstanding as of December 27, 2018	1,950,750		$	16.45	2.0	$	—
Exercisable as of December 27, 2018	1,950,750		$	16.45	2.0	$	—
Vested and expected to vest as of December 27, 2018	1,950,750		$	16.45	2.0	$	—

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units—Under the non-vested stock program, common stock of the Company may be granted at no cost to officers, independent directors and employees, subject to requisite service and/or financial performance targets. As such restrictions lapse, the award vests in that proportion. The participants are entitled to dividend equivalents and to vote their respective shares (in the case of restricted stock), although the sale and transfer of such shares is prohibited and the shares are subject to forfeiture during the restricted period. Additionally, the accrued dividend equivalents are subject to forfeiture during the restricted period should the underlying shares not vest. As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, accrued dividend equivalents totaled $1.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively and during the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company paid $2.1 million, $2.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for dividend equivalents upon vesting of the restricted stock and restricted stock units. The Company has issued time-based restricted stock to its employees which vests over a three-year period with one-third vesting on each anniversary of the date of grant and performance-based restricted stock which vests following a three-year measurement period to the extent that the Company achieves specified non-GAAP targets at the end of the measurement period. The Company also grants restricted stock units to its non-employee directors that vest after approximately one year. The grant date fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the closing market price of NCM, Inc. common stock on the date of grant. An annual forfeiture rate of 2-6% was estimated to reflect the potential separation of employees. The weighted average grant date fair value of non-vested stock was $6.65, $14.34 and $15.03 for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively. The total fair value of awards vested was $15.5 million, $17.3 million and $14.7 million during the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.

A summary of restricted stock award and restricted stock unit activity as of December 27, 2018, and changes during the year then ended are presented below:



	Number of Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Non-vested balance as of December 28, 2017	2,308,962		$	14.70
Granted	1,019,173		$	6.65
Vested (1)	(1,067,615	)	$	14.55
Forfeited	(434,537	)	$	10.24
Non-vested balance as of December 27, 2018	1,825,983		$	11.31


(1)	Includes 333,439 vested shares that were withheld to cover tax obligations and were subsequently canceled.

The above table reflects performance-based restricted stock granted at 100% achievement of performance conditions and as such does not reflect the maximum or minimum number of shares of performance-based restricted stock contingently issuable. An additional 535,629 shares of restricted stock could be issued if the performance criteria maximums are met. As of December 27, 2018, the total number of restricted stock and restricted stock units that are ultimately expected to vest, after consideration of expected forfeitures and current projections of estimated vesting of performance-based restricted stock is 1,259,308 shares.

Executive Equity Modification—On January 1, 2016, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer resigned and in connection with his resignation, NCM, Inc. entered into a Separation and General Release Agreement and a Consulting Agreement, whereby, the executive will continue to perform consulting services through January 31, 2018 and certain modifications were made to the executive’s outstanding stock awards. The executive’s outstanding stock options were modified such that the timeframe to exercise the options was extended to the original expiration date and certain performance-based restricted stock awards were converted to time-based restricted stock, with all restricted stock continuing to vest during the consulting period.

Per ASC Topic 718-10-35-3, a modification of the terms or conditions of an equity award shall be treated as an exchange of the original award for a new award. The effects of a modification should be measured as follows: (a) incremental compensation cost shall be measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before its terms are modified, (b) total recognized compensation cost for an equity shall at least equal the fair value of the award at the grant date unless at the date of the modification the performance or service conditions of the original award are not expected to be satisfied and (c) a change in compensation cost for an equity award measured at intrinsic value shall be measured by comparing the intrinsic value of the modified award, if any, with the intrinsic value of the original award, if any, immediately before the modification. These modifications resulted in compensation expense of $2.3 million during the year ended December 29, 2016. Further, the Company continued to recognize share-based compensation costs on the awards related to service during the consulting period and re-measured the fair value of the outstanding awards at each reporting period during the term of the consulting services, in accordance with ASC Topic 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans



12.	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company sponsors the NCM 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for the benefit of substantially all full-time employees. The Plan provides that participants may contribute up to 20% of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. Employee contributions are invested in various investment funds based upon election made by the employee. The Company made discretionary contributions of $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $1.3 million during the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies



13.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Actions—The Company is subject to claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes such claims will not have a material effect, individually and in aggregate, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Operating Commitments— The Company leases office facilities for its headquarters in Centennial, Colorado and also in various cities for its sales and marketing and software development personnel. Total lease expense for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, was $3.8 million, $2.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively. During the year ended December 28, 2017, the Company recorded a $1.8 million of expense for an early lease termination fee. The fee was reimbursed by the landlord of the Company’s new building, which is being treated as a lease incentive and amortized over the term of the new lease. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 27, 2018 are as follows (in millions):



Year	Minimum Lease Payments
2019	$	3.5
2020	3.3
2021	3.4
2022	3.4
2023	3.4
Thereafter	22.1
Total	$	39.1

Minimum Revenue Guarantees—As part of the network affiliate agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business under which the Company sells advertising for display in various network affiliate theater chains, the Company has agreed to certain minimum revenue guarantees on a per attendee basis. If a network affiliate achieves the attendance set forth in their respective agreement, the Company has guaranteed minimum revenue for the network affiliate per attendee if such amount paid under the revenue share arrangement is less than its guaranteed amount. As of December 27, 2018, the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make pursuant to the minimum revenue guarantees is $70.8 million over the remaining terms of the network affiliate agreements. These minimum guarantees relate to various affiliate agreements ranging in term from one to twenty years, prior to any renewal periods of which some are at the option of the Company. During the year ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company paid $0.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to these minimum guarantees. As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company had $0.1 million and $0.0 million in liabilities recorded for these obligations, as such guarantees are less than the expected share of revenue paid to the affiliate.

Theater Access Fee Guarantees—In consideration for NCM LLC’s access to the founding members’ theater attendees for on-screen advertising and use of lobbies and other space within the founding members’ theaters for the LEN and lobby promotions, the founding members receive a monthly theater access fee under the ESAs. The theater access fee is composed of a fixed payment per patron, a fixed payment per digital screen (connected to the DCN) and a fee for access to higher quality digital cinema equipment. The payment per theater patron increases by 8% every five years, with the next increase taking effect in fiscal year 2022. The payment per digital screen and for digital cinema equipment increases annually by 5%. The theater access fee paid in the aggregate to all founding members cannot be less than 12% of NCM LLC’s aggregate advertising revenue (as defined in the ESA), or it will be adjusted upward to reach this minimum payment. As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company had no liabilities recorded for the minimum payment, as the theater access fee was in excess of the minimum.

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements



14.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Non-Recurring Measurements—Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. These assets include long-lived assets, intangible assets, cost and equity method investments, notes receivable and borrowings.

Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets, Other Investments and Notes Receivable —As described in Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Company regularly reviews long-lived assets (primarily property, plant and equipment), intangible assets, investments accounted for under the cost or equity method and notes receivable for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. When the estimated fair value is determined to be lower than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recorded to write the asset down to its estimated fair value.

Other investments consisted of the following (in millions):



	As of
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017
Investment in AC JV, LLC (1)	$	0.9	$	1.0
Other investments (2)	2.1		2.5
Total	$	3.0	$	3.5


(1)	Refer to Note 9—Related Party Transactions.


(2)	The Company received equity securities in privately held companies as consideration for a portion of advertising contracts. The equity securities were accounted for under the cost method and represent an ownership of less than 20%. The Company does not exert significant influence on these companies’ operating or financial activities.

During the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.4 million, $3.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, on certain of its investments due to a significant deterioration in the business prospects of the investee or new information regarding the fair value of the investee, which brought the total remaining value of the respective impaired investments to $0.0 million as of December 27, 2018 and $0.1 million as of December 28, 2017. As of December 27, 2018, no other observable price changes or impairments have been recorded as a result of the Company’s qualitative assessment of identified events or changes in the circumstances of the remaining investments. The investment in AC JV was initially valued using comparative market multiples. The other investments were recorded based upon the fair value of the services provided in exchange for the investment. Refer to Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for more details. As the inputs to the determination of fair value are based upon non-identical assets and use significant unobservable inputs, they have been classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company had notes receivable totaling $5.6 million and $8.3 million, respectively, from its founding members related to the sale of Fathom Events, as described in Note 9—Related Party Transactions. These notes were initially valued using comparative market multiples. There were no identified events or changes in circumstances that had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the notes receivable. The notes are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as the inputs to the determination of fair value are based upon non-identical assets and use significant unobservable inputs.

Borrowings— The carrying amount of the revolving credit facility is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value due to its floating-rate terms. The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments where carrying values do not approximate fair value are as follows (in millions):



	As of December 27, 2018				As of December 28, 2017
	Carrying Value		Fair Value (1)		Carrying Value		Fair Value (1)
Term loans	$	269.4	$	261.2	$	270.0	$	270.8
Senior Notes due 2022	400.0		401.8		400.0		407.3
Senior Notes due 2026	235.0		211.0		250.0		235.0


(1)	The Company has estimated the fair value on an average of at least two non-binding broker quotes and the Company’s analysis. If the Company were to measure the borrowings in the above table at fair value on the balance sheet they would be classified as Level 2.

Recurring Measurements—The fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis pursuant to ASC 820-10 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures are as follows (in millions):



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Fair Value As of December 27, 2018		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
ASSETS:
Cash equivalents (1)	$	18.2	$	11.2	$	7.0	$	—
Short-term marketable securities (2)	24.0		—		24.0		—
Long-term marketable securities (2)	10.2		—		10.2		—
Total assets	$	52.4	$	11.2	$	41.2	$	—



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Fair Value As of December 28, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
ASSETS:
Cash equivalents (1)	$	12.2	$	8.2	$	4.0	$	—
Short-term marketable securities (2)	13.1		—		13.1		—
Long-term marketable securities (2)	16.2		—		16.2		—
Total assets	$	41.5	$	8.2	$	33.3	$	—


(1)	Cash Equivalents— The Company’s cash equivalents are carried at estimated fair value. Cash equivalents consist of money market accounts which the Company has classified as Level 1 given the active market for these accounts and commercial paper with original maturities of three months or less, which are classified as Level 2 and are valued as described below.

