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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549
 FORM 10-K
ý      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152018
OR
 o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
Commission File Number 001-34176

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
State of Delaware 26-2735737
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)  
5251 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000  
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 628-5600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of exchange on which registered
Series A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: 
Series B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.  Yes o  No ý
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Yes o  No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ý  No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, anyevery Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ý  No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. oý
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large"large accelerated filer”filer", “accelerated filer”"accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company" and “smaller reporting company”"emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer xo
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer ox
 
Smaller reporting company ox
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company). 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act)  Yes o  No ý

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by nonaffiliates of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. computed by reference to the last sales price of such stock, as of the closing of trading on June 30, 2015,29, 2018, was approximately $527.7$32.2 million.

The number of shares outstanding of Ascent Capital Group, Inc.’s's common stock as of February 12, 2016March 18, 2019 was:
 Series A common stock 12,305,95212,092,846 shares; and Series B common stock 382,359381,528 shares.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
The Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is hereby incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


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ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
20152018 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Table of Contents
 
  Page
   
PART I
   
   
PART II
   
   
PART III
   
   
PART IV
   
   
 




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ITEM 1.   BUSINESS
 
(a)  General Development of Business
 
On July 7, 2011, Ascent Media Corporation merged with its direct wholly-owned subsidiary, Ascent Capital Group, Inc. ("Ascent Capital" or, the "Company"), for the purpose of changing its name to Ascent Capital Group, Inc. Ascent Capital"we", "us" and "our") was incorporated in the state of Delaware on May 29, 2008 asand was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery Holding Company ("DHC"), a subsidiary of Discovery Communications, Inc. On September 17, 2008, Ascent Capital was spun off from DHC and became an independent, publicly traded company. In connection with theThe spin-off each holder of DHC common stock received 0.05 of a share of our Series A common stock for each share of DHC Series A common stock held and 0.05 of a share of our Series B common stock for each share of DHC Series B common stock held. 13,401,886 shares of our Series A common stock and 659,732 shares of our Series B common stock were issued in the spin-off, which was intended to qualify as a tax-free transaction.

On February 26, 2018, Ascent Capital's wholly-owned subsidiary Monitronics International Inc. ("Monitronics" and, collectively with its subsidiaries, doing business as "Brinks Home SecurityTM") entered into an exclusive, long-term, trademark licensing agreement with The Brink’s Company ("Brink's"), which resulted in a complete rebranding of Monitronics and its subsidiary, LiveWatch Security, LLC ("LiveWatch") as Brinks Home Security (the "Brink's License Agreement"). The rollout of the Brinks Home Security brand in the second quarter of 2018 included the integration of our business model under a single brand. As part of the integration, we reorganized our business from two reportable segments, "MONI" and "LiveWatch," to one reportable segment, Brinks Home Security.
At December 31, 2015, our2018, Ascent Capital's principal assets consisted primarily of our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Monitronics International, Inc. ("Monitronics"), investments in marketable securities, real estate propertiesBrinks Home Security and $105,921,000 of cash and cash equivalents. On August 16, 2013, Monitronics acquired allSubsequent to December 31, 2018, we used an aggregate of approximately $70,700,000 of our cash to make payments pursuant to the terms of the equity interestsSettlement Agreement (as defined in “Part I - Item 3. Legal Proceedings - Other Legal Proceedings of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) and an additional approximately $19,800,000 of our cash to pay holders of our outstanding 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (the "Convertible Notes") whose Convertible Notes were accepted for payment in the Amended Tender Offer (as defined in “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).

Brinks Home Security Networks LLC ("provides residential customers and commercial client accounts with monitored home and business security systems, as well as interactive and home automation services, in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Brinks Home Security Networks"customers are obtained through its direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "Direct to Consumer Channel") and certain affiliated entitiesor its exclusive authorized dealer network (the "Security Networks Acquisition"). On February 23, 2015, Monitronics acquired LiveWatch Security, LLC ("LiveWatch""Dealer Channel"), awhich provides product and installation services, as well as support to customers. Its Direct to Consumer Channel offers both Do-It-Yourself ("DIY") homeand professional installation security firm, offering professionally monitored security services through a direct-to-customer sales channel (the "LiveWatch Acquisition").

At December 31, 2015, we had investments in marketable securities and cash and cash equivalents, on a consolidated basis, of $87,052,000 and $5,577,000, respectively.


Recent Events

On February 29, 2016, the Board of Directors of Ascent approved the contribution to the stated capital of Monitronics of $88 million of the $100 million outstanding principal amount under the Intercompany Note. The remaining $12 million principal amount will be reflected on an Amended and Restated Promissory Note, which is due on October 1, 2020 and will bear interest at a rate equal to 12.5% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears.

solutions.

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Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business, marketing and operating strategies, integration of acquired businesses, new service offerings, the availability of debt refinancing, our ability to regain compliance with The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC's ("Nasdaq") continued listing rules, transferring the Company's Series A common stock listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market or quotation on the OTC Market, obtaining or maintaining any requested waiver of forbearance with respect to the Credit Facility and Senior Notes (each as defined below), the ability of Ascent Capital and Brinks Home Security to continue as going concerns, potential restructurings and strategic transactions, financial prospects and anticipated sources and uses of capital. In particular, statements under Item 1. "Business," Item 1A. "Risk Factors", Item 2. "Properties," Item 3. "Legal Proceedings," Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Item 7A. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" contain forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated.anticipated:
Factors relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries:

general business conditions and industry trends;
macroeconomic conditions and their effect on the general economy and on the U.S. housing market, in particular single family homes, which represent Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's largest demographic;
uncertainties in the development of our business strategies, including Monitronics' increased direct marketing effortsthe rebranding to Brinks Home Security and market acceptance of new products and services;
the competitive environment in which we operate,Brinks Home Security operates, in particular, increasing competition in the alarm monitoring industry from larger existing competitors and new market entrants, including technology, telecommunications and cable companies;
the development of new services or service innovations by competitors;
Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's ability to acquire and integrate additional accounts, including competition for dealers with other alarm monitoring companies which could cause an increase in expected subscriber acquisition costs;
integration of acquired assets and businesses;
the regulatory environment in which we operate, including the multiplicity of jurisdictions, state and federal consumer protection laws and licensing requirements to which MonitronicsBrinks Home Security and/or its dealers isare subject and the risk of new regulations, such as the increasing adoption of "false alarm" ordinances;
technological changes which could result in the obsolescence of currently utilized technology andwith the need for significant upgrade expenditures, including the phase-out of 2G3G and CDMA networks by cellular carriers;
the trend away from the use of public switched telephone network lines and the resultant increase in servicing costs associated with alternative methods of communication;
the operating performance of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's network, including the potential for service disruptions at both the main monitoring facility and back-up monitoring facility due to acts of nature or technology deficiencies;deficiencies, and the potential of security breaches related to network or customer information;
the outcome of any pending, threatened, or future litigation, including potential liability for failure to respond adequately to alarm activations;
the ability to continue to obtain insurance coverage sufficient to hedge our risk exposures, including as a result of acts of third parties and/or alleged regulatory violations;
changes in the nature of strategic relationships with original equipment manufacturers, dealers and other MonitronicsBrinks Home Security business partners;
the reliability and creditworthiness of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's independent alarm systems dealers and subscribers;
changes in Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's expected rate of subscriber attrition;
the availability and terms of capital, including the ability of MonitronicsBrinks Home Security to refinance its existing debt or obtain future financing to grow its business;
Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's high degree of leverage and the restrictive covenants governing its indebtedness; and
availability of, and our ability to retain, qualified personnel.personnel;
our ability to satisfy the continued listing standards of Nasdaq (or to cure any continued listing standard deficiencies) with respect to our Series A Common Stock;
our ability to repurchase our outstanding Convertible Notes if a fundamental change occurs under the indenture governing the Convertible Notes and we are required to repurchase the Convertible Notes; and
Brinks Home Security’s ability to refinance the Senior Notes (as defined below) or to reach an agreement on the terms of a restructuring with its stakeholders.

These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Annual Report, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events,

conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the factors described in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements contained in this Annual Report. Such risk factors and statements describe circumstances which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.


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(b)  Financial Information About Reportable Segments
We identify our reportable segments based on financial information reviewed by our chief operating decision maker. We report financial information for our consolidated business segments that represent more than 10% of our consolidated revenue or earnings before income taxes. Based on the foregoing criteria, we had two reportable segments as of December 31, 2015, Monitronics and LiveWatch.  For more information, see below and our financial statements included in Part II of this Annual Report.
(c)Narrative Description of Business
 
Ascent Capital, Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a holding company whose principal assets as of December 31, 20152018 consisted of our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Monitronics, investments in marketable securities, real estate properties,Brinks Home Security, and cash and cash equivalents.  Our principal executive office is located at 5251 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, telephone number (303) 628-5600.

We are currently exploring opportunities to dispose of or monetize our owned real property, whichMonitronics was incorporated in Texas in 1994 and is not required for our operations.headquartered in Farmers Branch, Texas.
 
Monitronics International, Inc. and SubsidiariesBrinks Home Security
 
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Monitronics,Brinks Home Security, we are primarily engaged in the business of providing the following security alarm monitoring services: monitoring signals arising from burglaries, fires, medical alerts and other events though security systems at subscribers’ premises, as well as providing customer service and technical support.  Monitronics is one of the largest security alarm monitoring companies in the United States ofNorth America, (the "U.S."), with over one million subscriberscustomers under contract.  With subscriberscontract in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada, Monitronics provides Canada. Brinks Home Security offers:
monitoring services for alarm signals arising from burglaries, fires, medical alerts and other events through security systems at our customers' premises;
a wide rangecomprehensive platform of mainly residential securityhome automation services, including, among other things, remote activation and control of security systems, support for video monitoring, flood sensors, automated garage door and door lock capabilities and thermostat integration, with mobile device accessibility provided through our proprietary mobile notification system;
hands-free two-way interactive voice communication with thebetween our monitoring center cellular options, and an interactiveour customers; and
customer service optionand technical support related to home monitoring systems and home automation services.

The Brinks Home Security business model consists of two principal sales channels consisting of customers sourced through our Dealer Channel and our Direct to Consumer Channel, which allowssources customers through direct-to-consumer advertising primarily through internet, print and partnership program marketing activities. In May 2018, both the customerDealer Channel and Direct to control their security system remotely using a computer or mobile device. Monitronics was incorporatedConsumer Channels began to go to market under the Brinks Home Security brand.

