The Company has determined the types of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement are: (i) certain tangible and intangible assets subject to impairment testing as described in Note 8, Intangible Assets And Goodwill; (ii) financial instruments as described in Note 12, Long-Term Debt; (iii) deemed deferred compensation plans as described in Note 20, Employee Savings And Benefit Plans; (iv) lease abandonment liabilities ; and (v) interest rate derivative transactions that are outstanding from time to time as described in Note 13, Derivative And Hedging Activities.

The fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent to the inputs of the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy assigns the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable than objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. At each balance sheet date, the Company performs an analysis of all instruments and includes in Level 3 all of those whose fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and/or liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value and its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. During the periods presented, there were no transfers between fair value hierarchical levels.


	Fair Value Measurements At Reporting Date
Description	Balance at December 31, 2020		Quoted prices in active markets Level 1		Significant other observable inputs Level 2		Significant unobservable inputs Level 3		Measured at Net Asset Value as a Practical Expedient (2)
	(amounts in thousands)
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities (1)	$	33,474	$	27,040	$	—	$	—	$	6,434
Interest rate cash flow hedge (3)	$	2,439	$	—	$	2,439	$	—	$	—


Description	Balance at December 31, 2019		Quoted prices in active markets Level 1		Significant other observable inputs Level 2		Significant unobservable inputs Level 3		Measured at Net Asset Value as a Practical Expedient (2)
	(amounts in thousands)
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liabilities (1)	$	33,229	$	25,592	$	—	$	—	$	7,637
Interest rate cash flow hedge (3)	$	189	$	—	$	189	$	—	$	—

(1)The Company’s deferred compensation liability, which is included in other long-term liabilities, is recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The unfunded plan allows participants to hypothetically invest in various specified investment options.

(2)The fair value of underlying investments in collective trust funds is determined using the net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the administrator of the fund as a practical expedient. The NAV is determined by each fund’s trustee based upon the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, less liabilities, divided by outstanding units. In accordance with appropriate accounting guidance, these investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.

(3)The Company's interest rate collar, which is included in other long-term liabilities, is recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The derivatives are not exchange listed and therefore the fair value is estimated using models that reflect the contractual terms of the derivative, yield curves, and the credit quality of the counterparties. The models also incorporate the Company's creditworthiness in order to appropriately reflect non-performance risk. Inputs are generally observable and do not contain a high level of subjectivity.

The Company has certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and are adjusted to fair value only when the carrying values are more than the fair values. The categorization of the framework used to price the assets is considered Level 3, due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value.

During the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, the Company conducted interim and annual impairment assessments on its broadcasting licenses. As a result of these impairment assessments, the Company determined the fair values of the broadcasting licenses were less than their respective carrying values. Accordingly, the Company recorded impairment charges in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020. Refer to Note 8, Intangible Assets and Goodwill, for additional information.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company conducted a qualitative impairment assessment on its goodwill attributable to the podcast reporting unit. As a result of the qualitative impairment test, the Company determined it was more likely than not that the fair value of the goodwill attributable to the podcast reporting unit exceeded their respective carrying amounts. Refer to Note 8, Intangible Assets and Goodwill, for additional information.

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. Refer to Note 8, Intangible Assets and Goodwill, for additional information.

As discussed in Note 8, Intangible Assets And Goodwill, the Company voluntarily changed the date of its annual impairment test for its broadcasting licenses and goodwill. As a result of this change, the Company did not determine the fair value of its broadcasting licenses and goodwill during the quarter ended June 30, 2019.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company conducted an annual impairment assessment on its broadcasting licenses and goodwill. As a result of this impairment assessment, the Company concluded that its broadcasting licenses were not impaired as the fair value of these assets exceeded their carrying value. As a result of this assessment, the Company concluded that its goodwill attributable to its broadcast reporting unit was impaired as the fair value was less than its carrying value. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge on its goodwill in the fourth quarter of 2019. Refer to Note 8, Intangible Assets And Goodwill, for additional information.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the Company reviewed the fair value of its broadcasting licenses and goodwill, and concluded that its broadcasting licenses were not impaired as the fair value of these assets exceeded their carrying value. During the second quarter of 2018, the Company concluded that the fair value of goodwill exceeded the carrying value of goodwill and determined that no goodwill impairment charge was required.

Subsequent to the annual impairment test conducted during the second quarter of 2018, the Company determined that a sustained decrease in the Company's share price required the Company to conduct an interim impairment assessment on its broadcasting licenses and goodwill. This interim impairment assessment conducted during the fourth quarter of 2018 indicated that the carrying value of the Company's broadcasting licenses and goodwill exceeded their respective carrying amount. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge on its broadcasting licenses and goodwill in the fourth quarter of 2018. Refer to Note 8, Intangible Assets And Goodwill, for additional information.

