Asset Retirement Obligations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The components of the changes in the asset retirement obligation liabilities were:



(Dollars in thousands)	Short-Term Portion			Long-Term Portion			Total
Balance at January 1, 2017	$	85		$	7,472		$	7,557
Accretion	6			415			421
Amounts paid	(189		)	—			(189		)
Asset additions recorded, net	—			26			26
Reclassifications	333			(333		)	—
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	235		$	7,580		$	7,815

The balances above were included within other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities, respectively, at September 30, 2017.

Increases and reductions other than accretion, reclassification and amounts paid primarily relate to changes in estimate of the underlying liability, specifically as it relates to updates in estimated costs to remove a transmitter and the estimated timing of removal. The cost associated with the estimated removal costs and timing refinements due to ongoing network rationalization activities is expected to accrete to a total liability of $9.0 million. The total estimated liability is based on the transmitter locations remaining after we have consolidated the number of networks we operate and assume the underlying leases continue to be renewed to that future date.

Accretion expense was $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Accretion expense related solely to asset retirement obligations and was recorded based on the interest method.