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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”).
We consolidate a VIE when we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, in determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE.
 
On
January 17, 2017,
we acquired
the assets of
two
television stations that were divested by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. upon its merger with Media General, Inc. (“Media General”): WBAY-TV (ABC), in the Green Bay, Wisconsin television market (DMA
69
), and KWQC-TV (NBC), in the Davenport, Iowa, Rock Island, Illinois, and Moline, Illinois or “Quad Cities” television market (DMA
102
), for an adjusted purchase price of
$269.9
million (the “Media General Acquisition”) using cash on hand. The Media General Acquisition was completed, in part, through a transaction with a VIE known as Gray Midwest EAT, LLC (“GME”), pursuant to which GME acquired the broadcast licenses of the stations. On
May 30, 2017,
we exercised an option to acquire the licenses held by GME pending receipt of proceeds from the FCC’s reverse auction for broadcast spectrum (the “FCC Spectrum Auction”). Upon receipt of the auction proceeds from the FCC on
August 7, 2017,
we completed the acquisition of the broadcast licenses from GME.
 
During the period that GME held those broadcast licenses we believe we were the primary beneficiary of GME because, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, we had the power to direct the activities that significantly impact the economic performance of GME through the services we provided, and our obligation to absorb losses and right to earn returns that would be considered significant to GME. As a result, we included the assets, liabilities and results of operations of GME in our consolidated financial statements beginning
January 17, 2017
and continuing through
August 7, 2017,
the date that we were
no
longer deemed to be the primary beneficiary of GME.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Investments in Broadcasting and Technology Companies
.
We have an investment in Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. (“Tarzian”) whose principal business is the ownership and operation of
two
television stations. As of
June 30, 2017,
the most recent period for which we have Tarzian’s financial statements, our investment represented
32.4%
of the total outstanding common stock of Tarzian (both in terms of the number of shares of common stock outstanding and in terms of voting rights), but such investment represented
67.9%
of the equity of Tarzian for purposes of dividends, if paid, as well as distributions in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or other sale of Tarzian. This investment is accounted for under the cost method of accounting and reflected as a non-current asset on our balance sheet. We have
no
commitment to fund the operations of Tarzian nor do we have any representation on Tarzian’s board of directors or any other influence over Tarzian’s management. We believe the cost method is appropriate to account for this investment given the existence of a single majority voting stockholder and our lack of management influence or any obligation to fund the operations of Tarzian.
 
In
2016,
we made a
$3.0
million strategic equity investment in Syncbak, a technology company that replicates over-the-air broadcasts for delivery over-the-top of the Internet. This
investment does
not
represent a controlling interest in Syncbak, nor are we committed to fund Syncbak’s operations. One member of our senior management holds a seat on Syncbak’s board of directors. We do
not
believe that we have significant influence over management or operations, and, as such, we account for this investment using the cost method of accounting for investments, and this investment is reflected as a non-current asset on our balance sheet. We evaluate this investment periodically for impairment
.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Revenue Recognition
.
Broadcast advertising revenue is generated primarily from the sale of television advertising time to local, national and political advertisers. Internet advertising revenue is generated from the sale of advertisements associated with our stations’ websites. Advertising revenue is billed to the customer and recognized when the advertisement is broadcast or appears on our stations’ websites. Retransmission consent revenue consists of payments to us from cable, satellite and other multiple video program distribution systems for their retransmission of our broadcast signals. Retransmission consent revenue is recognized as earned over the life of the retransmission consent contract. Other revenue consists primarily of revenue earned from the production of programming and payments from tower space rent. Revenue from the production of programming is recognized as the programming is produced. Tower rent is recognized over the life of the rental agreements.
 
Cash received that has
not
yet been recognized as revenue is presented as deferred revenue. Revenue that has been earned but
not
yet received is recognized as revenue and presented as a receivable.
Advertising Barter Transactions, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Trade
and Barter
Transactions
.
We account for trade transactions involving the exchange of tangible goods or services with our customers as revenue. The revenue is recorded at the time the advertisement is broadcast and the expense is recorded at the time the goods or services are used. The revenue and expense associated with these transactions is based on the fair value of the assets or services involved in the transaction. Trade revenue and expense recognized for each of the years ended
December 31, 2017,
2016
and
2015
were as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Trade revenue
  $
1,832
    $
2,069
    $
2,299
 
