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Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]  
Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method

(4) Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method

The Company has various investments accounted for using the equity method. The following table includes the Company’s carrying amount and percentage ownership of the more significant investments in affiliates at June 30, 2020 and the carrying amount at December 31, 2019:

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June 30, 2020

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December 31, 2019

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Percentage 

    

Market 

    

Carrying 

    

Carrying 

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ownership

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value

​

amount

​

amount

​

​

dollars in thousands

LendingTree (a)

​

​

26.4

%  

$

997,138

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$

166,308

​

166,465

Other

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various

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NA

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813

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1,178

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​

​

​

​

 

​

​

$

167,121

​

167,643

(a)Both the Company's ownership interest in LendingTree and the Company's share of LendingTree's earnings (losses) are reported on a three month lag. The market value disclosed is as of June 30, 2020.

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The Company’s share of LendingTree’s earnings (losses) were earnings of $2.6 million and losses of $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company's share of LendingTree's earnings (losses) were earnings of $1.8 million and losses of $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Investment in Liberty Broadband

As of June 30, 2020, the Company has a 23.5% economic ownership interest in Liberty Broadband. Due to overlapping boards of directors and management between Liberty Broadband and GCI Liberty, the Company has been deemed to have significant influence over Liberty Broadband for accounting purposes, even though the Company does not have any voting rights. The Company has elected to apply the fair value option for its investment in Liberty Broadband (Level 1) as it is believed that investors value this investment based on the trading price of Liberty Broadband. The Company recognizes changes in the fair value of its investment in Liberty Broadband in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Summarized financial information for Liberty Broadband is as follows:

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June 30, 

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December 31, 

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2020

    

2019

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amounts in thousands

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Current assets

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$

19,706

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52,133

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Investment in Charter, accounted for using the equity method

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12,306,593

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12,194,674

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Other assets

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9,100

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9,535

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Total assets

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12,335,399

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12,256,342

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Long-term debt

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573,593

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572,944

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Deferred income tax liabilities

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1,017,921

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999,757

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Other liabilities

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23,151

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15,695

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Equity

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10,720,734

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10,667,946

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Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

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$

12,335,399

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12,256,342

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Three months ended

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Six months ended

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June 30, 

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June 30, 

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2020

    

2019

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2020

    

2019

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amounts in thousands

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Revenue

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$

4,114

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3,747

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​

8,218

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7,205

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Operating expenses, net

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(13,946)

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(10,913)

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(25,325)

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(20,572)

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Operating income (loss)

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(9,832)

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(7,166)

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(17,107)

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(13,367)

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Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates

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158,128

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45,400

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219,810

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80,249

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Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate

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(46,001)

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(16,322)

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(105,326)

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(57,725)

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Other income (expense), net

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(5,103)

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(5,936)

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(10,801)

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(12,056)

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Income tax benefit (expense)

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(24,978)

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(3,924)

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(22,204)

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650

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Net earnings (loss)

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$

72,214

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12,052

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64,372

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(2,249)

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(2)