INCOME TAXES (Block)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure Abstract
Income Tax Disclosure Text Block	7. INCOME TAXES Tax Rates For The Nine Months And Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 The effective income tax rates were 131.7% and 41.5% for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. These rates were impacted by: (1) merger and acquisition costs that result in an increase in the annual estimated effective tax rate; and (2) a discrete windfall income tax benefit, described below. The annual estimated effective tax rate is estimated to be higher than in previous years primarily due to the amount of merger and acquisition costs forecasted for 2017 as a result of the Merger, as a significant portion of these costs are not deductible for federal and state income tax purposes. As a result of adopting the amended accounting guidance for stock-based compensation on January 1, 2017, the Company recorded, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a discrete windfall income tax benefit of $0.8 million from the vesting of stock-based awards with tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recorded. Refer to Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Significant Policies, for additional information. Tax Rates For The Nine Months And Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 The effective income tax rates were 37.6% and 39.8% for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. These rates were impacted by discrete income tax benefits from recent legislation in certain single member states that allowed for: (1) the reversal of partial valuation allowances; and (2) a retroactive decrease in deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill. The income tax rate was also impacted by income tax expense from: (i) an increase in deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill; (ii) an adjustment for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes; and (iii) a tax benefit shortfall associated with share-based awards. Net Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, net deferred tax liabilities were $82.7 million and $92.9 million, respectively. The income tax accounting process to determine the deferred tax liabilities involves estimating all temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the period in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The Company estimated the current exposure by assessing the temporary differences and computing the provision for income taxes by applying the estimated effective tax rate to income.

INCOME TAXES (Block)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

7. INCOME TAXES

Tax Rates For The Nine Months And Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

The effective income tax rates were 131.7% and 41.5% for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. These rates were impacted by: (1) merger and acquisition costs that result in an increase in the annual estimated effective tax rate; and (2) a discrete windfall income tax benefit, described below. The annual estimated effective tax rate is estimated to be higher than in previous years primarily due to the amount of merger and acquisition costs forecasted for 2017 as a result of the Merger, as a significant portion of these costs are not deductible for federal and state income tax purposes.

As a result of adopting the amended accounting guidance for stock-based compensation on January 1, 2017, the Company recorded, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a discrete windfall income tax benefit of $0.8 million from the vesting of stock-based awards with tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recorded. Refer to Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Significant Policies, for additional information.

Tax Rates For The Nine Months And Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

The effective income tax rates were 37.6% and 39.8% for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. These rates were impacted by discrete income tax benefits from recent legislation in certain single member states that allowed for: (1) the reversal of partial valuation allowances; and (2) a retroactive decrease in deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill. The income tax rate was also impacted by income tax expense from: (i) an increase in deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill; (ii) an adjustment for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes; and (iii) a tax benefit shortfall associated with share-based awards.

Net Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities

As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, net deferred tax liabilities were $82.7 million and $92.9 million, respectively. The income tax accounting process to determine the deferred tax liabilities involves estimating all temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the period in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The Company estimated the current exposure by assessing the temporary differences and computing the provision for income taxes by applying the estimated effective tax rate to income.