Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

LIN Media LLC ("LIN LLC"), together with its subsidiaries, including LIN Television Corporation ("LIN Television"), is a local multimedia company operating in the United States. LIN LLC and its subsidiaries are affiliates of Hicks, Muse & Co. Partners, L.P. ("HMC"). In these notes, the terms "Company," "we," "us" or "our" mean LIN LLC and all subsidiaries included in our consolidated financial statements.

On July 30, 2013, LIN TV Corp., a Delaware corporation (“LIN TV”), completed its merger with and into LIN LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of LIN TV, with LIN LLC as the surviving entity (the “Merger”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 12, 2013, by and between LIN TV and LIN LLC (the “Merger Agreement”). Entry into the Merger Agreement had previously been announced by LIN TV on its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2013.

LIN LLC filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on July 31, 2013 (the “Form 8-K”) for the purpose of establishing LIN LLC as the successor registrant to LIN TV pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and to disclose certain related matters, including the consummation of the Merger. Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act and in accordance with the filing of the Form 8-K, the class A common shares representing limited liability interests in LIN LLC, as the successor registrant to LIN TV, were deemed registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. References to "LIN LLC," "we," "us," or the "Company" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that include any period at and before the effectiveness of the Merger shall be deemed to refer to LIN TV as the predecessor registrant to LIN LLC. For more information concerning the effects of the Merger and the succession of LIN LLC to LIN TV upon its effectiveness, please see the Form 8-K.

We conduct our business through LIN Television and its subsidiaries. Prior to the Merger, LIN TV had no operations or assets other than its investments in its subsidiaries. Subsequent to the Merger and consistent with its classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, LIN LLC has separate operations relating to the administration of the partnership. The consolidated financial statements of LIN LLC represent its own operations and the consolidated operations of LIN Television, which remains a corporation after the Merger.

We guarantee all of LIN Television's debt. All of the consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries of LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantee LIN Television's Senior Secured Credit Facility, 8³/₈% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "8³/₈% Senior Notes") and 6³/₈% Senior Notes due 2021 (the "6³/₈% Senior Notes") on a joint-and-several basis, subject to customary release provisions.

Our consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of WWHO-TV in Columbus, OH and WUPW-TV in Toledo, OH as discontinued for all periods presented. See Note 3—"Discontinued Operations" for further discussion of our discontinued operations.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Certain changes in classifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform to the current financial statement presentation. Our significant accounting policies are described below.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our Company, our wholly-owned and majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, and variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which we are the primary beneficiary. We review all local marketing agreements ("LMAs"), shared services agreements ("SSAs") or joint sales agreements ("JSAs"), to evaluate whether consolidation of entities party to such arrangements is required. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. We conduct our business through our subsidiaries and have no operations or assets other than our investment in our subsidiaries and equity-method investments. We operate in one reportable segment.

Joint Venture Sale Transaction

On February 12, 2013, we, along with our wholly-owned subsidiaries LIN Television and LIN Television of Texas, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“LIN Texas”), entered into and closed the transactions contemplated by a transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with NBC Telemundo License LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBC”), NBCU New LLC I, a Delaware limited liability company, NBCU New LLC II, a Delaware limited liability company, General Electric Company, a New York corporation (“GE”), General Electric Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“GECC” and together with GE, the “GE Parties”), National Broadcasting Company Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Comcast”), NBCUniversal Media, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBCUniversal”), Lone Star SPV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Station Venture Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SVH”). SVH held a 99.75% interest in Station Venture Operations, LP (“SVO”), which is the operating company that managed KXAS-TV and KNSD-TV, the television stations that comprised the joint venture. The Transaction Agreement effected a series of transactions related to the ownership and sale of LIN Texas's 20.38% equity interest in SVH, a joint venture in which NBC, an affiliate of NBCUniversal, held the remaining 79.62% equity interest (collectively, the “JV Sale Transaction”).

