Goodwill

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Goodwill:

Goodwill

9.       Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (amounts in millions):

		Activision		Blizzard		Total
Balance at December 31, 2012		$	6,928	$	178	$	7,106
	Tax benefit credited to goodwill		(13)		---		(13)
	Foreign exchange		(1)		---		(1)
Balance at December 31, 2013		$	6,914	$	178	$	7,092
	Tax benefit credited to goodwill		(5)		---		(5)
	Foreign exchange		(1)		---		(1)
Balance at December 31, 2014		$	6,908	$	178	$	7,086

The tax benefit credited to goodwill represents the tax deduction resulting from the exercise of stock options that were outstanding and vested at the consummation of the Business Combination and included in the purchase price of the Company, to the extent that the tax deduction did not exceed the fair value of those options. Conversely, to the extent that the tax deduction did exceed the fair value of those options, the tax benefit is credited to additional paid-in capital.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the gross goodwill and accumulated impairment losses by reporting unit are as follows:

		Activision		Blizzard		Total
Balance at December 31, 2013:
	Goodwill	$	6,914	$	178	$	7,092
	Accumulated impairment losses		---		---		---
	Total	$	6,914	$	178	$	7,092
Balance at December 31, 2014:
	Goodwill	$	6,908	$	178	$	7,086
	Accumulated impairment losses		---		---		---
	Total	$	6,908	$	178	$	7,086