Trade expense
   
(1,863
)    
(1,997
)    
(2,188
)
Net trade (loss) income
  $
(31
)   $
72
    $
111
 
 
W
e do
not
account for barter revenue and related barter expense generated from network or syndicated programming as such amounts are
not
material. Furthermore, any such barter revenue recognized would then require the recognition of an equal amount of barter expense. The recognition of these amounts would
not
have a material effect upon net income.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Advertising Expense
.
Our advertising expense was
$1.6
million,
$1.5
million and
$1.0
million for the years ended
December 31, 2017,
2016
and
2015,
respectively. We record as expense all advertising expenditures as they are incurred.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Use of Estimates
.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our actual results could differ materially from these estimated amounts. Our most significant estimates are our allowance for doubtful accounts in receivables, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of program rights and intangible assets, pension costs, income taxes, employee medical insurance claims, useful lives of property and equipment and contingencies.
Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Allowance for Dou
btful Accounts.
Our allowance for doubtful accounts is equal to a portion of our receivable balances that are
120
days old or older. We
may
provide allowances for certain receivable balances that are less than
120
days old when warranted by specific facts and circumstances. We recorded expenses for this allowance of
$2.4
million,
$1.9
million and
$0.6
million for the years ended
December 31, 2017,
2016
and
2015,
respectively. We generally write off accounts receivable balances when the customer files for bankruptcy or when all commonly used methods of collection have been exhausted.
Program Broadcast Rights [Policy Text Block]
Program Broadcast Rights
.
We have
two
types of syndicated television program contracts:
first
run programs and off network reruns. First run programs are programs such as
Wheel of Fortune
and off network reruns are programs such as
Seinfeld
. First run programs have
not
been produced at the time the contract to air such programming is signed, and off network rerun programs have already been produced. We record an asset and corresponding liability for payments to be made only for the current year of
first
run programming and for the entire contract period for off network programming. Only an estimate of the payments anticipated to be made in the year following the balance sheet date of
first
run program contracts are recorded on the current balance sheet, because the programs for the later years of the contract period have
not
been produced or delivered.
 
The total license fee payable under a program license agreement allowing us to broadcast programs is recorded at the beginning of the license period and is charged to operating expense over the period that the programs are broadcast. The portion of the unamortized balance expected to be charged to operating expense in the succeeding year is classified as a current asset, with the remainder clas
sified as a non-current asset. The liability for license fees payable under program license agreements is classified as current or long-term, in accordance with the payment terms of the various license agreements.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property and Equipment
.
Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method. Maintenance, repairs and minor replacements are charged to operations as incurred; the purchase of new assets, major replacements and betterments are capitalized. The cost of any assets sold or retired and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts at the time of disposition, and any resulting profit or loss is reflected in income or expense for the period.
 
The following table lists
the components of property and equipment by major category (dollars in thousands):
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated
 
   
December 31,
   
Useful Lives
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
(in years)
 
Property and equipment:
                           
Land
  $
50,458
    $
44,611
     
 
 
 
 
Buildings and improvements
   
156,924
     
139,078
     
to
40
 
Equipment
   
511,878
     
471,798
     
3
to
20
 
     
719,260
     
655,487
     
 
 
 
 
Accumulated depreciation
   
(368,602
)    
(329,394
)    
 
 
 