SVH was a limited partner in a business that operated an NBC affiliate in Dallas and an NBC affiliate in San Diego pursuant to a management agreement. At the time of LIN Texas’s acquisition of its interest in SVH in 1998, GECC provided secured debt financing to SVH in the form of a $815.5 million non-amortizing senior secured note due 2023 to GECC (the “GECC Note”), and, in connection with SVH’s assumption of the GECC Note, LIN TV guaranteed the payment of the full amount of principal and interest on the GECC Note (the “GECC Guarantee”).

In addition, during 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, LIN Television entered into agreements with SVH, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal pursuant to which LIN Television, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal caused to be provided to SVH certain unsecured shortfall funding loans (the “Shortfall Funding Loans”) on the basis of each party’s percentage of equity interest in SVH in order to fund interest payments on the GECC Note.

Pursuant to the JV Sale Transaction, in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations related to any shortfall funding agreements. Further, LIN Texas sold its 20.38% equity interest in SVH to affiliates of NBCUniversal, and the LIN parties transferred their rights to receivables related to the Shortfall Funding Loans for $1.00. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, neither we nor any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries have any further investment in or obligations (funding or otherwise) related to SVH, including, without limitation, to make any other unsecured shortfall loans or payments under the GECC Note or the GECC Guarantee.

We accrued for and expensed the $100 million capital contribution to SVH to secure the release of the GECC Guarantee and recorded the related tax effects of the JV Sale Transaction and the capital contribution in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 because it represented a probable and estimable obligation of the Company. In February 2013, we entered into a $60 million incremental term loan facility and utilized $40 million of cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility to fund the $100 million capital contribution. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, after utilizing all of our available federal net operating loss carryforwards to offset the taxable gain recognized in such transaction, we had a $162.8 million income tax payable associated with this transaction remaining, $131.5 million of which was extinguished as a result of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement further described below.

Concurrent with the closing of the JV Sale Transaction, LIN TV entered into the Merger Agreement with LIN LLC as described above. The Merger enabled the surviving entity to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and the change in classification was treated as a liquidation of LIN TV for federal income tax purposes, and LIN TV realized a capital loss in its 100% equity interest in LIN Television.

Based on an average of the opening and closing trading prices of LIN TV's class A common stock on the day of the Merger, LIN TV realized a capital loss in the amount of approximately $343 million, which represented the difference between its tax basis in the stock of LIN Television, and the fair market value of such stock as of July 30, 2013. The capital loss realized and existing net operating losses were used to offset a portion of the capital gain recognized in the JV Sale Transaction and, we realized cash savings of $131.5 million, resulting in a remaining tax liability of $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Variable Interest Entities

In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary.

We have a JSA and an SSA with WBDT Television, LLC (“WBDT”), a third party licensee, for WBDT-TV in the Dayton, OH market. We also have JSAs and SSAs with affiliates of Vaughan Acquisition LLC (“Vaughan”), a third party licensee, for WTGS-TV in the Savannah, GA market, WYTV-TV in the Youngstown, OH market and KTKA-TV in the Topeka, KS market and SSAs with KASY-TV Licensee, LLC (“KASY”), a third-party licensee, for KWBQ-TV in the Santa Fe, NM market, KRWB-TV in the Roswell, NM market and KASY-TV in the Albuquerque, NM market. Under these agreements, we provide administrative services to these stations, have an obligation to reimburse certain of the stations' expenses, and we are compensated through a performance-based fee structure that provides us the benefit of certain returns from the operation of these stations.

We determined that WBDT, Vaughan and KASY are VIEs and as a result of the JSAs and/or SSAs, we have variable interests in these entities. We are the primary beneficiary of these entities, and therefore, we consolidate these entities within our consolidated financial statements.

