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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Oct. 28, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
At January 28, 2017, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of approximately $326 million, and state NOLs of approximately $262 million which are available to offset future taxable income.  The Company's federal NOLs expire in varying amounts each year from 2023 through 2036 in accordance with applicable federal tax regulations and the timing of when the NOLs were incurred. 
In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company had a change in ownership (as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code) as a result of the issuance of common stock coupled with the redemption of all the Series B preferred stock held by GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc. (“GE Equity”).  Sections 382 and 383 limit the annual utilization of certain tax attributes, including NOL carryforwards, incurred prior to a change in ownership. Currently, the limitations imposed by Sections 382 and 383 are not expected to impair the Company's ability to fully realize its NOLs; however, the annual usage of NOLs incurred prior to the change in ownership is limited.  In addition, if the Company were to experience another ownership change, as defined by Sections 382 and 383, its ability to utilize its NOLs could be further substantially limited and depending on the severity of the annual NOL limitation, the Company could permanently lose its ability to use a significant amount of its accumulated NOLs. The Company currently has recorded a full valuation allowance for its net deferred tax assets.  The ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets and related limitations depend on the ability of the Company to generate sufficient taxable income in the future, as well as the timing of such income.
For the three and nine month periods ended October 28, 2017, the income tax benefit included a non-cash tax charge of approximately $197,000 and $591,000 relating to changes in the Company's long-term deferred tax liability related to the tax amortization of the Company's indefinite-lived intangible FCC license asset that is not available to offset existing deferred tax assets in determining changes to the Company's income tax valuation allowance. Further, for the three and nine month periods ended October 28, 2017, the income tax benefit also included a net, non-cash benefit of approximately $833,000 generated by a partial reversal of the Company’s long-term deferred tax liability relating to the Company's FCC license asset. This deferred tax reversal was the result of a $2,500,000 payment received in October 2017 in connection with the sale of the Company's television broadcast station, WWDP(TV), discussed further in Note 4 - Intangible Assets. The Company recognized a tax gain in conjunction with this transaction which will be largely offset with the Company’s available NOLs.
For the three and nine month periods ended October 29, 2016, the income tax provision included a non-cash tax charge of approximately $197,000 and $592,000. The Company expects the continued tax amortization of its indefinite-lived intangible asset and resulting book versus tax asset carrying value difference to result in approximately $156,000 of additional non-cash income tax expense over the remainder of fiscal 2017.
Shareholder Rights Plan
During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan to preserve the value of certain deferred tax benefits, including those generated by net operating losses. On July 10, 2015, the Company declared a dividend distribution of one purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 23, 2015 and issuable as of that date. On July 13, 2015, the Company entered into a Shareholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, with respect to the Rights. Except in certain circumstances set forth in the Rights Plan, each Right entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company (“Preferred Stock” and each one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, a “Unit”) at a price of $9.00 per Unit.
The Rights initially trade together with the common stock and are not exercisable. Subject to certain exceptions specified in the Rights Plan, the Rights will separate from the common stock and become exercisable following (i) the tenth calendar day after a public announcement or filing that a person or group has become an “Acquiring Person,” which is defined as a person who has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more of the common stock then outstanding, subject to certain exceptions, or (ii) the tenth calendar day (or such later date as may be determined by the board of directors) after any person or group commences a tender or exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in a person or group becoming an Acquiring Person. If a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, each Right will entitle its holders (other than such Acquiring Person) to purchase one Unit at a price of $9.00 per Unit. A Unit is intended to give the shareholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as would one share of Common Stock, and should approximate the value of one share of Common Stock. At any time after a person becomes an Acquiring Person, the board of directors may exchange all or part of the outstanding Rights (other than those held by an Acquiring Person) for shares of common stock at an exchange rate of one share of common stock (and, in certain circumstances, a Unit) for each Right. The Company will promptly give public notice of any exchange (although failure to give notice will not affect the validity of the exchange).
The Rights will expire upon certain events described in the Rights Plan, including the close of business on the date of the third annual meeting of shareholders following the last annual meeting of shareholders of the Company at which the Rights Plan was most recently approved by shareholders, unless the Rights Plan is re-approved by shareholders at that third annual meeting of shareholders.  However, in no event will the Rights Plan expire later than the close of business on July 13, 2025. The Rights Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders.
Until the close of business on the tenth calendar day after the day a public announcement or a filing is made indicating that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, the Company may in its sole and absolute discretion amend the Rights or the Rights Plan agreement without the approval of any holders of the Rights or shares of common stock in any manner, including without limitation, amendments that increase or decrease the purchase price or redemption price or accelerate or extend the final expiration date or the period in which the Rights may be redeemed. The Company may also amend the Rights Plan after the close of business on the tenth calendar day after the day such public announcement or filing is made to cure ambiguities, to correct defective or inconsistent provisions, to shorten or lengthen time periods under the Rights Plan or in any other manner that does not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights. No amendment of the Rights Plan may extend its expiration date.