SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Basis of Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of us and our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Comprehensive income is equal to net income for all periods presented. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The accounting estimates that require management’s most difficult and subjective judgments include: assessment and valuation of intangibles, accounts receivable allowance, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and capitalized labor. Actual results could differ from those and other estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Revenue Recognition

Video, high speed data (“HSD”), phone and business services revenues are recognized when the services are provided to our customers. Credit risk is managed by disconnecting services to customers who are deemed to be delinquent. Installation revenues are recognized as customer connections are completed because installation revenues are less than direct installation costs. Advertising sales are recognized in the period that the advertisements are exhibited. Deposits and up-front fees collected from customers are recognized as deferred revenue until the earnings process is complete. Under the terms of our franchise agreements, we are required to pay local franchising authorities up to 5% of our gross revenues derived from providing video service. We normally pass these fees through to our customers. Because franchise fees are our obligation, we present them on a gross basis with a corresponding expense. Franchise fees reported on a gross basis amounted to approximately $22.1 million, $21.7 million, and $23.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Franchise fees are reported in video revenue and included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of probable losses in the accounts receivable balance. The allowance is based on the number of days outstanding, customer balances, recoveries, historical experience and other currently available information.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Our accounts receivable are comprised of amounts due from customers in varying regions throughout the United States. Concentration of credit risk with respect to these receivables is limited due to the large number of customers comprising our customer base and their geographic dispersion. We invest our cash with high quality financial institutions.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Additions to property, plant and equipment generally include material, labor and indirect costs. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the following useful lives:

Buildings		40 years
Leasehold improvements		Life of respective lease
Cable systems, equipment and customer devices		5 to 20 years
Vehicles		4-5 years
Furniture, fixtures, and office equipment		5 years

We capitalize improvements that extend asset lives and expense repairs and maintenance as incurred. At the time of retirements, write-offs, sales or other dispositions of property, the original cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any resulting gains or losses are included in depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

We capitalize the costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities, new customer installations and indirect costs associated with our phone service. Costs include direct labor and material, as well as certain indirect costs including capitalized interest. We perform periodic evaluations of the estimates used to determine the amount and extent that such costs are capitalized. Any changes to these estimates, which may be significant, are applied in the period in which the evaluations were completed. The costs of disconnecting service at a customer’s dwelling or reconnecting to a previously installed dwelling are charged as expense in the period incurred. Costs associated with subsequent installations of additional services not previously installed at a customer’s dwelling are capitalized to the extent such costs are incremental and directly attributable to the installation of such additional services. See Note 3.

Capitalized Software Costs

We account for internal-use software development and related costs in accordance with ASC 350-40-Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Internal-Use Software. Software development and other related costs consist of external and internal costs incurred in the application development stage to purchase and implement the software that will be used in our telephony business. Costs incurred in the development of application and infrastructure of the software is capitalized and will be amortized over our respective estimated useful life of 5 years. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we wrote off approximately $5.3 million of software development costs ($4.5 million of which was fully amortized) and during the year ended December 31, 2014, we capitalized approximately $0.1 million of software development costs. Capitalized software had a net book value of $0.7 million and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Marketing and Promotional Costs

Marketing and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and were $31.9 million, $24.3 million and $22.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Intangible Assets

Our cable systems operate under non-exclusive cable franchises, or franchise rights, granted by state and local governmental authorities for varying lengths of time. We acquired these cable franchises through acquisitions of cable systems and were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As of December 31, 2015, we held 728 franchises in areas located throughout the United States. The value of a franchise is derived from the economic benefits we receive from the right to solicit new customers and to market our products and services, including video, HSD and phone, in a specific market territory. We concluded that our franchise rights have an indefinite useful life since, among other things, there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors limiting the period over which these franchise rights contribute to our revenues and cash flows. Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. In accordance with ASC 350 — Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), we do not amortize franchise rights and goodwill. Instead, such assets are tested annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.

