Other matters

Litigation: We are defendants in judicial and administrative proceedings involving matters incidental to our business. We do not believe that any material liability will be imposed as a result of these matters.

Commitments: The following table summarizes the expected cash outflow related to our unconditional purchase obligations that are not recorded on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2016. Such obligations include future payments related to operating leases, programming contracts and purchase obligations.



In thousands of dollars
	Operating Leases		Program Broadcast Contracts		Purchase Obligations
2017	$	42,971	$	376,623	$	70,881
2018	35,764		431,104		53,043
2019	25,172		336,191		15,460
2020	19,255		210,960		10,387
2021	18,236		535		8,557
Thereafter	117,111		944		6,352
Total	$	258,509	$	1,356,357	$	164,680

Leases: Approximate future minimum annual rentals payable under non-cancelable operating leases, primarily relate to facilities and equipment, total $258.5 million. Total minimum annual rentals have not been reduced for future minimum sublease rentals aggregating $5.9 million. Total rental expense reflected in 2016 was $46.4 million, $38.1 million in 2015 and $29.5 million in 2014.

Program broadcast contracts: We have $1.36 billion of commitments under programming contracts that include television station commitments to purchase programming to be produced in future years. This also includes amounts related to our network affiliation agreements.

Purchase obligations: We have commitments under purchasing obligations totaling $164.7 million related to capital projects, interactive marketing agreements, licensing fees and other legally binding commitments. Amounts which we are liable for under purchase orders outstanding at December 31, 2016, are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as accounts payable and accrued liabilities and are excluded from the $164.7 million.

Voluntary Retirement Program: During the first quarter of 2016, we initiated a Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) within our Media Segment. Under the VRP, Media employees meeting certain eligibility requirements were offered buyout payments in exchange for voluntarily retiring. Eligible non-union employees had until April 7, 2016, to retire under the plan. During 2016, based on acceptances received, we recorded $16.0 million of severance expense. Upon separation, employees accepting the VRP received salary continuation payments primarily based on years of service, the majority of which will occur evenly over the 12-month period following the separation date. As of December 31, 2016, we had approximately $4.6 million of VRP buyout obligation remaining.