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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 27, 2016

The McClatchy Company (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a 21st century news and information publisher of well-respected publications such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee, The Charlotte Observer, The (Raleigh) News and Observer, and the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram. We operate 29 media companies in 28 U.S. markets in 14 states, providing each of our communities with high-quality news and advertising services in a wide array of digital and print formats. We are headquartered in Sacramento, California, and our Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MNI.

We also own 15.0% of CareerBuilder LLC, which operates the nation’s largest online jobs website, CareerBuilder.com, as well as certain other digital company investments.

Preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and pursuant to the rules and regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the Company and our subsidiaries. Intercompany items and transactions are eliminated.

In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, that are necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The financial statements contained in this report are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015 (“Form 10-K”). Each of the fiscal periods included herein comprise 13 weeks for the first-quarter periods.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. The hierarchy below lists three levels of fair value based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. We categorize each of our fair value measurements in one of these three levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.

Level 2 – Observable inputs to the valuation methodology are other than Level 1 inputs and are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date and fair value can be determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability, and the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability including assumptions regarding risk.

Our policy is to recognize significant transfers between levels at the actual date of the event or circumstance that caused the transfer.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable. As of March 27, 2016, and December 27, 2015, the carrying amount of these items approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments.

Long-term debt. The fair value of our long-term debt is determined using quoted market prices and other inputs that were derived from available market information, including the current market activity of our publicly-traded notes and bank debt, trends in investor demand for debt and market values of comparable publicly-traded debt. These are considered to be Level 2 inputs under the fair value measurements and disclosure guidance, and may not be representative of actual value. At March 27, 2016, and December 27, 2015, the estimated fair value of long-term debt was $693.1 million and $729.8 million, respectively. At March 27, 2016, and December 27, 2015, the carrying value of our long-term debt was $876.0 million and $905.4 million, respectively.

Pension plan. As of March 27, 2016, and December 27, 2015, we had assets related to our qualified defined benefit pension plan measured at fair value.

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Our non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are assets held for sale, goodwill, intangible assets not subject to amortization and equity method investments. All of these are measured using Level 3 inputs. We utilize valuation techniques that seek to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The significant unobservable inputs include our expected cash flows and discount rates that we estimate market participants would seek for bearing the risk associated with such assets.

Property, plant and equipment

During the three months ended March 27, 2016, we incurred $2.8 million in accelerated depreciation related to the production equipment associated with outsourcing our printing process at two of our media companies. No similar transactions were recorded during the three months ended March 29, 2015.

Depreciation expense with respect to property, plant and equipment is summarized below:


	Three Months Ended
	March 27,		March 29,
(in thousands)	2016		2015
Depreciation expense	$	12,564	$	11,523

Assets held for sale

Assets held for sale includes land and buildings that we began to actively market for sale during 2015 at one of our media companies and a parking structure at another media company. No similar transactions were recorded during the three months ended March 27, 2016.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

We test for impairment of goodwill annually, at year‑end, or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The required two‑step approach uses accounting judgments and estimates of future operating results. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. Impairment testing is done at a reporting unit level. We perform this testing on operating segments, which are also considered our reporting units. An impairment loss generally is recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value of our reporting units is determined using a combination of a discounted cash flow model and market based approaches. The estimates and judgments that most significantly affect the fair value calculation are assumptions related to revenue growth, newsprint prices, compensation levels, discount rate, and for the market based approach, private and public market trading multiples for newspaper assets. We consider current market capitalization, based upon the recent stock market prices, plus an estimated control premium in determining the reasonableness of the aggregate fair value of the reporting units. We had no impairment of goodwill during the three months ended March 27, 2016, or March 29, 2015.

Newspaper mastheads (newspaper titles and website domain names) are not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment annually, at year‑end, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of each newspaper masthead with its carrying amount. We use a relief-from-royalty approach that utilizes a discounted cash flow model, as discussed above, to determine the fair value of each newspaper masthead. We had no impairment of newspaper mastheads during the three months ended March 27, 2016, or March 29, 2015.

Long‑lived assets such as intangible assets (primarily advertiser and subscriber lists) are amortized and tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of each asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of such asset group. We had no impairment of long‑lived assets subject to amortization during the three months ended March 27, 2016, or March 29, 2015.