(2)

Short-Term and Long-Term Marketable Securities— The carrying amount and fair value of the marketable securities are equivalent since the Company accounts for these instruments at fair value. The Company’s government agency bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposit are valued using third party broker quotes. The value of the Company’s government agency bonds and municipal bonds are derived from quoted market information. The inputs in the valuation are classified as Level 1 if there is an active market for these securities; however, if an active market does not exist, the inputs are recorded at a lower level in the fair value hierarchy. The value of commercial paper and certificates of deposit is derived from pricing models using inputs based upon market information, including contractual terms, market prices and yield curves. The inputs to the valuation pricing models are observable in the market, and as such are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. For the years ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, there was an inconsequential amount of net realized gains (losses) recognized in interest income and an inconsequential amount of net unrealized holding gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income. Original cost of short term marketable securities is based on the specific identification method. As of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017, there was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of gross unrealized losses related to individual securities of $11.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, that had been in a continuous loss position for 12 months or longer. The Company has not recorded an impairment because it has the intention and ability to hold these securities to maturity.

The amortized cost basis, aggregate fair value and maturities of the marketable securities the Company held as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017 are as follows:



	As of December 27, 2018
	Amortized Cost Basis (in millions)		Aggregate Fair Value (in millions)		Maturities (1) (in years)
MARKETABLE SECURITIES:
Short-term U.S. government agency bonds	$	3.9	$	3.9	0.5
Short-term U.S. government treasury bonds	0.3		0.3		0.5
Short-term certificates of deposit	3.6		3.6		0.6
Short-term municipal bonds	0.5		0.5		0.1
Short-term commercial paper:
Financial	3.8		3.8		0.1
Industrial	12.0		11.9		0.1
Total short-term marketable securities	24.1		24.0
Long-term municipal bonds	1.2		1.3		1.5
Long-term U.S. government agency bonds	6.9		6.8		2.1
Long-term certificates of deposit	2.4		2.1		2.9
Total long-term marketable securities	10.5		10.2
Total marketable securities	$	34.6	$	34.2



	As of December 28, 2017
	Amortized Cost Basis (in millions)		Aggregate Fair Value (in millions)		Maturities (1) (in years)
MARKETABLE SECURITIES:
Short-term U.S. government agency bonds	$	2.3	$	2.2	0.9
Short-term commercial paper	0.9		0.9		0.8
Short-term certificates of deposit:
Financial	6.0		6.0		0.3
Industrial	4.0		4.0		0.3
Total short-term marketable securities	13.2		13.1
Long-term municipal bonds	1.9		1.9		2.1
Long-term U.S. government agency bonds	10.4		10.2		2.5
Long-term certificates of deposit	4.1		4.1		1.8
Total long-term marketable securities	16.4		16.2
Total marketable securities	$	29.6	$	29.3


(1)	Maturities— Securities available for sale include obligations with various contractual maturity dates some of which are greater than one year. The Company considers the securities to be liquid and convertible to cash within 30 days.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts



15.	VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 were as follows (in millions):



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS:
Balance at beginning of period	$	6.0		$	6.3		$	5.6
Provision for bad debt	1.6			1.1			2.1
Write-offs, net	(1.6		)	(1.4		)	(1.4		)
Balance at end of period	$	6.0		$	6.0		$	6.3



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
VALUATION ALLOWANCE ON DEFERRED TAX ASSETS:
Balance at beginning of period	$	98.1		$	110.3		$	110.4
Valuation allowance reversed (1)	(18.0		)	(12.2		)	(0.1		)
Balance at end of period	$	80.1		$	98.1		$	110.3


(1)	The changes within the valuation allowance during the years ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017 relate to movement within the underlying residual portion of the Investment in NCM LLC deferred tax asset due primarily to timing differences between the recognition of available cash distributions for book and tax purposes.

Quarterly Financial Data

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data



16.	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following represents selected information from the Company’s unaudited quarterly Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017 (in millions, except per share data):



2018	First Quarter			Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
Revenue	$	80.2		$	113.7	$	110.1	$	137.4
Operating expenses	69.2			73.5		67.8		76.6
Operating income	11.0			40.2		42.3		60.8
Consolidated net (loss) income (1)	(3.5		)	17.0		25.7		41.0
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (1)	(1.9		)	4.2		11.2		16.3
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, basic (1) (2)	(0.03		)	0.05		0.15		0.21
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, diluted (1) (2)	(0.03		)	0.05		0.14		0.21



2017	First Quarter			Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
Revenue	$	71.9		$	97.1	$	116.4	$	140.7
Operating expenses	66.8			68.8		66.1		70.5
Operating income	5.1			28.3		50.3		70.2
Consolidated net (loss) income (1)	(5.8		)	14.6		36.2		69.5
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (1)	(1.3		)	5.2		13.7		40.7
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, basic (1) (2)	(0.02		)	0.09		0.21		0.54
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, diluted (1) (2)	(0.02		)	0.09		0.21		0.30


(1)	These balances have been adjusted to reflect the adoption of a change in accounting principle in the first quarter of 2018 as discussed within Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.


(2)	Earnings per share in each quarter is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during that quarter while earnings per share for the full year is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.

Subsequent Event

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Event



17.	SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On February 21, 2019, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share (approximately $13.1 million) on each share of the Company’s common stock (not including outstanding restricted stock which will accrue dividends until the shares vest) to stockholders of record on March 5, 2019 to be paid on March 19, 2019.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Advertising is the principal business activity of the Company and is the Company’s only reportable segment under the requirements of ASC 280 – Segment Reporting.

Estimates

Accounting Period



Fiscal Year Ended		Reference in this Document
December 27, 2018		2018
December 28, 2017		2017
December 29, 2016		2016

Revenue Recognition

Operating Costs

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Marketable Securities

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers

Long-lived Assets



Equipment	4-10 years
Computer hardware and software	3-5 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of lease term or asset life

Intangible Assets

Amounts Due to/from Founding Members

Income Taxes

Debt Issuance Costs

Share-Based Compensation

Fair Value Measurements

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Consolidation

The following table presents the changes in NCM, Inc.’s equity resulting from net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and transfers to or from noncontrolling interests (in millions):



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.	$	29.8	$	58.3		$	32.9
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of intangible asset	7.7		78.8			9.2
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes	7.0		28.6			(3.7		)
NCM, Inc. investment in NCM LLC	—		(84.9		)	—
Issuance of shares to founding members	—		84.7			—
Change from net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and transfers from noncontrolling interests	$	44.5	$	165.5		$	38.4

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Fiscal Year Ends



Fiscal Year Ended		Reference in this Document
December 27, 2018		2018
December 28, 2017		2017
December 29, 2016		2016

Schedule of Receivables



	As of
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017
Trade accounts	$	154.0		$	166.4
Other	1.9			0.2
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(6.0		)	(6.0		)
Total	$	149.9		$	160.6

Schedule of Useful Lives



Equipment	4-10 years
Computer hardware and software	3-5 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of lease term or asset life

Changes in Debt Issuance Costs



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
Beginning balance	$	10.0		$	12.6		$	12.9
Debt issuance payments	6.4			—			4.8
Amortization of debt issuance costs	(2.6		)	(2.6		)	(2.6		)
Write-off of debt issuance costs	(1.0		)	—			(2.5		)
Ending balance	$	12.8		$	10.0		$	12.6

Changes in Equity



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.	$	29.8	$	58.3		$	32.9
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of intangible asset	7.7		78.8			9.2
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes	7.0		28.6			(3.7		)
NCM, Inc. investment in NCM LLC	—		(84.9		)	—
Issuance of shares to founding members	—		84.7			—
Change from net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and transfers from noncontrolling interests	$	44.5	$	165.5		$	38.4

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Corresponding Footnotes for Prior Periods Adjusted from Amounts Previously Reported to Reflect Correction of Error



Beginning retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings), as of December 29, 2016 – as previously reported	$	(248.3	)
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle	117.6
Beginning retained earnings, as of December 29, 2016 – as adjusted	$	(130.7	)



Beginning additional paid in capital (deficit), as of December 29, 2016 – as previously reported	$	(110.5	)
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle	(233.1		)
Beginning additional paid in capital (deficit), as of December 29, 2016 – as adjusted	$	(343.6	)

The following table presents the effects of the change in accounting principle to the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):



	December 28, 2017
	As Reported			Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Long-term deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $98.1	$	161.0		$	25.0		$	186.0
TOTAL ASSETS	1,148.1			25.0			1,173.1
Long-term payable to founding members under the TRA	114.0			98.6			212.6
Total liabilities	1,149.3			98.6			1,247.9
Additional paid in capital (deficit)	13.8			(246.9		)	(233.1		)
Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings)	(303.5		)	173.3			(130.2		)
Total equity/(deficit)	(1.2		)	(73.6		)	(74.8		)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT	1,148.1			25.0			1,173.1



	Year Ended
	December 28, 2017
	As Reported			Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA	$	18.5		$	(18.5	)	$	—
Gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	(103.6		)	(88.6		)	(192.2		)
Total non-operating expenses	(33.8		)	(107.1		)	(140.9		)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	187.7			107.1			294.8
Income tax expense	129.0			51.3			180.3
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	58.7			55.8			114.5
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.	2.5			55.8			58.3

NET INCOME PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:
Basic	$	0.04		$	0.85		$	0.89
Diluted	$	0.02		$	0.46		$	0.48



	Year Ended
	December 29, 2016
	As Reported		Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA	$	19.6	$	(19.6	)	$	—
Loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	1.0		0.2			1.2
Total non-operating expenses	83.5		(19.4		)	64.1
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	89.5		19.4			108.9
Income tax expense	7.5		6.9			14.4
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	82.0		12.5			94.5
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.	20.4		12.5			32.9

NET INCOME PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:
Basic	$	0.34	$	0.21		$	0.55
Diluted	$	0.34	$	0.20		$	0.54



	Year Ended
	December 28, 2017
	As Reported			Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Consolidated net income	$	58.7		$	55.8		$	114.5
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense	130.6			51.3			181.9
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA	18.5			(18.5		)	—
Non-cash gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	(103.6		)	(88.6		)	(192.2		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	138.9			—			138.9



	Year Ended
	December 29, 2016
	As Reported		Change in Accounting Principle			As Adjusted
Consolidated net income	$	82.0	$	12.5		$	94.5
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense	9.8		6.9			16.7
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA	19.6		(19.6		)	—
Non-cash gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	1.0		0.2			1.2
Net cash provided by operating activities	133.5		—			133.5

