Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, and Amortizable Intangible Assets

The following table displays goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

In thousands of dollars
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill	$	4,067,529	$	—		$	4,067,529
Indefinite-lived intangibles:
Television station FCC licenses	1,191,950		—			1,191,950
Trade names	925,171		—			925,171
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships	929,852		(210,691		)	719,161
Other	290,875		(113,725		)	177,150
Total	$	7,405,377	$	(324,416	)	$	7,080,961
Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill	$	3,919,726	$	—		$	3,919,726
Indefinite-lived intangibles:
Television station FCC licenses	1,191,950		—			1,191,950
Trade names	925,019		—			925,019
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships	903,652		(145,398		)	758,254
Other	265,148		(75,264		)	189,884
Total	$	7,205,495	$	(220,662	)	$	6,984,833

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

The following table shows the projected annual amortization expense, as of December 31, 2016, related to our existing amortizable intangible assets:

In thousands of dollars
2017	$	114,557
2018	$	111,789
2019	$	107,234
2020	$	101,906
2021	$	90,498

Summary of the Change in Net Goodwill

The following table shows the changes from 2015 to 2016 in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment.

In thousands of dollars
	Media		Digital			Total
Goodwill
Gross balance at Dec. 28, 2014	$	2,578,601	$	1,503,141		$	4,081,742
Accumulated impairment losses	—		(166,971		)	(166,971		)
Net balance at Dec. 28, 2014	$	2,578,601	$	1,336,170		$	3,914,771
Acquisitions & adjustments	817		25,667			26,484
Dispositions	—		(252		)	(252		)
Impairment	—		(8,000		)	(8,000		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	—		(13,277		)	(13,277		)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$	2,579,418	$	1,340,308		$	3,919,726
Gross balance at Dec. 31, 2015	2,579,418		1,515,279			4,094,697
Accumulated impairment losses	—		(174,971		)	(174,971		)
Net balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$	2,579,418	$	1,340,308		$	3,919,726
Acquisitions & adjustments	—		176,775			176,775
Impairment	—		(15,218		)	(15,218		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	—		(13,754		)	(13,754		)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$	2,579,418	$	1,488,111		$	4,067,529
Gross balance at Dec. 31, 2016	2,579,418		1,678,300			4,257,718
Accumulated impairment losses	—		(190,189		)	(190,189		)
Net balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$	2,579,418	$	1,488,111		$	4,067,529