LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

Long-term investments consist of:



	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Cost method investments	$	90,910	$	137,286
Equity method investments	10,593		22,073
Long-term marketable equity securities	7,410		11,711
Auction rate security	6,070		8,920
Total long-term investments	$	114,983	$	179,990

Cost method investments

In 2014, the Company recorded $66.6 million of other-than-temporary impairment charges for certain cost method investments as a result of our assessment of the near-term prospects and financial condition of the investees.

In 2013, the Company recorded a $5.0 million other-than-temporary impairment charge related to a cost method investment. The decline in fair value was due to the investees continued losses, negative working capital and significant debt financing.

These charges are included in "Other (expense) income, net" in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

The Company has a 20% interest in the voting common stock of Zhenai Inc. ("Zhenai"), a leading provider of online matchmaking services in China. Our voting power is limited by a shareholders agreement. In light of this limitation and the significance of our interest relative to other shareholders, we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial matters of Zhenai and this investment is accounted for as a cost method investment.

Equity method investments

In 2014, the Company recorded a $4.2 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on one of its investments following the sale of a majority of the investee's assets.

In 2013, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $18.6 million related to the re-measurement of the carrying value of our equity method investment in The Daily Beast to fair value in connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest.

These charges are included in "Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates" in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

Long-term marketable equity securities

The cost basis of the Company's long-term marketable equity security at December 31, 2014 is $8.7 million with a gross unrealized loss of $1.2 million, which is included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuer in relation to the severity and duration of the unrealized loss. Based on the duration, less than two months, of the unrealized loss and the Company's ability and intent to hold this security for a reasonable period of time sufficient for an expected recovery of fair value, the Company does not consider the security to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014. The cost basis of the Company's long-term marketable equity securities at December 31, 2013 is $8.8 million, with gross unrealized gains of $3.0 million included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. In 2012, the Company recorded an $8.7 million other-than-temporary impairment charge related to one of its securities that was in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than one year, based on the Company's evaluation of the near-term prospects of the issuer in relation to the severity (fair value was 50 percent less than cost) and duration of the unrealized loss. The impairment charge is included in “Other (expense) income, net” in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

Auction rate security

See Note 7 for information regarding the auction rate security.