Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Broadcast Licenses

v3.21.2
Broadcast Licenses
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 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- and nine-month period ended September 30, 2021.
The following table presents the changes in broadcasting licenses including acquisitions and divestitures of radio stations and
FM
translators.
 

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

September 30, 2021
 
               
    
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance before cumulative loss on impairment,
beginning of period
   $ 435,300     
$
434,209
 
Accumulated loss on impairment, beginning of
period
     (97,442   
 
(114,436
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
Balance after cumulative loss on impairment, beginning
of period
     337,858     
 
319,773
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
Acquisitions of radio stations
     —       
 
235
 
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     
$
320,008
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on
impairment
   $ 434,209     
$
434,444
 
Accumulated loss on impairment, end of period
     (114,436   
 
(114,436
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
Balance, end of period after cumulative loss on
impairment
   $ 319,773     
$
320,008