CONTENT ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

CONTENT ASSETS

CONTENT ASSETS

7. CONTENT ASSETS:

The gross cost and accumulated amortization of content assets is as follows:

	As of December 31,				Period of
	2023		2022		Amortization
	(In thousands)
Produced content assets:
Completed	$	132,273	$	122,660
In-production		11,726		23,300
Licensed content assets acquired:
Acquired		35,520		55,751
Content assets, at cost		179,519		201,711	1‑5 Years
Less: accumulated amortization		(67,323)		(81,330)
Content assets, net		112,196		120,381
Less: current portion		(29,748)		(34,003)
Noncurrent portion	$	82,448	$	86,378

The aggregate amortization expense for produced content assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is $32.6 million and $26.3 million, respectively. The aggregate amortization expense for acquired content assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is $17.5 million and $17.2 million, respectively. The aggregate amortization expense for content assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is approximately $50.1 million and $43.5 million, respectively. Amortization of content assets is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as programming and technical expenses.

Future estimated content amortization expense as of December 31, 2023, for years 2024 through 2026 is as follows:

	Produced		Acquired		Total
	(In thousands)
2024	$	19,523	$	10,225	$	29,748
2025		13,710		4,571		18,281
2026		9,977		1,359		11,336

Future estimated content amortization expense is not included for in-production content assets in the table above.

Future minimum content payments required under agreements entered into as of December 31, 2023, are as follows:

	(In thousands)
2024	$	22,389
2025		2,643
2026		759