Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Consolidation

Basis of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include (i) all of our accounts, (ii) all entities in which we have a controlling voting interest (“subsidiaries”) and (iii) variable interest entities (“VIEs”) required to be consolidated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). We have eliminated intercompany accounts and transactions among consolidated entities.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts of our cash equivalents approximate their fair value. Our cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds and U.S. government obligations, as well as commercial paper and certificates of deposit with maturities of less than three months when purchased.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for various items, including the fair value of acquisition-related assets and liabilities, allowances for doubtful accounts, amortization of owned and acquired programming, impairment of capitalized film and television costs, participation and residual accruals, investments, derivative financial instruments, asset impairments, nonmonetary transactions, pensions and other postretirement benefits, revenue recognition, estimates of DVD and Blu-ray discs (together, “DVDs”) returns and customer incentives, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, legal contingencies, and other contingent liabilities. See Note 11 for our discussion on fair value measurements.

Film And Television Costs

Film and Television Costs

We capitalize film and television production costs, including direct costs, production overhead, print costs, development costs and interest. We amortize capitalized film and television production costs, including acquired libraries, and accrue costs associated with participation and residual payments to operating costs and expenses. We record the amortization and the accrued costs using the ratio of the current period's actual revenue to the estimated total remaining gross revenue from all sources, which is referred to as ultimate revenue. Estimates of total revenue and total costs are based on anticipated release patterns, public acceptance and historical results for similar productions. Unamortized film and television costs, including acquired film and television libraries, are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. We do not capitalize costs related to the exhibition,licensing or sale of a film or television production, which are primarily costs associated with the marketing and distribution of film and television programming.

In determining the estimated lives and method of amortization of acquired film and television libraries, we generally use the method and the life that most closely follow the undiscounted cash flows over the estimated life of the asset.

Upon the occurrence of an event or change in circumstance that may indicate that the fair value of a film is less than its unamortized costs, we determine the fair value of the film and record an impairment charge for the amount by which the unamortized capitalized costs exceed the film's fair value.

We enter into arrangements with third parties to jointly finance and distribute certain of our film productions. These arrangements, which are referred to as cofinancing arrangements, can take various forms. In most cases, the form of the arrangement involves the grant of an economic interest in a film to a third-party investor. The number of investors and the terms of these arrangements can also vary, although in most cases an investor assumes full risk for the portion of the film acquired in these arrangements. We account for our proceeds under these arrangements as a reduction to our capitalized film costs. In these arrangements, the investor owns an undivided copyright interest in the film and, therefore, in each period we record either a charge or benefit to operating costs and expenses to reflect the estimate of the third-party investor's interest in the profit or loss of the film. The estimate of the third-party investor's interest in profit or loss of a film is determined by reference to the ratio of actual revenue earned to date in relation to the ultimate revenue expected to be recognized over a film's useful life.

We capitalize costs of programming content that we license, but do not own, including rights to multiyear live-event sports programming, at the earlier of when payments are made for the programming or when the license period begins and the content is available for use. We amortize capitalized programming costs as the associated programs are broadcast. We amortize multiyear, live-event sports programming rights using the ratio of the current period's actual direct revenue to the estimated total remaining direct revenue or over the contract term.

We state the costs of acquired programming at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value on a program by program, package, channel or daypart basis. A daypart is an aggregation of programs broadcast during a particular time of day or programs of a similar type. Acquired programming used in our Cable Networks segment is tested on a channel basis for impairment, whereas acquired programming in our Broadcast Television segment is tested on a daypart basis. If we determine that the estimates of future cash flows are insufficient or if there is no plan to broadcast certain programming, we will recognize an impairment charge to operating costs and expenses.

See Note 5 for additional information on our film and television costs.

