Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Broadcast Licenses

v3.21.1
Broadcast Licenses
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Text Block [Abstract]  
Broadcast Licenses
NOTE 8. BROADCAST LICENSES
We account for broadcast licenses in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350
Intangibles—Goodwill and Other
. We do not amortize broadcast licenses, but rather test for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the value may be impaired. In the case of our broadcast radio stations, we would not be able to operate the properties without the related broadcast license for each property. Broadcast licenses are renewed with the FCC every eight years for a nominal fee that is expensed as incurred. We continually monitor our stations’ compliance with the various regulatory requirements that are necessary for the FCC renewal and all of our broadcast licenses have been renewed at the end of their respective periods. We expect all of our broadcast licenses to be renewed in the future and therefore, we consider our broadcast licenses to be indefinite-lived intangible assets. We are not aware of any legal, competitive, economic or other factors that materially limit the useful life of our broadcast licenses. There were no indications of impairment during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
The following table presents the changes in broadcasting licenses that include acquisitions and divestitures of radio stations and FM translators.
 

Broadcast Licenses
  
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2020
 
  
Three Months Ended

March 31, 2021
 
 
  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance before cumulative loss on impairment, beginning of period
   $ 441,143    
$
440,052
 
Accumulated loss on impairment, beginning of period
     (103,285    
(120,279
)
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
 
Balance after cumulative loss on impairment, beginning of period
     337,858    
 
319,773
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
 
Dispositions of radio stations
     (1,091    
—  
 
Impairments based on the estimated fair value of broadcast licenses
     (16,994    
—  
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
 
Balance, end of period after cumulative loss on impairment
   $ 319,773    
$
319,773
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
 
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment
   $ 440,052    
$
440,052
 
Accumulated loss on impairment, end of period
     (120,279    
(120,279
)
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
 
Balance, end of period after cumulative loss on impairment
   $ 319,773    
$
319,773