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 the reporting unit, then a charge is recorded to the results of operations.

For goodwill, the Company uses qualitative and quantitative approaches when testing goodwill for impairment. The Company performs a qualitative evaluation of events and circumstances impacting each reporting unit to determine the likelihood of goodwill impairment. Based on that qualitative evaluation, if the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, no further evaluation is necessary. Otherwise, the Company performs a quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company performs quantitative goodwill impairment tests for reporting units at least once every three years.

The annual impairment assessment conducted during the fourth quarter of the current year indicated that the fair value of the Company's broadcasting licenses was less than the amount reflected in the balance sheet for certain of the Company's markets. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $246.0 million impairment charge ($180.4 million, net of tax) on its broadcasting licenses during the fourth quarter of 2020.

The Company historically performed its annual broadcasting license and goodwill impairment test during the second quarter of each year. During the second quarter of 2019, however, the Company voluntarily changed the date of its annual broadcasting license and goodwill impairment test date from April 1 to December 1. The change was made to more closely align the impairment testing date with the Company's long-term planning and forecasting process. The Company determined this change in method of applying an accounting principle is preferable and does not result in adjustments to its financial statements when applied retrospectively. The change in the annual impairment testing date did not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge.

There were material changes in the carrying value of broadcasting licenses and goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily as a result of: (i) the impairment losses recorded in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020; (ii) assets held for sale activities described further in Note 22, Assets Held For Sale And Discontinued Operations; and (iii) acquisitions described further in Note 3, Business Combinations.


	Broadcasting Licenses Carrying Amount
	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(amounts in thousands)
Broadcasting licenses balance as of January 1,	$	2,508,121	$	2,516,625
Disposition of radio stations (see Note 3, 22)	(432)		(17,940)
Acquisitions (see Note 3)	—		19,576
Loss on impairment (See Note 14)	(261,929)		—
Assets held for sale (see Note 22)	(16,744)		(10,140)
Ending period balance	$	2,229,016	$	2,508,121


	Goodwill Carrying Amount
	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(amounts in thousands)
Goodwill balance before cumulative loss on impairment as of January 1,	$	1,024,467	$	982,663
Accumulated loss on impairment as of January 1,	(980,547)		(443,194)
Goodwill beginning balance after cumulative loss on impairment as of January 1,	43,920		539,469
Loss on impairment (see Note 14)	—		(537,353)
Dispositions (see Note 3)	—		(4,862)
Acquisitions (see Note 3)	18,323		46,666
Measurement period adjustments to acquired goodwill	(28)		—
Ending period balance	$	62,215	$	43,920
Goodwill balance before cumulative loss on impairment as of December 31,	$	1,042,762	$	1,024,467
Accumulated loss on impairment as of December 31,	(980,547)		(980,547)
Goodwill ending balance as of December 31,	$	62,215	$	43,920

In evaluating whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that an interim impairment assessment is required, management considers several factors in determining whether it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the Company’s broadcasting licenses or goodwill exceeds the fair value of the Company’s broadcasting licenses or goodwill, respectively. The analysis considers: (i) macroeconomic conditions such as deterioration in general economic conditions, limitations on accessing capital, or other developments in equity and credit markets; (ii) industry and market considerations such as deterioration in the environment in which the Company operates, an increased competitive environment, a change in the market for the Company’s products or services, or a regulatory or political development; (iii) cost factors such as increases in labor or other costs that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows; (iv) overall financial performance such as negative or declining cash flows or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods; (v) other relevant entity-specific events such as changes in management, key personnel, strategy, or customers, bankruptcy, or litigation; (vi) events affecting a reporting unit such as a change in the composition or carrying amount of the Company’s net assets; and (vii) a sustained decrease in the Company’s share price.

The Company evaluates the significance of identified events and circumstances on the basis of the weight of evidence along with how they could affect the relationship between the carrying value of the Company’s broadcasting licenses and goodwill and their respective fair value amounts, including positive mitigating events and circumstances.

Subsequent to the annual impairment test conducted during the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company continued to monitor these factors listed above. Due to the current economic and market conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a contraction in the expected future economic and market conditions utilized in the annual impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company determined that the changes in circumstances warranted an interim impairment assessment on its broadcasting licenses during the second quarter of the current year. Due to changes in facts and circumstances, the Company revised its estimates with respect to projected operating performance and discount rates used in the interim impairment assessment.