Our Dealer Channel, which we consider exclusive based on our right of first refusal with respect to any accounts generated by such dealers, is our largest source of customers representing 66% of gross additional customers during the year ended December 31, 2018, when excluding bulk account purchases in 1994 and is headquartered in Farmers Branch, Texas.
Monitronics Operations
Unlike many of its national competitors, Monitronics outsources the sales, installation and most of its field service functions to its dealers.period. By outsourcing the low margin, high fixed-cost elements of itsBrinks Home Security's business to a large network of independent service providers, Monitronicsdealers, it has significant flexibility in managing our asset-light cost structure across business cycles. Accordingly, Brinks Home Security is able to allocate capital to growing its revenue-generating accountcustomer base rather than to local offices or depreciating hard assets.assets and, we believe, derive higher cash flow generation.

RevenueOur Direct to Consumer Channel is generated primarilyan important addition to our channel diversity. Our Direct to Consumer Channel accounted for 34% of our gross additional customers during the year ended December 31, 2018, when excluding bulk account purchases in the period. Our Direct to Consumer Channel provides customers with a DIY home security product and a professional installation option. Our DIY offering provides an asset-light, geographically unconstrained product. In contrast to our Dealer Channel with local market presence, our Direct to Consumer Channel generates accounts through leads from direct response marketing. The Direct to Consumer Channel, including DIY, is expected to lower creation costs per account acquired.

Brinks Home Security generates nearly all of its revenue from fees charged to customers (or "subscribers") under alarm monitoring contracts.  The initial contract termagreements ("AMAs"), which include access to interactive and automation features at a higher fee.  Additional revenue is typically three to five years,also generated as our customers bundle other interactive services with automatic renewal on a month-to-month basis.  Monitronicstheir traditional monitoring services. During the year ended December 31, 2018, 94% of new customers purchased at least one of Brinks Home Security's interactive services alongside traditional security monitoring services. As of December 31, 2018, Brinks Home Security had 921,750 subscribers generating $41,700,000 of Recurring Monthly Revenue ("RMR").

Brinks Home Security generates incremental revenue through product and installation sales or by providing additional services, such as maintenance and wholesale contract monitoring. Contract monitoring includes fees charged to other security alarm companies for monitoring their accounts on a wholesale basis. As of December 31, 2015, Monitronics2018, Brinks Home Security provided contractwholesale monitoring services for over 93,000approximately 56,000 accounts. TheseThe incremental revenue streams do not represent a significant portion of our overall revenue.

Monitronics’Sales and Marketing
In June 2018, management began marketing the Brinks Home Security brand directly to consumers through internet and print national advertising campaigns and partnerships with other subscription- or member-based organizations and businesses. This, coupled with our authorized dealer nationwide network, is an effective way for Brinks Home Security to market alarm systems.  Locally-based dealers are often an integral part of the communities they serve and understand the local market and how best to satisfy local needs. By combining the dealer's local presence and reputation with the nationally marketed Brinks Home Security brand, accompanied with its high quality service and support, Brinks Home Security is able to cost-effectively provide local services and take advantage of economies of scale where appropriate. Brinks Home Security also offers a differentiated go-to-market strategy through direct response TV, internet and radio advertising.
Dealer Channel

Brinks Home Security's Dealer Channel consists of approximately 300 independent dealers who are typically small businesses that sell and install alarm systems.  During 2015, Monitronics acquired alarm monitoring contracts from more than 520 dealers.  These dealers focus on the sale and installation of security systems and generally do not retain the monitoring contracts for their customers and do not have their own facilities to monitor such systemsAMAs due to the scale and large upfront investment required to create the accountbuild and build aefficiently operate monitoring station.  They also do not have the scale required to operate a monitoring station efficiently.stations and related infrastructure.  These dealers typically sell the contractsAMAs to third parties and outsource the monitoring function for any accountsAMAs they retain. MonitronicsThe initial contract term for contracts generated by the dealers are typically three years, with automatic renewals annually or on a month-to-month basis depending on state and local regulations. Brinks Home Security has the ability to monitor a variety of signals from nearly all types of residential security systems. Monitronics

Brinks Home Security generally enters into exclusive contracts with dealers under which the dealers sell and install security systems and Monitronics has a right of first refusalthat typically have initial terms ranging between two to acquire the associated alarm monitoring contracts.five years, with renewal terms thereafter. In order to maximize revenues, Monitronics seeks to attractrevenue and geographic diversification, Brinks Home Security partners with dealers from throughout the U.S. rather than focusing on specific local or regional markets.  In evaluating the quality of potential participants for the dealer program, Monitronics conducts an internal due diligence review and analysis of each dealer using information obtained from third party sources.  This process includes:
background checks on the dealer, including lien searches to the extent applicable; and
a review of the dealer’s licensing status and creditworthiness.

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Once a dealer is approved and signed as a Monitronics authorized dealer, the primary steps in creating an account are as follows:
1.Dealer sells an alarm system to a homeowner or small business.
2.Dealer installs the alarm system, which is monitored by Monitronics’ central monitoring center, trains the customer on its use, and receives a signed three to five year contract for monitoring services.
3.Dealer presents the account to Monitronics for acquisition.
4.Monitronics performs diligence on the alarm monitoring account to validate quality.
5.Monitronics acquires the customer contract at a formula-based cost.
Monitronics believes itsWe believe Brinks Home Security's ability to maximize its return on invested capital is largely dependent on the quality of our dealers and the accounts acquired. Monitronics conductsIn addition, rigorous underwriting standards are applied to, and a detailed review is conducted of, each accountAMA to be acquired through its dealer network.  This process typically includes:acquired.
 
subscriber credit score reviews;
telephone surveys to confirm satisfaction with the installation and security systems;
an individual review of each alarm monitoring contract;
confirmation that the customer is a homeowner; and
confirmation that each security system is monitored by Monitronics’ central monitoring station prior to origination.
MonitronicsBrinks Home Security generally acquires each new customer accountAMA at a cost based on a multiple of the account’s monthly recurring revenue. Monitronics’account's RMR. The dealer contracts generally provide that if a customer accountan acquired by MonitronicsAMA is terminated within the first 12 months, the dealer must replace the accountAMA or refund the cost paid by Monitronics.AMA purchase price. To secure the dealer’s obligation, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security typically holds backretains a percentage of the cost paidAMA purchase price.

Customer Integration and Marketing

Dealers in our Dealer Channel typically introduce customers to Brinks Home Security when describing its central monitoring station.  Following the acquisition of an AMA from a dealer, the customer is notified that Brinks Home Security is responsible for all their monitoring and customer service needs.  The customer's awareness and identification of the Brinks Home Security brand as the monitoring service provider is further supported by the distribution of branded materials by the dealer to the customer at the point of sale. Such materials may include the promotional items listed below. All materials provided in the dealer model focus on the Brinks Home Security brand and its role as the single source of support for the account.customer.

Dealer Network Development

Brinks Home Security remains focused on expanding its network of independent authorized dealers. To do so, it has established a dealer program that provides participating dealers with a variety of support services to assist them as they grow their businesses. Authorized dealers may use the Brinks Home Security brand name in their sales and marketing activities and on the products they sell and install. Authorized dealers benefit from their affiliation with Brinks Home Security and its national reputation for high customer satisfaction, as well as the support they receive from Brinks Home Security. Authorized dealers also have the opportunity to obtain discounts on alarm systems and other equipment purchased by such dealers from original equipment manufacturers.  Brinks Home Security also makes available sales, business and technical training, sales literature, co-branded marketing materials, sales leads and management support to its authorized dealers.  In most cases, these services and cost savings would not be available to security alarm dealers on an individual basis.
 
MonitronicsCurrently, Brinks Home Security employs sales representatives to promote its authorized dealer program, find account acquisition opportunities and sell its monitoring services. Brinks Home Security targets independent alarm dealers across the U.S. that can benefit from its dealer program services and can generate high quality monitoring customers for the company. Brinks Home Security uses a variety of marketing techniques to promote the dealer program and related services. These activities include direct mail, trade magazine advertising, trade shows, internet web site marketing, publicity and telemarketing.


Dealer Marketing Support
Brinks Home Security offers its authorized dealers an extensive marketing support program that is focused on developing professionally designed sales and marketing materials that will help dealers market alarm systems and monitoring services with maximum effectiveness. Materials offered to authorized dealers include:
sales brochures and flyers;
yard signs;
window decals;
customer forms and agreements;
sales presentation binders;
door hangers;
vehicle graphics;
trade show booths; and
clothing bearing the Brinks Home Security brand name.
These materials are made available to dealers at prices that our management believes would not be available to dealers on an individual basis.
Sales materials used by authorized dealers promote both the Brinks Home Security brand and the dealer's status as a Brinks Home Security authorized dealer. Dealers often sell and install alarm systems which display the Brinks Home Security logo and telephone number, which further strengthens consumer recognition of their status as Brinks Home Security authorized dealers. Management believes that this process, which includes both clearly defined customerthe dealers' use of the Brinks Home Security brand to promote their affiliation with one of the nation’s largest alarm monitoring companies boosts the dealers' credibility and reputation in their local markets and also assists in supporting their sales success.

Negotiated Account Acquisitions
In addition to the development of Brinks Home Security's Dealer Channel, it periodically acquires alarm monitoring accounts from other alarm companies in bulk on a negotiated basis. Our management has extensive experience in identifying potential opportunities, negotiating account standardsacquisitions and a comprehensiveperforming thorough due diligence, which helps facilitate execution of new acquisitions in a timely manner.

Direct to Consumer Channel

Brinks Home Security is also a leading DIY home security provider offering professionally monitored security services through the Direct to Consumer Channel. The Direct to Consumer Channel obtains subscribers through e-commerce online sales and through a trained inside sales phone operation. Historically, this channel offered substantial equipment subsidies to initiate, renew or upgrade AMAs. However, Brinks Home Security has recently changed its approach on the initial sale and is now charging and collecting full sales price on most of its equipment offerings. For certain qualified customers, third party financing is available for customers to pay for their equipment. Brinks Home Security receives the cash for these sales from the third party financing company, of which Brinks Home Security pays a contractual financing fee per transaction. Contract terms for AMAs originated through the Direct to Consumer Channel can vary depending on packages selected, with the current standard offering being a three year contract. Brinks Home Security is recently exploring no contract options for certain security offerings. The Direct to Consumer Channel is currently the primary channel to market and acquire customers subscribing to alarm monitoring and other interactive services provided in our Nest Labs, Inc. ("Nest") partnership.

When a customer initiates and completes the sales process contributes significantlyto obtain alarm monitoring services, including signing an AMA, Brinks Home Security pre-configures the alarm monitoring system based on the customer's specifications, then packages and ships the equipment directly to the high quality ofcustomer. The customer can either self-install the equipment or Brinks Home Security can provide an installation technician to perform the installation on-site. The customer or installation technician activates the monitoring service with Brinks Home Security's central station over the phone.