Segment reporting

Segment Reporting

We operate 29 media companies, providing each of our communities with high-quality news and advertising services in a wide array of digital and print formats. We have two operating segments that we aggregate into a single reportable segment because each has similar economic characteristics, products, customers and distribution methods. Our operating segments are based on how our chief executive officer, who is also our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), makes decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. The CODM is provided discrete financial information for the two operating segments. Each operating segment consists of a group of media companies and both operating segments report to the same segment manager. As of March 27, 2016, one of our operating segments (“Western Segment”) consists of our media operations in California, the Northwest, and the Midwest, while the other operating segment (“Eastern Segment”) consists primarily of media operations in the Southeast and Florida.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and reclassifications from AOCL, net of tax, consisted of the following:


			Other
	Minimum		Comprehensive
	Pension and		Loss
	Post-		Related to
	Retirement		Equity
(in thousands)	Liability		Investments		Total
Balance at December 27, 2015	$	(411,956)	$	(9,852)	$	(421,808)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		—		(495)		(495)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL		2,302		—		2,302
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,302		(495)		1,807
Balance at March 27, 2016	$	(409,654)	$	(10,347)	$	(420,001)


	Amount Reclassified from AOCL
	Three Months Ended
	March 27,		March 29,		Affected Line in the Condensed
AOCL Component	2016		2015		Consolidated Statements of Operations
Minimum pension and post-retirement liability	$	3,837	$	4,802	Compensation
		(1,535)		(1,921)	Benefit for income taxes
	$	2,302	$	2,881	Net of tax

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense. Accrued penalties are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Basic EPS excludes dilution from common stock equivalents and reflects income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock and dilutive common stock equivalents in the period. Common stock equivalents arise from dilutive stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, and restricted stock and are computed using the treasury stock method. Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents are excluded from diluted EPS. The weighted average anti-dilutive common stock equivalents that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future, but were not included in the weighted average share calculation, consisted of the following:


	Three Months Ended
	March 27,	March 29,
(shares in thousands)	2016	2015
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents	4,487	4,565

Cash Flow Information

Cash paid for interest and income taxes consisted of the following:


	Three Months Ended
	March 27,		March 29,
(in thousands)	2016		2015
Interest paid (net of amount capitalized)	$	11,087	$	12,695
Income taxes paid (net of refunds)		(5,850)		178,581

Other-non cash financing activities:
Financing obligation for contribution of real property to pension plan	$	47,130
Reduction of pension obligation		(47,130)

The income tax payments in the three months ended March 29, 2015, were primarily related to the gain on the sale of a previous owned equity investment in the fourth quarter of 2014, offset by the net of tax losses on bond repurchases in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Other non-cash financing activities relate to the contribution of real property to the Pension Plan. See Note 5 for further discussion.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 outlines a new, single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. This new revenue recognition model provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized. The new model will require revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. It is effective for us for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” ASU 2014-15 requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnotes disclosures in certain circumstances. It is effective for us for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” ASU 2015-11 simplifies the measurement of inventory by requiring certain inventory to be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” It is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard should be applied prospectively with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (Accounting Standards Codification 842 (“ASC 842”)) and it replaces the existing guidance in ASC 840, “Leases.” ASC 842 requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. The new lease standard does not substantially change lessor accounting. It is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Consideration (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net).” ASU 2016-08 does not change the core principle of the guidance stated in ASU 2014-09, instead, the amendments in this ASU are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and whether an entity reports revenue on a gross or net basis. ASU 2016-08 will have the same effective date and transition requirements as the new revenue standard issued in ASU 2014-09, as described above. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements of Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU 2016-09 makes several modifications to Topic 718 related to the accounting for forfeitures, employer tax withholding on share-based compensation and the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies. This guidance also clarifies the statement of cash flows presentation of certain components of share-based awards. ASU 2016-09 is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.” ASU 2016-10 does not change the core principle of the guidance stated in ASU 2014-09, instead, the amendments in this ASU are intended to clarify the following two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those areas. ASU 2016-08 will have the same effective date and transition requirements as the new revenue standard issued in ASU 2014-09, as described above. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810); Amendments to the Consolidated Analysis,” which changed the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. This guidance was effective for us at the beginning of 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, "Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement." ASU 2015-05 provided guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The new guidance does not change the accounting for service contracts. This guidance was effective for us at the beginning of 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323).” ASU 2016-07 eliminates the requirement that when an existing cost method investment qualifies for use of the equity method, an investor must restate its historical financial statements, as if the equity method had been used during all previous periods. Under the new guidance, at the point an investment qualifies for the equity method, any unrealized gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be recognized through earnings. ASU 2016-07 is effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this standard and it did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements