Note 3 - Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 3: Segment Information

During the first quarter of 2015, as a result of the LIN Merger discussed in Note 2, the Company began assessing and internally reporting financial information for the broadcast business and the digital business separately. As a result, we now have two reportable operating segments, “Broadcast” and “Digital” that are disclosed separately from our corporate activities. The Broadcast segment includes 71 television stations that are either owned, operated or serviced by the Company in 48 U.S. markets, all of which are engaged principally in the sale of television advertising. The Digital segment includes the operating results of the digital companies (LIN Digital, LIN Mobile, HYFN, Dedicated Media, BiteSize TV, and Federated Media) as well as the business operations related to the television station companion websites. Unallocated corporate expenses primarily include costs to operate as a public company and to operate corporate locations.

The Company identifies operating segments based on how the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) allocates resources, assesses performance and makes decisions. The CODM is the President, and Chief Executive Officer. The CODM evaluates performance and allocates resources based on operating income or loss for the Broadcast and Digital segments, excluding non-segment expenses.

	Three months
	Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2015		2014
Revenues
Broadcast	$	266,484	$	138,994
Digital		30,250		4,924
Revenues	$	296,734	$	143,918

	Three months
	Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2015			2014
Operating income
Broadcast	$	80,821		$	45,970
Digital		(2,191	)		38
Segment operating income		78,630			46,008
Corporate and other expenses		(12,651	)		(6,578	)
Depreciation and amortization		(40,283	)		(16,195	)
Gain related to property and equipment, net		228			771
Merger-related expenses and restructuring expenses		(5,277	)		(4,752	)
Operating income	$	20,647		$	19,254

(in thousands)	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Assets
Broadcast	$	4,007,010	$	4,063,997
Digital		354,402		370,603
Segment assets		4,361,412		4,434,600
Corporate		334,464		317,748
Total assets	$	4,695,876	$	4,752,348