 
Total property and equipment, net
  $
350,658
    $
326,093
     
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended
December 31, 2017,
our total property and equipment balance, before accumulated depreciation, increased approximately
$45.7
million primarily as the net result of acquisitions and dispositions. The remaining change in the balances between
December 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2017
was due to routine purchases of equipment, less retirements.
Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Deferred Loan Costs
.
Loan acquisition costs are amortized over the life of the applicable indebtedness using a straight-line method that approximates the effective interest method. In
April 2015,
the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
No.
2015
-
03,
Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic
835
-
30
) -
Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.
ASU
2015
-
03
amended previous guidance to require 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. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs were
not
affected by the amendments in this ASU. In
August 2015
, the FASB issued ASU
No.
2015
-
15,
Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic
835
-
30
) -
Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements- Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at
June 18, 2015
EITF Meeting.
ASU
2015
-
15
amended previous guidance to codify the
June 18, 2015
staff announcement that the SEC staff would
not
object to the deferral and presentation as an asset, and subsequent amortization of such asset, of deferred debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements. We adopted these standards as of
January 1, 2016.
Asset Retirement Obligation [Policy Text Block]
Asset Retirement Obligations
.
We own office equipment, broadcasting equipment, leasehold improvements and transmission towers, some of which are located on, or are housed in, leased property or facilities. At the conclusion of several of these leases we are obligated to dismantle, remove and otherwise properly dispose of and remediate the facility or property. We estimate our asset retirement obligations based upon the net present value of the cash flows of the costs expected to be incurred. Asset retirement obligations are recognized as a non-current liability and as a component of the cost of the related asset. Changes to our asset retirement obligations resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original undiscounted cash flow estimates are recognized as an increase or decrease in the carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation and the related asset retirement cost is capitalized as part of the related property, plant or equipment. Changes in asset retirement obligations resulting from accretion of the net present value of the estimated cash flows are recognized as operating expenses. We recognize depreciation expense of the capitalized cost over the estimated life of the lease. Our estimated obligations are due at varying times through
2062.
The liability recognized for our asset retirement obligations was approximately
$1.1
million and
$0.8
million as of
December 31, 2017
and
2016,
respectively. During the years ended
December 31, 2017,
2016
and
2015,
we recorded expenses of
$71,000,
$15,000
and
$34,000,
respectively, related to our asset retirement obligations.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Concentration of Credit Risk
.
We sell advertising air-time on our broadcasts and advertising space on our websites to national and local advertisers within the geographic areas in which we operate. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition, and generally advance payment is
not
required except for political advertising. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements and consistently have been within our expectations that are based upon our prior experience.
 
Excluding political
advertising revenue, which is cyclical based on election cycles, our most significant category of customer is automotive. During the years ended
December 31, 2017
and
2016
and
2015
approximately
25%,
22%
and
24%,
respectively, of our broadcast advertising revenue was obtained from advertising sales to automotive customers. Although our revenues can be affected by changes within in our customer base, we believe this risk is in part mitigated due to the fact that
no
one
customer accounted for in excess of
5%
of our broadcast advertising revenue in any of these periods. Furthermore, we believe that our large geographic operating area partially mitigates the potential effect of regional economic impacts.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]
E
arnings Per Share
.
We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the relevant period. The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding does
not
include restricted shares. These shares, although classified as issued and outstanding, are considered contingently returnable until the restrictions lapse and, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, are
not
included in the basic earnings per share calculation until the shares vest. Diluted earnings per share is computed by including all potentially dilutive common shares, including restricted shares and shares underlying stock options, in the diluted weighted-average shares outstanding calculation, unless their inclusion would be antidilutive.
 
The following table reconciles basic weighted-average shares outstanding to diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the years ended
December 31, 2017,
2016
and
2015
(in thousands):
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding
– basic
   
73,061
     
71,848
     
68,330
 
Weighted-average shares underlying stock options and restricted shares
   
775
     
916
     
657
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted
   
73,836
     
72,764
     
68,987
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Valuation of Broadcast Licenses, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
.
We have acquired a significant portion of our assets in acquisition transactions. Among the assets acquired in these transactions were broadcast licenses issued by the FCC, goodwill and other intangible assets.
 
For broadcast licenses acquired prior to
January 1, 2002,
we recorded their respective values using a residual method (analogous to “goodwill”) where the excess of the purchase price paid in the acquisition over the fair value of all identified tangible and intangible assets acquired was attributed to the broadcast license. This residual basis approach generally produces higher valuations of broadcast licenses when compared to applying an income method as discussed below.
 
For broadcast licenses acquired afte
r
December 31, 2001,
we record their respective values using an income approach. Under this approach, a broadcast license is valued based on analyzing the estimated after-tax discounted future cash flows of the acquired station, assuming an initial hypothetical start-up operation maturing into an average performing station in a specific television market and giving consideration to other relevant factors such as the technical qualities of the broadcast license and the number of competing broadcast licenses within that market. For television stations acquired after
December 31, 2001,
we allocate the residual value of the station to goodwill.
 
When renewing broadcast licenses, we incur regulato
ry filing fees and legal fees. We expense these fees as they are incurred.
 
Other intangible assets that we have acquired include network affiliation agreements,
retransmission agreements, advertising contracts, client lists, talent contracts and leases. Although each of our stations is affiliated with at least
one
broadcast network, we believe that the value of a television station is derived primarily from the attributes of its broadcast license rather than its network affiliation agreement. As a result, we allocate only minimal values to our network affiliation agreements. We classify our other intangible assets as finite-lived intangible assets. The amortization period of our other intangible assets is equal to the shorter of their estimated useful life or contract period, including expected extensions thereof. When renewing other intangible asset contracts, we incur legal fees that are expensed as incurred.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Impairment Testing of
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets.
We test for impairment of our indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis on the last day of each fiscal year. However, if certain triggering events occur, we test for impairment during the relevant reporting period. For goodwill, we have elected to bypass the qualitative assessment provisions and to perform the prescribed testing steps for goodwill on an annual basis.
 
For purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, each of our individual television
markets is considered a separate reporting unit. We review each television market for possible goodwill impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each respective reporting unit to the recorded value of that reporting unit’s net assets. If the estimated fair value exceeds the recorded net asset value,
no
goodwill impairment is deemed to exist. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit does
not
exceed the recorded value of that reporting unit’s net assets, we then perform, on a notional basis, a purchase price allocation by allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to the fair value of all tangible and identifiable intangible assets with residual fair value representing the implied fair value of goodwill of that reporting unit. The recorded value of goodwill for the reporting unit is written down to this implied value.
 
To estimate the fair value of our reporting units, we utilize a discounted cash flow model supported by a market multiple approach. We believe that a discounted cash flow analysis is the most appropriate methodology to test the recorded value of long-term assets with a demonstrated long-lived/enduring franchise value. We believe the results of the discounted cash flow and market multiple approaches provide reasonable estimates of the fair value of our reporting units because these approaches are based on our actual results and reasonable estimates of future performance, and also take into consideration a number of other factors deemed relevant by us including, but
not
limited to, expected future market revenue growth, market revenue shares and operating profit margins. We have historically used these approaches in determining the value of our reporting units. We also consider a market multiple approach to corroborate our discounted cash flow analysis. We believe that this methodology is consistent with the approach that a strategic market participant would utilize if they were to value
one
of our television stations.
 
For testing of our broadcast licenses for potential impairment of their recorded asset values, we compare their estimated fair value to the respective asset’s recorded value. If the fair value is greater than the asset’s recorded value,
no
impairment expense is recorded. If the fair value does
not
exceed the asset’s recorded value, we record an impairment expense equal to the amount that the asset’s recorded value exceeded the asset’s fair value. We use the income method to estimate the fair value of all broadcast licenses irrespective of whether they were initially recorded using the residual or income methods.
 
For further discussion of our goodwill, broadcast licenses and other intangible assets,
see Note
10
“Goodwill and Intangible Assets.”
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]
A
ccumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.
Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balances as of
December 31, 2017
and
2016
consist of adjustments to our pension liabilities net of related income tax benefits as follows (in thousands):
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
Accumulated balances of items included in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
               
Increase in pension liability
  $
(36,336
)   $
(28,926
)
Income tax benefit
   
(14,171
)    
(11,281
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $
(22,165
)   $
(17,645
)
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
.
In
February 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
2016
-
02
Leases
(Topic
842
). ASU
2016
-
02
will supersede Topic
840,
Leases
, and thus will supersede nearly all existing lease guidance by requiring the reclassification of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requiring disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2018.
This standard is expected to have a material effect on our balance sheets. Specifically, we expect that, once adopted, we will record a right of use asset and lease obligation liability. As of
December 31, 2017,
the values of those assets and related liabilities were each approximately
$17.6
million. We are also evaluating our footnote disclosure requirements. We will continue to review our contractual obligations related to this standard, and develop our disclosures, assessing our internal controls and availing ourselves of broadcasting industry related guidance.
 
