Equity method investments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Equity method investments

Equity method investments

Note 4. Equity method investments

The Company makes investments that support its underlying business strategy and enable it to enter new markets.  The carrying values of the Company’s equity method investments are consistent with its ownership in the underlying net assets of the investees. Certain of the Company’s equity investments are variable interest entities, for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary.

On November 3, 2016, we acquired a 25% interest in PANTAYA, a newly formed joint venture with Lionsgate, to launch a Spanish-language OTT movie service. The service launched on August 1, 2017. The investment is deemed a VIE that is accounted for under the equity method. As of June 30, 2017, we have not funded any capital contributions to PANTAYA.  We record income/loss on investment on a one quarter lag. Our share of the loss incurred by PANTAYA through June 30, 2017, $0.2 million, will be recorded as an offset to the investment and as Loss from equity investees in the income statement when a capital contribution is made.

On November 30, 2016, we, in partnership with Colombian content producers, Radio Television Interamericana S.A., Compania de Medios de Informacion S.A.S. and NTC Nacional de Television y Comunicaciones S.A., were awarded a ten (10) year renewable television broadcast concession license for Canal Uno in Colombia the (“Canal Uno Partnership”). Canal Uno is one of only three national broadcast television networks in Colombia. The Canal Uno Partnership began operations of the network through a newly formed joint venture vehicle on May 1, 2017.  The Company has a 20% interest in the JV, which is deemed a VIE that is accounted for under the equity method. For the period ended June 30, 2017, we recorded $9.1 million in Equity method investments, related to Canal Uno.  We record the income/loss on investment on a one quarter lag.  Through June 30, 2017, we have recorded $0.1 million in loss related to this investment. Additionally, we earned a preferred return on capital funded.  Through June 30, 2017, we recorded $0.2 million of income in Other income, net. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we recorded $0.1 million in income in Other income, net related to this investment.

On April 28, 2017, we acquired a 25.5% interest in REMEZCLA, an influential digital media company targeting English speaking and bilingual U.S. Hispanics aged 18-35 through innovative content. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, we have recorded $5.0 million in Equity method investments related to REMEZCLA. The Company records the income/loss on investment on a one quarter lag.  In the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we recorded $0 in Other income, net related to this investment.