SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

iHeartCommunications, Inc. is a Texas corporation (the “Company”) with all of its shares of common stock held by iHeartMedia Capital I, LLC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of iHeartMedia, Inc. (“Parent”). Parent was formed in May 2007 by private equity funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners, LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (together, the “Sponsors”) for the purpose of acquiring the business of the Company. The acquisition was completed on July 30, 2008 pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 16, 2006, as amended on April 18, 2007, May 17, 2007 and May 13, 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”).

Upon the consummation of the merger, iHeartMedia, Inc. became a public company and the Company was no longer a public company.

All references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to iHeartCommunications, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

The Company’s reportable segments are iHeartMedia (“iHM”), Americas outdoor advertising (“Americas outdoor”), and International outdoor advertising (“International outdoor”). The iHM segment provides media and entertainment services via broadcast and digital delivery. The Americas outdoor and International outdoor segments provide outdoor advertising services in their respective geographic regions using various digital and traditional display types. Included in the “Other” category are the Company’s media representation business, Katz Media Group, as well as other general support services and initiatives, which are ancillary to its other businesses.

We are a holding company and have no significant assets other than the ownership interests in our subsidiaries. All of our operations and all of our operating assets are held by our subsidiaries. Certain of our outstanding indebtedness is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by our parent, iHeartMedia Capital I, LLC (“Capital I”), and certain of our direct and indirect wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. Not all of our subsidiaries guarantee our obligations under such outstanding indebtedness. For a presentation of the allocation of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses attributable to the guarantors of our indebtedness in conformity with the SEC’s Regulation S-X Rule 3-10(d), please refer to Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements of Capital I as of and for the year ending December 31, 2016.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes including, but not limited to, legal, tax and insurance accruals. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Also included in the consolidated financial statements are entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest or is the primary beneficiary. Investments in companies in which the Company owns 20% to 50% of the voting common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over operating and financial policies of the Company are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation. Included in International Outdoor Direct operating expenses and Selling, general and administrative expenses are $8.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively, recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015 to correct for accounting errors included in the results for our Netherlands subsidiary reported in prior years. Such corrections are not considered to be material to current year or prior year financial results.

The Company is the beneficiary of two trusts created to comply with Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) ownership rules. The radio stations owned by the trusts are managed by independent trustees. The trustees are marketing these stations for sale, and the stations will have to be sold unless any stations may be owned by the Company under then-current FCC rules, in which case the trusts will be terminated with respect to such stations. The trust agreements stipulate that the Company must fund any operating shortfalls of the trust activities, and any excess cash flow generated by the trusts is distributed to the Company. The Company is also the beneficiary of proceeds from the sale of stations held in the trusts. The Company consolidates the trusts in accordance with ASC 810-10, which requires an enterprise involved with variable interest entities to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in the variable interest entity, as the trusts were determined to be a variable interest entity and the Company is the primary beneficiary under the trusts.

Going Concern Considerations

During the second quarter of 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This update provides U.S. GAAP guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and about related footnote disclosures. The Company adopted this standard for the year ended December 31, 2016. Under this standard, the Company is required to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern each reporting period, including interim periods.

In evaluating the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, management considered the conditions and events that could raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within 12 months after the Company’s financial statements were issued (February 23, 2017). Management considered the Company’s current financial condition and liquidity sources, including current funds available, forecasted future cash flows and the Company’s conditional and unconditional obligations due before February 23, 2018.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $845.0 million of cash on its balance sheet, including $542.0 million of cash held by the Company's subsidiary, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. ("CCOH"). As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $113.6 million of excess availability under its receivables based credit facility. A substantial amount of the Company's cash requirements are for debt service obligations. The Company incurred net losses for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and had negative cash flows from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company's current operating plan indicates it will continue to incur net losses and generate negative cash flows from operating activities given the Company's indebtedness and related interest expense. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company spent $2,081.3 million of cash on payments of principal and interest on its debt, net of facility draws and proceeds received, and anticipates having approximately $1.7 billion of cash interest payment obligations in 2017. At December 31, 2016, the Company had debt maturities totaling $343.5 million, $559.1 million (net of $503.0 million due to certain of our subsidiaries) and $8,369.0 million in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The Company's debt maturities at December 31, 2016 include $330.0 million outstanding under a receivables based credit facility, which matures on December 24, 2017. These factors coupled with the Company's forecast of future cash flows indicates that such cash flows would not be sufficient for the Company to meet its obligations, including payment of the outstanding receivables based credit facility balance at maturity, as they become due in the ordinary course of business for a period of12 months following February 23, 2017.

