INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and certain intangible assets are not amortized for book purposes. They may, however, be amortized for tax purposes. The Company accounts for its acquired broadcasting licenses as indefinite-lived intangible assets and, similar to goodwill, these assets are reviewed at least annually for impairment. At the time of each review, if the fair value is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, then a charge is recorded to the results of operations.

The following table presents the changes in the carrying value of broadcasting licenses. Refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, and Note 14, Assets Held For Sale, for additional information.


	Broadcasting Licenses Carrying Amount
	June 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
	(amounts in thousands)
Broadcasting licenses balance as of January 1,	$	2,089,226	$	2,251,546
Disposition of radio stations (See Note 2)	(4,956)		(4,377)
Acquisitions (See Note 2)	—		2,002
Loss on impairment	(124,830)		(159,089)
Assets held for sale (See Note 14)	—		(856)
Ending period balance	$	1,959,440	$	2,089,226

The following table presents the changes in goodwill. Refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, for additional information.


	Goodwill Carrying Amount
	June 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
	(amounts in thousands)
Goodwill balance before cumulative loss on impairment as of January 1,	$	1,062,588	$	1,062,723
Accumulated loss on impairment as of January 1,	(998,673)		(980,547)
Goodwill beginning balance after cumulative loss on impairment as of January 1,	63,915		82,176
Loss on impairment	—		(18,126)


Measurement period adjustments to acquired goodwill (See Note 2)	—		(135)
Ending period balance	$	63,915	$	63,915

Broadcasting Licenses Impairment Test

Each market’s broadcasting licenses are combined into a single unit of accounting for purposes of testing impairment, as the broadcasting licenses in each market are operated as a single asset. We determine the fair value of the broadcasting licenses in each of our markets by relying on a discounted cash flow approach (a 10-year income model) assuming a start-up scenario in which the only assets held by an investor are broadcasting licenses. Our fair value analysis contains assumptions based upon past experience, reflects expectations of industry observers and includes judgments about future performance using industry normalized information for an average station within a certain market. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: (i) the discount rate; (ii) the profit margin of an average station within a market, based upon market size and station type; (iii) the forecast growth rate of each radio market; (iv) the estimated capital start-up costs and losses incurred during the early years; (v) the likely media competition within the market area; (vi) the tax rate; and (vii) future terminal values.

The methodology used by us in determining our key estimates and assumptions is applied consistently to each market. Of the seven variables identified above, we believe that the assumptions in items (i) through (iii) above are the most important and sensitive in the determination of fair value.

The Company evaluated whether the facts and circumstances and available information resulted in the need for an impairment assessment for its FCC broadcasting licenses, particularly the results of operations, increase in interest rates and related impact on the weighted average cost of capital and changes in stock price, and concluded an interim impairment assessment was warranted.

During the second quarter of the current year, the Company completed an interim impairment assessment for its broadcasting licenses at the market level using the Greenfield method. As a result of this interim impairment assessment, the Company determined that the fair value of its broadcasting licenses was less than the amount reflected in the balance sheet for certain of the Company's markets and, accordingly, recorded an impairment loss of $124.8 million ($91.5 million, net of tax). The Company will continue to evaluate the impacts of the current macroeconomic conditions on its business, including the impacts of overall economic conditions.

If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the industry or the Company, or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of the Company’s broadcasting licenses below the amount reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, the Company may be required to conduct an interim test and possibly recognize impairment charges, which may be material, in future periods. The current macroeconomic conditions increase the uncertainty with respect to such market and economic conditions and, as such, increases the risk of future impairment.

Assumptions and Results - Broadcasting Licenses

The following table reflects the estimates and assumptions used in the interim and annual broadcasting licenses impairment assessments of each year.


	Estimates And Assumptions
	Second Quarter 2023		Fourth Quarter 2022
Discount rate	9.5	%	9.5	%
Operating profit margin ranges for average stations in markets where the Company operates	18% to 32%		18% to 33%
Forecasted growth rate (including long-term growth rate) range of the Company's markets	0.0	%	0.0% to 0.6%

The Company believes it has made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of its broadcasting licenses. These estimates and assumptions could be materially different from actual results.

Goodwill Impairment Test

We perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test by using a discounted cash flow approach (a 5-year income model). Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. Our fair value analysis contains assumptions based upon past experience, reflects expectations of industry observers and includes judgments about future performance using industry normalized information. The cash flow projections for the reporting units include significant judgments and assumptions relating to the revenue, operating expenses, projected operating profit margins, and the discount rate. Changes in our estimates of the fair value of these assets could result in material future period write-downs of the carrying value of our goodwill.

The Company evaluated whether the facts and circumstances and available information result in the need for an impairment assessment for any goodwill, particularly the results of operations, increase in interest rates and related impact on the weighted average cost of capital and changes in stock price, and concluded an interim impairment assessment was warranted.

During the second quarter of the current year, the Company completed an interim impairment assessment for its goodwill at the podcast reporting unit. As a result of this interim impairment assessment, the Company determined that the fair value of its podcast reporting unit was greater than the carrying value, and accordingly, no impairment was recorded. The Company will continue to evaluate the impacts of the current macroeconomic conditions on its business, including the impacts of overall economic conditions.

If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the industry or the Company, or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of the Company’s goodwill below the amount reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, the Company may be required to conduct an interim test and possibly recognize impairment charges, which could be material, in future periods. The current macroeconomic conditions increase the uncertainty with respect to such market and economic conditions and, as such, increases the risk of future impairment.

Assumptions and Results - Goodwill

The following table reflects the estimates and assumptions used in the interim and annual goodwill impairment assessments of each year:


	Estimates And Assumptions
	Second Quarter 2023		Fourth Quarter 2022
Discount rate - podcast reporting unit	11.5	%	11.0	%

The Company believes it has made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of its reporting units. These estimates and assumptions could be materially different from actual results.