Investments

Investments

We classify publicly traded investments that are not accounted for under the equity method as available-for-sale (“AFS”) or trading securities and record them at fair value. For AFS securities, we record unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value between measurement dates as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), except when we consider declines in value to be other than temporary. For trading securities, we record unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value between measurement dates as a component of investment income (loss), net. We recognize realized gains and losses associated with our fair value method investments using the specific identification method. We classify the cash flows related to purchases of and proceeds from the sale of trading securities based on the nature of the securities and the purpose for which they were acquired.Investments in privately held companies are generally stated at cost.

We use the equity method to account for investments in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee's operating and financial policies. Equity method investments are recorded at cost and are adjusted to recognize (i) our proportionate share of the investee's net income or losses after the date of investment, (ii) amortization of the recorded investment that exceeds our share of the book value of the investees' net assets, (iii) additional contributions made and dividends received, and (iv) impairments resulting from other-than-temporary declines in fair value. For certain investments, we record our share of the investee's net income or loss one quarter in arrears due to the timing of our receipt of such information. Gains or losses on the sale of equity method investments are recorded to other income (expense), net.

We review our investment portfolio each reporting period to determine whether there are identified events or circumstances that would indicate there is a decline in the fair value that would be considered other than temporary. For our nonpublic investments, if there are no identified events or circumstances that would have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment, then the fair value is not estimated. If an investment is deemed to have experienced an other-than-temporary decline below its cost basis, we reduce the carrying amount of the investment to its quoted or estimated fair value, as applicable, and establish a new cost basis for the investment. For our AFS and cost method investments, we record the impairment to investment income (loss), net. For our equity method investments, we record the impairment to other income (expense), net.

If an equity method investee were to issue additional securities that would change our proportionate share of the entity, we would recognize the change, if any, as a gain or loss in our consolidated statement of income.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. We capitalize improvements that extend asset lives and expense repairs and maintenance costs as incurred. For assets that are sold or retired, we remove the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation and, unless the gain or loss on disposition is presented separately, we recognize it as a component of depreciation expense.

We capitalize the costs associated with the construction of and improvements to our cable transmission and distribution facilities and new service installations. Costs include all direct labor and materials, as well as various indirect costs. We capitalize initial customer installation costs that are directly attributable to installation of the drop, including material, labor and indirect costs, in accordance with accounting guidance related to cable television companies. All costs incurred in connection with subsequent service disconnections and reconnections are expensed as they are incurred. We record depreciation using the straight-line method over the asset's estimated useful life. See Note 7 for our significant components of property and equipment.

We evaluate the recoverability of our property and equipment whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is based on the cash flows generated by the underlying asset groups, including estimated future operating results, trends or other determinants of fair value. If the total of the expected future undiscounted cash flows were less than the carrying amount of the asset group, we would recognize an impairment charge to the extent the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value. Unless presented separately, the impairment charge is included as a component of depreciation expense.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Franchise Rights

Our franchise rights consist primarily of cable franchise rights. Cable franchise rights represent the value we attributed to agreements with state and local authorities that allow access to homes and businesses in cable service areas acquired in business combinations. We also have sports franchise rights, which represent the value we attributed to our professional sports team that was acquired in a business combination. We do not amortize our franchise rights because we have determined that they meet the definition of an indefinite-lived intangible asset. We reassess this determination periodically or whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances occur. Costs we incur in negotiating and renewing cable franchise agreements are included in other intangible assets and are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement.

Other

Other indefinite-lived intangible assets include trade names and FCC licenses.

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We evaluate the recoverability of our franchise rights and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually, or more frequently whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. We estimate the fair value of our cable franchise rights and other indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily based on a discounted cash flow analysis. In analyzing the fair values indicated under the discounted cash flow models, we also consider multiples of operating income before depreciation and amortization generated by the underlying assets, current market transactions, and profitability information. If the value of our cable franchise rights or other indefinite-lived intangible assets were less than the carrying amount, we would recognize an impairment charge for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the assets. We also evaluate the unit of account used to test for impairment of our cable franchise rights and other indefinite-lived intangible assets periodically or whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances occur to ensure impairment testing is performed at an appropriate level. The Cable Communications divisions represent the units of account we use to test for impairment for our cable franchise rights.

Goodwill

We assess the recoverability of our goodwill annually, or more frequently whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. In our Cable Communications business, since components one level below the segment level (Cable Communications divisions) are not separate reporting units and have similar economic characteristics, we aggregate the components into one reporting unit at the Cable Communications segment level. In our NBCUniversal businesses, our reporting units containing goodwill are also aggregated at the segment level. The assessment of recoverability considers if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, in which case an impairment charge is recorded to the extent the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Unless presented separately, the impairment charge is included as a component of amortization expense.

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Finite-lived intangible assets subject to amortization consist primarily of customer relationships acquired in business combinations, cable franchise renewal costs, contractual operating rights, intellectual property rights and software. These assets are amortized primarily on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or the terms of the respective agreements. See Note 8 for the ranges of useful lives of our intangible assets.

We capitalize direct development costs associated with internal-use software, including external direct costs of material and services and payroll costs for employees devoting time to these software projects. We also capitalize costs associated with the purchase of software licenses. We include these costs within other intangible assets and amortize them on a straight-line basis over a period not to exceed 5 years, beginning when the asset is substantially ready for use. We expense maintenance and training costs, as well as costs incurred during the preliminary stage of a project, as they are incurred. We capitalize initial operating system software costs and amortize them over the life of the associated hardware.

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We evaluate the recoverability of our intangible assets subject to amortization whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is based on the cash flows generated by the underlying asset groups, including estimated future operating results, trends or other determinants of fair value. If the total of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group, we would recognize an impairment charge to the extent the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value. Unless presented separately, the impairment charge is included as a component of amortization expense.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.

Certain of our cable franchise agreements and lease agreements contain provisions requiring us to restore facilities or remove property in the event that the franchise or lease agreement is not renewed. We expect to continually renew our cable franchise agreements and therefore cannot reasonably estimate any liabilities associated with such agreements. A remote possibility exists that franchise agreements could be terminated unexpectedly, which could result in us incurring significant expense in complying with restoration or removal provisions. The disposal obligations related to our properties are not material to our consolidated financial statements. We do not have any significant liabilities related to asset retirements recorded in our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Cable Communications Segment

Our Cable Communications segment generates revenue primarily from subscriptions to our video, high-speed Internet and voiceservices (“cable services”) and from the sale of advertising. We recognize revenue from cable services as each service is provided. We manage credit risk by screening applicants through the use of internal customer information, identification verification tools and credit bureau data. If a customer's account is delinquent, various measures are used to collect outstanding amounts, including termination of the customer's cable service. Since installation revenue obtained from the connection of customers to our cable systems is less than related direct selling costs, we recognize revenue as connections are completed.

As part of our programming license agreements with cable networks, we generally receive an allocation of scheduled advertising time that we may sell to local, regional and national advertisers. We recognize advertising revenue when the advertising is aired and based on the broadcast calendar. In most cases, the available advertising time is sold by our sales force. In some cases, we work with representation firms as an extension of our sales force to sell a portion of the advertising time allocated to us. We also coordinate the advertising sales efforts of other multichannel video providers in some markets, and in some markets we operate advertising interconnects. Since we are acting as the principal in these arrangements, we report the advertising that is sold as revenue and the fees paid to representation firmsand multichannel video providers as operating costs and expenses.

Revenue earned from other sources is recognized when services are provided or events occur. Under the terms of our cable franchise agreements, we are generally required to pay to the franchising authority an amount based on our gross video revenue. We normally pass these fees through to our cable customers and classify the fees as a component of revenue with the corresponding costs included in operating costs and expenses. We present other taxes imposed on a revenue-producing transaction as revenue if we are acting as the principal or as a reduction to operating costs and expenses if we are acting as an agent.