The Company plans to refinance or extend the receivables based credit facility to a date at least 12 months after February 23, 2017 with terms similar to the facility’s current terms.

Management believes the refinancing or extension of the maturity of the receivables based credit facility is probable of being executed as the Company has successfully extended the maturity date of this receivables based credit facility in the past, and the facility has a first-priority lien on the accounts receivable of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (see Footnote 5). Management’s plan to refinance or extend the due date of the receivables based credit facility, combined with current funds and expected future cash flows, are considered to be sufficient to enable the Company to meet its obligations as they become due in the ordinary course of business for a period of 12 months following the date these financial statements are issued.

While management plans to refinance or extend the maturity of the receivables based credit facility and has begun discussing such extension with its receivables based credit facility lenders, there is no assurance that the receivables based credit facility will be refinanced or extended in a timely manner, in amounts that are sufficient to meet the Company's obligations as they become due, or on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all. The Company’s ability to meet its obligations as they become due in the ordinary course of business for the next 12 months will depend on its ability to achieve forecasted results and its ability to refinance or extend the maturity of its receivables based credit facility. Management's belief that the receivables based credit facility will be refinanced or extended and that such refinancing or extension, together with forecasted operating cash flow, will be sufficient to enable the Company to meet its obligations as they become due in the ordinary course of business for 12 months following the date these financial statements are issued assumes, among other things, that the Company will continue to be successful in implementing its business strategy and that there will be no material adverse developments in its business, liquidity or capital requirements. If one or more of these factors do not occur as expected, it could cause a default under one or more of the agreements governing the Company’s indebtedness.

The Company has been reviewing a number or potential alternatives regarding its outstanding indebtedness. These alternatives include refinancings, exchange offers, consent solicitations, the issuance of new indebtedness, amendments to the terms of the Company’s existing indebtedness and/or other transactions. The Company has considered and will continue to evaluate potential transactions to improve its capital structure and address its liquidity constraints.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount, net of reserves for sales returns and allowances, and allowances for doubtful accounts. The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where it is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, it records a specific reserve to reduce the amounts recorded to what it believes will be collected. For all other customers, it recognizes reserves for bad debt based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of revenue for each business unit, adjusted for relative improvements or deteriorations in the agings and changes in current economic conditions. The Company believes its concentration of credit risk is limited due to the large number and the geographic diversification of its customers.

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for its business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The total cost of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying identifiable net assets, based on their respective estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management's judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items. Various acquisition agreements may include contingent purchase consideration based on performance requirements of the investee. The Company accounts for these payments in conformity with the provisions of ASC 805-20-30, which establish the requirements related to recognition of certain assets and liabilities arising from contingencies.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method at rates that, in the opinion of management, are adequate to allocate the cost of such assets over their estimated useful lives, which are as follows:

Buildings and improvements – 10 to 39 years

Structures – 3 to 20 years

Towers, transmitters and studio equipment – 5 to 20 years

Furniture and other equipment – 2 to 20 years

Leasehold improvements – shorter of economic life or lease term assuming renewal periods, if appropriate

For assets associated with a lease or contract, the assets are depreciated at the shorter of the economic life or the lease or contract term, assuming renewal periods, if appropriate. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, whereas expenditures for renewal and betterments are capitalized.

The Company tests for possible impairment of property, plant, and equipment whenever events and circumstances indicate that depreciable assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. When specific assets are determined to be unrecoverable, the cost basis of the asset is reduced to reflect the current fair market value.

Assets and businesses are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered or settled principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. The asset or business must be available for immediate sale and the sale must be highly probable within one year.

Leases

Most of the Company’s outdoor advertising structures are located on leased land. Americas outdoor land leases are typically paid in advance for periods ranging from one to 12 months. International outdoor land leases are paid both in advance and in arrears, for periods ranging up to 12 months. Most international street furniture display faces are operated through contracts with municipalities for up to 15 years. The leased land and street furniture contracts often include a percent of revenue to be paid along with a base rent payment. Prepaid land leases are recorded as an asset and expensed ratably over the related rental term and rent payments in arrears are recorded as an accrued liability.