Customer Operations

Once a customer has contracted for services, Brinks Home Security provides 24-hour monitoring services through its subscriber base. For each of its last five calendar years, the average credit score of accounts acquired by Monitronics was 715 or higher on the FICO scale.
Approximately 94% of Monitronics’ subscribers are residential homeowners and the remainder are small commercial accounts. Monitronics believes that by focusing on residential homeowners, rather than renters, it can reduce attrition, because homeowners relocate less frequently than renters.
Monitronics providesalarm monitoring servicescenter as well as billing and 24-hour telephonetechnical support through its central monitoring station,customer care center, located in Dallas,Farmers Branch, Texas.  This facility is Underwriters Laboratories ("UL") listed.  To obtain and maintain a UL listing, anBrinks Home Security's alarm monitoring center must be located in a building meeting UL’s structural requirements, have back-up and uninterruptable power supplies, have secure telephone lines and maintain redundant computer systems.  UL conducts periodic reviews ofhas received the Monitoring Association’s prestigious Five Diamond

certification. Five Diamond certification is achieved by having all alarm monitoring centers to ensure compliance with their requirements.  Monitronics' central monitoring station in Dallas has also received the Central Station Alarm Association’s ("CSAA") prestigious Five Diamond Certification. Less than approximately 5% of recognized North American central monitoring stations have attained Five Diamond Certified status.operators complete special industry training and pass an exam.
 
MonitronicsBrinks Home Security also has a back-up facility in Dallas, Texas that is capable of supporting monitoring and certain customer service operations in the event of a disruption at its primary alarm monitoring and customer care center. A third party call center in Mexico provides telephone support for Spanish-speaking subscribers.
 
Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's telephone systems utilize high-capacity, high-quality, digital circuits backed up by conventional telephone lines. When an alarm signal is received at the monitoring facility, it is routed to an operator. At the same time, information concerning the subscriber whose alarm has been activated and the nature and location of the alarm signal areis delivered to the operator’soperator's computer terminal. The operator is then responsible for following standard procedures to contact the subscriber or take other appropriate action, including, if the situation requires, contacting local emergency service providers.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security never dispatches its own personnel to the subscriber’ssubscriber's premises in response to an alarm event.  If a subscriber lives in an area where the emergency service provider will not respond without verification of an actual emergency, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security will contract with an independent third party responder if available in that area.

MonitronicsSecurity system interactive and home automation services are contracted with and provided by various third party technology companies to the subscriber.

Brinks Home Security seeks to increase subscriber satisfaction and retention by carefully managing customer and technical service. The customer servicecare center handles all general inquiries from all subscribers, including those related to subscriber information changes, basic alarm troubleshooting, alarm verification, technical service requests and requests to enhance existing services.

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Monitronics’ Brinks Home Security has a proprietary centralized information system that enables it to satisfy over 85%a substantial amount of subscriber technical inquiries over the telephone, without dispatching a service technician. If the customer requires field service, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security relies on its nationwide network of independent service dealers and over 7085 employee field service technicians to provide such service.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security closely monitors service dealer performance with customer satisfaction forms, follow-up quality assurance calls and other performance metrics.  In 2015, Monitronics2018, Brinks Home Security dispatched over 580approximately 255 independent service dealers around the country to handle its field service.
 
LiveWatch OperationsCustomers

LiveWatch isWe believe Brinks Home Security's subscriber acquisition process, which includes both clearly defined customer account standards and a leading DIY home security provider offering professionally monitored security services through a direct-to-consumer sales channel. Similar to Monitronics, LiveWatch is an asset-light business and geographically unconstrained. LiveWatch generates subscriber contracts through leads from direct response marketing, where Monitronics generates subscriber contracts from a dealer network with local market presence.

Services are provided to customers throughoutcomprehensive due diligence process focusing on both the United States. Revenue is generated primarily from fees charged to customers under alarm monitoring contractsdealers and the saleAMAs to be acquired, contributes significantly to the high quality of Brinks Home Security's subscriber base. For each of the security equipment to facilitatelast five calendar years, the alarm monitoring serviceaverage credit score associated with AMAs that were acquired was 710 or higher on the FICO scale.
Approximately 94% of Brinks Home Security's subscribers are residential homeowners and other home automation or interactive services.  LiveWatch typically offers substantial equipment subsidies to initiate, renew or upgrade alarm monitoring service contracts. The initial contract term is typically one year, with automatic renewalthe remainder are small commercial accounts. We believe that by focusing on a month-to-month basis. 

When a customer initiates the process to obtain alarm monitoring services, LiveWatch pre-configures the alarm monitoring system based on customer specifications. LiveWatch then packages and ships the equipment directly to the customer. The customer self installs the equipment on-site and activates the monitoring service over the phone. Technical support for installation is provided via telephone or online assistance via the LiveWatch website.

LiveWatch has call centers in its operations center in St. Marys, Kansas and in a satellite office in Evanston, Illinois to handle sales, monitoring activations, technical support, billing and other general inquiry matters.residential homeowners, rather than renters, it can reduce attrition, because homeowners relocate less frequently than renters.

Intellectual Property
 
Pursuant to the terms of the Brink's License Agreement, Monitronics has a registered service markexclusive use of the Brinks and Brinks Home Security trademarks related to the residential smart home and home security categories in the U.S. and Canada. The Brink's License Agreement provides for an initial term of seven years and, subject to certain conditions, allows for subsequent renewal periods whereby Monitronics can extend the Monitronics name and a service mark for the Monitronics logo. Itagreement beyond 20 years. Brinks Home Security also owns certain proprietary software applications that are used to provide services to itsour dealers and subscribers. Monitronics doessubscribers, including various trademarks, patents and patents pending related to our "ASAPer" system, which causes a predetermined group of recipients to receive a text message automatically once an alarm is triggered. Other than as mentioned above, we and our subsidiaries do not hold any patents or other intellectual property rights on itsour proprietary software applications.

LiveWatch has a registered service mark for the LiveWatch name and a service mark for the LiveWatch logo.
Sales and Marketing
General
Monitronics’ nationwide network of authorized dealers is an effective way for Monitronics to market alarm systems.  Locally-based dealers are often an integral part of the communities they serve and understand the local market and how best to satisfy local needs. By combining the dealer’s local presence and reputation with Monitronics’ high quality service and support, Monitronics is able to cost-effectively provide local services and take advantage of economies of scale where appropriate.
Monitronics' dealer network provides for the acquisition of subscriber accounts on an ongoing basis. The dealers install the alarm system and arrange for subscribers to enter into a multi-year alarm monitoring agreement in a form acceptable to Monitronics. The dealer then submits this monitoring agreement for Monitronics’ due diligence review.

LiveWatch offers a differentiated go-to-market strategy through direct response TV, internet and radio advertising.
Dealer Network Development
Monitronics remains focused on expanding its network of independent authorized dealers. To do so, Monitronics has established a dealer program that provides participating dealers with a variety of support services to assist them as they grow their businesses. Authorized dealers may use the Monitronics brand name in their sales and marketing activities and on the products they sell and install. Monitronics authorized dealers benefit from their affiliation with Monitronics and its national reputation for high customer satisfaction, as well as the support they receive from Monitronics. Monitronics also provides authorized dealers with the opportunity to obtain discounts on alarm systems and other equipment purchased by such dealers

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from original equipment manufacturers, including alarm systems labeled with the Monitronics logo.  Monitronics also makes available sales, business and technical training, sales literature, co-branded marketing materials, sales leads and management support to its authorized dealers.  In most cases these services and cost savings would not be available to security alarm dealers on an individual basis.
Currently, Monitronics employs sales representatives to promote its authorized dealer program, find account acquisition opportunities and sell Monitronics monitoring services. Monitronics targets independent alarm dealers across the U.S. that can benefit from the Monitronics dealer program services and can generate high quality monitoring customers for Monitronics. Monitronics uses a variety of marketing techniques to promote the dealer program and related services. These activities include direct mail, trade magazine advertising, trade shows, internet web site marketing, publicity and telemarketing. 

Dealer Marketing Support
Monitronics offers its authorized dealers an extensive marketing support program. Monitronics focuses on developing professionally designed sales and marketing materials that will help dealers market alarm systems and monitoring services with maximum effectiveness. Materials offered to authorized dealers include:
sales brochures and flyers;
yard signs;
window decals;
customer forms and agreements;
sales presentation binders;
door hangers;
lead boxes;
vehicle graphics;
trade show booths; and
clothing bearing the Monitronics brand name.
These materials are made available to dealers at prices that Monitronics' management believes would not be available to dealers on an individual basis.
Monitronics’ sales materials promote both the Monitronics brand and the dealer’s status as a Monitronics authorized dealer. Dealers often sell and install alarm systems which display the Monitronics logo and telephone number, which further strengthens consumer recognition of their status as Monitronics authorized dealers. Management believes that the dealers’ use of the Monitronics brand to promote their affiliation with one of the nation’s largest alarm monitoring companies boosts the dealers’ credibility and reputation in their local markets and also assists in supporting their sales success.
Customer Integration and Marketing
Monitronics’ dealers typically introduce customers to Monitronics in the home when describing Monitronics’ central monitoring station.  Following the acquisition of a monitoring agreement from a dealer, the customer is notified that Monitronics is responsible for all their monitoring and customer service needs.  The customer’s awareness and identification of the Monitronics brand as the monitoring service provider is further supported by the distribution of branded materials by the dealer to the customer at the point of sale. Such materials may include the promotional items listed above. All materials provided in the dealer model focus on the Monitronics brands and the role of Monitronics as the single source of support for the customer.

Negotiated Account Acquisitions
In addition to the development of Monitronics’ dealer network, Monitronics periodically acquires alarm monitoring accounts from other alarm companies in bulk on a negotiated basis. Monitronics’ management has extensive experience in identifying potential opportunities, negotiating account acquisitions and performing thorough due diligence, which helps facilitate execution of new acquisitions in a timely manner.

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Strategy
 
Corporate Strategy
 
Ascent Capital actively seeksmay seek opportunities to leverage our strongBrinks Home Security's operating platform and capital position through strategic acquisitions and investments in the security alarm monitoring industry as well as other life safety industries.

We continually evaluate acquisition and investment opportunities that we believe offer the opportunity for attractive returns on equity. In evaluating potential acquisition and investment candidates we consider various factors, including among other things:

opportunities that strategically align with our existing operations;
financial characteristics, including recurring revenue streams and free cash flow;
growth potential;
potential return on investment incorporating appropriate financial leverage, including the target’starget's existing indebtedness and opportunities to restructure some or all of that indebtedness;
risk profile of business; and
the presence of a strong management team.
 