Cable Networks and Broadcast Television Segments

Our Cable Networks segment primarily generates revenue from the distribution of our cable network programming, the sale of advertising and the licensing and sale of our owned programming. Our Broadcast Television segment primarily generates revenue from the sale of advertising and the licensing and sale of our owned programming. We recognize revenue from distributors as programming is provided, generally under multiyear distribution agreements. From time to time, the distribution agreements expire while programming continues to be provided to the distributor based on interim arrangements while the parties negotiate new contract terms. Revenue recognition is generally limited to current payments being made by the distributor, typically under the prior contract terms, until a new contract is negotiated, sometimes with effective dates that affect prior periods. Differences between actual amounts determined upon resolution of negotiations and amounts recorded during these interim arrangements are recorded in the period of resolution.

Advertising revenue for our Cable Networks and Broadcast Television segments is recognized in the period in which commercials are aired or viewed. In some instances, we guarantee viewer ratings for the commercials. To the extent there is a shortfall in the ratings that were guaranteed, a portion of the revenue is deferred until such shortfall is settled, primarily by providing additional advertising time. We record revenue from the licensing of television productions when the content is available for use by the licensee, and when certain other conditions are met. When license fees include advertising time, we recognize the advertising time component of revenue when the advertisements are aired.

Filmed Entertainment Segment

Our Filmed Entertainment segment generates revenue from the worldwide theatrical release of our owned and acquired films, the licensing of owned and acquired films to broadcast, cable and premium networks, and the licensing and sale of our owned and acquired films on DVD and through various digital media platforms. We also generate revenue from distributing third parties' filmed entertainment, producing stage plays, publishing music and licensing consumer products. We recognize <>revenue from the theatrical distribution of films when films are exhibited. We record revenue from the licensing of a film when the content is available for use by the licensee, and when certain other conditions are met. When license fees include advertising time, we recognize the advertising time component of revenue when the advertisements are aired.We recognize revenue from DVD sales, net of estimated returns and customer incentives, on the date that DVDs are delivered to and made available for sale by retailers.

Theme Parks Segment

Our Theme Parks segment generates revenue primarily from theme park attendance and per capita spending, as well as from management, licensing and other fees. We recognize <>revenue from advance theme park ticket sales when the tickets are used. For multiday or annual passes, we recognize revenue over the period of benefit based on estimated usage patterns that are derived from historical experience.

Cable Communications Programming Expenses

Cable CommunicationsProgramming Expenses

Cable Communicationsprogramming expenses are the fees we pay to license the programming we distribute to our video customers. Programming is acquired for distribution to our video customers, generally under multiyear distribution agreements, with rates typically based on the number of customers that receive the programming, adjusted for channel positioning and the extent of distribution. From time to time these contracts expire and programming continues to be provided under interim arrangements while the parties negotiate new contractual terms, sometimes with effective dates that affect prior periods. While payments are typically made under the prior contract's terms, the amount of our programming expenses recorded during these interim arrangements is based on our estimates of the ultimate contractual terms expected to be negotiated. Differences between actual amounts determined upon resolution of negotiations and amounts recorded during these interim arrangements are recorded in the period of resolution.

When our Cable Communicationssegment receives incentives from cable networks for the licensing of their programming, we defer a portion of these incentives, which are included in other current and noncurrent liabilities, and recognize them over the term of the contract as a reduction to programming expenses, which are included in operating costs and expenses.

Advertising Expenses

Advertising Expenses

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. See Note 17 for additional information on advertising costs incurred.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

Our share-based compensation consists of awards of stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) and the discounted sale of company stock to employees through our employee stock purchase plans. For stock options and RSUs, associated costs are based on an award'sestimated fair value at the date of grant and are recognized over the period in which any relatedservices are provided.See Note 15 for additional information on ourshare-based compensation.

Postretirement and Pension Benefits

Postretirement and Pension Benefits

We provide postretirement medical benefits for substantially all of our employees who meet certain age and service requirements. Following the close of the NBCUniversal transaction on January 28, 2011, NBCUniversal established new defined benefit plans covering the majority of its U.S. employees (the “qualified plan”) and executives (the “nonqualified plan”) and other postretirement plans, such as medical and life insurance plans. NBCUniversal's new defined benefit pension plans are currently unfunded noncontributory plans. The qualified plan is not open to new participants.

