Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Broadcast Licenses

v3.19.1
Broadcast Licenses
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Text Block [Abstract]  
Broadcast Licenses

NOTE 9. 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 Federal Communications Commission (“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 period ended March 31, 2019.

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, 2018
    Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
 
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance, beginning of period before cumulative loss on impairment

  $ 486,455     $ 484,691  

Accumulated loss on impairment

    (105,541     (108,375
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period after cumulative loss on impairment

    380,914       376,316  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisitions of radio stations

    6,270       —    

Acquisitions of FM translators and construction permits

    19       —    

Abandoned capital projects

    (40     —    

Dispositions of radio stations

    (8,013     (4,291

Impairments based on the estimated fair value of broadcast licenses

    (2,834     —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment

    484,691       480,400  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated loss on impairment

    (108,375     (108,375
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of period after cumulative loss on impairment

  $ 376,316     $ 372,025