We consider acquisitions and investments utilizing cash, leverage and, potentially, Ascent Capital stock. In addition to acquisitions, we consider majority ownership positions, minority equity investments and, in appropriate circumstances, senior debt investments that we believe provide either a path to full ownership or control, the possibility for high returns on investment, or significant strategic benefits.
 
Our acquisition and investment strategy entails risk. While our preference is to build our presence in the security alarm monitoring industry through acquisitions, we will also consider potential acquisitions in other life safety industries, which could result in further changes in our operations from those historically conducted by us.  Please see "Risk Factors" below.
 
MonitronicsBrinks Home Security Strategy
 
Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's goal is to maximize return on invested capital, which it believes canmay be achieved by pursuing the following strategies:

Maximize Subscriber RetentionCapitalize on Limited Market Penetration

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security seeks to capitalize on what it views as the current limited market penetration in security services and grow its existing customer base through the following initiatives:
continue to develop its leading dealer position in the market to drive acquisitions of high quality AMAs;
leverage its Direct to Consumer Channel to competitively secure new customers without significantly altering its existing asset-light business model;
increase home integration, automation and ancillary product offerings; and
continue to monitor potential accretive merger and acquisition opportunities and further industry contraction.

Proactively Manage Customer Attrition

Customer attrition has historically been reasonably predictable and Brinks Home Security regularly identifies and monitors the principal drivers thereof, including its customers' credit scores, which Brinks Home Security believes are the strongest predictors of retention. Brinks Home Security seeks to maximize subscribercustomer retention by continuing to acquireconsistently offering high quality accountsautomated home monitoring services and to increaseincreasing the average life of an accountacquired AMAs through the following initiatives:
maintain the high quality of its subscriberBrinks Home Security's customer base by continuing to implement its highly disciplined accountAMA acquisition program;
continue to incentivize itsmotivate Brinks Home Security's dealers to obtain only high-quality accounts through quality incentives built into the costpurchase multiples and by having a performance guarantee on substantially all dealer originated accounts;
provide superior customer service onprioritize the telephoneinclusion of interactive and home automation services in the field;AMAs that Brinks Home Security purchases, which we believe increases customer retention;
proactively identifying customers "at-risk" for attrition through new technology initiatives;
improve customer care and first call resolution;
continue to implement initiatives to reduce core attrition, which include more effective initial on-boarding of customers, conducting customer surveys at key touchpoints and competitive retention offers for departing customers; and
utilize available customer data to actively identify subscriberscustomers who are relocating the number one reason for account cancellations, and target retention of such subscribers.customers.

Maximize Economics of Business Model
 
Due to the scalability of ourBrinks Home Security's operations and the low fixed and variable costs inherent in its cost structure, Monitronics believes itwe believe we will continue to experience high Adjusted EBITDA margins as costs are spread over largerour recurring revenue streams. In addition, Monitronics optimizesBrinks Home Security seeks to optimize the rate of return on investment by managing creationsubscriber acquisition costs, or the costs of acquiring an account. Creation costs,account ("Subscriber Acquisition Costs"). Subscriber Acquisition Costs, whether capitalized or expensed, include the direct costs related to the Direct to Consumer Channel, the acquisition costs to acquire alarm monitoring contractsAMAs from Monitronics' dealers, LiveWatch's equipment coststhe

Dealer Channel and certain sales and marketing costs. Monitronics believes itsBrinks Home Security consistently offers what it views as competitive rates for account acquisition. We believe our cash flows may also benefit from its continued efforts to increase subscriber retention ratesdecrease Brinks Home Security's cost to serve by investing in customer service automation and reduce response times, call duration and false alarms.  As used in this annual report, the term "Adjusted EBITDA" means net income before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation, amortization (including the amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets), restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, and other non-cash or non-recurring charges, and "Adjusted EBITDA margin" means Adjusted EBITDA astargeting cost saving initiatives.  For a percentage of net revenue. For further discussion of Adjusted EBITDA, see "Item 7. "Management’sManagement's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.Operations."

Expand Our Network of Dealers

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Grow Dealer Channel
Monitronics' plan is
Brinks Home Security plans to continue to manage accountexpand AMA acquisitions through its dealer network by targeting new dealers that can benefit from its dealer program services and that canwhom it expects to generate high quality subscribers while focusing on creation costs. Monitronics believes it is an attractive partner for dealers for the following reasons:
Monitronics providescustomers. We believe that by providing dealers with a full range of services designed to assist them in all aspects of their business, including sales leads, sales training, technical training, comprehensive on-line account access, detailed weekly account summaries, sales support materials and discounts on security system hardware purchased through our strategic alliances with security system manufacturers;manufacturers, Brinks Home Security is able to attract and partner with dealers that will succeed in its existing dealer network.
individual dealers retain local name recognition and responsibility for day-to-day sales and installation efforts, thereby supporting the entrepreneurial culture at the dealer level and allowing Monitronics to capitalize on the considerable local market knowledge, goodwill and name recognition of its dealers; and
Monitronics reliably offers competitive rates for account acquisition.

For a description of the risks associated with the foregoing strategies, and with the Company’sCompany's business in general, see "ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS."

Industry; Competition
 
The security alarm industry is highly competitive and fragmented, and as of February 29, 2016,fragmented. Brinks Home Security's competitors include four other major firmssecurity alarm companies with nationwide coverage, and numerous smaller providers with regional or local coverage.  The four other security alarm companies with coverage acrossand certain large multi-service organizations that operate in multiple industries, including the U.S. are as follows:technology, telecommunications and cable businesses. Brinks Home Security's significant competitors for obtaining subscriber AMA's are:

The ADT, CorporationInc. ("ADT");
Vivint, Inc., a subsidiary of APX Group Holdings,;
Guardian Protection Services, Inc.;
Protection One,Vector Security, Inc., a subsidiary of Apollo Global Management,;
Comcast Corporation;
SimpliSafe, Inc. ("AGM"); and
Stanley Security Solutions, a subsidiary of Stanley Black and Decker.Ring LLC.

On February 16, 2016, ADT announced that it would be acquired by certain funds managed by affiliates of AGM and then merged with AGM's subsidiary, Protection One, Inc. ADT and AGM expect that the transaction will be completed by June 2016. The security alarm industry has remained highly competitive and has not experienced any material change to market concentration.  Competition in the security alarm industry is based primarily on reputation for quality of service, market visibility, services offered, price and the ability to identify subscriberand obtain customer accounts. Competition for subscriberscustomers has also increased in recent years from cable and telecommunication providers expanding their service offerings into the security alarm industry, as well aswith the emergence of DIY home security providers. There are also threats of potential new entrantsproviders and other technology companies expanding into the security alarm monitoring space from technology companies that may offer professional alarm monitoring or self monitored solutions.industry. We believe we competeBrinks Home Security competes effectively with other national, regional and local alarm monitoring companies, including cable and telecommunications companies,its competitors due to ourits reputation for reliable monitoring, customer and technical services, the quality of its services, and our lowits relatively lower cost structure. TheWe believe the dynamics of the security alarm industry often favor larger alarm monitoring companies, such as Brinks Home Security, with a nationwide focus that have greater capitalresources and benefit from economies of scale in technology, advertising and other expenditures.

Some of these largersecurity alarm monitoring companies have also adopted, in whole or in part, a dealer program similar to that of Monitronics.Brinks Home Security's.  In these instances, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security must also compete with these programs in recruiting dealers.  Monitronics believes itWe believe Brinks Home Security competes effectively with other dealer programs due to the quality of its dealer support services and its competitive acquisition terms.  TheBrinks Home Security's significant other dealer programs that Monitronics also competes with are as follows:competitors for recruiting dealers are:

ADTADT;
Central Security Group, Inc.;
Guardian Protection Services, Inc.; and
Vector Security, Inc.

Of all of Monitronics' competitors for both subscribers and dealers, ADT is significantly larger and has more capital.Regulatory Matters
 
Seasonality
Monitronics’ operations are subject to a certain level of seasonality.  Since more household moves take place during the second and third calendar quarters of each year, Monitronics’ disconnect rate and expenses related to retaining customers are typically higher in those calendar quarters than in the first and fourth quarters.  There is also a slight seasonal effect resulting in higher new customer volume and related cash expenditures incurred in investment in new subscribers in the second and third quarters.

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Regulatory Matters
Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's operations are subject to a variety of laws, regulations and licensing requirements of federal, state and local authorities including federal and state customer protection laws. In certain jurisdictions, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security is required to obtain licenses or permits to comply with standards governing employee selection and training and to meet certain standards in the conduct of its business.  The security industry is also subject to requirements imposed by various insurance, approval, listing and standards organizations. Depending upon the type of subscriber served, the type of security service

provided and the requirements of the applicable local governmental jurisdiction, adherence to the requirements and standards of such organizations is mandatory in some instances and voluntary in others.

Although local governments routinely respond to panic and smoke/fire alarms, there are an increasing number of local governmental authorities that have adopted or are considering various measures aimed at reducing the number of false burglar alarms. Such measures include:
 
subjecting alarm monitoring companies to fines or penalties for false alarms;
imposing fines on alarm subscribers for false alarms;
imposing limitations on the number of times the police will respond to false alarms at a particular location;
requiring additional verification of intrusion alarms by calling two different phone numbers prior to dispatch ("Enhanced Call Verification"); and
requiring visual verification of an actual emergency at the premise before the police will respond to an alarm signal.
 
Enhanced Call Verification has been implemented as standard policy by Monitronics.Brinks Home Security.
 
Security alarm systems monitored by MonitronicsBrinks Home Security utilize telephone lines, internet connections, cellular networks and radio frequencies to transmit alarm signals. The cost of telephone lines, and the type of equipment which may be used in telephone line transmission, are currently regulated by both federal and state governments. The operation and utilization of cellular and radio frequencies are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission and state public utility commissions.
 
For additional information on the regulatory frame work in which MonitronicsBrinks Home Security operates, please see "ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS — Factors Relating to Regulatory Matters."
 
Employees

At December 31, 2015,2018, Ascent Capital, together with its subsidiaries, had over 1,5001,190 full-time employees and over 40 part-time employees, all of which are located in the U.S.
(d)  Financial Information About Geographic Areas
Monitronics and its subsidiaries provide monitoring services for subscribers located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
(e)  Available Information
All of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including our Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks, as well as amendments to such filings are available on our Internet website free of charge generally within 24 hours after we file such material with the SEC. Our website address is www.ascentcapitalgroupinc.com.
Our corporate governance guidelines, code of business conduct and ethics, compensation committee charter, nominating and corporate governance committee charter, and audit committee charter are available on our website. In addition, we will provide a copy of any of these documents, free of charge, to any shareholder who calls or submits a request in writing to Investor Relations, Ascent Capital Group, Inc., 5251 DTC Parkway, Suite 1000, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, telephone no. (303) 628-5600.
The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference herein.