As of December 31, 2011, we also sponsored two pension plans that together provided benefits to substantially all former AT&T Broadband employees. Future benefits for both pension plans have been frozen.

Pension and other postretirement benefits are based on formulas that reflect the employees' years of service, compensation during their employment period and participation in the plans. The expense we recognize related to our benefit plans is determined using certain assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assetsand discount rate, among others. We recognize the funded or unfunded status of our defined benefit and other postretirement plans, other than multiemployer plans, as an asset or liability in our consolidated balance sheet and recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

See Note 13for additional information on our postretirement and pension benefits.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We base our provision for income taxes on our current period income, changes in our deferred income tax assets and liabilities, income tax rates, changes in estimates of our uncertain tax positions, and tax planning opportunities available in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities when there are temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of our assets and liabilities and for the expected benefits of using net operating loss carryforwards. When a change in the tax rate or tax law has an impact on deferred taxes, we apply the change based on the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. We record the change in our consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment.

Income tax consequences that arise in connection with a business combination include identifying the tax basis of assets and liabilities acquired and any contingencies associated with uncertain tax positions assumed or resulting from the business combination. Deferred tax assets and liabilities related to temporary differences of an acquired entity are recorded as of the date of the business combination and are based on our estimate of the ultimate tax basis that will be accepted by the various taxing authorities. We record liabilities for contingencies associated with prior tax returns filed by the acquired entity based on criteria set forth in the accounting guidance related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. We adjust the deferred tax accounts and the liabilities periodically to reflect any revised estimated tax basis and any estimated settlements with the various taxing authorities. The effects of these adjustments are recorded to income tax expense.

We classify interest and penalties, if any, associated with our uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. Our objective is to manage the financial and operational exposure arising from these risks by offsetting gains and losses on the underlying exposures with gains and losses on the derivatives used to economically hedge them. Derivative financial instruments are recorded in our consolidated balance sheet at fair value. We formally document, at the inception of the relationship, derivative financial instruments designated to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”) or the exposure to changes in cash flows of a forecasted transaction (“cash flow hedge”), and we evaluate them for effectiveness at the time they are designated, as well as throughout the hedging period.

For derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instrument substantially offset changes in the fair value of the hedged item, each of which is recorded to the same line in our consolidated statement of income. When fair value hedges are terminated, sold, exercised or have expired, any gain or loss resulting from changes in the fair value of the hedged item is deferred and recognized in earnings over the remaining life of the hedged item. When the hedged item is settled or sold, the unamortized adjustment is recognized in earnings. For derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative financial instrument is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized as an adjustment to earnings over the period in which the hedged item is recognized in our consolidated statement of income. When the hedged item is settled or becomes probable of not occurring, any remaining unrealized gain or loss from the hedge is recognized in earnings. Cash flows from hedging activities are classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The ineffective portion of changes in fair value for designated hedges is recognized on a current basis in earnings.

For those derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings. Derivative financial instruments embedded in other contracts are separated from their host contract. The derivative component is recorded at its estimated fair value in our consolidated balance sheet and changes in its fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings.

We do not engage in any speculative or leveraged derivative transactions. All derivative transactions must comply with the derivatives policy approved by our Board of Directors.

See Note 10 for additional information on our derivative financial instruments.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

Functional currencies are determined based on entity-specific economic and management indicators. We translate assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is the local currency, primarily the euro and the British pound, into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. The related translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We translate revenue and expenses using average monthly exchange rates. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in operating costs and expenses or other income (expense), depending on the nature of the underlying transaction

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Reclassifications have been made to the prior year's consolidated balance sheet to programming rights, other current assets, film and television costs, other intangible assets, net and other noncurrent assets, net to adjust to classifications used in the current year as a result of the acquisition of the NBCUniversal businesses.