Our investments and other assets consisted of the following as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):


	Mar. 31, 2024		Dec. 31, 2023

Cash value life insurance	$	51,706	$	50,865
Equity method investments		16,520		16,195
Other equity investments		22,454		19,526
Deferred debt issuance costs		7,274		—
Prepaid assets		8,851		9,878
Other long-term assets		22,583		17,057
Total	$	129,388	$	113,521

Cash value life insurance: We are the beneficiary of life insurance policies on the lives of certain employees/retirees, which are recorded at their cash surrender value as determined by the insurance carrier. These policies are utilized as a partial funding source for deferred compensation and other non-qualified employee retirement plans. Gains and losses on these investments are included in “Other non-operating items, net” within our Consolidated Statements of Income and were not material for all periods presented.

Equity method investments: These are investments in entities in which we have significant influence, but do not have a controlling financial interest. Our share of net earnings and losses from these ventures is included in “Other non-operating items, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Other equity investments: Represents investments in non-public businesses that do not have readily determinable pricing, and for which we do not have control and do not exert significant influence. These investments are recorded at cost less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes in observable prices for those investments.

In the first quarter of 2024 we received $152.9 million of pre-tax cash proceeds upon the completion of the previously announced sale of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) to a private equity firm. The gain associated with this sale is included in “Other non-operating items, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Following this sale we no longer have any ownership interest in BMI.

Deferred debt issuance costs: These costs consist of amounts paid to lenders related to our revolving credit facility. On January 25, 2024, we entered into an amendment of our credit facility which resulted in the capitalization of $6.4 million of fees paid to lenders under the new amendment. Additionally, we reclassified approximately $1.1 million of fees under the previous credit facility agreement as non-current deferred debt issuance costs. See Note 4 for additional details of the revolving credit facility amendment. Debt issuance costs paid for our unsecured notes are accounted for as a reduction in the debt obligation.

Prepaid assets: These amounts primarily consist of an asset related to a long-term services agreement for IT security.