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ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, you should consider the following risk factors in evaluating our results of operations, financial condition, business and operations or an investment in our stock.
 
Although we describe below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K the risks we consider to be the most material, there may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that also could have material adverse effects on our results of operations, financial condition, business or operations in the future. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends and should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.
 
If any of the events described below, individually or in combination, were to occur, our businesses, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
 
Factors Relating to MonitronicsBrinks Home Security

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security has a substantial amount of indebtedness and the costs of servicing that debt may materially affect its business.

Brinks Home Security has a significant amount of indebtedness.  As of December 31, 2018, Brinks Home Security had principal indebtedness of $1,219,450,000 related to a term loan maturing in September 2022 and a revolving credit facility maturing in September 2021, both under its Credit Agreement, dated March 23, 2012 (as amended and restated, the "Credit Facility"), as well as $585,000,000 of 9.125% senior notes (the "Senior Notes") due April 2020. At December 31, 2018, Brinks Home Security also had outstanding a 12.5% intercompany promissory note of $12,000,000 due to Ascent Capital in October 2020, of which $9,750,000 was subsequently repaid and $2,250,000 was contributed to Brinks Home Security's stated capital in January 2019. That substantial indebtedness, combined with its other financial obligations and contractual commitments, could have important consequences to us.  For example, it could:

make it more difficult for Brinks Home Security to satisfy its obligations with respect to its existing and future indebtedness, and any failure to comply with the obligations under any of the agreements governing its indebtedness could result in an event of default under such agreements;
require Brinks Home Security to dedicate a substantial portion of any cash flow from operations (which also constitutes substantially all of our cash flow) to the payment of interest and principal due under its indebtedness, which will reduce funds available to fund future subscriber account acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements;
increase its vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
limit its flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and the markets in which it operates;
limit Brinks Home Security's ability to obtain additional financing required to fund future subscriber account acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements;
expose Brinks Home Security to market fluctuations in interest rates;
place Brinks Home Security at a competitive disadvantage compared to some of its competitors that are less leveraged;
reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures; and
cause any refinancing of Brinks Home Security's indebtedness to be at higher interest rates and require Brinks Home Security to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict its business operations.


The agreements governing Brinks Home Security's various debt obligations, including its Credit Facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes, impose restrictions on its business and the business of its subsidiaries and such restrictions could adversely affect Brinks Home Security's ability to undertake certain corporate actions.

The agreements governing Brinks Home Security's indebtedness restrict its ability to, among other things:

incur additional indebtedness;
make certain dividends or distributions with respect to any of its capital stock;
make certain loans and investments;
create liens;
enter into transactions with affiliates, including Ascent Capital;
restrict subsidiary distributions;
dissolve, merge or consolidate;
make capital expenditures in excess of certain annual limits;
transfer, sell or dispose of assets;
enter into or acquire certain types of AMAs;
make certain amendments to its organizational documents;
make changes in the nature of its business;
enter into certain burdensome agreements;
make accounting changes;
use proceeds of loans to purchase or carry margin stock; and
prepay its Senior Notes.

In addition, Brinks Home Security also must comply with certain financial covenants under the Credit Facility that require it to maintain a consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of not more than 5.25 to 1.00 and a consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of not less than 2.00 to 1.00, each of which is calculated quarterly on a trailing twelve-month basis. In addition, the Credit Facility requires Brinks Home Security to maintain a consolidated senior secured Eligible RMR leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of no more than 31.0 to 1.00 and a consolidated senior secured RMR leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of no more than 31.5 to 1.00, each of which is calculated quarterly on a trailing twelve-month basis. If Brinks Home Security cannot comply with any of these financial covenants, or if Brinks Home Security or any of its subsidiaries fails to comply with the restrictions contained in the Credit Facility, such failure could lead to an event of default and Brinks Home Security may not be able to make additional drawdowns under the revolving portion of the Credit Facility, which would limit its ability to manage its working capital requirements, and could result in the acceleration of a substantial amount of Brinks Home Security's indebtedness.

Brinks Home Security may be unable to obtain future financing or refinance its existing indebtedness on terms acceptable to Brinks Home Security or at all, which may hinder its ability to grow its business or satisfy is obligations and could adversely affect its ability to continue as a going concern.

Brinks Home Security intends to continue to pursue growth through the acquisition of subscriber accounts through its authorized dealer network, its strategic relationships and its Direct to Consumer Channel, among other means. To continue its growth strategy, it intends to make additional drawdowns under the revolving credit portion of its Credit Facility and may seek financing through new credit arrangements or the possible sale of new securities, any of which may lead to higher leverage or result in higher borrowing costs. In addition, any future downgrade in Brinks Home Security's credit rating could also result in higher borrowing costs. An inability to obtain funding through external financing sources on favorable terms or at all is likely to adversely affect Brinks Home Security's ability to continue or accelerate its subscriber account acquisition activities.

Additionally, Brinks Home Security may be unable to refinance its existing indebtedness, which could affect its ability to satisfy its obligations. The maturity date for each of the term loan and the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility is subject to a springing maturity 181 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Senior Notes, or October 3, 2019, if Brinks Home Security is unable to refinance the Senior Notes by that date. Further, as there is substantial doubt about Brinks Home Security's ability to continue as a going concern, Brinks Home Security has received a going concern qualification in connection with its standalone external audit report of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2018, which is an event of default under Brinks Home Security’s Credit Facility. At any time after the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders may, among other options, declare any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility immediately due and payable and terminate any commitment to make further loans under the Credit Facility. A default under the Credit Facility is also an event of default under the Senior Notes. Further, in connection with management’s negotiations with its creditors, Brinks Home Security did not make its Senior Notes interest payment due on April 1, 2019.  The indenture governing the Senior Notes provides for a 30-day cure period on past due interest payments.  If an event of default,

the holders of the Senior Notes may declare the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes and any accrued interest on the Senior Notes to be immediately due and payable.

Brinks Home Security has obtained a waiver from the Credit Facility revolving loan lenders and a forbearance from the Credit Facility term lenders, in each case with respect to the default in connection with the going concern qualification contained in Brinks Home Security’s external audit report of their Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “Going Concern Default”), and in each case through April 30, 2019, subject to the terms and conditions of the waiver and forbearance. The waiver obtained from the Credit Facility revolving loan lenders allows Brinks Home Security to continue to borrow under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility for up to $195,000,000 at an alternate base rate plus 3.00%. The forbearance obtained from the Credit Facility term lenders states that the term loan lenders will not exercise remedies with respect to an event of default that may occur from the Going Concern Default. The Going Concern Default and any resulting event of default under the Credit Facility term loan would continue despite the forbearance in respect thereto, absent a waiver from the term loan lenders. To the extent any waiver or forbearance under the Credit Facility expires, any acceleration as a result of an event of default under the Credit Facility would trigger an event of default under the indenture governing the Senior Notes. To the extent an event of default under such indenture occurs, Brinks Home Security would seek to obtain a waiver or forbearance from the bondholders thereunder. To the extent Brinks Home Security is unable to receive a continuing waiver or forbearance of such a default or event of default, as applicable, from the lenders under its Credit Facility or the bondholders under the indenture governing the Senior Notes, Brinks Home Security would be unable to meet its obligations thereunder and would need to take other measures to satisfy its creditors, which could result in significant negative and other consequences, as described under "Brinks Home Security has a substantial amount of indebtedness and the costs of servicing that debt may materially affect its business."

Brinks Home Security may be subject to United States Bankruptcy Court proceedings in the near future, which would pose significant risks to its business and to its and our investors.

Brinks Home Security is currently analyzing various alternatives to address its liquidity and capital structure and is in active dialogue with various stakeholders regarding a possible restructuring. Brinks Home Security is not able to predict its success in attempting to negotiate with these parties. Brinks Home Security has engaged financial and legal advisors to assist it in, among other things, analyzing strategic alternatives to address its liquidity and capital structure, including strategic and refinancing alternatives to restructure its indebtedness. However, if Brinks Home Security’s attempts are unsuccessful or it is unable to complete such a restructuring on satisfactory terms, it may choose to pursue a filing under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. If an agreement is reached and Brinks Home Security decides to pursue a restructuring, it may be necessary for Brinks Home Security and certain of its affiliates to file voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in order to implement a restructuring through a plan of reorganization before the bankruptcy court. Brinks Home Security may also conclude that it is necessary to initiate Chapter 11 proceedings to implement a restructuring of its obligations if it is unable to reach an agreement with its creditors and other relevant parties regarding the terms of such a restructuring, or if further events or developments arise that necessitate it seeking relief in Chapter 11. It may be necessary to commence such a bankruptcy case in the very near future. Also, if an agreement is not reached, certain creditors could commence involuntary bankruptcy cases against Brinks Home Security.

So long as a bankruptcy case continues, Brinks Home Security’s senior management would be required to spend a significant amount of time and effort dealing with the reorganization instead of focusing exclusively on its business operations. Bankruptcy cases also might make it more difficult to retain management and other personnel necessary to the success and growth of Brinks Home Security’s business. In addition, the longer a bankruptcy case continues, the more likely it is that Brinks Home Security’s customers, dealers and suppliers would lose confidence in its ability to reorganize its businesses successfully and would seek to establish alternative commercial relationships.

It is not possible to predict the outcome of any bankruptcy case that may occur. In the event of a bankruptcy case, there can be no assurance that Brinks Home Security would be able to restructure as a going concern or successfully propose or confirm a plan of reorganization that provides for the continuation of the business post-bankruptcy. Further, it is possible that our equity interests in Brinks Home Security would be canceled and extinguished with the approval of the Bankruptcy Court and we would not be entitled to receive, and would not receive or retain, any property or interest in Brinks Home Security on account of such equity interests. Consequently, a case in Bankruptcy Court, or the potential for such a case, may result in increased volatility in the trading price of our common stock and, ultimately, the price of our common stock could be materially adversely affected. Accordingly, any trading in shares of our common stock during, or prior to any anticipated, Brinks Home Security Bankruptcy Court case is highly speculative and poses substantial risks to purchasers of shares of our common stock.

Brinks Home Security faces risks in acquiring and integrating new subscribers.