The carrying amounts and classifications of the assets and liabilities of the variable interest entities described above, which have been included in our consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2013		2012
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	278	$	418
Accounts receivable, net	6,345		6,021
Other assets	927		2,092
Total current assets	7,550		8,531
Property and equipment, net	2,469		3,190
Broadcast licenses and other intangible assets, net	44,677		46,604
Other assets	1,360		2,055
Total assets	$	56,056	$	60,380
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	1,162	$	1,451
Accounts payable	63		—
Accrued expenses	1,336		425
Program obligations	1,303		2,185
Total current liabilities	3,864		4,061
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	3,005		3,950
Program obligations	1,424		1,967
Other liabilities	47,763		50,402
Total liabilities	$	56,056	$	60,380

The assets of our consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs, and may not be sold, or otherwise disposed of, except for assets sold or replaced with others of like kind or value. Other liabilities of $47.8 million and $50.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, serve to reduce the carrying value of the entities, and are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements. This reflects the fact that as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, LIN Television has an option that it may exercise if the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") attribution rules change. The option would allow LIN Television to acquire the assets or member's interest of the VIE entities for a nominal exercise price, which is significantly less than the carrying value of their tangible and intangible net assets.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates are used for the allowance for doubtful accounts in receivables, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, assumptions used to determine fair value of financial instruments, amortization and impairment of program rights and intangible assets, share-based compensation and other long-term incentive compensation arrangements, pension costs, barter transactions, income taxes, employee medical insurance claims, useful lives of property and equipment, contingencies, litigation and net assets of businesses acquired.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid, short-term investments that have an original maturity of three months or less when purchased. All of our available cash is on deposit with banking institutions that we believe to be financially sound. We had no material losses on our cash or cash equivalents during 2013.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are an average of 30 to 40 years for buildings and fixtures, and 3 to 15 years for broadcast and other equipment. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is included in consolidated net income or loss. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs, including expenditures for planned major maintenance activities, are expensed as incurred. We review our property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Equity investments

Equity investments that we do not have a controlling interest in are accounted for using the equity method. Our share of the net income or loss for these investments, including any equity investment impairments or payments under related guarantees, is included in share of loss from equity investments on our consolidated statement of operations. We review our interest in our equity investments for impairment if there is a series of operating losses or other factors that may indicate that there is a decrease in the value of our investment that is other than temporary.

Revenue recognition

We recognize local, national and political advertising sales, net of agency commissions, during the period in which the advertisements or programs are aired on our television stations, and when payment is reasonably assured. Internet and mobile advertisement sales are recognized when the advertisement is displayed on our websites or the websites of our advertising network. We recognize retransmission consent fees in the period in which our service is delivered. Revenue generated by our digital companies is recognized over the service delivery period when necessary provisions of the contracts have been met. In addition, for the sale of third-party products and services by our digital companies, we evaluate whether it is appropriate to recognize revenue based on the gross amount billed to the customer or the net amount retained by us.

Barter transactions

We account for barter transactions at the fair value of the goods or services we receive from our customers, or the advertising time provided, whichever is more clearly indicative of fair value based on the judgment of our management. We record barter advertising revenue at the time the advertisement is aired and barter expense at the time the goods or services are used. We account for barter programs at fair value based on a calculation using the actual cash advertisements we sell within barter programs multiplied by one minus the program profit margin for similar syndicated programs where we pay cash to acquire the program rights. We record barter program revenue and expense when we air the barter program. We do not record barter revenue or expenses related to network programs. Barter revenue and expense included in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Barter revenue	$	5,552		$	4,220		$	4,071
Barter expense	(5,455		)	(4,176		)	(3,967		)

Advertising expense

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. We incurred advertising costs in the amounts of $3.9 million, $3.1 million and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets primarily include broadcast licenses, network affiliations, customer relationships, completed technology, non-compete agreements and goodwill.