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016:



	Years ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
National advertising revenue	$	312.0	$	296.3	$	311.9
Local and regional advertising revenue	98.0		99.9		107.0
Founding member advertising revenue from beverage concessionaire agreements	31.4		29.9		28.7
Total revenue	$	441.4	$	426.1	$	447.6

Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

The changes in deferred revenue for the year ended December 27, 2018 were as follows (in millions):



	Year ended
	December 27, 2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	(7.1	)
Performance obligations satisfied	7.1
New contract liabilities	(7.3		)
Balance at end of period	$	(7.3	)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (in millions)	$	29.8	$	58.3	$	32.9
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. following conversion of dilutive membership units (net of estimated taxes of $22.2, $42.5, and $0.0)	$	58.0	$	72.0	$	32.9
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	76,859,087		65,226,817		59,788,026
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and exchangeable NCM LLC common membership units	80,544,823		85,840,453		817,544
Diluted	157,403,910		151,067,270		60,605,570
Earnings per NCM, Inc. share:
Basic	$	0.39	$	0.89	$	0.55
Diluted	$	0.37	$	0.48	$	0.54

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Summary of Property and Equipment



	As of
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017
Equipment, computer hardware and software	$	90.8		$	92.9
Leasehold improvements	2.4			4.0
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(62.5		)	(70.4		)
Subtotal	30.7			26.5
Construction in progress	2.9			4.2
Total property and equipment	$	33.6		$	30.7

Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Intangible Asset's Activity

The following is a summary of the Company’s intangible asset’s activity (in millions) during 2018 and 2017:



	As of December 28, 2017			Additions (1)		Amortization			Integration and other encumbered theater payments (3)			As of December 27, 2018
Gross carrying amount	$	862.6		$	16.0	$	—		$	(21.4	)	$	857.2
Accumulated amortization	(145.4		)	—		(27.3		)	—			(172.7		)
Total intangible assets, net	$	717.2		$	16.0	$	(27.3	)	$	(21.4	)	$	684.5



	As of December 29, 2016			Additions (2)		Amortization			Integration and other encumbered theater payments (3)			As of December 28, 2017
Gross carrying amount	$	679.4		$	204.1	$	—		$	(20.9	)	$	862.6
Accumulated amortization	(118.9		)	—		(26.5		)	—			(145.4		)
Total intangible assets, net	$	560.5		$	204.1	$	(26.5	)	$	(20.9	)	$	717.2

(1)

During 2018, the Company purchased intangible assets for $0.1 million associated with network affiliate agreements.

(2)

During 2017, the Company purchased intangible assets for $2.1 million associated with network affiliate agreements.

During 2017, the Company purchased intangible assets for $0.2 million associated with acquired software.

(3)

Summary of Estimated Aggregate Amortization Expense

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years is as follows (in millions):



Year	Amortization
2018	$	27.3
2019	27.1
2020	27.1
2021	26.8
2022	26.4

Accrued Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule Of Accrued Expenses



	As of
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017
Make-good reserve	$	8.0	$	5.5
Accrued interest	10.3		11.6
Deferred rent	0.2		0.8
Other accrued expenses	3.2		2.0
Total accrued expenses	$	21.7	$	19.9

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
Current:
Federal	$	(0.3	)	$	(1.6	)	$	(2.5	)
State	0.5			—			0.2
Total current income tax (benefit)/expense	$	0.2		$	(1.6	)	$	(2.3	)
Deferred:
Federal	$	13.2		$	142.1		$	15.0
State	10.1			39.8			1.7
Total deferred income tax expense	$	23.3		$	181.9		$	16.7
Total income tax provision on Consolidated Statements of Income	$	23.5		$	180.3		$	14.4

Schedule of Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
Provision calculated at federal statutory income tax rate:
Income before income taxes	$	21.8		$	102.6		$	37.9
Less: Noncontrolling interests	(10.6		)	(19.7		)	(21.6		)
Income attributable to NCM, Inc.	11.2			82.9			16.3
Current year change to enacted federal and state rate (1)	6.5			92.2			(2.2		)
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	2.6			8.7			2.0
NCM LLC income taxes	0.4			0.2			0.1
Share-based compensation	1.1			0.8			(0.1		)
Uncertain tax positions (2)	(0.4		)	(1.7		)	(2.9		)
Change in the valuation allowance	0.5			(4.2		)	—
NCM LLC membership unit issuance to NCM, Inc.	0.2			0.5			0.9
Executive compensation	1.4			0.4			0.3
Other	—			0.5			—
Total income tax provision	$	23.5		$	180.3		$	14.4


(1)	Refer to the discussion of the impact of the Tax Act within the ‘Tax Reform’ section below.

(2)

Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Investment in consolidated subsidiary NCM LLC (1)	$	233.5		$	266.0
Share-based compensation	3.0			3.7
Net operating losses	15.8			12.7
Accrued bonus	0.5			0.4
Other	1.2			1.3
Total gross deferred tax assets	$	254.0		$	284.1
Valuation allowance (1)	(80.1		)	(98.1		)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$	173.9		$	186.0

(1)

Schedule of Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Interest and Penalties



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	0.3		$	1.6
Reductions based on the lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(0.3		)	(1.3		)
Balance at end of period	$	—		$	0.3

Related Party Transactions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Schedule of Mandatory Distributions to Members

Mandatory distributions for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 are as shown within the table below (in millions). The amount presented within the tables for the distribution paid to AMC for the year ended December 27, 2018 represents only the distribution for the three months ended March 29, 2018 to AMC. AMC’s distribution for the three months ended June 28, 2018 was paid to Cinemark and Regal to accommodate agreements between AMC and each of Cinemark and Regal. Further, there was no distribution to AMC for the three months ended September 27, 2018 and December 27, 2018 as they had no ownership in these periods.



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
AMC	$	2.2	$	27.1	$	23.6
Cinemark	34.3		29.1		25.4
Regal	35.8		28.8		26.1
Total founding members	72.3		85.0		75.1
NCM, Inc.	69.1		75.9		57.5
Total	$	141.4	$	160.9	$	132.6

Schedule of Amounts Due to Founding Members

Amounts due to founding members, net as of December 27, 2018 were comprised of the following (in millions):



	Cinemark			Regal		Total
Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues and other encumbered theater payments	$	1.0		$	1.5	$	2.5
Distributions payable to founding members	13.7			14.2		27.9
Integration payments due from founding members	(0.4		)	—		(0.4		)
Total amounts due (from) to founding members, net	$	14.3		$	15.7	$	30.0

Amounts due to founding members, net as of December 28, 2017 were comprised of the following (in millions):



	AMC			Cinemark			Regal		Total
Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues and other encumbered theater payments	$	1.5		$	1.0		$	1.5	$	4.0
Distributions payable to founding members	10.8			13.5			13.3		37.6
Integration payments due from founding members	(8.5		)	(0.4		)	—		(8.9		)
Total amounts due to founding members, net	$	3.8		$	14.1		$	14.8	$	32.7

Related Party Founding Members

Schedule of Related Party Transactions

Following is a summary of the related party transactions between the Company and the founding members (in millions):



	Years Ended
Included in the Consolidated Statements of Income: (1)	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
Revenue:
Beverage concessionaire revenue (included in advertising revenue) (2)	$	28.4	$	29.9	$	28.7
Advertising inventory revenue (included in advertising revenue) (3)	—		—		0.4
Operating expenses:
Theater access fee (4)	69.0		76.5		75.1
Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and rental of theater space (included in selling and marketing costs) (5)	1.1		2.1		1.6
Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and rental of theater space (included in advertising operating costs)	0.1		0.1		—
Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and rental of theater space (included in other administrative and other costs)	—		—		0.1
Non-operating expenses:
Interest income from notes receivable (included in interest income) (6)	0.3		0.6		0.8


(1)	AMC is no longer considered a related party as of July 5, 2018, as described further above. As such, the figures within the table above only include related party activity with AMC for the first six months of 2018.

(2)


(3)	The value of such purchases is calculated by reference to NCM LLC’s advertising rate card.


(4)	Comprised of payments per theater attendee, payments per digital screen with respect to the founding member theaters included in the Company’s network and payments for access to higher quality digital cinema equipment.


(5)	Used primarily for marketing to NCM LLC’s advertising clients.


(6)	Refer to the discussion of the Fathom Events sale under AC JV, LLC transactions below.



	As of
Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017
Current portion of note receivable (1) (2)	$	4.2	$	4.2
Long-term portion of note receivable (2)	—		4.1
Interest receivable on notes receivable (included in other current assets) (2)	0.1		—
Common unit adjustments, net of amortization and integration payments (included in intangible assets) (3)	657.6		687.1
Current payable to founding members under the TRA (1) (4) (5)	11.2		19.6
Long-term payable to founding members under the TRA (1) (4) (5)	141.1		212.6


(1)	AMC is no longer considered a related party as of July 5, 2018, as described further above. As such, the figures within the table above only include related party activity with AMC for the first six months of 2018.


(2)	Refer to the discussion of the Fathom Events sale under AC JV, LLC transactions below.

Borrowings (Tables) - NCM, LLC.

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Schedule of Outstanding Debt

The following table summarizes NCM LLC’s total outstanding debt as of December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017 and the significant terms of its borrowing arrangements:



	Outstanding Balance as of
Borrowings ($ in millions)	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			Maturity Date	Interest Rate
Senior secured notes due 2022	$	400.0		$	400.0		April 15, 2022	6.000%
Revolving credit facility	27.0			12.0			June 20, 2023	(1)
Term loans	269.4			270.0			June 20, 2025	(1)
Senior unsecured notes due 2026	235.0			250.0			August 15, 2026	5.750%
Total borrowings	931.4			932.0
Less: Debt issuance costs related to term loans and senior notes	(7.8		)	(8.7		)
Total borrowings, net	923.6			923.3
Less: current portion of debt	(2.7		)	—
Carrying value of long-term debt	$	920.9		$	923.3


(1)	The interest rates on the revolving credit facility and term loan are described below.

Schedule of Annual Maturities on Credit Facility and Senior Notes



Year	Amount
2019	$	2.7
2020	2.7
2021	2.7
2022	402.7
2023	29.7
Thereafter	490.9
Total	$	931.4

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Costs

The Company recognized $7.8 million, $11.2 million and $18.3 million for the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively, of share-based compensation expense within network costs, selling and marketing costs and administrative and other costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income as shown in the table below.



