Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Stock Compensation Expense, Stock Options and Restricted Stock

Pre-tax share and stock-based compensation charges from our incentive plans included in net income (loss) were as follows:

(in thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Stock compensation expense	$	4,184	$	3,506	$	2,719
Capitalized stock compensation	604		485		386
Stock compensation expense, net	3,580		3,021		2,333
Excess tax benefits, net of deficiencies	$	3,314	$	1,709	$	679

Schedule of finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

Finite-lived intangible assets and liabilities are being amortized over the following periods:

	Useful Life
Affiliate contract expansion	4 - 14 years
Favorable and unfavorable leases - wireless	1 - 28 years
Acquired subscribers - cable	3 - 10 years
Other intangibles	15 - 20 years

Intangible assets consist of the following at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

	2017							2016
(in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Non-amortizing intangibles:
Cable franchise rights	$	64,334	$	—		$	64,334	$	64,334	$	—		$	64,334
Railroad crossing rights	141		—			141		97		—			97
	64,475		—			64,475		64,431		—			64,431
Finite-lived intangibles:
Affiliate contract expansion - wireless	410,157		(105,964		)	304,193		404,957		(32,768		)	372,189
Favorable leases - wireless	13,103		(1,222		)	11,881		16,950		(1,130		)	15,820
Acquired subscribers – cable	25,265		(25,100		)	165		25,265		(24,631		)	634
Other intangibles	463		(198		)	265		2,212		(754		)	1,458
Total finite-lived intangibles	448,988		(132,484		)	316,504		449,384		(59,283		)	390,101
Total intangible assets	$	513,463	$	(132,484	)	$	380,979	$	513,815	$	(59,283	)	$	454,532