The acquisition of alarm monitoring contractsAMAs involves a number of risks, including the risk that the alarm monitoring contractsAMAs acquired may not be profitable due to higher than expected account attrition, lower than expected revenues from the alarmAMAs, higher than expected costs for the creation of new subscribers or monitoring contractsaccounts or, when applicable, lower than expected recoveries from dealers. The cost incurred to acquire alarm monitoring contractan AMA is affected by the monthly recurring revenue generated by the alarm monitoring contract,AMA, as well as several other factors, including the level of competition, prior experience with alarm monitoring contractsAMAs acquired from the dealer, the number of alarm monitoring contractsAMAs acquired, the subscriber’ssubscriber's credit score and the type of security equipment used by the subscriber. To the extent that the servicing costs or the attrition rates are higher than expected or the revenues from the alarm monitoring contractsAMAs or, when applicable, the recoveries from dealers are lower than expected, Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's customer generation strategies and the competitive market for customer accounts may affect its future profitability.

A significant element of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business strategy is the generation of new customer accounts through its dealer network, excluding accounts acquired in the LiveWatch Acquisition,Dealer Channel, which accounted for substantially alla substantial portion of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's new customer accounts for the year ended December 31, 2015. Monitronics’2018. Brinks Home Security's future operating results will depend in large part on its ability to manage its generation strategies effectively. Although MonitronicsBrinks Home Security currently generates accounts through hundreds of authorized dealers, a significant portion of its accounts originate from a smaller number of dealers. MonitronicsBrinks Home Security experiences a loss of dealers from its dealer network due to various factors, such as dealers becoming inactive or discontinuing their alarm monitoring business and competition from other alarm monitoring companies. If MonitronicsBrinks Home Security experiences a loss of dealers representing a significant portion of its account generation engine or if MonitronicsBrinks Home Security is unable to replace or recruit dealers in accordance with its business plans, Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

MonitronicsIn recent years, Brinks Home Security's acquisition of new customer accounts through its Dealer Channel has declined due to the attrition of large dealers, efforts to acquire new accounts from dealers at lower purchase prices, consumer buying behaviors, including trends of buying security products through online sources and increased competition from technology, telecommunications and cable companies in the market. Brinks Home Security is subjectincreasingly reliant on its Direct to credit riskConsumer Channel and other risks associatedstrategic relationships with third parties, such as Nest, to counter-balance this declining account generation through its subscribers.
Substantially all of Monitronics revenues are derived from the recurring monthly revenue due from subscribers under the alarm monitoring contracts. Therefore, MonitronicsDealer Channel. If Brinks Home Security is dependent on the abilityunable to generate sufficient accounts through its Direct to Consumer Channel and willingness of subscribersstrategic relationships to pay amounts due under the alarm monitoring contracts on a monthly basis in a timely manner. Although subscribers are contractually obligated to pay amounts due under an alarm monitoring contract and are generally prohibited from canceling the alarm monitoring contract for the initial term of the alarm monitoring contract (typically between three and five years), subscribers’ payment obligations are unsecured, which could impair Monitronics’ ability to collect any unpaid amounts from its subscribers. To the extent payment defaults by subscribers under the alarm monitoring contracts are greater than anticipated, Monitronics’replace declining new accounts through dealers, Brinks Home Security's business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security relies on a significant number of its subscribers remaining with it for an extended period of time.

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security incurs significant upfront costs for each new subscriber. MonitronicsBrinks Home Security requires a substantial amount of time, typically exceeding the initial term of the related alarm monitoring contract,AMA, to receive cash payments (net of variable cash operating costs) from a particular subscriber that are sufficient to offset this upfront cost. Accordingly, Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's long-term performance is dependent on Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's subscribers remaining with it for as long as possible. This requires MonitronicsBrinks Home Security to

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minimize its rate of subscriber cancellations, or attrition. Factors that can increase cancellations include subscribers who relocate and do not reconnect, prolonged downturns in the housing market, problems with service quality, competition from other alarm monitoring companies, equipment obsolescence, adverse economic conditions, conversion of wireless spectrums and the affordability of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's service. If MonitronicsBrinks Home Security fails to keep its subscribers for a sufficiently long period of time, attrition rates would be higher than expected and Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's financial position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security may experience higher attrition rates with respect to subscribers acquired in bulk buys than subscribers acquired pursuant to Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's authorized dealer program.

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security is subject to credit risk and other risks associated with its subscribers.

Substantially all of Brinks Home Security's revenues are derived from the recurring monthly revenue due from subscribers under the AMAs. Therefore, Brinks Home Security is dependent on the ability and willingness of subscribers to pay amounts due under the AMAs on a monthly basis in a timely manner. Although subscribers are contractually obligated to pay amounts due under an AMA and are generally prohibited from canceling the AMA for the initial term of the AMA, subscribers' payment obligations are unsecured, which could impair Brinks Home Security's ability to collect any unpaid amounts from its subscribers. To the extent payment defaults by subscribers under the AMAs are greater than anticipated, Brinks Home Security's business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We are also exploring different pricing plans for our products and services, including larger up-front payments and consumer financing options for residential equipment purchases. We currently have arrangements with a third-party financing company to

provide financing to customers who wish to finance their equipment purchases from us. These financing arrangements could increase the credit risks associated with our subscribers and any efforts to mitigate risk may not be sufficient to prevent our results of operations from being materially adversely affected.

Brinks Home Security is subject to credit risk and other risks associated with its dealers.

Under the standard alarm monitoring contract acquisition agreements that MonitronicsBrinks Home Security enters into with its dealers, if a subscriber terminates their service with MonitronicsBrinks Home Security during the first twelve months after the alarm monitoring contractAMA has been acquired, the dealer is typically required to elect between substituting another alarm monitoring contractAMA for the terminating alarm monitoring contractAMA or compensating MonitronicsBrinks Home Security in an amount based on the original acquisition cost of the terminating alarm monitoring contract. MonitronicsAMA. Brinks Home Security is subject to the risk that dealers will breach their obligation to provide a comparable substitute alarm monitoring contractAMA for a terminating alarm monitoring contract.AMA. Although MonitronicsBrinks Home Security withholds specified amounts from the acquisition cost paid to dealers for alarm monitoring contractsAMAs ("holdback"), which may be used to satisfy or offset these and other applicable dealer obligations under the alarm monitoring contract acquisition agreements, there can be no guarantee that these amounts will be sufficient to satisfy or offset the full extent of the default by a dealer of its obligations under its agreement. If the holdback does prove insufficient to cover dealer obligations, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security is also subject to the credit risk that the dealers may not have sufficient funds to compensate MonitronicsBrinks Home Security or that any such dealer will otherwise breach its obligation to compensate MonitronicsBrinks Home Security for a terminating alarm monitoring contract.AMA. To the extent defaults by dealers of the obligations under their agreements are greater than anticipated, Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, a significant portion of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's accounts originate from a smallersmall number of dealers. If any of these dealers discontinue their alarm monitoring business or cease operations altogether as a result of business conditions or due to increasingly burdensome regulatory compliance, the dealer may breach its obligations under the applicable alarm monitoring contract acquisition agreement and, to the extent such dealer has originated a significant portion of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's accounts, Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected to a greater degree than if the dealer had originated a smaller number of accounts.

An inability to provide the contracted monitoring service could adversely affect Brinks Home Security's business.

A disruption to the main monitoring facility, the back-up monitoring facility and/or third party monitoring facility could affect Brinks Home Security's ability to provide alarm monitoring services to its subscribers. Brinks Home Security's main monitoring facility holds Underwriter Laboratories listings as a protective signaling services station and maintains certain standards of building integrity, redundant computer and communications facilities and backup power, among other safeguards. However, no assurance can be given that Brinks Home Security's main monitoring facility will not be disrupted by a technical failure, including communication or hardware failures, catastrophic event or natural disaster, fire, weather, malicious acts or terrorism. Furthermore, no assurance can be given that Brinks Home Security's back-up or third party monitoring center will not be disrupted by the same or a simultaneous event or that it will be able to perform effectively in the event its main monitoring center is disrupted. Any such disruption, particularly one of a prolonged duration, could have a material adverse effect on Brinks Home Security's business.

Brinks Home Security relies on third parties to transmit signals to its monitoring facilities and provide other services to its subscribers.

Brinks Home Security relies on various third party telecommunications providers and signal processing centers to transmit and communicate signals to its monitoring facilities in a timely and consistent manner. These telecommunications providers and signal processing centers could fail to transmit or communicate these signals to the monitoring facility for many reasons, including due to disruptions from fire, natural disasters, weather, transmission interruption, malicious acts or terrorism. The failure of one or more of these telecommunications providers or signal processing centers to transmit and communicate signals to the monitoring facility in a timely manner could affect Brinks Home Security's ability to provide alarm monitoring, home automation and interactive services to its subscribers. Brinks Home Security also relies on third party technology companies to provide home automation and interactive services to its subscribers, including video surveillance services. These technology companies could fail to provide these services consistently, or at all, which could result in Brinks Home Security's inability to meet customer demand and damage its reputation. There can be no assurance that third-party telecommunications providers, signal processing centers and other technology companies will continue to transmit, communicate signals to the monitoring facilities or provide home automation and interactive services to subscribers without disruption. Any such disruption, particularly one of a prolonged duration, could have a material adverse effect on Brinks Home Security's business. See also "Shifts in customer choice of, or telecommunications providers' support for, telecommunications services and equipment could adversely impact Brinks Home Security's business and require significant capital expenditures" below with respect to risks associated with changes in signal transmissions.

Brinks Home Security's reputation as a service provider of high quality security offerings may be adversely affected by product defects or shortfalls in customer service.

Brinks Home Security's business depends on its reputation and ability to maintain good relationships with its subscribers, dealers and local regulators, among others. Its reputation may be harmed either through product defects, such as the failure of one or more of its subscribers' alarm systems, or shortfalls in customer service. Subscribers generally judge Brinks Home Security's performance through their interactions with the staff at the monitoring and customer care centers, dealers and technicians who perform on-site maintenance services. Any failure to meet subscribers' expectations in such customer service areas could cause an increase in attrition rates or make it difficult to recruit new subscribers. Any harm to Brinks Home Security's reputation or subscriber relationships caused by the actions of its staff at the monitoring and customer care centers, dealers, personnel or third party service providers or any other factors could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Due to the ever-changing threat landscape, Brinks Home Security's products may be subject to potential vulnerabilities of wireless and Internet-of-things devices and its services may be subject to certain risks, including hacking or other unauthorized access to control or view systems and obtain private information.