There were no events or changes in circumstances which indicated the Company’s investments, property and equipment, or other intangible assets may not be recoverable, other than as described below.

The Company performs review of its ROU assets for impairment when evidence exists that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a $1.1 million impairment charge related to ROU asset impairment. The impairment charge was recognized within the impairment loss line item on the consolidated statement of operations. Refer to Note 14, Impairment Loss, for additional information.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a $1.4 million impairment charge related to computer software. The impairment charge was recognized within the impairment loss line item on the consolidated statement of operations. Refer to Note 14, Impairment Loss, for additional information.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a $6.0 million impairment charge related to ROU asset impairment. The impairment charge was recognized within the impairment loss line item on the consolidated statement of operations. Refer to Note 14, Impairment Loss, for additional information.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a $2.2 million impairment charge related to impairment of property and equipment. The impairment charge was recorded within the impairment loss line item on the consolidated statement of operations. Refer to Note 14, Impairment Loss, for additional information.

During the second quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a $2.1 million impairment charge related to assets expected to be disposed of in one of its markets. The impairment charge was recognized within the impairment loss line item on the consolidated statement of operations. Refer to Note 14, Impairment Loss, for additional information.

During the second quarter of 2018, events or circumstances changed which indicated that a portion of the Company’s assets which had been classified as held for sale may not be recoverable. Accordingly, the Company estimated the fair value of these assets and recognized an impairment charge of $26.9 million. The impairment charge was recognized within the impairment loss line item on the consolidated statement of operations. Refer to Note 14, Impairment Loss, for additional information.

The estimated fair value of financial instruments is determined using the best available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is necessary, however, in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange, or the value that ultimately will be realized upon maturity or disposition. The use of different market assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

The carrying amount of the following assets and liabilities approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments: (i) cash and cash equivalents; (ii) accounts receivable; and (iii) accounts payable, including accrued liabilities.


	December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	(amounts in thousands)
Term B Loans (1)	$	754,006	$	737,041	$	770,000	$	774,813
Revolver (2)	$	114,727	$	114,727	$	117,000	$	117,000
Senior Notes (3)	$	400,000	$	398,000	$	400,000	$	423,250
Notes (4)	$	425,000	$	429,250	$	425,000	$	454,750
Other debt (5)	$	808			$	873
Letters of credit (5)	$	6,229			$	5,862

(1)The Company’s determination of the fair value of the Term B-2 Loan was based on quoted prices for these instruments and is considered a Level 2 measurement as the pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets.

(2)The fair value of the Revolver was considered to approximate the carrying value as the interest payments are based on LIBOR rates that reset periodically. The Revolver is considered a Level 2 measurement as the pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets.

(3)The Company utilizes a Level 2 valuation input based upon the market trading prices of the Senior Notes to compute the fair value as these Senior Notes are traded in the debt securities market. The Senior Notes are considered a Level 2 measurement as the pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets.

(4)The Company utilizes a Level 2 valuation input based upon the market trading prices of the Notes to compute the fair value as these Notes are traded in the debt securities market. The Notes are considered a Level 2 measurement as the pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets.

The Company holds investments in privately held companies that are not exchange-traded and therefore not supported with observable market prices. The Company does not have significant influence over the investees. The amended accounting guidance for financial instruments, provides an alternative to measure equity securities without readily determinable fair values at cost less impairment (if any), plus or minus observable price changes from an identical or similar investment of the same issuer (the “measurement alternative”). The Company elected the measurement alternative for its qualifying equity securities.

The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of its investments, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company considers investee financial performance and other information received from the investee companies, as well as any other available estimates of the fair value of the investee companies in its evaluation.

If certain impairment indicators exist, the Company determines the fair value of its investments. If the Company determines the carrying value of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company writes down the value of the investment to its fair value. The fair value of the investments is not adjusted if there are no identified adverse events or changes in circumstances that may have a material effect on the fair value of the investment.

Since its initial date of investment, the Company has not identified any events or changes in circumstances which would require the Company to estimate the fair value of its investments. Accordingly, there has been no impairment in the Company’s investments measured under the measurement alternative. Additionally, there have been no returns of capital or changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions. As a result, the investments measured under the measurement alternative continue to be presented at their original cost basis on the consolidated balance sheets.

There was no change in the carrying value of the Company’s cost-method investments since the year ended December 31, 2020. The following table presents the Company’s investments valued under the measurement alternative:


	Investments Valued Under the Measurement Alternative
	December 31,
	2020		2019
	(amounts in thousands)
Investment balance before cumulative impairment as of January 1,	$	3,305	$	11,205
Accumulated impairment as of January 1,	—		—
Investment beginning balance after cumulative impairment as of January 1,	3,305		11,205
Removal of investment in connection with step acquisition	—		(9,700)
Acquisition of interest in a privately held company	—		1,800
Ending period balance	$	3,305	$	3,305