The Company has entered into leases for tower sites for most of its broadcasting locations. Tower site leases are typically paid monthly in advance, and have 30-year lease terms including annual rent escalations. Most tower site leases are operating leases, and operating lease expense is recognized straight-line based on the minimum lease payments for each lease.

Intangible Assets

The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets include FCC broadcast licenses in its iHM segment and billboard permits in its Americas outdoor advertising segment. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization, but are tested for impairment at least annually. The Company tests for possible impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as a significant reduction in operating cash flow or a dramatic change in the manner for which the asset is intended to be used indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.

The Company performs its annual impairment test for its FCC licenses and permits using a direct valuation technique as prescribed in ASC 805-20-S99. The Company engages a third party valuation firm, to assist the Company in the development of these assumptions and the Company’s determination of the fair value of its FCC licenses and permits.

Other intangible assets include definite-lived intangible assets and permanent easements. The Company’s definite-lived intangible assets include primarily transit and street furniture contracts, talent and representation contracts, customer and advertiser relationships, and site-leases, all of which are amortized over the respective lives of the agreements, or over the period of time the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the Company’s future cash flows. The Company periodically reviews the appropriateness of the amortization periods related to its definite-lived intangible assets. These assets are recorded at cost. Permanent easements are indefinite-lived intangible assets which include certain rights to use real property not owned by the Company.

The Company tests for possible impairment of other intangible assets whenever events and circumstances indicate that they might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. When specific assets are determined to be unrecoverable, the cost basis of the asset is reduced to reflect the current fair market value.

Goodwill

At least annually, the Company performs its impairment test for each reporting unit’s goodwill. The Company uses a discounted cash flow model to determine if the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, is less than the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company identified its reporting units in accordance with ASC 350-20-55. The U.S. radio markets are aggregated into a single reporting unit and the Company’s U.S. outdoor advertising markets are aggregated into a single reporting unit for purposes of the goodwill impairment test. The Company also determined that within its Americas outdoor segment, Canada constitutes a separate reporting unit and each country in its International outdoor segment constitutes a separate reporting unit. The Company recognized goodwill impairment of $7.3 million in 2016 related to one of our International outdoor markets and had no impairment of goodwill in 2015 and 2014.

Nonconsolidated Affiliates

In general, investments in which the Company owns 20% to 50% of the common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over the investee are accounted for under the equity method. The Company does not recognize gains or losses upon the issuance of securities by any of its equity method investees. The Company reviews the value of equity method investments and records impairment charges in the statement of operations as a component of “Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates” for any decline in value that is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company recognized other-than-temporary impairment of $15.0 million on an equity investment for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was recorded in "Equity in loss of nonconsolidated affiliates."

Other Investments

Other investments are composed primarily of equity securities. Securities for which fair value is determinable are classified as available-for-sale or trading and are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices. Securities are carried at historical cost when quoted market prices are unavailable. The net unrealized gains or losses on the available-for-sale securities, net of tax, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of shareholder's deficit.

The Company periodically assesses the value of available-for-sale and non-marketable securities and records impairment charges in the statement of comprehensive loss for any decline in value that is determined to be other-than-temporary. The average cost method is used to compute the realized gains and losses on sales of equity securities. Based on these assessments, the Company concluded that other-than-temporary impairments existed at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and recorded noncash impairment charges of $14.8 million and $5.0 million during 2016 and 2015, respectively. Such charge is recorded on the statement of comprehensive loss in “Loss on investments, net”. There were no impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Financial Instruments

Due to their short maturity, the carrying amounts of accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and short-term borrowings approximated their fair values at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting bases and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax asset or liability is expected to be realized or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by valuation allowances if the Company believes it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire asset will not be realized. Generally all earnings from the Company’s foreign operations are permanently reinvested and not distributed. The Company has not provided U.S. federal income taxes for temporary differences with respect to investments in foreign subsidiaries, which at December 31, 2016 currently result in tax basis amounts greater than the financial reporting basis. It is not apparent that these unrecognized deferred tax assets will reverse in the foreseeable future. If any excess cash held by our foreign subsidiaries were needed to fund operations in the United States, we could presently repatriate available funds without a requirement to accrue or pay U.S. taxes. This is a result of significant deficits, as calculated for tax law purposes, in our foreign earnings and profits, which gives us flexibility to make future cash distributions as non-taxable returns of capital. We regularly review our tax liabilities on amounts that may be distributed in future periods and provide for foreign withholding and other current and deferred taxes on any such amounts. The determination of the amount of federal income taxes, if any, that might become due in the event that our foreign earnings are distributed is not practicable.

