3. Programming Rights

Programming rights are comprised of the following:

	As of December 31,			As of March 31,
	2012			2013
	(In thousands)
Programming rights — non-affiliates
Acquired programming
Licensed for less than 12 years	$	294,272		$	309,701
Original programming
Licensed for less than 12 years	169,176			172,368
Licensed for 12 years or longer	4,440			8,737
Owned	5,772			9,578
Programming rights— Hallmark Cards affiliates
Licensed for less than 12 years	22,549			23,774
Programming rights, at cost	496,209			524,158
Accumulated amortization	(235,292		)	(257,763		)
Programming rights, net	$	260,917		$	266,395

In the regular course of evaluating the remaining usefulness of its various program licenses, the Company may determine that certain licenses may be of little future program value to it. In such instances, the Company shortens the estimated remaining lives to zero, thereby accelerating amortization of the remaining net book value. The Company made no such changes in estimates during either of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2013.

At December 31, 2012, and March 31, 2013, $27.6 million and $34.7 million, respectively, of programming rights were included in prepaid programming rights on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The various license periods associated with such amounts had not commenced as of the respective balance sheet dates.

Programming rights payable are comprised of the following:

	As of December 31,			As of March 31,
	2012			2013
	(In thousands)
Programming rights payable — non-affiliates
Acquired programming	$	102,367		$	101,336
Original programming	25,085			17,443
Programming rights payable — Hallmark Cards affiliates	15,172			15,481
Total programming rights payable	142,624			134,260
Less current maturities	(112,503		)	(98,204		)
Long-term programming rights payable	$	30,121		$	36,056

Under certain license agreements with RHI Entertainment Distribution, LLC, a subsidiary of RHI (“RHIED”), the Company is obligated to pay $5.3 million through December 1, 2013. In connection with its reorganization in bankruptcy, RHIED assigned its right to receive these license payments to Hallmark Cards. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company reclassified $698,000 from programming rights payable (to non-affiliates) to payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates. During the same period the Company remitted payment of $1.3 million to Hallmark Cards. At December 31, 2012, the payable to Hallmark Cards affiliates includes $620,000 related to this assignment. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company reclassified $698,000 from programming rights payable (to non-affiliates) to payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates. During the same period the Company remitted payment of $1.2 million to Hallmark Cards. At March 31, 2013, the payable to Hallmark Cards affiliates includes $69,000 related to this assignment. Obligations relating to license periods that had not commenced as of December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013, were $2.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively; accordingly, such amounts are not reflected in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.