We follow the provisions of ASC 350 to test our goodwill and franchise rights for impairment. We assess the fair values of our reporting unit using the Excess Earnings Method of the Income Approach as our discounted cash flow (“DCF”) methodology, under which the fair value of cable franchise rights are determined in a direct manner. We employ the Multi-Period Excess Earnings Method to calculate the fair values of our cable franchise rights, using unobservable inputs (Level 3). This assessment involves significant judgment, including certain assumptions and estimates that determine future cash flow expectations and other future benefits, which are consistent with the expectations of buyers and sellers of cable systems in determining fair value. These assumptions and estimates include discount rates, estimated growth rates, terminal growth rates, comparable company data, revenues per customer, market penetration as a percentage of homes passed and operating margin. We also consider market transactions, market valuations, research analyst estimates and other valuations using multiples of operating income before depreciation and amortization to confirm the reasonableness of fair values determined by the DCF methodology. We also employ the Greenfield model to corroborate the fair values of our cable franchise rights determined under the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology. Significant impairment in value resulting in impairment charges may result if the estimates and assumptions used in the fair value determination change in the future. Such impairments, if recognized, could potentially be material.

Based on the guidance outlined in ASC 350, we have determined that the unit of accounting or reporting unit, for testing goodwill and franchise rights is Mediacom Broadband. Comprising cable system clusters across several states, Mediacom Broadband is at the financial reporting level that is managed and reviewed by the corporate office (i.e., chief operating decision maker) including our determination as to how we allocate capital resources and utilize the assets. The reporting unit level also reflects the level at which the purchase method of accounting for our acquisitions was originally recorded.

In accordance with ASC 350, we are required to determine goodwill impairment using a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit with our carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds our carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired and the second step is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds our fair value, the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, calculated using the residual method, with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.

The impairment test for our franchise rights and other intangible assets not subject to amortization consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.

Since our adoption of ASC 350 in 2002, we have not recorded any impairments as a result of our impairment testing. We completed our most recent impairment test as of October 1, 2015, which reflected no impairment of our franchise rights, goodwill or other intangible assets.

We could record impairments in the future if there are changes in the long-term fundamentals of our business, in general market conditions or in the regulatory landscape that could prevent us from recovering the carrying value of our long-lived intangible assets. The economic conditions affecting the U.S. economy, and how that may impact the fundamentals of our business, may have a negative impact on the fair values of the assets in our reporting unit.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-28 — When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), as of October 1, 2015 and 2014, we have evaluated whether there are any adverse qualitative factors surrounding our Mediacom Broadband reporting unit indicating that a goodwill impairment may exist. We do not believe that it is “more likely than not” that a goodwill impairment exists. As such, we have not performed Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. As of December 31, 2015, the Mediacom Broadband reporting unit had a positive carrying amount. As of December 31, 2014, the Mediacom Broadband reporting unit had a negative carrying amount.

The following table details changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, (dollars in thousands):

Balance - December 31, 2013	$	195,945
Acquisitions		—
Dispositions		—
Balance - December 31, 2014	$	195,945
Acquisitions		—
Dispositions		—
Balance - December 31, 2015	$	195,945

Segment Reporting

ASC 280 — Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”) requires the disclosure of factors used to identify an enterprise’s reportable segments. Our operations are organized and managed on the basis of cable system clusters within our service area. Each cable system cluster derives revenues from the delivery of similar products and services to a customer base that is also similar. Each cable system cluster deploys similar technology to deliver our products and services, operates within a similar regulatory environment and has similar economic characteristics. Management evaluated the criteria for aggregation under ASC 280 and believes that we meet each of the respective criteria set forth. Accordingly, management has identified broadband services as our one reportable segment.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments

We account for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC 815 — Derivatives and Hedging. These pronouncements require that all derivative instruments be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. We enter into interest rate exchange agreements to fix the interest rate on a portion of our variable interest rate debt to reduce the potential volatility in our interest expense that would otherwise result from changes in market interest rates. Our derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and are included in other current assets, other assets and other liabilities of our consolidated balance sheet. Our accounting policies for these instruments are based on whether they meet our criteria for designation as hedging transactions, which include the instrument’s effectiveness, risk reduction and, in most cases, a one-to-one matching of the derivative instrument to our underlying transaction. Gains and losses from changes in fair values of derivatives that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. We have no derivative financial instruments designated as hedges. Therefore, changes in fair value for the respective periods were recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.

