INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL (Block)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Goodwil And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure Text Block

2. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Goodwill and certain intangible assets are not amortized for book purposes. They may be, however, 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 goodwill and certain intangibles (such as broadcasting licenses), then a charge is recorded to the results of operations.

The following table presents the changes in broadcasting licenses that include an acquisition for multiple radio stations in new markets (described further in Note 9) along with a related transaction that covers the exchange of certain stations in Denver (assets held for sale and the deconsolidation of a subsidiary, as described further in Note 12) for a station in Los Angeles (currently under a time brokerage agreement as of September 30, 2015):

	Broadcasting Licenses
	Carrying Amount
	September 30,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(amounts in thousands)

Beginning of period balance as of January 1,	$	718,992	$	718,542
Acquisition of radio stations		79,209		-
Acquisitions - other		100		450
Assets held for sale		(32,979)		-
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary		(9,601)		-
Ending period balance	$	755,721	$	718,992

The following table presents the changes in goodwill that include an acquisition for multiple radio stations in new markets (described further in Note 9) along with a related transaction that covers the exchange of certain stations in Denver (assets held for sale and the deconsolidation of a subsidiary, as described further in Note 11) for a station in Los Angeles (currently under a time brokerage agreement as of September 30, 2015):

	Goodwill Carrying Amount
	September 30,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(amounts in thousands)
Goodwill balance before cumulative loss
on impairment as of January 1,	$	164,465	$	164,465
Accumulated loss on impairment as of January 1,		(125,615)		(125,615)
Goodwill beginning balance after cumulative loss
on impairment as of January 1,		38,850		38,850
Acquisition of radio stations		5,866		-
Assets held for sale		(10,230)		-
Deconsolidation of subsidiary		(759)		-
Ending period balance	$	33,727	$	38,850

Broadcasting Licenses Impairment Test

The Company performs its annual broadcasting license impairment test during the second quarter of each year by evaluating its broadcasting licenses for impairment at the market level using the direct method.

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. The Company determines the fair value of the broadcasting licenses in each of its 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. The Company’s 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: (1) the discount rate; (2) the market share and profit margin of an average station within a market, based upon market size and station type; (3) the forecast growth rate of each radio market; (4) the estimated capital start-up costs and losses incurred during the early years; (5) the likely media competition within the market area; (6) the tax rate; and (7) future terminal values.

The methodology used by the Company in determining its key estimates and assumptions was applied consistently to each market. Of the seven variables identified above, the Company believes that the assumptions in items (1) through (3) above are the most important and sensitive in the determination of fair value.

During the second quarter for each of the years 2015 and 2014, the Company completed its annual impairment test for broadcasting licenses and determined that the fair value of its broadcasting licenses was greater than the amount reflected in the balance sheet for each of the Company’s markets and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded.

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 balance sheet, the Company may be required to conduct an interim test and possibly recognize impairment charges, which may be material, in future periods.

There were no events or circumstances since the Company’s second quarter annual license impairment test that indicated an interim review of broadcasting licenses was required.

Goodwill Impairment Test

The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test during the second quarter of each year by evaluating its goodwill for each reporting unit.

During the second quarter for each of the years 2015 and 2014, the Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test and the results indicated that there was no impairment as the fair value was greater than the carrying value.

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 balance sheet, the Company may be required to conduct an interim test and possibly recognize impairment charges, which could be material, in future periods.

There were no events or circumstances since the Company’s second quarter annual goodwill test that indicated an interim review of goodwill was required.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

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