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017		December 29, 2016
Share-based compensation costs included in network costs	$	0.6	$	1.0	$	1.1
Share-based compensation costs included in selling and marketing costs	2.5		4.1		6.0
Share-based compensation costs included in administrative and other costs (1)	4.7		6.1		11.2
Total share-based compensation costs	$	7.8	$	11.2	$	18.3


(1)	Includes $0.0 million, $0.0 million, and $2.3 million of expense associated with the modification of certain former executive equity awards during the years ended December 27, 2018, December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016, respectively, as described further below.

2007 Plan [Member]

Summary of Option Award Activity

A summary of option award activity under the 2007 Plan as of December 27, 2018, and changes during the year then ended are presented below:



	Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding as of December 28, 2017	2,165,181		$	16.47	—	$	—
Forfeited	(123,953	)	$	16.94
Expired	(90,478	)	$	16.14
Outstanding as of December 27, 2018	1,950,750		$	16.45	2.0	$	—
Exercisable as of December 27, 2018	1,950,750		$	16.45	2.0	$	—
Vested and expected to vest as of December 27, 2018	1,950,750		$	16.45	2.0	$	—

2007 Plan and 2016 Plan [Member]

Summary of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units

A summary of restricted stock award and restricted stock unit activity as of December 27, 2018, and changes during the year then ended are presented below:



	Number of Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Non-vested balance as of December 28, 2017	2,308,962		$	14.70
Granted	1,019,173		$	6.65
Vested (1)	(1,067,615	)	$	14.55
Forfeited	(434,537	)	$	10.24
Non-vested balance as of December 27, 2018	1,825,983		$	11.31


(1)	Includes 333,439 vested shares that were withheld to cover tax obligations and were subsequently canceled.

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Minimum Lease Payments Under Noncancelable Operating Leases



Year	Minimum Lease Payments
2019	$	3.5
2020	3.3
2021	3.4
2022	3.4
2023	3.4
Thereafter	22.1
Total	$	39.1

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Assets



	As of
	December 27, 2018		December 28, 2017
Investment in AC JV, LLC (1)	$	0.9	$	1.0
Other investments (2)	2.1		2.5
Total	$	3.0	$	3.5


(1)	Refer to Note 9—Related Party Transactions.


(2)	The Company received equity securities in privately held companies as consideration for a portion of advertising contracts. The equity securities were accounted for under the cost method and represent an ownership of less than 20%. The Company does not exert significant influence on these companies’ operating or financial activities.

Estimated Fair Values of Company's Financial Instruments



	As of December 27, 2018				As of December 28, 2017
	Carrying Value		Fair Value (1)		Carrying Value		Fair Value (1)
Term loans	$	269.4	$	261.2	$	270.0	$	270.8
Senior Notes due 2022	400.0		401.8		400.0		407.3
Senior Notes due 2026	235.0		211.0		250.0		235.0


(1)	The Company has estimated the fair value on an average of at least two non-binding broker quotes and the Company’s analysis. If the Company were to measure the borrowings in the above table at fair value on the balance sheet they would be classified as Level 2.

Fair Values of the Company's Assets



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Fair Value As of December 27, 2018		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
ASSETS:
Cash equivalents (1)	$	18.2	$	11.2	$	7.0	$	—
Short-term marketable securities (2)	24.0		—		24.0		—
Long-term marketable securities (2)	10.2		—		10.2		—
Total assets	$	52.4	$	11.2	$	41.2	$	—



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Fair Value As of December 28, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
ASSETS:
Cash equivalents (1)	$	12.2	$	8.2	$	4.0	$	—
Short-term marketable securities (2)	13.1		—		13.1		—
Long-term marketable securities (2)	16.2		—		16.2		—
Total assets	$	41.5	$	8.2	$	33.3	$	—


(1)	Cash Equivalents— The Company’s cash equivalents are carried at estimated fair value. Cash equivalents consist of money market accounts which the Company has classified as Level 1 given the active market for these accounts and commercial paper with original maturities of three months or less, which are classified as Level 2 and are valued as described below.

(2)

Schedule of Marketable Securities



	As of December 27, 2018
	Amortized Cost Basis (in millions)		Aggregate Fair Value (in millions)		Maturities (1) (in years)
MARKETABLE SECURITIES:
Short-term U.S. government agency bonds	$	3.9	$	3.9	0.5
Short-term U.S. government treasury bonds	0.3		0.3		0.5
Short-term certificates of deposit	3.6		3.6		0.6
Short-term municipal bonds	0.5		0.5		0.1
Short-term commercial paper:
Financial	3.8		3.8		0.1
Industrial	12.0		11.9		0.1
Total short-term marketable securities	24.1		24.0
Long-term municipal bonds	1.2		1.3		1.5
Long-term U.S. government agency bonds	6.9		6.8		2.1
Long-term certificates of deposit	2.4		2.1		2.9
Total long-term marketable securities	10.5		10.2
Total marketable securities	$	34.6	$	34.2



	As of December 28, 2017
	Amortized Cost Basis (in millions)		Aggregate Fair Value (in millions)		Maturities (1) (in years)
MARKETABLE SECURITIES:
Short-term U.S. government agency bonds	$	2.3	$	2.2	0.9
Short-term commercial paper	0.9		0.9		0.8
Short-term certificates of deposit:
Financial	6.0		6.0		0.3
Industrial	4.0		4.0		0.3
Total short-term marketable securities	13.2		13.1
Long-term municipal bonds	1.9		1.9		2.1
Long-term U.S. government agency bonds	10.4		10.2		2.5
Long-term certificates of deposit	4.1		4.1		1.8
Total long-term marketable securities	16.4		16.2
Total marketable securities	$	29.6	$	29.3


(1)	Maturities— Securities available for sale include obligations with various contractual maturity dates some of which are greater than one year. The Company considers the securities to be liquid and convertible to cash within 30 days.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities which includes, but is not limited to, changes in the cost basis and fair value, fair value and gross unrealized gain (loss), fair values by type of security, contractual maturity and classification, amortized cost basis, contracts to acquire securities to be accounted for as available-for-sale, debt maturities, transfers to trading, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) net of tax, continuous unrealized loss position fair value, aggregate losses qualitative disclosures, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses or other disclosures related to available for sale securities.

+ References + Details

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS:
Balance at beginning of period	$	6.0		$	6.3		$	5.6
Provision for bad debt	1.6			1.1			2.1
Write-offs, net	(1.6		)	(1.4		)	(1.4		)
Balance at end of period	$	6.0		$	6.0		$	6.3



	Years Ended
	December 27, 2018			December 28, 2017			December 29, 2016
VALUATION ALLOWANCE ON DEFERRED TAX ASSETS:
Balance at beginning of period	$	98.1		$	110.3		$	110.4
Valuation allowance reversed (1)	(18.0		)	(12.2		)	(0.1		)
Balance at end of period	$	80.1		$	98.1		$	110.3


(1)	The changes within the valuation allowance during the years ended December 27, 2018 and December 28, 2017 relate to movement within the underlying residual portion of the Investment in NCM LLC deferred tax asset due primarily to timing differences between the recognition of available cash distributions for book and tax purposes.

Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data



2018	First Quarter			Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
Revenue	$	80.2		$	113.7	$	110.1	$	137.4
Operating expenses	69.2			73.5		67.8		76.6
Operating income	11.0			40.2		42.3		60.8
Consolidated net (loss) income (1)	(3.5		)	17.0		25.7		41.0
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (1)	(1.9		)	4.2		11.2		16.3
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, basic (1) (2)	(0.03		)	0.05		0.15		0.21
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, diluted (1) (2)	(0.03		)	0.05		0.14		0.21



2017	First Quarter			Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
Revenue	$	71.9		$	97.1	$	116.4	$	140.7
Operating expenses	66.8			68.8		66.1		70.5
Operating income	5.1			28.3		50.3		70.2
Consolidated net (loss) income (1)	(5.8		)	14.6		36.2		69.5
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (1)	(1.3		)	5.2		13.7		40.7
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, basic (1) (2)	(0.02		)	0.09		0.21		0.54
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, diluted (1) (2)	(0.02		)	0.09		0.21		0.30


(1)	These balances have been adjusted to reflect the adoption of a change in accounting principle in the first quarter of 2018 as discussed within Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.


(2)	Earnings per share in each quarter is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during that quarter while earnings per share for the full year is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018 USD ($) customer item shares	Dec. 28, 2017 USD ($) customer item	Dec. 29, 2016 USD ($) customer	Dec. 29, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common membership units outstanding \| shares	76,976,398
Percentage of common membership units outstanding	48.80%
Membership units exchangeable into common stock ratio	100.00%
Net book value	$ 33.6	$ 30.7
Depreciation expense	12.6	10.9	$ 8.6
Research and development expense	1.7	3.6	3.4
Loss on write-off of property, plant and equipment	0.5	0.1	0.2
Deferred financing costs	$ 12.8	10.0	12.6		$ 12.9
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle				$ (0.2)
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting period	3 years
Software And Development Costs
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net book value	$ 17.4	16.5
Depreciation expense	$ 6.7	$ 6.0	$ 3.9
Accounts Receivable \| Credit Concentration Risk
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of advertising agency groups contributing to more than 10% of outstanding gross receivable balance \| item	0	0
Sales Revenue, Net \| Customer Concentration Risk
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of customers contributing to more than 10% of revenue \| customer	0	0	0
NCM, LLC.
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common membership units outstanding \| shares	157,637,220
Deferred financing costs	$ 7.8	$ 8.7
Cinemark
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common membership units outstanding \| shares	39,518,644
Percentage of common membership units outstanding	25.10%
Regal
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common membership units outstanding \| shares	41,142,178
Percentage of common membership units outstanding	26.10%
AMC
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Common membership units outstanding \| shares	0
Percentage of common membership units outstanding	0.00%
Minimum \| Software And Development Costs
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Maximum \| Software And Development Costs
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 years
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle				$ 0.2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ (6.0)	$ (6.0)
Total	149.9	160.6
Trade accounts
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables	154.0	166.4
Other
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables	$ 1.9	$ 0.2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018
Equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	4 years
Equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	10 years
Computer hardware and software \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Computer hardware and software \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 years
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life description	Lesser of lease term or asset life