Subsequent to the interim impairment assessment conducted during the second quarter of the current year, the Company continued to monitor these factors listed above. Due to the current economic and market conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a further contraction in the expected future economic and market conditions utilized in the interim impairment assessment conducted in the second quarter of the current year, primarily a decrease in market-specific revenue forecasts, the Company determined that changes in circumstances warranted an interim impairment assessment on certain of its broadcasting licenses during the third quarter of the current year.

The annual impairment assessment conducted during the second quarter of 2018 indicated that the fair value of the Company's broadcasting licenses exceeded their respective carrying amount. Accordingly, no impairment charge was recorded. Subsequent to the Company's annual impairment test conducted during the second quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a $0.7 million impairment charge related to a potential disposal of assets in one of its markets.

The Company historically performed 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 Greenfield method (discussed below). Subsequent to the annual impairment test conducted during the second quarter of 2018, the Company continued to monitor the impairment indicators listed above and determined that a sustained decrease in the Company's share price required the Company to conduct an interim impairment assessment on its broadcasting licenses. Due to changes in facts and circumstances, the Company revised its estimates with respect to its estimated operating profit margins and long-term revenue growth rates used in the impairment assessment. As a result of the Company's interim impairment assessment conducted in the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a $147.9 million impairment ($108.8 million, net of tax) on its broadcasting licenses. The interim impairment assessment conducted on its broadcasting licenses in the fourth quarter of 2018 followed the same methodology used in the annual impairment assessment conducted in the second quarter of 2018.

During the second quarter of 2019, the Company voluntarily changed the date of its annual broadcasting license impairment test date from April 1 to December 1. In response to the changing of the annual broadcasting license impairment test date, during the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Company made an evaluation based on factors such as each market's total market share and changes in operating cash flow margins, and concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each market's broadcasting licenses exceeded their carrying values at the time of the change in impairment test date. The change in the annual impairment testing date did not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, 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.

During the second quarter of the current year, the Company completed an interim impairment test 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 $4.1 million, ($3.0 million, net of tax).

During the third quarter of the current year, the Company completed an interim impairment test for certain of 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 $11.8 million, ($8.7 million, net of tax).

In connection with the Company's annual impairment assessment conducted during the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company continued to evaluate the appropriateness of the key assumptions used to develop the fair values of its broadcasting licenses. After further consideration of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on the broadcast industry, the Company concluded it was appropriate to revise the discount rate used. This change, which resulted in an increase to the discount rate used, was made to reflect current rates that a market participant could expect and further addressed forecast risk that exists as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the fourth quarter of the current year, the Company completed its annual impairment test for broadcasting licenses at the market level using the Greenfield method. As a result of this annual 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 $246.0 million, ($180.4 million, net of tax).

The Company performs its broadcasting license impairment test by using the Greenfield method at the market level. 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 broadcasting licenses are assessed for recoverability at the market level. Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of a market's broadcasting licenses to its

carrying value. The Greenfield method is 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. The cash flow projections for the broadcasting licenses include significant judgments and assumptions relating to the market share and profit margin of an average station within a market based upon market size and station type, the forecasted growth rate of each radio market (including long-term growth rate) and the discount rate. Changes in the Company's estimates of the fair value of these assets could result in material future period write-downs of the carrying value of the Company's broadcasting licenses.

Estimates And Assumptions

Fourth Quarter
2020

Third Quarter 2020

Second Quarter
2020

Fourth Quarter 2019

Fourth Quarter 2018

Second Quarter 2018

Discount rate

8.50

7.50

8.00

8.50

9.0

Operating profit margin ranges for average stations in markets where the Company operates

20% to 36%

24% to 36%

22% to 36%

18% to 36%

22% to 37%

Forecasted growth rate (including long-term growth rate) range of the Company's markets

0.0% to 0.6%

0.0% to 0.7%

0.0% to 0.8%

0.0% to 0.9%

0.5% to 1.0%

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. The COVID-19 pandemic increases the uncertainty with respect to such market and economic conditions and, as such, increases the risk of future impairment.

In prior years, the Company determined that each individual radio market was a reporting unit and the Company assessed goodwill in each of the Company’s markets. If the fair value of any reporting unit was less than the amount reflected on the balance sheet, the Company would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeded the reporting unit’s fair value. The loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

As a result of the change to a single operating segment in 2018, the Company reassessed its reporting unit determination in 2018. Following acquisition activity in November 2017, the Company’s radio broadcasting operations increased from 28 radio markets to 48 radio markets. Each market was a component one level beneath the single operating segment. Since each market was economically similar, all 48 markets were aggregated into a single reporting unit for the goodwill impairment assessment conducted in 2018.

