FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Feb. 29, 2016

As defined in ASC Topic 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of February 28 (29), 2015 and 2016. The financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.



	As of February 29, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Total
Available for sale securities	$	—	$	—	$	800	$	800
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	—	$	—	$	800	$	800

	As of February 28, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Total
Available for sale securities	$	—	$	—	$	500	$	500
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	—	$	—	$	500	$	500

Available for sale securities — Emmis’ available for sale securities are comprised of preferred stock of a private company that is not traded in active markets. The preferred stock is recorded at fair value, which is generally estimated using significant unobservable market parameters, resulting in a level 3 categorization. The carrying value of our available for sale securities is determined by using implied valuations of recent rounds of financing and by other corroborating evidence, including the application of various valuation methodologies including option-pricing and discounted cash flow based models. During the year ended February 28, 2015, the Company determined that its investment in Courseload, Inc. was fully impaired and the impairment was other-than-temporary. As such, the Company recorded a noncash inpairment charge of $6.7 million. Available for sale securities are included in investments on our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 1l for more discussion.

The following table shows a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs:



	Year Ended February 28 (29),
	2015			2016
	Available For Sale Securities
Beginning Balance	$	6,750		$	500
Purchases	432			300
Other than temporary impairment losses	(6,682		)	—
Ending Balance	$	500		$	800

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company has certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis under circumstances and events that include those described in Note 9, Intangible Assets and Goodwill, and are adjusted to fair value only when the carrying values are more than the fair values. The categorization of the framework used to price the assets is considered a Level 3 measurement due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value (see Note 9 for more discussion).

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

Certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment. Assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations are recorded at their fair value as of the date of acquisition. Refer to Note 7 for the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the Company's acquisitions. The estimated fair value of financial instruments is determined using the best available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is necessary, however, in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange, or the value that ultimately will be realized upon maturity or disposition. The use of different market assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments:

- Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount of these assets approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

- 2014 Credit Agreement debt: As of February 29, 2016, the fair value and carrying value, excluding original issue discount, of the Company's 2014 Credit Agreement debt was $157.1 million and $184.8 million, respectively. The Company's estimate of fair value was based on quoted prices of this instrument and is considered a Level 2 measurement.

- Other long-term debt: The Company’s 98.7FM non-recourse debt and Digonex non-recourse debt is not actively traded and is considered a level 3 measurement. The Company believes the current carrying value of its other long-term debt approximates its fair value.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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