Revenue Recognition

iHM revenue is recognized as advertisements or programs are broadcast and is generally billed monthly. Outdoor advertising contracts typically cover periods of a few weeks up to one year and are generally billed monthly. Revenue for outdoor advertising space rental is recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Advertising revenue is reported net of agency commissions. Agency commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for the Company’s media and entertainment and outdoor operations. Payments received in advance of being earned are recorded as deferred income. Revenue arrangements may contain multiple products and services and revenues are allocated based on the relative fair value of each delivered item and recognized in accordance with the applicable revenue recognition criteria for the specific unit of accounting.

Barter transactions represent the exchange of advertising spots or display space for merchandise, services or other assets. These transactions are recorded at the estimated fair market value of the advertising spots or display space or the fair value of the merchandise or services or other assets received, whichever is most readily determinable. Revenue is recognized on barter and trade transactions when the advertisements are broadcasted or displayed. Expenses are recorded ratably over a period that estimates when the merchandise, service or other assets received is utilized, or when the event occurs. Barter and trade revenues and expenses from continuing operations are included in consolidated revenue and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively. Barter and trade revenues and expenses from continuing operations were as follows:



(In millions)	Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Barter and trade revenues	$	165.8	$	133.5	$	78.3
Barter and trade expenses	112.2		112.1		75.1

Advertising Expense

The Company records advertising expense as it is incurred. Advertising expenses were $132.7 million, $129.1 million and $103.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

Under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718-10, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. For awards that vest based on service conditions, this cost is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. For awards that will vest based on market or performance conditions, this cost will be recognized when it becomes probable that the performance conditions will be satisfied. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires assumptions and judgments about expected volatility and forfeiture rates, among other factors.

The Company does not have any equity incentive plans under which it grants stock awards to employees. Employees of subsidiaries of the Company receive equity awards from Parent’s equity incentive plan or CCOH’s equity incentive plan

Foreign Currency

Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries and foreign equity investees are translated into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates during the year. The assets and liabilities of those subsidiaries and investees are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates at the balance sheet date. The related translation adjustments are recorded in a separate component of shareholder's deficit, “Accumulated other comprehensive loss”. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements

During the third quarter of 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. This update provides a one-year deferral of the effective date for ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU No. 2014-09 provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of revenue resulting from contracts with customers and will supersede virtually all of the current revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the earliest period shown, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. The Company expects to utilize the full retrospective method. The Company has substantially completed its evaluation of the potential changes from adopting the new standard on its future financial reporting and disclosures which included reviews of contractual terms for all of the Company’s significant revenue streams and the development of an implementation plan. The Company continues to execute on its implementation plan, including detailed policy drafting and training of segment personnel. Based on its evaluation, the Company does not expect material changes to its 2016 or 2017 consolidated revenues, operating income or balance sheets as a result of the implementation of this standard.

During the second quarter of 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This update simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs as a deduction from the carrying value of the outstanding debt balance rather than showing the debt issuance costs as an asset. The standard is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The retrospective adoption of this guidance resulted in the reclassification of debt issuance costs of $148.0 million as of December 31, 2015, which are now reflected as “Long-term debt fees” in Note 5.

During the first quarter of 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new leasing standard presents significant changes to the balance sheets of lessees. Lessor accounting is updated to align with certain changes in the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard which was issued in the third quarter of 2015. The standard is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

During the second quarter of 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This update changes the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. Income tax effects of share-based payment awards will be recognized in the income statement with the vesting or settlement of the awards and the record keeping for additional paid-in capital pools will no longer be necessary. Additionally, companies can make a policy election to either estimate forfeitures or recognize them as they occur. The standard is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not expect the provisions of this new standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

During the second quarter of 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The new standard changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. Entities will be required to use a model that will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses for trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than as reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. For an SEC filer, the standard is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

During the third quarter of 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230). The new standard addresses the classification of cash flows related to certain cash receipts and cash payments. Additionally, the standard clarifies how the predominance principle should be used when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. First, an entity will apply the guidance in Topic 230 and other applicable topics. If there is no guidance for those cash receipts and cash payments, an entity will determine each separately identifiable source or use and classify the receipt or payment based on the nature of the cash flow. If a receipt or payment has aspects of more than one class of cash flows and cannot be separated, the classification will depend on the predominant source or use. The standard is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.