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Changes in Debt Issuance Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 10.0	$ 12.6	$ 12.9
Debt issuance payments	6.4	0.0	4.8
Amortization of debt issuance costs	(2.6)	(2.6)	(2.6)
Write-off of debt issuance costs	(1.0)	0.0	(2.5)
Ending balance	$ 12.8	$ 10.0	$ 12.6

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Changes in Equity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Sep. 27, 2018	Jun. 28, 2018	Mar. 29, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Sep. 28, 2017	Jun. 29, 2017	Mar. 30, 2017	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.	$ 16.3	$ 11.2	$ 4.2	$ (1.9)	$ 40.7	$ 13.7	$ 5.2	$ (1.3)	$ 29.8	$ 58.3	$ 32.9
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of intangible asset									7.7	78.8	9.2
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes									7.0	28.6	(3.7)
NCM, Inc. investment in NCM LLC									0.0	(84.9)	0.0
Issuance of shares to founding members									0.0	84.7	0.0
Change from net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and transfers from noncontrolling interests									$ 44.5	$ 165.5	$ 38.4

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Effect of Change on Retained Earnings and APIC) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 29, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle	$ (0.2)
Retained Earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle	$ (0.2)
Beginning retained earnings, as of December 29, 2016 – as adjusted		$ (130.7)
Additional Paid In Capital (Deficit)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Beginning retained earnings, as of December 29, 2016 – as adjusted		(343.6)
Change in accounting principle not related to a new ASU \| Retained Earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle		117.6
Change in accounting principle not related to a new ASU \| Additional Paid In Capital (Deficit)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle		$ (233.1)

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Effect of Change on Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Long-term deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$ 173.9	$ 186.0
TOTAL ASSETS	1,141.8	1,173.1
Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement	195.6	212.6
Total liabilities	1,231.0	1,247.9
Additional paid in capital (deficit)	(215.2)	(233.1)
Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings)	(153.6)	(130.2)
Total equity/(deficit)	(89.2)	(74.8)	$ (232.2)	$ (229.9)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT	1,141.8	1,173.1
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	$ 80.1	98.1
As Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Long-term deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		161.0
TOTAL ASSETS		1,148.1
Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement		114.0
Total liabilities		1,149.3
Additional paid in capital (deficit)		13.8
Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings)		(303.5)
Total equity/(deficit)		(1.2)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT		1,148.1
Change in accounting principle not related to a new ASU \| Change in Accounting Principle
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Long-term deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		25.0
TOTAL ASSETS		25.0
Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement		98.6
Total liabilities		98.6
Additional paid in capital (deficit)		(246.9)
Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings)		173.3
Total equity/(deficit)		(73.6)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT		$ 25.0

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Effect of Change on Statement of Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Sep. 27, 2018	Jun. 28, 2018	Mar. 29, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Sep. 28, 2017	Jun. 29, 2017	Mar. 30, 2017	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA										$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA									$ (3.8)	(192.2)	1.2
Total non-operating expenses									50.6	(140.9)	64.1
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES									103.7	294.8	108.9
Income tax expense									23.5	180.3	14.4
Consolidated net income									80.2	114.5	94.5
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.	$ 16.3	$ 11.2	$ 4.2	$ (1.9)	$ 40.7	$ 13.7	$ 5.2	$ (1.3)	$ 29.8	$ 58.3	$ 32.9
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.15	$ 0.05	$ (0.03)	$ 0.54	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.02)	$ 0.39	$ 0.89	$ 0.55
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.14	$ 0.05	$ (0.03)	$ 0.30	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.02)	$ 0.37	$ 0.48	$ 0.54
As Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA										$ 18.5	$ 19.6
Gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA										(103.6)	1.0
Total non-operating expenses										(33.8)	83.5
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES										187.7	89.5
Income tax expense										129.0	7.5
Consolidated net income										58.7	82.0
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.										$ 2.5	$ 20.4
Basic (in usd per share)										$ 0.04	$ 0.34
Diluted (in usd per share)										$ 0.02	$ 0.34
Change in accounting principle not related to a new ASU \| Change in Accounting Principle
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA										$ (18.5)	$ (19.6)
Gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA										(88.6)	0.2
Total non-operating expenses										(107.1)	(19.4)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES										107.1	19.4
Income tax expense										51.3	6.9
Consolidated net income										55.8	12.5
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.										$ 55.8	$ 12.5
Basic (in usd per share)										$ 0.85	$ 0.21
Diluted (in usd per share)										$ 0.46	$ 0.20

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Effect of Change on Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	$ 80.2	$ 114.5	$ 94.5
Deferred income tax expense	23.3	181.9	16.7
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA		0.0	0.0
Non-cash (gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA	(3.8)	(192.2)	1.2
Net cash provided by operating activities	150.3	138.9	133.5
Decrease within activity of APIC	$ (9.5)	23.6	2.3
Change in Accounting Principle
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Decrease within activity of APIC		13.9	0.7
Decrease in ending balance of APIC		246.9	233.0
As Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Consolidated net income		58.7	82.0
Deferred income tax expense		130.6	9.8
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA		18.5	19.6
Non-cash (gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA		(103.6)	1.0
Net cash provided by operating activities		138.9	133.5
Change in accounting principle not related to a new ASU \| Change in Accounting Principle
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Consolidated net income		55.8	12.5
Deferred income tax expense		51.3	6.9
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under the TRA		(18.5)	(19.6)
Non-cash (gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA		(88.6)	0.2
Net cash provided by operating activities		$ 0.0	$ 0.0

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 441.4	$ 426.1	$ 447.6
Make-good reserve	$ 8.0	5.5
Payment terms	30 days
Noncancelable contract terms	2 years
Remaining performance obligation	$ 60.3
Unbilled contracts receivable	6.0	10.6
Barter Transaction Revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	5.9	0.8	2.5
Costs of goods and services sold	$ 5.0	$ 1.4	$ 2.3

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Disaggregation of Revenue) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 441.4	$ 426.1	$ 447.6
National advertising revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	312.0	296.3	311.9
Local and regional advertising revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	98.0	99.9	107.0
Founding member advertising revenue from beverage concessionaire agreements
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 31.4	$ 29.9	$ 28.7

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Changes in Deferred Revenue) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018 USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ (7.1)
Performance obligations satisfied	7.1
New contract liabilities	(7.3)
Balance at end of period	$ (7.3)

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Sep. 27, 2018	Jun. 28, 2018	Mar. 29, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Sep. 28, 2017	Jun. 29, 2017	Mar. 30, 2017	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.	$ 16.3	$ 11.2	$ 4.2	$ (1.9)	$ 40.7	$ 13.7	$ 5.2	$ (1.3)	$ 29.8	$ 58.3	$ 32.9
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. following conversion of dilutive membership units (net of estimated taxes of $22.2, $42.5, and $0.0)									$ 58.0	$ 72.0	$ 32.9
Basic (in shares)									76,859,087	65,226,817	59,788,026
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and exchangeable NCM LLC common membership units									80,544,823	85,840,453	817,544
Diluted (in shares)									157,403,910	151,067,270	60,605,570
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.15	$ 0.05	$ (0.03)	$ 0.54	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.02)	$ 0.39	$ 0.89	$ 0.55
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.14	$ 0.05	$ (0.03)	$ 0.30	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.02)	$ 0.37	$ 0.48	$ 0.54

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted) (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units, Tax	$ 22.2	$ 42.3	$ 0.0

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Effective tax rate	44.10%	75.60%
Stock Options And Non-Vested Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares	2,141,535	2,583,196	16,657
Common Membership Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares			77,020,686

Property and Equipment (Summary of Property and Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less: Accumulated depreciation	$ (62.5)	$ (70.4)
Subtotal	30.7	26.5
Construction in progress	2.9	4.2
Total property and equipment	33.6	30.7
Equipment, Computer Hardware And Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	90.8	92.9
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 2.4	$ 4.0

Property and Equipment (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 12.6	$ 10.9	$ 8.6

Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2018	Mar. 30, 2017	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Payments from related parties, theater payments			$ 22.7	$ 12.9	$ 2.4
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization			684.5	717.2	560.5
Amortization expense			27.3	26.5
Related Party Founding Members
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Payments from related parties, theater payments			17.2	12.9	2.4
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization			$ 657.6	687.1
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage increase (decrease) in theater attendance for Common Unit adjustment to occur			(2.00%)
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage increase (decrease) in theater attendance for Common Unit adjustment to occur			2.00%
NCM, LLC.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in intangible assets, net	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Amortization expense			$ 27.3	26.5	$ 27.0
NCM, LLC. \| Computer Software, Intangible Asset
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization			$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Weighted average remaining life			1 year 6 months	2 years 6 months
NCM, LLC. \| AMC and Cinemark
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in intangible assets, net			$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Payments from related parties, theater payments			0.0	0.0
NCM, LLC. \| Related Party Founding Members
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization			$ 657.6	$ 687.1
Weighted average remaining life			18 years 2 months 17 days	19 years 2 months 12 days
NCM, LLC. \| Network Affiliates
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization			$ 26.9	$ 30.0
Weighted average remaining life			10 years	11 years

Intangible Assets (Summary of Intangible Asset's Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance	$ 862.6	$ 679.4
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance	(145.4)	(118.9)
Total intangible assets, net, beginning balance	717.2	560.5
Additions	16.0	204.1
Amortization	(27.3)	(26.5)
Integration and other encumbered theater payments	(21.4)	(20.9)
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	857.2	862.6
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	(172.7)	(145.4)
Total intangible assets, net, ending balance	$ 684.5	$ 717.2