Companies that collect and retain sensitive and confidential information are under increasing attack by cyber-criminals around the world. While Brinks Home Security implements security measures within its products, services, operations and systems, those measures may not prevent cybersecurity breaches, the access, capture or alteration of information by criminals, the exposure or exploitation of potential security vulnerabilities, distributed denial of service attacks, the installation of malware or ransomware, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced data or data loss that could be detrimental to its reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations. Third parties, including Brinks Home Security's dealers, partners and vendors, could also be a source of security risk to it in the event of a failure of their own products, components, networks, security systems, and infrastructure. In addition, we cannot be certain that advances in criminal capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, or other developments will not compromise or breach the technology protecting the networks that access Brinks Home Security's products and services.

A significant actual or perceived (whether or not valid) theft, loss, fraudulent use or misuse of customer, employee, or other personally identifiable data, whether by Brinks Home Security, its partners and vendors, or other third parties, or as a result of employee error or malfeasance or otherwise, non-compliance with applicable industry standards or Brinks Home Security’s contractual or other legal obligations regarding such data, or a violation of its privacy and information security policies with respect to such data, could result in costs, fines, litigation, or regulatory actions against Brinks Home Security. Such an event could additionally result in unfavorable publicity and therefore materially and adversely affect the market’s perception of the security and reliability of Brinks Home Security’s services and its credibility and reputation with its customers, which may lead to customer dissatisfaction and could result in lost sales and increased customer revenue attrition.

In addition, Brinks Home Security depends on its information technology infrastructure for business-to-business and business-to-consumer electronic commerce. Security breaches of, or sustained attacks against, this infrastructure could create system disruptions and shutdowns that could negatively impact its operations. Increasingly, Brinks Home Security’s products and services are accessed through the Internet, and security breaches in connection with the delivery of its services via the Internet may affect it and could be detrimental to its reputation, business, operating results, and financial condition. Brinks Home Security continues to invest in new and emerging technology and other solutions to protect its network and information systems, but there can be no assurance that these investments and solutions will prevent any of the risks described above. While Brinks Home Security maintains cyber liability insurance that provides both third-party liability and first-party insurance coverages, its insurance may not be sufficient to protect against all of its losses from any future disruptions or breaches of its systems or other event as described above.

Privacy concerns, such as consumer identity theft and security breaches, could hurt Brinks Home Security's reputation and revenues.

As part of its operations, Brinks Home Security collects a large amount of private information from its subscribers, including social security numbers, credit card information, images and voice recordings. Unauthorized parties may attempt to gain access to Brinks Home Security's systems or facilities by, among other things, hacking into Brinks Home Security's systems or facilities or those of Brinks Home Security's customers, partners or vendors, or through fraud or other means of deceiving Brinks Home Security's employees, partners or vendors. In addition, hardware, software or applications Brinks Home Security develops or obtains from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. The techniques used to gain such access to Brinks Home Security's information technology systems, Brinks Home Security's data or customers' data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems are constantly

evolving, may be difficult to detect quickly, and often are not recognized until launched against a target. Brinks Home Security has implemented systems and processes intended to secure its information technology systems and prevent unauthorized access to or loss of sensitive data, but as with all companies, these security measures may not be sufficient for all eventualities and there is no guarantee that they will be adequate to safeguard against all data security breaches, system compromises or misuses of data. If Brinks Home Security were to experience a breach of its data security, it may put private information of its subscribers at risk of exposure. To the extent that any such exposure leads to credit card fraud or identity theft, Brinks Home Security may experience a general decline in consumer confidence in its business, which may lead to an increase in attrition rates or may make it more difficult to attract new subscribers. If consumers become reluctant to use Brinks Home Security's services because of concerns over data privacy or credit card fraud, Brinks Home Security's ability to generate revenues would be impaired. In addition, if technology upgrades or other expenditures are required to prevent security breaches of its network, boost general consumer confidence in its business, or prevent credit card fraud and identity theft, Brinks Home Security may be required to make unplanned capital expenditures or expend other resources. Any such loss of confidence in Brinks Home Security's business or additional capital expenditure requirement could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Brinks Home Security's independent, third-party authorized dealers may not be able to mitigate certain risks such as information technology breaches, data security breaches, product liability, errors and omissions, and marketing compliance.

Brinks Home Security generates a portion of its new customers through its authorized dealer network. Brinks Home Security relies on independent, third-party authorized dealers to implement mitigation plans for certain risks they may experience, including but not limited to, information technology breaches, data security breaches, product liability, errors and omissions, and marketing compliance. If Brinks Home Security's authorized dealers experience any of these risks, or fail to implement mitigation plans for their risks, or if such implemented mitigation plans are inadequate or fail, it may be susceptible to risks associated with its authorized dealers on which it relies to generate customers. Any interruption or permanent disruption in the generation of customer accounts or services provided by Brinks Home Security's authorized dealers could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.    

Shifts in customer choice of, or telecommunications providers' support for, telecommunications services and equipment could adversely impact Brink Home Security's business and require significant capital expenditures.

Substantially all of Brinks Home Security's subscriber alarm systems use either cellular service or traditional land-line to communicate alarm signals from the subscribers’ locations to its monitoring facilities. The number of land-line customers has continued to decline as fewer new customers utilize land-lines and consumers give up their land-line and exclusively use cellular and IP communication technology in their homes and businesses. As land-line and cellular network service is discontinued or disconnected, subscribers with alarm systems that communicate over these networks may need to have certain equipment in their security system replaced to maintain their monitoring service. The process of changing out this equipment may require Brinks Home Security to subsidize the replacement of subscribers' outdated equipment and is likely to cause an increase in subscriber attrition. For example, certain cellular carriers recently announced that they plan to retire their 3G and CDMA networks by the end of 2022, and Brinks Home Security currently estimates that the retirement of these networks will impact approximately 510,000 of its subscribers. Brinks Home Security is working on plans to identify and offer equipment upgrades to this population of subscribers. While such plans are not finalized, Brinks Home Security does expect to incur incremental costs over the next three years related to the retirement of 3G and CDMA networks. Total costs for the conversion of such customers are subject to numerous variables, including Brinks Home Security's ability to work with its partners and subscribers on cost sharing initiatives. If Brinks Home Security is unable to adapt timely to changing technologies, market conditions, customer preferences, or convert a substantial portion of its current 3G and CDMA subscribers before the 2022 retirement of these networks, its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Brinks Home Security's business is subject to technological innovation over time.

Brinks Home Security's monitoring services depend upon the technology (both hardware and software) of security alarm systems located at subscribers' premises as well as information technology networks and systems, including Internet and Internet-based or "cloud" computing services, to collect, process, transmit, and store electronic information. Brinks Home Security may be required to implement new technology both to attract and retain subscribers or in response to changes in technology or other factors, which could require significant expenditures. Such changes could include making changes to legacy systems, replacing legacy systems with successor systems with new functionality, and implementing new systems. There are inherent costs and risks associated with replacing and changing these systems and implementing new systems, including potential disruption of Brinks Home Security's sales, operations and customer service functions, potential disruption of Brinks Home Security's internal control structure, substantial capital expenditures, additional administration and operating

expenses, retention of sufficiently skilled personnel to implement and operate the new systems, demands on management time, and other risks and costs of delays or difficulties in transitioning to new systems or of integrating new systems into Brinks Home Security's current systems. In addition, Brinks Home Security's technology system implementations may not result in productivity improvements at a level that outweighs the costs of implementation, or at all. The implementation of new technology systems may also cause disruptions in Brinks Home Security's business operations and have a material adverse effect on its business, cash flows, and results of operations.

Further, the availability of any new features developed for use in Brinks Home Security's industry (whether developed by Brinks Home Security or otherwise) can have a significant impact on a subscriber’s initial decision to choose Brinks Home Security's or its competitor’s products and a subscriber's decision to renew with Brinks Home Security or switch to one of its competitors. To the extent its competitors have greater capital and other resources to dedicate to responding to technological innovation over time, the products and services offered by Brinks Home Security may become less attractive to current or future subscribers thereby reducing demand for such products and services and increasing attrition over time. Those competitors that benefit from more capital being available to them may be at a particular advantage to Brinks Home Security in this respect. If Brinks Home Security is unable to adapt in response to changing technologies, market conditions or customer requirements in a timely manner, such inability could adversely affect its business by increasing its rate of subscriber attrition. Brinks Home Security also faces potential competition from improvements in self-monitoring systems, which enable current or future subscribers to monitor their home environments without third-party involvement, which could further increase attrition rates over time and hinder the acquisition of new AMAs.

The high level of competition in Brinks Home Security's industry could adversely affect its business.

The security alarm monitoring industry is highly competitive and fragmented. As of December 31, 2018, Brinks Home Security was one of the largest alarm monitoring companies in the U.S. when measured by the total number of subscribers under contract. Brinks Home Security faces competition from other alarm monitoring companies, including companies that have more capital and that may offer higher prices and more favorable terms to dealers for AMAs or charge lower prices to customers for monitoring services. Brinks Home Security also faces competition from a significant number of small regional competitors that concentrate their capital and other resources in targeting local markets and forming new marketing channels that may displace the existing alarm system dealer channels for acquiring AMAs. Further, Brinks Home Security is facing increasing competition from telecommunications, cable and technology companies who are expanding into alarm monitoring services and bundling their existing offerings with monitored security services. The existing access to and relationship with subscribers that these companies have could give them a substantial advantage over Brinks Home Security, especially if they are able to offer subscribers a lower price by bundling these services. Any of these forms of competition could reduce the acquisition opportunities available to Brinks Home Security, thus slowing its rate of growth, or requiring it to increase the price paid for subscriber accounts, thus reducing its return on investment and negatively impacting its revenues and results of operations.

Risks of liability from Brinks Home Security's business and operations may be significant.

The nature of the services Brinks Home Security provides potentially exposes it to greater risks of liability for employee acts or omissions or system failures than may be inherent in other businesses. If subscribers believe that they incurred losses as a result of an action or failure to act by Brinks Home Security, the subscribers (or their insurers) could bring claims against Brinks Home Security, and Brinks Home Security has been subject to lawsuits of this type from time to time. Similarly, if dealers believe that they incurred losses or were denied rights under the alarm monitoring contract acquisition agreements as a result of an action or failure to act by Brinks Home Security, the dealers could bring claims against Brinks Home Security. Although substantially all of Brinks Home Security's AMAs and alarm monitoring contract acquisition agreements contain provisions limiting its liability to subscribers and dealers, respectively, in an attempt to reduce this risk, the AMAs or alarm monitoring contract acquisition agreements that do not contain such provisions expose Brinks Home Security to risks of liability that could materially and adversely affect its business. Moreover, even when such provisions are included in an AMA or alarm monitoring contract acquisition agreement, in the event of any such litigation, no assurance can be given that these limitations will be enforced, and the costs of such litigation or the related settlements or judgments could have a material adverse effect on Brinks Home Security's financial condition. In addition, there can be no assurance that Brinks Home Security is adequately insured for these risks. Certain of its insurance policies and the laws of some states may limit or prohibit insurance coverage for punitive or certain other types of damages or liability arising from gross negligence. If significant uninsured damages are assessed against Brinks Home Security, the resulting liability could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

Future litigation could result in reputational damage for Brinks Home Security.