We consider our broadcast licenses to be indefinite-lived intangible assets and as a result, we test the impairment of our broadcast licenses annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The use of an indefinite life for our broadcast licenses is based on our ability to renew the licenses and that such renewals generally may be obtained indefinitely and at little cost and that the technology used in broadcasting is not expected to be replaced in the foreseeable future. Therefore, cash flows derived from the broadcast licenses are expected to continue indefinitely. We proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test without attempting to qualitatively assess whether an impairment was more likely than not. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of broadcast licenses with their carrying amount on a station-by-station basis using a discounted cash-flow valuation method, assuming a hypothetical start-up scenario. The future value of our broadcast licenses could be significantly impaired by the loss of the corresponding network affiliation agreements. Accordingly, such an event could trigger an assessment of the carrying value of a broadcast license.

We test the impairment of goodwill annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. We proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test without attempting to qualitatively assess whether an impairment was more likely than not. Our reporting units are comprised of each of the markets in which our television stations operate, LIN Digital, Nami Media, Dedicated Media, Inc. ("Dedicated Media") and HYFN, Inc. ("HYFN"). The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined through the use of a discounted cash flow analysis. The valuation assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model reflect historical and projected performance of the reporting unit and prevailing values in the markets for similar assets. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation, using the reporting unit's fair value (as determined in step one) as the purchase price. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, but not more than the carrying value of the goodwill. An impairment assessment could be triggered by a significant reduction, or a forecast of such reductions, in operating results or cash flows at one or more of our reporting units, a significant adverse change in the national or local advertising marketplaces in which our television stations operate, or by adverse changes to FCC ownership rules, among other factors. We recorded an impairment charge during 2011, which is more fully described in Note 6—"Intangible Assets."

Long-lived assets

We periodically evaluate the net realizable value of long-lived assets, including tangible and intangible assets, relying on a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. When evaluating assets for potential impairment, we first compare the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated future cash flows associated with the asset group (undiscounted and without interest charges). If the estimated future cash flows used in this analysis are less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss calculation is prepared. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying amount of the asset group to the asset group's estimated future cash flows (discounted and with interest charges). If required, an impairment loss is recorded for the portion of the asset group's carrying value that exceeds the asset group's estimated future cash flows.

Program rights

Program rights are recorded as assets when the license period begins and the programs are delivered to our stations for broadcasting, at the gross amount of the related obligations. Costs incurred in connection with the purchase of programs to be broadcast within one year are classified as other current assets, while costs of those programs to be broadcast subsequently are considered non-current. Program costs are charged to operations over their estimated broadcast periods in a manner consistent with actual usage.

If the estimated net realizable value of acquired programming rights is less than unamortized cost (i.e. due to poor ratings), we would recognize an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the program rights to their net realizable value.

Program obligations are classified as current or non-current in accordance with the payment terms of the license agreement.

Share-based compensation

As of December 31, 2013, we have several share-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 9—"Share-Based Compensation." We estimate the fair value of share option awards using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes valuation model requires us to make assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the calculation, including the option's expected term, the expected volatility of the underlying shares and the number of share option awards that are expected to be forfeited. The expected term represents the weighted-average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and our historical exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on historical trends for our class A common shares over the expected term. Expected forfeitures are estimated using our historical experience. If future changes in estimates differ significantly from our current estimates, our future share-based compensation expense and results of operations could be materially impacted.

The following table presents the share-based compensation expense included in our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Direct operating	$	320	$	270	$	256
Selling, general and administrative	1,460		1,019		1,266
Corporate	7,594		5,568		4,654
Total share-based compensation	$	9,374	$	6,857	$	6,176

Our accounting policy is to follow the tax law ordering approach regarding net operating losses and determining when tax benefits are realized related to excess share option deductions and credited to equity.

Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. We consider future taxable income and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for establishing or removing a valuation allowance. We record or subsequently remove a valuation allowance to reflect our deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event that our determination changes regarding the realization of all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset is recorded to our consolidated statement of operations in the period in which such a determination is made. Due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, we reversed an $18.2 million valuation allowance and recognized a corresponding tax benefit during 2013. For further discussion regarding this reversal, see Note 14 - "Income Taxes."

When accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we follow the prescribed recognition threshold and measurement methodology for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. Concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents and investments are limited as we maintain primary banking relationships with only large nationally recognized institutions. We evaluated the viability of these institutions as of December 31, 2013 and we believe our risk is minimal. Credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited, as our trade receivables are primarily related to advertising revenues generated from a large diversified group of local and nationally recognized advertisers and advertising agencies. We do not require collateral or other security against trade receivable balances, however, we do maintain reserves for potential bad debt losses, which are based on historical bad debt experience and an assessment of specific risks, and such reserves and bad debts have been within management's expectations for all years presented.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing income attributable to common shareholders by the number of weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted EPS reflects the effect of the assumed exercise of share options and vesting of restricted shares only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive.

The following is a reconciliation of the weighted-average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted income (loss) per common share (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Numerator for earnings per common share calculation:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	156,601		$	(17,972	)	$	49,701
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest included in continuing operations	(1,512		)	(556		)	204
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to LIN LLC	158,113			(17,416		)	49,497
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, including gain on sale	—			10,371			(920		)
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN LLC	$	158,113		$	(7,045	)	$	48,577
Denominator for earnings per common share calculation:
Weighted-average common shares, basic	52,439			54,130			55,768
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share options and restricted shares	3,200			—			1,311
Weighted-average common shares, diluted	55,639			54,130			57,079

We apply the treasury stock method to measure the dilutive effect of our outstanding share options and restricted share awards and include the respective common share equivalents in the denominator of our diluted income per common share calculation. Potentially dilutive securities representing 0.1 million, 1.2 million, and 0.4 million weighted shares of common shares issuable for share options and restricted shares for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share for these periods because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. The net income (loss) per share amounts are the same for our class A, class B and class C common shares because the holders of each class are legally entitled to equal per share amounts whether through distributions or in liquidation.

Fair value of financial instruments

Certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable are carried in the consolidated financial statements at amounts that approximate fair value. For certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis we maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are required to be recorded as assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair values of derivatives are recognized immediately or deferred, depending on the use of the derivative and whether or not it qualifies as a hedge. We have historically used derivative financial instruments in the management of our interest rate exposure for our long-term debt. In accordance with our interest rate risk management policy, we do not enter into derivative financial instruments unless there is an underlying exposure, and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Retirement plans

We have a defined benefit retirement plan covering certain of our employees. Our pension benefit obligations and related costs are calculated using prescribed actuarial concepts. Additionally, we record the unfunded status of our plan on our consolidated balance sheets. Effective April 1, 2009, this plan was frozen and we do not expect to make additional benefit accruals to this plan, however, we continue to fund our existing vested obligations.

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

The following table presents the activity of the redeemable noncontrolling interest included in our consolidated balance sheets related to Nami Media, HYFN and Dedicated Media, which represents third parties’ proportionate share of our consolidated net assets (in thousands):



	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest	$	3,503
Net loss	(556		)
Share-based compensation	295
Balance as of December 31, 2012	3,242
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest	11,025
Net loss	(1,512		)
Share-based compensation	90
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	12,845

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In July 2013 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” to eliminate diversity in practice. This ASU requires that companies net their unrecognized tax benefits against all same-jurisdiction net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards that would be used to settle the position with a tax authority. This new guidance is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013 and interim periods therein. We prospectively adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-2, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which amends Accounting Standards Codification 220, “Comprehensive Income.” The amendments require an entity to disclose the impact of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income, by the respective line items of net income, if the amounts reclassified are reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. The disclosure is required either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes. For amounts that are not reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. We prospectively adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In July 2012, there were revisions to the accounting standard for impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill. Under the revised standard a company can first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets is necessary. A company can choose to perform the qualitative assessment on none, some, or all of its indefinite-lived intangible assets, and can also bypass the qualitative assessment and perform the quantitative impairment test for any indefinite-lived intangible in any period. The revised standard is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 and do not expect it to have a material impact on our impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets.

