SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we are the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represents a minority owner’s proportionate share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Variable Interest Entities

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. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary. The assets of each of our consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIE. All the liabilities are non-recourse to us except for certain debt of VIEs which we guarantee.

Third-party station licensees. Certain of our stations provide services to other station owners within the same respective market, such as LMAs, where we provide programming, sales, operational and administrative services, and JSAs and SSAs, where we provide non-programming, sales, operational and administrative services. In certain cases, we have also entered into purchase agreements or options to purchase, the license related assets of the licensee. We typically own the majority of the non-license assets of the stations and in some cases where the licensee acquired the license assets concurrent with our acquisition of the non-license assets of the station, we have provided guarantees to the bank for the licensee’s acquisition financing. The terms of the agreements vary, but generally have initial terms of over five years with several optional renewal terms. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we have concluded that 37 of these licensees are VIEs. Based on the terms of the agreements and the significance of our investment in the stations, we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interests because, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, we have the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE through the services we provide and because we absorb losses and returns that would be considered significant to the VIEs. Several of these VIEs are owned by a related party, Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation (Cunningham). See Note 8. Related Party Transactions for more information about the arrangements with Cunningham. The net revenues of the stations which we consolidate were $71.0 million and $68.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The net revenues of the stations which we consolidate were $207.6 million and $207.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The fees paid between us and the licensees pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation. See Changes in the Rules of Television Ownership and Joint Sale Agreements within Note 6. Commitments and Contingencies for discussion of recent changes in FCC rules related to JSAs.

Up until third quarter of 2014, we had consolidated Cunningham (parent entity), in addition to their stations that we perform services for, as we had previously determined that it was a VIE because it had insufficient equity at risk. As of September 30, 2014, we concluded that Cunningham was no longer a VIE given its significant equity at risk in assets that we have no involvement with, and deconsolidated this entity, along with WTAT and WYZZ, stations that Cunningham acquired from us in July 2014 and November 2013, respectively, with which we have no continuing involvement. As a result of the deconsolidation, we recorded the difference between the proceeds received from Cunningham for the sale of WTAT and WYZZ to additional paid in capital in the consolidated balance sheet, as well as reflected the noncontrolling interest deficit of the remaining Cunningham VIEs which represents their significant cumulative distributions made to Cunningham (parent entity) that were previously eliminated in consolidation.

As of the dates indicated, the carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the VIEs mentioned above which have been included in our consolidated balance sheets for the periods presented (in thousands):



	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	490	$	491
Accounts receivable	19,952		19,521
Current portion of program contract costs	16,776		9,544
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	395		297
Total current assets	37,613		29,853

PROGRAM CONTRACT COSTS, less current portion	5,544		6,922
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	8,238		9,716
GOODWILL	787		787
BROADCAST LICENSES	16,935		16,935
DEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net	86,274		96,732
OTHER ASSETS	6,924		2,376
Total assets	$	162,315	$	163,321

LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	26	$	68
Accrued liabilities	1,277		1,297
Current portion of notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing	3,680		3,659
Current portion of program contracts payable	15,904		9,714
Total current liabilities	20,887		14,738

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion	25,458		28,640
Program contracts payable, less current portion	12,757		10,161
Long term liabilities	9,652		8,739
Total liabilities	$	68,754	$	62,278

The amounts above represent the consolidated assets and liabilities of the VIEs described above, for which we are the primary beneficiary, and have been aggregated as they all relate to our broadcast business. Excluded from the amounts above are payments made to Cunningham under the LMA which are treated as a prepayment of the purchase price of the stations and capital leases between us and Cunningham which are eliminated in consolidation. The cumulative payments made under these LMAs that were treated as a prepayment of purchase price as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, which are excluded from liabilities above, were $36.8 million and $34.4 million, respectively. The total capital lease liabilities, net of capital lease assets, excluded from the above were $4.6 million for September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Also excluded from the amounts above are liabilities associated with the certain outsourcing agreements and purchase options with certain VIEs totaling $76.1 million and $78.1 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as these amounts are eliminated in consolidation. The risk and reward characteristics of the VIEs are similar.

