Supplemental Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

21) SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table presents the components of Other items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.


Year Ended December 31,	2020		2019		2018
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	(69)	$	(99)	$	(65)
Foreign exchange losses	(35)		(18)		(19)
Other	3		5		(8)
Other items, net	$	(101)	$	(112)	$	(92)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information


Year Ended December 31,	2020		2019		2018
Cash paid for interest	$	965	$	922	$	1,012

Cash paid for income taxes:
Continuing operations	$	411	$	560	$	153
Discontinued operations	55		38		4
Total cash paid for income taxes	$	466	$	598	$	157

Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, we enter into joint ventures or make investments with business partners that support our underlying business strategy and provide us the ability to enter new markets to expand the reach of our brands, develop new programming and/or distribute our existing content. In certain instances, an entity in which we make an investment may qualify as a VIE. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we assess whether we have the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

The Consolidated Balance Sheets include assets and liabilities related to consolidated VIEs totaling $1.39 billion and $197 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020, and $141 million and $22 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019. Revenues and operating income from our consolidated VIEs were $705 million and $498 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020. Revenues and operating income from our consolidated VIEs were not significant for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in amounts related to our consolidated VIEs reflects the acquisition of Miramax (see Note 2) and the licensing of the streaming rights to South Park by a consolidated 51%-owned VIE in the second quarter of 2020.