DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

8.  DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:

The Company accounts for an award called for in the CEO’s employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) as a derivative instrument in accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” The Company estimated the fair value of the award as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, at approximately $27.0 million and $20.9 million, respectively. The long-term portion is recorded in other long-term liabilities and the current portion is recorded in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The expense associated with the Employment Agreement was recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as corporate selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

The Company’s obligation to pay the Employment Agreement Award was triggered only after the Company’s recovery of the aggregate amount of its capital contribution in TV One and only upon actual receipt of distributions of cash or marketable securities or proceeds from a liquidity event with respect to the Company’s aggregate investment in TV One. The CEO was fully vested in the award upon execution of the Employment Agreement, and the award lapses if the CEO voluntarily leaves the Company, or is terminated for cause. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved terms for a new employment agreement with the CEO, including a renewal of the Employment Agreement Award upon similar terms as in the prior Employment Agreement. While a new Employment Agreement has not been executed as of the date of this report, the CEO is being compensated according to the new terms approved by the Compensation Committee.