Other investments. We have investments in other real estate ventures and investment companies which are considered VIEs. However, we do not participate in the management of these entities including the day-to-day operating decisions or other decisions which would allow us to control the entity, and therefore, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. We account for these entities using the equity or cost method of accounting.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customers. 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 and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. The new standard was to be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In August 2015, the FASB decided to defer the effective date by one year to the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2017, however, early adoption as of the original effective date will be permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance on disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The new standard is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on our financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued new guidance that amends the current consolidation guidance on the determination of whether an entity is a variable interest entity. This new standard is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is allowed, including in any interim period. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on our financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet. The guidance requires costs paid to third parties that are directly attributable to issuing a debt instrument to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt as opposed to an asset. The new standard is effective for the annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted, and is required to be applied retrospectively. We applied the change in accounting as of June 30, 2015 with retrospective application to prior periods. As such, within our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014, we have decreased the amounts previously reported as other assets and notes payable, capital leases and commercial bank financing, less current portion by $41.8 million. The change in accounting principle does not have an impact on our statements of operations or cash flows.

In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance on the recognition of measurement period adjustments in connection with business combinations. The new standard eliminates the requirement to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments and now requires the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment, including the impact on prior periods, be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. The new standard also requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes, the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustments had been recognized as of the acquisition date. We have early adopted this guidance effective September 30, 2015. We made certain immaterial measurement period adjustments related to prior period acquisitions during the three months ended September 30, 2015. See Note 2. Acquisitions for more information. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and in the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Total revenues include: (i) cash and barter advertising revenues, net of agency commissions; (ii) retransmission consent fees; (iii) network compensation; (iv) other broadcast revenues and (v) revenues from our other operating divisions.

Advertising revenues, net of agency commissions, are recognized in the period during which time spots are aired.

Our retransmission consent agreements contain both advertising and retransmission consent elements. We have determined that our retransmission consent agreements are revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. Advertising and retransmission consent deliverables sold under our agreements are separated into different units of accounting at fair value. Revenue applicable to the advertising element of the arrangement is recognized similar to the advertising revenue policy noted above. Revenue applicable to the retransmission consent element of the arrangement is recognized over the life of the agreement.

Network compensation revenue is recognized over the term of the contract. All other revenues are recognized as services are provided.

Post-retirement Benefits

We are required to recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of our pension plan in our consolidated financial statements. The pension liability, representing the underfunded status of our defined benefit pension plan, was $4.7 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, which is included within other long-term liabilities within our consolidated balance sheet. We have received regulatory approval to fully settle the benefit obligations and terminate the plan in the fourth quarter of 2015. The accounting for the full settlement of the plan obligations is expected to be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015, when we are fully relieved of our benefit obligation via lump sum distributions and/or the purchase of annuity contracts. Upon final settlement, we expect to record $5.8 million of pension expense, which includes the recognition of $3.4 million of unamortized actuarial losses currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Income Taxes

Our income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes. The tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is based on the estimated effective tax rate applicable for the full year after taking into account discrete tax items and the effects of the noncontrolling interests. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if we determine that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating our ability to realize net deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including our past operating results, tax planning strategies and forecasts of future taxable income. In considering these sources of taxable income, we must make certain judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage our underlying businesses on a long-term basis. A valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial portion of our available state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards, based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary book/tax basis differences, alternative tax strategies and projected future taxable income.

Share Repurchase Program

On October 28, 1999, we announced a $150.0 million share repurchase program, which was renewed on February 6, 2008. On March 20, 2014, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $150.0 million share repurchase authorization. There is no expiration date and currently, management has no plans to terminate this program. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we have purchased approximately 1.1 million shares for $28.8 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, we purchased 0.8 million shares for $21.0 million. As of September 30, 2015, the total remaining authorization was $105.5 million.

Reclassifications

Reclassificiations

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation.