Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following:

( in thousands )	As of
	September 30,			December 31,
	2015			2014
Goodwill	$	1,797,754		$	573,119
Other intangible assets:
Amortizable intangible assets:
Carrying amount:
Acquired network distribution rights		749,950			586,687
Customer and advertiser lists		226,954			94,669
Copyrights and other tradenames		398,119			66,782
Broadcast licenses		127,069			-
Acquired rights and other		120,230			120,227
Total carrying amount		1,622,322			868,365
Accumulated amortization:
Acquired network distribution rights		(185,814	)		(157,847	)
Customer and advertiser lists		(77,025	)		(71,870	)
Copyrights and other tradenames		(26,483	)		(20,046	)
Broadcast licenses		(1,293	)		-
Acquired rights and other		(27,773	)		(22,721	)
Total accumulated amortization		(318,388	)		(272,484	)
Total other intangible assets, net		1,303,934			595,881
Total goodwill and other intangible assets, net	$	3,101,688		$	1,169,000

Amortization expense associated with intangible assets for each of the next five years is expected to be as follows:

( in thousands )	Estimated Amortization **
Remainder of 2015	$	26,718
2016		90,595
2017		89,379
2018		89,125
2019		88,097
Thereafter		920,020

** As the functional currency of certain foreign subsidiaries differs from the USD, these amounts are subject to change as the foreign currencies to the USD exchange rates fluctuate.

Activity related to goodwill by business segment consisted of the following:

( in thousands )
	U.S. Networks		International Networks			Corporate and Other			Total
Goodwill:
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	510,484	$	62,635	$		-	$		573,119
Acquisition of N-Vision		-		1,220,764			-			1,220,764
Foreign currency translation adjustment		-		3,871			-			3,871
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	510,484	$	1,287,270	$		-	$		1,797,754