Intangible Assets (Summary of Intangible Asset's Activity) (Additional Information) (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2018 USD ($) shares	Mar. 30, 2017 USD ($) Theater shares	Dec. 27, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2016 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Purchase of intangible assets from affiliate			$ 100,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 2,300,000
Payments from related parties, theater payments			22,700,000	12,900,000	$ 2,400,000
NCM, LLC.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Common membership units issued, net (in shares) \| shares	2,821,710	2,351,029
Common membership units issued (in shares) \| shares	3,736,860
Common Membership Units Returned \| shares	915,150
Increase (decrease) in intangible assets, net	$ 0	$ 0
Purchase of intangible assets from affiliate			0.1	0
NCM, LLC. \| Computer Software, Intangible Asset
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Purchase of intangible assets from affiliate				0
NCM, LLC. \| American Multi Cinema Acquisition Of Carmike Cinemas Inc
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Common membership units issued, net (in shares) \| shares		18,425,423
NCM, LLC. \| AMC and Cinemark
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in intangible assets, net			0	0
Payments from related parties, theater payments			$ 0	$ 0
Memorandum Of Understanding To Effectuate Aspects Of Final Judgment \| AMC
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage increase (decrease) in theater attendance for Common Unit adjustment to occur		9.50%
Number of theaters required to transfer advertising rights \| Theater		17
Common membership units surrendered due to required theater transfer (in shares) \| shares		4,657,673
Common membership units surrendered (n shares) \| shares		2,850,453
Common membership units surrendered to compensate for lost operating income (in shares) \| shares		1,807,220
Common membership units surrendered due to required theater transfer, value		$ 0
Common membership units surrendered, compensation for lost operating income		10 years

Intangible Assets (Summary of Estimated Aggregate Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2018	$ 27.3
2019	27.1
2020	27.1
2021	26.8
2022	$ 26.4

Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Make-good reserve	$ 8.0	$ 5.5
Accrued interest	10.3	11.6
Deferred rent	0.2	0.8
Other accrued expenses	3.2	2.0
Total accrued expenses	$ 21.7	$ 19.9

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 27, 2018	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016	Dec. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Percentage of cash savings related to taxes		90.00%			90.00%
(Gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA		$ (3.8)	$ (192.2)	$ 1.2
U.S. federal statutory rate		21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Reduction in deferred tax assets			$ 32.2
Net reduction to additional paid in capital			32.2
Deferred tax assets, tax basis notes receivable			27.7
Change in deferred tax asset related to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act			18.7
Deferred Tax Asset, Sale Of Membership Units	$ 10.3
Integration payments	3.0	$ 0.4	$ 8.9
Deferred tax assets, net		26.0
Terminating exclusion of performance-based compensation per employee per year limitation		$ 1.0
Tax effect measurement extension period		1 year
Blended state and federal tax rate		25.38%	38.58%
Reduction in payable to founding members under the tax receivable agreement			$ 191.0
Reduction in net deferred tax asset			92.2
Decrease in current payable to founding members	$ 8.1
Unrecognized tax benefits including income tax accrued interest and penalties		$ 0.0	0.3			$ 4.9
Reversal of unrecognized tax benefits		0.3	1.3	$ 2.3
Reversal of accrued interest and penalties		0.1	0.4	0.6
Unrecognized tax benefits		0.0	0.3
Unrecognized tax benefits, payment of interest and penalties accrued		0.0	0.3
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest expense		0.0	0.0	(0.6)
Non-Operating Income [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Gain on reduction of payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement			191.0
Related Party Founding Members
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Payments to affiliates for tax sharing agreement				25.3
Related Party Founding Members \| Tax Year 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Payments to affiliates for tax sharing agreement				2.7
Related Party Founding Members \| Tax Year 2015
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Payments to affiliates for tax sharing agreement				$ 22.6
Related Party Founding Members \| Tax Year 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Payments to affiliates for tax sharing agreement			$ 18.8
Related Party Founding Members \| Tax Year 2017
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Payments to affiliates for tax sharing agreement		18.4
Federal
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards		$ 59.0
Federal \| Minimum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax examination, year under examination		2015
Operating loss carryforward, expiration date		Dec. 31, 2035
Federal \| Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax examination, year under examination		2017
Operating loss carryforward, expiration date		Dec. 31, 2038
State
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards		$ 68.0
State \| Minimum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax examination, year under examination		2014
Operating loss carryforward, expiration date		Dec. 31, 2018
State \| Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax examination, year under examination		2017
Operating loss carryforward, expiration date		Dec. 31, 2038
Research And Experimentation Tax Credit Carryforward \| Federal and State
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards		$ 1.1
Research And Experimentation Tax Credit Carryforward \| Federal and State \| Minimum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforward, expiration date		Dec. 31, 2029
Research And Experimentation Tax Credit Carryforward \| Federal and State \| Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforward, expiration date		Dec. 31, 2038

Income Taxes (Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current Federal	$ (0.3)	$ (1.6)	$ (2.5)
Current State	0.5	0.0	0.2
Total current income tax (benefit)/expense	0.2	(1.6)	(2.3)
Deferred Federal	13.2	142.1	15.0
Deferred State	10.1	39.8	1.7
Total deferred income tax expense	23.3	181.9	16.7
Total income tax provision	$ 23.5	$ 180.3	$ 14.4

Income Taxes (Schedule of Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income before income taxes	$ 21.8	$ 102.6	$ 37.9
Less: Noncontrolling interests	(10.6)	(19.7)	(21.6)
Income attributable to NCM, Inc.	11.2	82.9	16.3
Current year change to enacted federal and state rate (1)	6.5	92.2	(2.2)
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	2.6	8.7	2.0
NCM LLC income taxes	0.4	0.2	0.1
Share-based compensation	1.1	0.8	(0.1)
Uncertain tax positions (2)	(0.4)	(1.7)	(2.9)
Change in the valuation allowance	0.5	(4.2)	0.0
NCM LLC membership unit issuance to NCM, Inc.	0.2	0.5	0.9
Executive compensation	1.4	0.4	0.3
Other	0.0	0.5	0.0
Total income tax provision	$ 23.5	$ 180.3	$ 14.4

Income Taxes (Schedule of Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes) (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits including income tax accrued interest and penalties	$ 0.0	$ 0.3		$ 4.9
Uncertain tax positions (reversal)	0.4	1.7	$ 2.9
Reversal of unrecognized tax benefits	0.3	1.3	2.3
Reversal of accrued interest and penalties	$ 0.1	$ 0.4	$ 0.6

Income Taxes (Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Investment in consolidated subsidiary NCM LLC	$ 233.5	$ 266.0
Share-based compensation	3.0	3.7
Net operating losses	15.8	12.7
Accrued bonus	0.5	0.4
Other	1.2	1.3
Total gross deferred tax assets	254.0	284.1
Valuation allowance	(80.1)	(98.1)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$ 173.9	$ 186.0

Income Taxes (Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets) (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred tax assets recognized	$ 233.5	$ 266.0
Valuation allowance and reserves	$ 80.1	$ 98.1

Income Taxes (Schedule of Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Interest and Penalties) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 0.3	$ 1.6
Reductions based on the lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(0.3)	(1.3)
Balance at end of period	$ 0.0	$ 0.3

Equity (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Equity (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 27, 2018 item $ / shares shares	Dec. 28, 2017 $ / shares shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	76,976,398	76,242,222
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	76,976,398	76,242,222
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Number of votes per common share \| item	1
NCM, LLC. \| Related Party Founding Members
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Term of advertising services	30 years

Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018	Sep. 27, 2018	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016	Dec. 01, 2015	Dec. 26, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
On-screen advertising time to satisfy agreement obligations, in seconds			30 seconds	30 seconds	30 seconds
Percentage of cash savings related to taxes				90.00%			90.00%
Cash payment due to founding members/managing member				$ 27,900,000	$ 37,600,000
Membership units exchangeable into common stock ratio				100.00%
Cash distributions received from non-consolidated entities				$ 200,000	300,000	$ 200,000
Network costs				13,300,000	15,800,000	17,100,000
AC JV, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment in AC JV, LLC				900,000	1,000,000
Cash distributions received from non-consolidated entities				200,000	300,000	200,000
Related Party Founding Members
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash payment due to founding members/managing member				27,900,000
Promissory notes receivable from founding members				5,600,000	8,300,000
AMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash payment due to founding members/managing member					$ 10,800,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock				0
Gain (loss) from equity transaction investment due to change in ownership interest in NCM LLC				$ 0
Number of NCM LLC common units converted to NCM Inc.common stock		15,600,000
Common stock, shares sold (in shares)				1,000,000	14,800,000
Cash dividends on shares of NMC Inc				$ 300,000	$ 100,000	200,000
Sale of membership units (in shares)	21,477,480
AMC \| AC JV, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage								32.00%
Promissory notes receivable from founding members				5,600,000				$ 8,300,000
Regal
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash payment due to founding members/managing member				14,200,000	13,300,000
Regal \| AC JV, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage								32.00%
Promissory notes receivable from founding members								$ 8,300,000
Cinemark
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash payment due to founding members/managing member				13,700,000	13,500,000
Cinemark \| AC JV, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage								32.00%
Promissory notes receivable from founding members								$ 8,300,000
NCM, LLC.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Network costs				200,000	300,000	200,000
NCM, LLC. \| AC JV, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage								4.00%
Investment in AC JV, LLC				900,000	1,000,000
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated entities				$ 200,000	$ 300,000	$ 0
NCM, LLC. \| Related Party Founding Members \| AC JV, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Promissory notes receivable from founding members								$ 25,000,000
Interest rate on notes receivable								5.00%
NCM, LLC. \| AMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Membership units exchangeable into common stock ratio				100.00%
Number Of Days Utilized Within Membership Unit Redemption Payment Calculation				3 days
Minimum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
On-screen advertising time to satisfy agreement obligations, in seconds				30 seconds
Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
On-screen advertising time to satisfy agreement obligations, in seconds				60 seconds

Related Party Transactions (Summary of Transactions Between the Company and the Founding Members Included in Statements of Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 441.4	$ 426.1	$ 447.6
Selling and marketing costs	66.5	72.0	72.8
Administrative and other costs	48.3	37.9	43.8
Related Party Founding Members
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue	28.4	29.9	29.1
Theater access fee	69.0	76.5	75.1
Selling and marketing costs	1.1	2.1	1.6
Advertising operating costs	0.1	0.1	0.0
Administrative and other costs	0.0	0.0	0.1
Interest income from notes receivable (included in interest income)	0.3	0.6	0.8
Beverage Concessionaire \| Related Party Founding Members
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue	28.4	29.9	28.7
Advertising Inventory \| Related Party Founding Members
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 0.0	$ 0.0	$ 0.4