LIN Television

Entity Information [Line Items]

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

LIN Television Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“LIN Television”), together with its subsidiaries, is a local multimedia company operating in the United States. LIN Television and its subsidiaries are affiliates of Hicks, Muse & Co. Partners, L.P. (“HMC”). In these notes, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean LIN Television and all subsidiaries included in our consolidated financial statements. LIN Television is a wholly-owned subsidiary of LIN Media LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LIN LLC”).

LIN LLC's assets, liabilities, and operations relate solely to the administration of the LIN LLC partnership. LIN LLC guarantees all of our debt. All of the consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries of LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantee our Senior Secured Credit Facility, 8³/₈% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “8³/₈% Senior Notes”) and 6³/₈% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “6³/₈% Senior Notes”) on a joint-and-several basis, subject to customary release provisions.

Our consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of WWHO-TV in Columbus, OH and WUPW-TV in Toledo, OH as discontinued for all periods presented. See Note 3—“Discontinued Operations” for further discussion of our discontinued operations.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Certain changes in classifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform to the current financial statement presentation. Our significant accounting policies are described below.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our Company, our wholly-owned and majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, and variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which we are the primary beneficiary. We review all local marketing agreements (“LMAs”), shared services agreements (“SSAs”) or joint sales agreements (“JSAs”), to evaluate whether consolidation of entities party to such arrangements is required. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. We conduct our business through our subsidiaries and have no operations or assets other than our investment in our subsidiaries and equity-method investments. We operate in one reportable segment.

Joint Venture Sale Transaction

On February 12, 2013, we, along with LIN TV and our wholly-owned subsidiary, LIN Television of Texas, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“LIN Texas”) entered into and closed the transactions contemplated by a transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with NBC Telemundo License LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBC”), NBCU New LLC I, a Delaware limited liability company, NBCU New LLC II, a Delaware limited liability company, General Electric Company, a New York corporation (“GE”), General Electric Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“GECC” and together with GE, the “GE Parties”), National Broadcasting Company Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Comcast”), NBCUniversal Media, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBCUniversal”), Lone Star SPV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Station Venture Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SVH”). SVH held a 99.75% interest in Station Venture Operations, LP (“SVO”), which is the operating company that managed KXAS-TV and KNSD-TV, the television stations that comprised the joint venture. The Transaction Agreement effected a series of transactions related to the ownership and sale of LIN Texas’s 20.38% equity interest in SVH, a joint venture in which NBC, an affiliate of NBCUniversal, held the remaining 79.62% equity interest (collectively, the “JV Sale Transaction”).

In addition, during 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, we entered into agreements with SVH, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal pursuant to which LIN Television, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal caused to be provided to SVH certain unsecured shortfall funding loans (the “Shortfall Funding Loans”) on the basis of each party’s percentage of equity interest in SVH in order to fund interest payments on the GECC Note.

We accrued for and expensed the $100 million capital contribution to SVH to secure the release of the GECC Guarantee and recorded the related tax effects of the JV Sale Transaction and the capital contribution in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 because it represented a probable and estimable obligation of the Company. In February 2013, we entered into a $60 million incremental term loan facility and utilized $40 million of cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility to fund the $100 million capital contribution. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, LIN TV, after utilizing all of its available federal net operating loss carryforwards to offset the taxable gain recognized in such transaction, we had a $162.8 million income tax payable associated with this transaction remaining, $131.5 million of which was extinguished as a result of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement further described below.

Concurrent with the closing of the JV Sale Transaction, LIN TV entered into the Merger Agreement with LIN LLC as described above. The Merger enabled the surviving entity to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and the change in classification was treated as a liquidation of LIN TV for federal income tax purposes, and LIN TV realized a capital loss in its 100% equity interest in LIN Television.

