Leases and Other Commitments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Leases And Other Commitments [Abstract]

LEASES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS

The Company leases real property under operating agreements. Many of the leases contain renewal options and escalation clauses that require payments of additional rent to the extent of increases in the related operating costs.

At December 31, 2018, future minimum rental payments under noncancelable operating leases approximate the following:



(in thousands)
2019	$	101,009
2020	84,945
2021	72,031
2022	53,709
2023	47,091
Thereafter	115,948
	$	474,733

Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $66.0 million due in the future under noncancelable subleases.

Rent expense under operating leases was approximately $83.4 million, $81.1 million and $86.9 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Sublease income was approximately $15.6 million, $14.8 million and $14.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company’s broadcast subsidiaries are parties to certain agreements that commit them to purchase programming to be produced in future years. At December 31, 2018, such commitments amounted to approximately $16.1 million. If such programs are not produced, the Company’s commitment would expire without obligation.