In
January 2017,
the FASB issued ASU
2017
-
04,
Intangibles – Goodwill and Other
(Topic
350
) –
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
. ASU
2017
-
04
amends the guidance of U.S. GAAP with the intent of simplifying how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step
2
from the goodwill impairment test. Step
2
measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.
After adoption of the standard, the annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test will be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amou
nt exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized will
not
exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019,
including interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard allows for early adoption, but we have
not
yet made that determination. We do
not
expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
In
February 2018,
the FASB issued ASU
2018
-
02,
Income Statement
-
Reporting Comprehensive Income
(Topic
220
)
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
. ASU
2018
-
02
allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of
2017
(“TCJA”). Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. However, because the amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the TCJA, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is
not
affected.
The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2018,
including interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard allows for early adoption, but we have
not
yet made that determination. We do
not
expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
Adoption of Accounting Standards and Reclassifications.
In
May 2014,
the FASB issued ASU
2014
-
09
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic
606
). ASU
2014
-
09
provides new guidance on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customers and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard is intended to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities and provide more useful information through improved financial statement disclosures. In
August 2015,
the FASB issued ASU
2015
-
14,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic
606
):
Deferral of the Effective Date
. ASU
2015
-
14
deferred the effective date of ASU
2014
-
09
by
one
year to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2017,
and permitted early adoption of the standard, but
not
before the original effective date of
December 15, 2016.
The standard permits the use of either a retrospective to each reporting period presented method, or a retrospective with the cumulative effect method to adopt the standard. In
March 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
2016
-
08,
Principal versus Agent Considerations
. This ASU amends the guidance of ASU
2014
-
09
to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations for reporting gross revenue versus net revenue. In
April 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
2016
-
10,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic
606
):
Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing
. This ASU amends the guidance of ASU
2014
-
09
to clarify the identification of performance obligations and to provide additional licensing implementation guidance. In
May 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
2016
-
12,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic
606
):
Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients
. This ASU was issued to provide guidance in assessing collectibility, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition, in order to reduce the potential for diversity in practice at initial application, and to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the standard. In
December 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
2016
-
20,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic
606
):
Technical Corrections and Improvements
. This ASU was issued to clarify the standard and to correct unintended application of guidance.
We have completed our assessment and concluded that the adoption of ASC
606
will
not
change the timing of recognition related to our revenue streams. We adopted this standard beginning in the
first
quarter of
2018.
We used the modified retrospective method to implement the standard. This standard’s most significant impact is expanded disclosures related to the disaggregation of our revenue streams and deposits received from customers’ pre-payments. Our internal controls related to the revenue recognition process will
not
be changing, with the exception of those controls related to presentation and disclosure.
 
In
January 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
No.
2016
-
01
Financial Instruments - Overall
(Subtopic
825
-
10
),
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
. ASU
2016
-
01
amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP regarding the classification and measurement of financial instruments. The new standard significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. We adopted this standard beginning in the
first
quarter of
2018.
The adoption of this standard did
not
have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
In
March 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
2016
-
09,
Compensation – Stock Compensation
(Topic
718
) –
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.
ASU
2016
-
09
amended the guidance in U.S. GAAP with the intent of simplifying several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Our adoption of this standard included an adjustment to record the impact on our deferred asset related to the net federal and state income tax deductions for grants, and subsequent vesting, of restricted stock in excess of our book basis expense. Accordingly, we have recorded adjustments to increase our deferred tax asset and our accumulated deficit, as of
January 1, 2017,
by approximately
$1.1
million. Beginning in
2017,
we began recording similar net excess or deficit tax deductions as current tax benefit or expense and as reductions in the related income tax prepaid or payable, or deferred tax assets.
 
In
August 2016,
the FASB issued ASU
2016
-
15,
Statement of Cash Flows
(Topic
230
)
– Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
. ASU
2016
-
15
amends the guidance of U.S. GAAP with the intent of addressing
eight
specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. We adopted this standard beginning in the
first
quarter of
2018.
The adoption of this standard did
not
have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
In
January 2017,
the FASB issued ASU
2017
-
01,
Business Combinations
(Topic
805
) –
Clarifying the Definition of a Business
. ASU
2017
-
01
amends the guidance of U.S. GAAP with the intent of clarifying the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. We adopted this standard beginning in the
first
quarter of
2018.
The adoption of this standard did
not
have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
In
March 2017,
the FASB issued ASU
2017
-
07,
Compensation – Retirement Benefits
(Topic
715
) -
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
. ASU
2017
-
07
amends the guidance of U.S. GAAP with the intent of improving the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost by prescribing where the amount of net benefit cost should be presented in an employer’s income statement and requiring the disclosure by line item of the amount of net benefit cost that is included in the income statement or capitalized in assets. We adopted this standard beginning in the
first
quarter of
2018.
The adoption of this standard did
not
have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
Certain amounts in the consolidated statement of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.