SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Nature of Business

Nature of Business

Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is a Texas corporation (the “Company”) with all of its shares of common stock held by Clear Channel Capital I, LLC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (“CCMH”). CCMH 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, CCMH became a public company and the Company was no longer a public company.

The Company’s reportable operating segments are Media and Entertainment (“CCME”), Americas outdoor advertising (“Americas outdoor”), and International outdoor advertising (“International outdoor”). The CCME 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.

During the first quarter of 2012, and in connection with the appointment of the new chief executive officer of the Company’s indirect subsidiary, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (“CCOH”), the Company reevaluated its segment reporting and determined that its Latin American operations were more appropriately aligned with the operations of its International outdoor advertising segment. As a result, the operations of Latin America are no longer reflected within the Company’s Americas outdoor advertising segment and are currently included in the results of its International outdoor advertising segment. Accordingly, the Company has recast the corresponding segment disclosures for prior periods.

Use of Estimates

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

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 percent to 50 percent 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 2013 presentation.

The Company owns certain radio stations which, under current Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) rules, are not permitted or transferable. These radio stations were placed in a trust in order to comply with FCC rules at the time of the closing of the merger that resulted in the acquisition of the Company. The Company is the beneficial owner of the trust, but the radio stations are managed by an independent trustee. The Company will have to divest all of these radio stations unless any stations may be owned by the Company under then-current FCC rules, in which case the trust will be terminated with respect to such stations. The trust agreement stipulates that the Company must fund any operating shortfalls of the trust activities, and any excess cash flow generated by the trust is distributed to the Company. The Company is also the beneficiary of proceeds from the sale of stations held in the trust. The Company consolidates the trust 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 trust was determined to be a variable interest entity and the Company is its primary beneficiary.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. 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

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

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 – 5 to 15 years

Towers, transmitters and studio equipment – 7 to 20 years

Furniture and other equipment – 3 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.

Land Leases and Other Structure Licenses

Land Leases and Other Structure Licenses

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 from one to 12 months. Most international street furniture display faces are operated through contracts with municipalities for up to 20 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 license and rent payments in arrears are recorded as an accrued liability.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets include FCC broadcast licenses in its CCME 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 Mesirow Financial Consulting LLC (“Mesirow Financial”), 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

Goodwill

At least annually, the Company performs its impairment test for each reporting unit’s goodwill. In 2013 and 2012, the Company used 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 a non-cash impairment charge to goodwill of $10.7 million based on declining future cash flows expected in one country in the International outdoor segment for 2013. The Company had no impairment of goodwill for 2012. The Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $1.1 million to reduce goodwill in one country within its International outdoor segment for 2011.

Nonconsolidated Affiliates

Nonconsolidated Affiliates

In general, investments in which the Company owns 20 percent to 50 percent 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.

Other Investments

Other Investments

Other investments are composed primarily of equity securities. These securities are classified as available-for-sale or trading and are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices. Securities are carried at historical value 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. In addition, the Company holds investments that do not have quoted market prices. 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.

The Company periodically assesses the value of its available-for-sale securities. Based on these assessments, no impairments existed at December 31, 2013 and the Company concluded that other-than-temporary impairments existed at December 31, 2012 and 2011 and recorded non-cash impairment charges of $4.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively, during each of these years. Such charges are recorded on the statement of operations in “Loss on marketable securities”.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Prior to the expiration of the Company’s interest rate swap agreement on September 30, 2013, the provisions of ASC 815-10 required the Company to recognize it as either an asset or liability in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship, and further, on the type of hedging relationship. The interest rate swap was designated and qualified as a hedging instrument, and was characterized as a cash flow hedge. The Company formally documented all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Company formally assessed, both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter prior to expiration, whether the derivatives that were used in hedging transactions were highly effective in offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item.

Financial Instruments

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, 2013 and 2012.

Income Taxes

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. As generally all earnings from the Company’s foreign operations are permanently reinvested and not distributed, the Company’s income tax provision does not include additional U.S. taxes on foreign operations. 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 current and historic deficits 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. It is not practical to determine the amount of federal income taxes, if any, that might become due in the event that the earnings of our foreign operations were distributed. During 2013, the Company recorded additional foreign deferred tax expense of $3.4 million on certain foreign earnings that are expected to be distributed in future periods from the Company’s Asia subsidiaries on which foreign withholding and other taxes have not previously been provided.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

CCME 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 typically 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 or services. 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 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 or service 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,
	2013		2012		2011
Barter and trade revenues	$	66.0	$	56.5	$	61.2
Barter and trade expenses		58.5		58.8		63.4

Advertising Expense

Advertising Expense

The Company records advertising expense as it is incurred. Advertising expenses were $133.7 million, $113.4 million and $92.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

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 CCMH’s equity incentive plan or CCOH’s equity incentive plan. Prior to the merger, the Company granted equity awards to its employees under its own equity incentive plans.

Foreign Currency

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 equity, “Accumulated other comprehensive loss”. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-10, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. Under the revised guidance, entities are permitted to designate the Fed Funds effective Swap Rate, also referred to as the overnight index swap rate, as a benchmark interest rate. In addition, the ASU removes the restriction on using different benchmark interest rates for similar hedges. The amendments became effective for any qualifying new or designated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2013-10 to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Under the revised guidance, public and non-public companies are required to present information about reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in their financial statements in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. Public companies are also required to provide this information in their interim statements. The standard is effective prospectively for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods with those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. The provisions of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. Under the revised guidance, new balance sheet offsetting disclosures are limited to the following financial instruments, to the extent they are offset in the financial statements or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement; recognized derivative instruments accounted for under ASC 815, repurchase agreements and reverse purchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions. Entities are required to apply the ASU for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The provisions of ASU 2013-01 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

In October 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-04, Technical Corrections and Improvements. Under the revised guidance, changes were made to clarify the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”), correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. Additionally, the amendments will make the Codification easier to understand and the fair value measurement guidance easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing needed clarifications. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The provisions of ASU 2012-04 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.