In response to the realignment in the Company’s operating segments and reporting units, the Company considered whether the event represented a triggering event for interim goodwill impairment testing. During the three months ended June 30, 2018, and prior to conducting the 2018 annual impairment testing described below, the Company made an evaluation, based on

Subsequent to the annual impairment test conducted during the second quarter of 2018, the Company continued to monitor the impairment indicators listed above and determined that a sustained decrease in the Company's share price required the Company to conduct an interim impairment assessment on its goodwill. Due to changes in facts and circumstances, the Company revised its estimates with respect to its estimated operating profit margins and long-term revenue growth rates used in the impairment assessment. As a result of its interim impairment assessment conducted in the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a $317.1 million impairment ($314.4 million, net of tax) on its goodwill. The interim impairment assessment conducted on its goodwill in the fourth quarter of 2018 followed the same methodology used in the annual impairment assessment conducted in the second quarter of 2018.

During the second quarter of 2019, the Company voluntarily changed the date of its annual goodwill impairment test date from April 1 to December 1. In response to the changing of the annual goodwill impairment test date, during the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Company made an evaluation based on factors such as changes in the Company's long-term growth rate, changes in the Company's operating cash flow margin, and trends in the Company's market capitalization, and concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the Company's goodwill exceeded its carrying value at the time of the change in impairment test date. The change in the annual impairment testing date did not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge.

During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company considered key factors and circumstances that could have potentially indicated a need to conduct an interim impairment assessment. Such factors and circumstances included, but were not limited to: (i) forecasted financial information; (ii) discount rates; (iii) long-term growth rates; (iv) the Company's stock price; and (v) analyst expectations. After giving consideration to all available evidence arising from these facts and circumstances, the Company concluded that it did not have a requirement to perform an interim impairment test for goodwill.

As a result of disposition activity in 2019, the Company was operating in 47 radio markets. Each market was a component one level beneath the single operating segment. Since each market was economically similar, all 47 markets were aggregated into a single broadcast reporting unit for the prior year goodwill impairment assessment. As a result of the acquisition of Pineapple and Cadence13 in 2019, the Company significantly increased its podcasting operations. Cadence13 and Pineapple represent a single podcasting division one level beneath the single operating segment. Since the operations are economically similar, Cadence13 and Pineapple were aggregated into a single podcasting reporting unit.

All of the Company's goodwill at the broadcast reporting unit was subject to the annual impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter of 2019. The annual impairment assessment indicated the fair value of the Company's goodwill attributable to the broadcast reporting unit was less than its carrying value. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $537.4 million impairment charge ($519.6 million, net of tax) on its goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2019. As a result of this impairment charge, the Company no longer has any goodwill attributable to its broadcasting reporting unit.

In November 2020, the Company completed the QLGG Acquisition. QLGG represents a separate division one level beneath the single operating segment and its own reporting unit. For the goodwill acquired in the QLGG Acquisition, similar valuation techniques that were applied in the valuation of goodwill under purchase price accounting were also used in the annual impairment testing process. The valuation of the acquired goodwill approximated fair value.

The podcast reporting unit goodwill, primarily consisting of acquired goodwill from the Cadence13 Acquisition and the Pineapple Acquisition, was subject to a qualitative annual impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter of the 2020. As a result of the qualitative impairment test, the Company determined it was more likely than not that the fair value of the goodwill acquired in the Cadence13 Acquisition and the Pineapple Acquisition exceeded their respective carrying amounts. Accordingly, no quantitative impairment assessment was conducted and no impairment was recorded.

In connection with the Company’s prior year annual and prior year interim goodwill impairment assessments at the broadcasting reporting unit, the Company used an income approach in computing the fair value of the Company's goodwill. This approach utilized a discounted cash flow method by projecting the Company’s income over a specified time and capitalizing at an appropriate market rate to arrive at an indication of the most probable selling price. Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of the Company's reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. Cash flow projections for the reporting unit include significant judgments and assumptions relating to projected operating profit margin (including revenue and expense growth rates) and the discount rate. Management believes that this approach is commonly used

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 on its goodwill, which could be material, in future periods.

The Company has definite-lived intangible assets that consist of advertiser lists and customer relationships, and acquired advertising contracts. These assets are amortized over the period for which the assets are expected to contribute to the Company’s future cash flows and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company reviewed the carrying value and the useful lives of these assets and determined they were appropriate.

See Note 9, Other Assets, for: (i) a listing of the assets comprising definite-lived assets, which are included in other assets on the balance sheets; (ii) the amount of amortization expense for definite-lived assets; and (iii) the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for definite-lived assets in future periods.