Related Party Transactions (Summary of Transactions Between the Company and the Founding Members Included in Statements of Income) (Additional Information) (Details)	5 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
On-screen advertising time purchased, in seconds	60 seconds
On-screen advertising time to satisfy agreement obligations, in seconds		30 seconds	30 seconds	30 seconds
One Founding Members [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
On-screen advertising time purchased, in seconds		30 seconds	30 seconds	30 seconds
Two Founding Members [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
On-screen advertising time purchased, in seconds		60 seconds	60 seconds	60 seconds
Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
On-screen advertising time to satisfy agreement obligations, in seconds			60 seconds
On-screen advertising time which founding members have right to purchase, in seconds		90 seconds	90 seconds	90 seconds
Minimum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
On-screen advertising time to satisfy agreement obligations, in seconds			30 seconds

Related Party Transactions (Summary of Transactions Between the Company and the Founding Members Included in Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 29, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Current portion of notes receivable - founding members	$ 4.2	$ 5.6
Long-term portion of note receivable - founding members	4.1	0.0
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	717.2	684.5	$ 560.5
Current payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement	19.6	15.5
Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement	212.6	195.6
Related Party Founding Members
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Current portion of notes receivable - founding members	4.2	4.2
Long-term portion of note receivable - founding members	4.1	0.0
Interest receivable on notes receivable (included in other current assets)	0.0	0.1
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	687.1	657.6
Current payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement	19.6	11.2
Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement	212.6	$ 141.1
Tax Year 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payment to founding members under TRA	18.4
Tax Year 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payment to founding members under TRA	$ 18.8

Related Party Transactions (Schedule of Mandatory Distributions to Members) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash distributions declared to members	$ 141.4	$ 160.9	$ 132.6
AMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash distributions declared to members	2.2	27.1	23.6
Cinemark
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash distributions declared to members	34.3	29.1	25.4
Regal
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash distributions declared to members	35.8	28.8	26.1
Related Party Founding Members
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash distributions declared to members	72.3	85.0	75.1
NCM Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash distributions declared to members	$ 69.1	$ 75.9	$ 57.5

Related Party Transactions (Schedule of Amounts Due to Founding Members) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Sep. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues and other encumbered theater payments	$ 2.5		$ 4.0
Distributions payable to founding members	27.9		37.6
Integration payments due from founding members	(0.4)	$ (3.0)	(8.9)
Total amounts due (from) to founding members, net	30.0		32.7
AMC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues and other encumbered theater payments			1.5
Distributions payable to founding members			10.8
Integration payments due from founding members			(8.5)
Total amounts due (from) to founding members, net			3.8
Cinemark
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues and other encumbered theater payments	1.0		1.0
Distributions payable to founding members	13.7		13.5
Integration payments due from founding members	(0.4)		(0.4)
Total amounts due (from) to founding members, net	14.3		14.1
Regal
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues and other encumbered theater payments	1.5		1.5
Distributions payable to founding members	14.2		13.3
Integration payments due from founding members	0.0		0.0
Total amounts due (from) to founding members, net	$ 15.7		$ 14.8

Borrowings (Schedule of Outstanding Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016	Aug. 19, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 27, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less: Debt issuance costs related to term loans and senior notes	$ (12.8)	$ (10.0)	$ (12.6)		$ (12.9)
Long-term Debt	923.6	923.3
Less: current portion of debt	(2.7)	0.0
Carrying value of long-term debt	920.9	923.3
NCM, LLC.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Balance	931.4	932.0
Less: Debt issuance costs related to term loans and senior notes	(7.8)	(8.7)
Long-term Debt	931.4
NCM, LLC. \| Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Balance	$ 27.0	12.0
Maturity date	Jun. 20, 2023
NCM, LLC. \| Term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Balance	$ 269.4	270.0
Maturity date	Jun. 20, 2025
NCM, LLC. \| Senior secured notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Balance	$ 400.0	400.0
Maturity date	Apr. 15, 2022
Interest Rate	6.00%					6.00%
NCM, LLC. \| Senior unsecured notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding Balance	$ 235.0	$ 250.0
Maturity date	Aug. 15, 2026
Interest Rate	5.75%			5.75%

Borrowings (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Borrowings (Narrative) (Details)	Sep. 27, 2018	Jun. 28, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 19, 2016 USD ($)	May 26, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 27, 2012 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 41,400,000	$ 30,200,000
Repayments of term loan facility			270,700,000	0	$ 0
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			100,000,000
NCM, LLC.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, carrying value			$ 931,400,000	932,000,000
Net total leverage ratio, covenant			6.25
Net senior secured leverage ratio			4.50
NCM, LLC. \| Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Net Total Leverage Ratio			4.20
NCM, LLC. \| Senior secured notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, carrying value			$ 400,000,000	400,000,000
Maturity date			Apr. 15, 2022
Debt instrument face amount								$ 400,000,000
Stated interest rate			6.00%					6.00%
Debt instrument, frequency of periodic payment			The Notes due 2022 pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, which commenced October 15, 2012.
Debt instrument issued percentage of face value								100.00%
NCM, LLC. \| Senior secured notes due 2022 \| On or After April 15, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption description			NCM LLC may redeem all or any portion of the Notes due 2022, at once or over time, on or after April 15, 2017 at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.
NCM, LLC. \| Senior unsecured notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, carrying value			$ 235,000,000	250,000,000
Maturity date			Aug. 15, 2026
Debt instrument face amount			$ 235,000,000			$ 250,000,000
Stated interest rate			5.75%			5.75%
Debt instrument, frequency of periodic payment			The Notes due 2026 pay interest semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, which commenced on February 15, 2017.
Debt instrument issued percentage of face value						100.00%
Repurchase amount			$ 15,000,000
Nonoperating gain (loss) related to debt issuance costs			$ 0.6
NCM, LLC. \| Senior unsecured notes due 2026 \| Prior to August 15, 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption description			NCM LLC may redeem all or any portion of the Notes due 2026 prior to August 15, 2021, at once or over time, at 100% of the principal amount plus the applicable make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.
NCM, LLC. \| Senior unsecured notes due 2026 \| On or After August 15, 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption description			NCM LLC may redeem all or any portion of the Notes due 2026, at once or over time, on or after August 15, 2021 at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.
NCM, LLC. \| Senior unsecured notes due 2026 \| Prior to August 15, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption description			In addition, at any time prior to August 15, 2019, NCM LLC may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes due 2026 from the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 105.750% of the principal amount of the Notes due 2026 redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any to the redemption date.
NCM, LLC. \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net senior secured leverage ratio			5.50
NCM, LLC. \| Term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, carrying value			$ 269,400,000	270,000,000
Maturity date			Jun. 20, 2025
Weighted-average interest rate			5.50%
Amortization rate			1.00%
Repayments of term loan facility			$ 0
NCM, LLC. \| Term loans \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate, percent	2.75%		3.00%
NCM, LLC. \| Term loans \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate, percent	1.75%		2.00%
NCM, LLC. \| Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured leverage ratio			310.00%
Net total leverage ratio, covenant			6.25
Net senior secured leverage ratio			4.50
Debt issuance costs		$ 6,500,000
Nonoperating gain (loss) related to debt issuance costs		$ (1,200,000)
NCM, LLC. \| Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net senior secured leverage ratio			5.50
NCM, LLC. \| Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing amount of credit facility			$ 175,000,000				$ 175,000,000
Debt Instrument, carrying value			$ 27,000,000	$ 12,000,000
Maturity date			Jun. 20, 2023
Remaining borrowing capacity of credit facility			$ 143,200,000
Unused line fee, percent			0.50%
Weighted-average interest rate			4.90%
NCM, LLC. \| Revolving credit facility \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate, percent			2.00%
NCM, LLC. \| Revolving credit facility \| LIBOR [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate, percent			2.25%
NCM, LLC. \| Revolving credit facility \| LIBOR [Member] \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate, percent			1.75%
NCM, LLC. \| Revolving credit facility \| Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate, percent			1.00%
NCM, LLC. \| Revolving credit facility \| Base Rate [Member] \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate, percent			1.25%
NCM, LLC. \| Revolving credit facility \| Base Rate [Member] \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate, percent			0.75%
NCM, LLC. \| Revolving credit facility \| Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remaining borrowing capacity of credit facility			$ 4,800,000
Change of Control \| NCM, LLC. \| Senior secured notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption price percentage			101.00%
Change of Control \| NCM, LLC. \| Senior unsecured notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument redemption price percentage			101.00%

Borrowings (Schedule of Annual Maturities on Credit Facility and Senior Notes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 923.6	$ 923.3
NCM, LLC.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2019	2.7
2020	2.7
2021	2.7
2022	402.7
2023	29.7
Thereafter	490.9
Total	$ 931.4

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016	Dec. 26, 2013	Dec. 27, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock available for issuance	4,400,000
Common stock available for grants	2,812,787
Achievement of percentage in performance based restricted stock	100.00%
Recognized share-based compensation expense	$ 7,800,000	$ 11,200,000	$ 18,300,000
Capitalized share-based compensation expense	200,000	300,000	500,000
Income tax benefit from share-based compensation	$ 1,700,000	3,000,000	2,500,000
Number of additional restricted stock issued under satisfying maximum performance criteria	535,629
Number of restricted stock and restricted stock units expected to vest, after consideration of expected forfeitures of shares	1,259,308
Share-based compensation expense related to modification of certain former executive equity awards	$ 0	0	2,300,000
Unvested Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options	0
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options	$ 5,200,000
Weighted average remaining period over which unrecognized compensation costs will be recognized	1 year 7 months 6 days
Fair value of awards vested	$ 15,500,000	17,300,000	$ 14,700,000
Accrued dividend	$ 1,600,000	$ 3,000,000
Vesting period	3 years
Vesting percentage for year	33.33%
Vesting description	The Company has issued time-based restricted stock to its employees which vests over a three-year period with one-third vesting on each anniversary of the date of grant and performance-based restricted stock which vests following a three-year measurement period to the extent that the Company achieves specified non-GAAP targets at the end of the measurement period.
Measurement period	3 years
Weighted average grant date fair value of granted options	$ 6.65	$ 14.34	$ 15.03
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated annual forfeiture rate, percentage	2.00%
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated annual forfeiture rate, percentage	6.00%
Stock Options [Member] \| 2007 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures	0	0	0	0	0
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 0	$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Stock Options [Member] \| 2007 Plan [Member] \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options contractual term	10 years
Stock Options [Member] \| 2007 Plan [Member] \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options contractual term	15 years
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend payments during period upon vesting of stock units	$ 2,100,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 1,900,000
Vesting period	3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation costs	$ 7.8	$ 11.2	$ 18.3
Network Costs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation costs	0.6	1.0	1.1
Selling and Marketing Costs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation costs	2.5	4.1	6.0
Administrative Cost
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation costs	$ 4.7	$ 6.1	$ 11.2