Accounting for Asset Retirement

We adopted ASC 410 — Asset Retirement Obligations (“ASC 410”), on January 1, 2003. ASC 410 addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. We reviewed our asset retirement obligations to determine the fair value of such liabilities and if a reasonable estimate of fair value could be made. This entailed the review of leases covering tangible long-lived assets as well as our rights-of-way under franchise agreements. Certain of our franchise agreements and leases contain provisions that require restoration or removal of equipment if the franchises or leases are not renewed. Based on historical experience, we expect to renew our franchise or lease agreements. In the unlikely event that any franchise or lease agreement is not expected to be renewed, we would record an estimated liability. However, in determining the fair value of our asset retirement obligation under our franchise agreements, consideration will be given to the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, which generally entitles the cable operator to the “fair market value” for the cable system covered by a franchise, if renewal is denied and the franchising authority acquires ownership of the cable system or effects a transfer of the cable system to another person. Changes in these assumptions based on future information could result in adjustments to estimated liabilities.

Upon adoption of ASC 410, we determined that in certain instances, we are obligated by contractual terms or regulatory requirements to remove facilities or perform other remediation activities upon the retirement of our assets. We initially recorded a $1.8 million asset in property, plant and equipment and a corresponding liability of $1.8 million. As of both December 31, 2015 and 2014, the corresponding asset, net of accumulated amortization, was $0.

Accounting for Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with ASC 360 — Property, Plant and Equipment, we periodically evaluate the recoverability and estimated lives of our long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed. The measurement for such impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset, typically based upon the future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Unless presented separately, the loss is included as a component of either depreciation expense or amortization expense, as appropriate.

Programming Costs

We have various fixed-term carriage contracts to obtain programming for our cable systems from content suppliers whose compensation is generally based on a fixed monthly fee per video customer. These programming contracts are subject to negotiated renewal. Programming costs are recognized when we distribute the related programming. These programming costs are usually payable each month based on calculations performed by us and are subject to adjustments based on the results of periodic audits by the content suppliers. Historically, such audit adjustments have been immaterial to our total programming costs. Financial incentives, when received, are deferred within non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and recognized as a reduction of programming costs (which are a component of service costs in the consolidated statement of operations) over the carriage term of the programming contract.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The guidance states that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. An entity should also disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This guidance supersedes most industry-specific guidance, including Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 51 – Financial Reporting by Cable Television Companies. In August 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which deferred by one year the effective date of ASU 2014-09 until reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The FASB is permitting early adoption of the updated accounting guidance, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. Financial incentives, when received, are deferred within non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and recognized as a reduction of programming costs (which are a component of service costs in the consolidated statement of operations) over the carriage term of the programming contract.

In April 2015 (as amended in August 2015), the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 (and ASU 2015-15) - Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). The purpose of this guidance is to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs and requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity should apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. We expect to reclassify approximately $22.6 million from other assets, net to long-term debt as a result of this new guidance (based upon amounts as of December 31, 2015).

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05 - Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) (“ASU 2015-05”). The objective of ASU 2015-05 is to address the concerns of stakeholders that the lack of guidance about a customer’s accounting for fees in a cloud computing arrangement leads to unnecessary cost and complexity when evaluating the accounting for those fees, as well as some diversity in practice. The amendments in ASU 2015-05 will help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement by providing guidance as to whether an arrangement includes the sale or license of software. Examples of cloud computing arrangements include software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, and other similar hosting arrangements. This guidance is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. We have completed our evaluation of this new guidance and determined that there will not be a significant impact to our operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). The objective of ASU 2016-02 is to address the concerns to increase the transparency around lease obligations. To address these concerns, previously unrecorded off-balance sheet obligations will now be brought more prominently to light by presenting lease liabilities on the face of the balance sheet. Accompanied by enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosures in the notes to the financial statements, financial statement users will be able to more accurately compare information from one company to another. This guidance is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. We have not completed our evaluation of this new guidance.