Variable Interest Entities

We have a JSA and an SSA with WBDT Television, LLC ("WBDT"), a third party licensee, for WBDT-TV in the Dayton, OH market. We also have JSAs and SSAs with affiliates of Vaughan Acquisition LLC ("Vaughan"), a third party licensee, for WTGS-TV in the Savannah, GA market, WYTV-TV in the Youngstown, OH market and KTKA-TV in the Topeka, KS market and SSAs with KASY-TV Licensee, LLC ("KASY"), a third-party licensee, for KWBQ-TV in the Santa Fe, NM market, KRWB-TV in the Roswell, NM market and KASY-TV in the Albuquerque, NM market. Under these agreements, we provide administrative services to these stations, have an obligation to reimburse certain of the stations' expenses, and we are compensated through a performance-based fee structure that provides us the benefit of certain returns from the operation of these stations.



	December 31,
	2013		2012
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	278	$	418
Accounts receivable, net	6,345		6,021
Other assets	927		2,092
Total current assets	7,550		8,531
Property and equipment, net	2,469		3,190
Broadcast licenses and other intangible assets, net	44,677		46,604
Other assets	1,360		2,055
Total assets	$	56,056	$	60,380
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	1,162	$	1,451
Accounts payable	63		—
Accrued expenses	1,336		425
Program obligations	1,303		2,185
Total current liabilities	3,864		4,061
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	3,005		3,950
Program obligations	1,424		1,967
Other liabilities	47,763		50,402
Total liabilities	$	56,056	$	60,380

The assets of our consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs, and may not be sold, or otherwise disposed of, except for assets sold or replaced with others of like kind or value. Other liabilities of $47.8 million and $50.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, serve to reduce the carrying value of the entities and are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements. This reflects the fact that as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, LIN Television has an option that it may exercise if the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") attribution rules change. The option would allow LIN Television to acquire the assets or member's interest of the VIE entities for a nominal exercise price, which is significantly less than the carrying value of their tangible and intangible net assets.

Use of estimates

Cash and cash equivalents

Property and equipment

Equity investments

Revenue recognition

Barter transactions



	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Barter revenue	$	5,552		$	4,220		$	4,071
Barter expense	(5,455		)	(4,176		)	(3,967		)

Advertising expense

Intangible assets

Intangible assets primarily include broadcast licenses, network affiliations, customer relationships, completed technology, non-compete agreements and goodwill.

Long-lived assets

Program rights

Program obligations are classified as current or non-current in accordance with the payment terms of the license agreement.

Share-based compensation

As of December 31, 2013, we have several share-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 9—"Share-Based Compensation." We estimate the fair value of share option awards using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes valuation model requires us to make assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the calculation, including the option's expected term, the expected volatility of the underlying shares and the number of share option awards that are expected to be forfeited. The expected term represents the weighted-average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and our historical exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on historical trends for LIN LLC's class A common shares over the expected term. Expected forfeitures are estimated using our historical experience. If future changes in estimates differ significantly from our current estimates, our future share-based compensation expense and results of operations could be materially impacted.

The following table presents the share-based compensation expense included in our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Direct operating	$	320	$	270	$	256
Selling, general and administrative	1,460		1,019		1,266
Corporate	7,594		5,568		4,654
Total share-based compensation	$	9,374	$	6,857	$	6,176

Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. We consider future taxable income and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for establishing or removing a valuation allowance. We record or subsequently remove a valuation allowance to reflect our deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event that our determination changes regarding the realization of all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset is recorded to our consolidated statement of operations in the period in which such a determination is made. Due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, we reversed an$18.2 million valuation allowance and recognized a corresponding tax benefit during 2013. For further discussion regarding this reversal, see Note 14 - "Income Taxes."

Concentration of credit risk

Fair value of financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments

Retirement plans

Redeemable noncontrolling interest



	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest	$	3,503
Net loss	(556		)
Share-based compensation	295
Balance as of December 31, 2012	3,242
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest	11,025
Net loss	(1,512		)
Share-based compensation	90
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	12,845

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.

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