Share-Based Compensation (Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Costs) (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense related to modification of certain former executive equity awards	$ 0.0	$ 0.0	$ 2.3

Share-Based Compensation (Summary of Option Award Activity) (Details) - 2007 Plan [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract]
Options, Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	2,165,181
Options, Forfeited (in shares)	(123,953)
Options, Expired (in shares)	(90,478)
Options, Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	1,950,750	2,165,181
Options, Exercisable (in shares)	1,950,750
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest (in shares)	1,950,750
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 16.47
Weighted average exercise price, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	16.94
Weighted average exercise price, Expired (in dollars per share)	16.14
Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)	16.45	$ 16.47
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)	16.45
Weighted average exercise price, Vested and Expected to Vest (in dollars per share)	$ 16.45
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Outstanding	2 years	0 years
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Exercisable	2 years
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Vested and Expected to Vest	2 years

Share-Based Compensation (Summary of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018 $ / shares shares
Number of Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units
Number of restricted shares and restricted stock units, Non-vested, beginning balance (in shares) \| shares	2,308,962
Number of restricted shares and restricted stock units, Granted (in shares) \| shares	1,019,173
Number of restricted shares and restricted stock units, Vested (in shares) \| shares	(1,067,615)
Number of restricted shares and restricted stock units, Forfeited (in shares) \| shares	(434,537)
Number of restricted shares and restricted stock units, Non-vested, ending balance (in shares) \| shares	1,825,983
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Weighted average grant-date fair value, Non-vested, beginning balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 14.70
Weighted average grant-date fair value, Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	6.65
Weighted average grant-date fair value, Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	14.55
Weighted average grant-date fair value, Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	10.24
Weighted average grant-date fair value, Non-vested, ending balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 11.31

Share-Based Compensation (Summary of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units) (Additional Information) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018 shares
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Vested shares withheld to cover tax obligations	333,439

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Percent of compensation participants may contribute	20.00%
Discretionary contributions	$ 1.2	$ 1.2	$ 1.3

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Total lease expense	$ 3,800,000	$ 2,200,000	$ 2,300,000
Expense for early lease termination fee	1,800,000
Maximum potential payment	70,800,000
Guarantee obligations amount paid	700,000	100,000
Liabilities recorded for related party obligations	100,000	0
NCM, LLC. \| Related Party Founding Members
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Liabilities recorded for related party obligations	$ 0	$ 0
Percentage of increase in payment per theatre patron	8.00%
Term of increase in payment percentage per theater patron	5 years
Percentage of increase in payment per digital screen and digital cinema equipment	5.00%
Minimum
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Range of terms, in years	1 year
Minimum \| NCM, LLC. \| Related Party Founding Members
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Aggregate percentage of theater access fee paid	12.00%
Maximum
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Range of terms, in years	20 years

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Minimum Lease Payments Under Noncancelable Operating Leases) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2018	$ 3.5
2019	3.3
2020	3.4
2021	3.4
2022	3.4
Thereafter	22.1
Total	$ 39.1

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Other Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Other investments	$ 2.1	$ 2.5
Total other investments	3.0	3.5
AC JV, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Investment in AC JV, LLC	$ 0.9	$ 1.0

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Other Investments) (Additional Information) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Maximum
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Line Items]
Cost-method ownership percentage	20.00%	20.00%

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of investment	$ 0.4	$ 3.1	$ 0.7
Fair value of cost method investment	0.0	0.1
Related Party Founding Members
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Promissory notes receivable from founding members	$ 5.6	$ 8.3

Fair Value Measurements (Estimated Fair Values of Company's Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Term loans \| Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument	$ 269.4	$ 270.0
Term loans \| Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument	261.2	270.8
Senior secured notes due 2022 \| Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument	400.0	400.0
Senior secured notes due 2022 \| Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument	401.8	407.3
Senior unsecured notes due 2026 \| Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument	235.0	250.0
Senior unsecured notes due 2026 \| Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Debt Instrument	$ 211.0	$ 235.0

Fair Value Measurements (Fair Values of the Company's Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term marketable securities	$ 24.0	$ 13.1
Long-term marketable securities	10.2	16.2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	18.2	12.2
Short-term marketable securities	24.0	13.1
Long-term marketable securities	10.2	16.2
Total assets	52.4	41.5
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	11.2	8.2
Total assets	11.2	8.2
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	7.0	4.0
Short-term marketable securities	24.0	13.1
Long-term marketable securities	10.2	16.2
Total assets	$ 41.2	$ 33.3

- Definition

Investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading and which are intended to be sold or mature more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer. Such securities are reported at fair value; unrealized gains (losses) related to Available-for-sale Securities are excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain (loss) of an Available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge is recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as are other than temporary declines in fair value below the cost basis for investments in equity securities and debt securities that an entity intends to sell or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. Other than temporary declines in fair value below the cost basis for debt securities categorized as Available-for-sale that an entity does not intend to sell and for which it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before the recovery of its amortized cost basis are bifurcated into credit losses and losses related to all other factors. Other than temporary declines in fair value below cost basis related to credit losses are recognized in earnings, and losses related to all other factors are recognized in other comprehensive income.

+ References + Details

Fair Value Measurements (Fair Values of the Company's Assets and Liabilities) (Additional Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Gross unrealized losses related to individual securities	$ 0.2	$ 0.2
Gross unrealized losses related to individual securities had been in continuous loss position for 12 months or longer	$ 11.8	$ 8.2

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Marketable Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 34.6	$ 29.6
Aggregate Fair Value - Short term marketable securities	24.0	13.1
Aggregate Fair Value - Long term marketable securities	10.2	16.2
Aggregate Fair Value - Total marketable securities	34.2	29.3
Short-term Marketable Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	24.1	13.2
Aggregate Fair Value - Short term marketable securities	24.0	13.1
Short-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| U.S. Government Agency Bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	3.9	2.3
Aggregate Fair Value - Short term marketable securities	$ 3.9	$ 2.2
Maturities	6 months	10 months 24 days
Short-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 0.3
Aggregate Fair Value - Short term marketable securities	$ 0.3
Maturities	6 months
Short-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| Certificates of Deposit
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 3.6
Aggregate Fair Value - Short term marketable securities	$ 3.6
Maturities	7 months 6 days
Short-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| Municipal Bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 0.5
Aggregate Fair Value - Short term marketable securities	$ 0.5
Maturities	1 month 6 days
Short-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| Commercial Paper
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis		$ 0.9
Aggregate Fair Value - Short term marketable securities		$ 0.9
Maturities		9 months 18 days
Short-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| Financial Certificates Of Deposit
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 3.8	$ 6.0
Aggregate Fair Value - Short term marketable securities	$ 3.8	$ 6.0
Maturities	1 month 6 days	3 months 18 days
Short-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| Industrial Certificates Of Deposit
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 12.0	$ 4.0
Aggregate Fair Value - Short term marketable securities	$ 11.9	$ 4.0
Maturities	1 month 6 days	3 months 18 days
Long-term Marketable Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 10.5	$ 16.4
Aggregate Fair Value - Long term marketable securities	10.2	16.2
Long-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| U.S. Government Agency Bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	6.9	10.4
Aggregate Fair Value - Long term marketable securities	$ 6.8	$ 10.2
Maturities	2 years 1 month 6 days	2 years 6 months
Long-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| Certificates of Deposit
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 2.4	$ 4.1
Aggregate Fair Value - Long term marketable securities	$ 2.1	$ 4.1
Maturities	2 years 10 months 24 days	1 year 9 months 18 days
Long-term Marketable Securities [Member] \| Municipal Bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1.2	$ 1.9
Aggregate Fair Value - Long term marketable securities	$ 1.3	$ 1.9
Maturities	1 year 6 months	2 years 1 month 6 days

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 6.0	$ 6.3	$ 5.6
Provision for bad debt	1.6	1.1	2.1
Write-offs, net	(1.6)	(1.4)	(1.4)
Balance at end of period	6.0	6.0	6.3
Valuation Allowance On Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	98.1	110.3	110.4
Valuation allowance reversed (1)	(18.0)	(12.2)	(0.1)
Balance at end of period	$ 80.1	$ 98.1	$ 110.3

Quarterly Financial Data (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2018	Sep. 27, 2018	Jun. 28, 2018	Mar. 29, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Sep. 28, 2017	Jun. 29, 2017	Mar. 30, 2017	Dec. 27, 2018	Dec. 28, 2017	Dec. 29, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 137.4	$ 110.1	$ 113.7	$ 80.2	$ 140.7	$ 116.4	$ 97.1	$ 71.9
Operating expenses	76.6	67.8	73.5	69.2	70.5	66.1	68.8	66.8	$ 287.1	$ 272.2	$ 274.6
OPERATING INCOME	60.8	42.3	40.2	11.0	70.2	50.3	28.3	5.1	154.3	153.9	173.0
Consolidated net (loss) income	41.0	25.7	17.0	(3.5)	69.5	36.2	14.6	(5.8)
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.	$ 16.3	$ 11.2	$ 4.2	$ (1.9)	$ 40.7	$ 13.7	$ 5.2	$ (1.3)	$ 29.8	$ 58.3	$ 32.9
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, basic	$ 0.21	$ 0.15	$ 0.05	$ (0.03)	$ 0.54	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.02)	$ 0.39	$ 0.89	$ 0.55
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.14	$ 0.05	$ (0.03)	$ 0.30	$ 0.21	$ 0.09	$ (0.02)	$ 0.37	$ 0.48	$ 0.54

Subsequent Event (Narrative) (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Feb. 21, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares
Subsequent Events [Line Items]
Dividends payable, date declared	Feb. 21, 2019
Cash dividends declared, per share \| $ / shares	$ 0.17
Cash dividends declared \| $	$ 13.1
Dividends payable, date of record	Mar. 05, 2019
Dividends payable, date to be paid	Mar. 19, 2019

Label	Element	Value
Retained Earnings [Member] \| Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	$ (248,300,000)
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] \| Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	$ (110,500,000)