In the ordinary course of business, from time to time, Brinks Home Security and its subsidiaries are the subject of complaints or litigation from subscribers or inquiries or investigations from government officials, sometimes related to alleged violations of state or federal consumer protection statutes (including by its dealers), violations of "false alarm" ordinances or other regulations, negligent dealer installation or negligent service of alarm monitoring systems. Brinks Home Security may also be subject to employee claims based on, among other things, alleged discrimination, harassment or wrongful termination claims. In addition to diverting management resources, damage resulting from such allegations may materially and adversely affect Brinks Home Security's reputation in the communities it services, regardless of whether such allegations are unfounded. Such reputational damage could result in higher attrition rates and greater difficulty in attracting new subscribers on terms that are attractive to Brinks Home Security or at all.

A loss of experienced employees could adversely affect Brinks Home Security.

The success of Brinks Home Security has been largely dependent upon the active participation of its officers and employees. The loss of the services of key members of its management for any reason may have a material adverse effect on its operations and the ability to maintain and grow its business. Brinks Home Security depends on the managerial skills and expertise of its management and employees to provide customer service by, among other things, monitoring and responding to alarm signals, coordinating equipment repairs, administering billing and collections under the AMAs and administering and providing dealer services under the contract acquisition agreements. There is no assurance that Brinks Home Security will be able to retain its current management and other experienced employees or replace them satisfactorily to the extent they leave its employ. The loss of Brinks Home Security's experienced employees' services and expertise could materially and adversely affect Brinks Home Security's business.

The alarm monitoring business is subject to macroeconomic factors that may negatively impact Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's results of operations, including prolonged downturns in the economy.

The alarm monitoring business is dependent in part on national, regional and local economic conditions. In particular, where disposable income available for discretionary spending is reduced (such as by higher housing, energy, interest or other costs or where the actual or perceived wealth of customers has decreased because of circumstances such as lower residential real estate values, increased foreclosure rates, inflation, increased tax rates or other economic disruptions), the alarm monitoring business could experience increased attrition rates and reduced consumer demand. In periods of economic downturn, no assurance can be given that itBrinks Home Security will be able to continue acquiring quality alarm monitoring contractsAMAs or that it will not experience higher attrition rates. In addition, any deterioration in new construction and sales of existing single family homes could reduce opportunities to grow Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's subscriber accounts from the sales of new security systems and services and the take-over of existing security systems that had previously been monitored by its competitors. If there are prolonged durations of general economic downturn, Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's results of operations and subscriber account growth could be materially and adversely affected.

Adverse economic conditions or natural disasters in states where Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's subscribers are more heavily concentrated may negatively impact Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's results of operations.

Even as economic conditions may improve in the United States as a whole, this improvement may not occur or further deterioration may occur in the regions where Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's subscribers are more heavily concentrated (suchsuch as, Texas, California, Florida and Arizona).Arizona which, in the aggregate, comprise approximately 40% of Brinks Home Security's subscribers. Further, certain of these regions are more prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods or earthquakes. Although MonitronicsBrinks Home Security has a geographically diverse subscriber base, adverse conditions in one or more states where its business is more heavily concentrated could have a significant adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.


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If the insurance industry were to change its practice of providing incentives to homeowners for the use of alarm monitoring services, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security may experience a reduction in new customer growth or an increase in its subscriber attrition rate.

It has been common practice in the insurance industry to provide a reduction in rates for policies written on homes that have monitored alarm systems. There can be no assurance that insurance companies will continue to offer these rate reductions. If these incentives were reduced or eliminated, new homeowners who otherwise may not feel the need for alarm monitoring services would be removed from Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's potential customer pool, which could hinder the growth of its business, and existing subscribers may choose to disconnect or not renew their service contracts, which could increase Monitronics’Brinks

Home Security's attrition rates. In either case Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's results of operations and growth prospects could be adversely affected.
Risks of liability from Monitronics’ business and operations may be significant.
The nature of the services Monitronics provides potentially exposes it to greater risks of liability for employee acts or omissions or system failures than may be inherent in other businesses. If subscribers believe that they incurred losses as a result of an action or failure to act by Monitronics, the subscribers (or their insurers) could bring claims against Monitronics, and Monitronics has been subject to lawsuits of this type from time to time. Similarly, if dealers believe that they incurred losses or were denied rights under the alarm monitoring contract acquisition agreements as a result of an action or failure to act by Monitronics, the dealers could bring claims against Monitronics. Although substantially all of Monitronics’ alarm monitoring contracts and contract acquisition agreements contain provisions limiting its liability to subscribers and dealers, respectively, in an attempt to reduce this risk, the alarm monitoring contracts or a contract acquisition agreement that do not contain such provisions expose Monitronics to risks of liability that could materially and adversely affect its business. Moreover, even when such provisions are included in an alarm monitoring contract or alarm monitoring contract acquisition agreement, in the event of any such litigation, no assurance can be given that these limitations will be enforced, and the costs of such litigation or the related settlements or judgments could have a material adverse effect on Monitronics’ financial condition. In addition, there can be no assurance that Monitronics is adequately insured for these risks. Certain of its insurance policies and the laws of some states may limit or prohibit insurance coverage for punitive or certain other types of damages or liability arising from gross negligence. If significant uninsured damages are assessed against Monitronics, the resulting liability could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
Future litigation could result in adverse publicity for Monitronics.
In the ordinary course of business, from time to time, Monitronics and its subsidiaries are the subject of complaints or litigation from subscribers or inquiries from government officials, sometimes related to alleged violations of state or federal consumer protection statutes (including by its dealers), violations of "false alarm" ordinances or other regulations, negligent dealer installation or negligent service of alarm monitoring systems. Monitronics may also be subject to employee claims based on, among other things, alleged discrimination, harassment or wrongful termination claims. In addition to diverting management resources, adverse publicity resulting from such allegations may materially and adversely affect Monitronics’ reputation in the communities it services, regardless of whether such allegations are unfounded. Such adverse publicity could result in higher attrition rates and greater difficulty in attracting new subscribers on terms that are attractive to Monitronics or at all.
An inability to provide the contracted monitoring service could adversely affect Monitronics’ business.
A disruption to the main monitoring facility, the back-up monitoring facility and/or third party monitoring facility could affect Monitronics’ ability to provide alarm monitoring services to its subscribers. Monitronics’ main monitoring facility holds UL listings as a protective signaling services station and maintains certain standards of building integrity, redundant computer and communications facilities and backup power, among other safeguards. However, no assurance can be given that Monitronics’ main monitoring facility will not be disrupted by a technical failure, including communication or hardware failures, catastrophic event or natural disaster, fire, weather, malicious acts or terrorism. Furthermore, no assurance can be given that Monitronics’ back-up or third party monitoring center will not be disrupted by the same or a simultaneous event or that it will be able to perform effectively in the event its main monitoring center is disrupted. Any such disruption, particularly one of a prolonged duration, could have a material adverse effect on Monitronics’ business.
Monitronics relies on third parties to transmit signals to its monitoring facilities and provide other services to its subscribers.
Monitronics relies on various third party telecommunications providers and signal processing centers to transmit and communicate signals to its monitoring facilities in a timely and consistent manner. These telecommunications providers and signal processing centers could fail to transmit or communicate these signals to the monitoring facility for many reasons,

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including due to disruptions from fire, natural disasters, weather, transmission interruption, malicious acts or terrorism. The failure of one or more of these telecommunications providers or signal processing centers to transmit and communicate signals to the monitoring facility in a timely manner could affect Monitronics’ ability to provide alarm monitoring, home automation and interactive services to its subscribers. Monitronics also relies on third party technology companies to provide home automation and interactive services to its subscribers. These technology companies could fail to provide these services consistently, or at all, which could result in Monitronics' inability to meet customer demand and damage its reputation. There can be no assurance that third-party telecommunications providers, signal processing centers and other technology companies will continue to transmit, communicate signals to the monitoring facilities or provide home automation and interactive services to subscribers without disruption. Any such disruption, particularly one of a prolonged duration, could have a material adverse effect on Monitronics’ business. See also "Shifts in customer choice of, or telecommunications providers’ support for, telecommunications services and equipment could adversely impact Monitronics’ business and require significant capital expenditures" below with respect to risks associated with changes in signal transmissions.
The alarm monitoring business is subject to technological innovation over time.
Monitronics’ monitoring services depend upon the technology (both hardware and software) of security alarm systems located at subscribers’ premises. Monitronics may be required to implement new technology both to attract and retain subscribers or in response to changes in land-line or cellular technology or other factors, which could require significant expenditures. In addition, the availability of any new features developed for use in Monitronics’ industry (whether developed by Monitronics or otherwise) can have a significant impact on a subscriber’s initial decision to choose Monitronics’ or its competitor’s products and a subscriber’s decision to renew with Monitronics or switch to one of its competitors. To the extent its competitors have greater capital and other resources to dedicate to responding to technological innovation over time, the products and services offered by Monitronics may become less attractive to current or future subscribers thereby reducing demand for such products and services and increasing attrition over time. Those competitors that benefit from more capital being available to them may be at a particular advantage to Monitronics in this respect. If Monitronics is unable to adapt in response to changing technologies, market conditions or customer requirements in a timely manner, such inability could adversely affect its business by increasing its rate of subscriber attrition. Monitronics also faces potential competition from improvements in self-monitoring systems, which enable current or future subscribers to monitor their home environments without third-party involvement, which could further increase attrition rates over time and hinder the acquisition of new alarm monitoring contracts.

The high level of competition in Monitronics’ industry could adversely affect its business.
The security alarm monitoring industry is highly competitive and fragmented. As of December 31, 2015, Monitronics was one of the largest alarm monitoring companies in the U.S. when measured by the total number of subscribers under contract. Monitronics faces competition from other alarm monitoring companies, including companies that have more capital and that may offer higher prices and more favorable terms to dealers for alarm monitoring contracts or charge lower prices to customers for monitoring services. In addition, two of our larger competitors, ADT and Protection One, Inc., may be combined into a single company in a transaction expected to be completed by June 2016. Monitronics also faces competition from a significant number of small regional competitors that concentrate their capital and other resources in targeting local markets and forming new marketing channels that may displace the existing alarm system dealer channels for acquiring alarm monitoring contracts. Further, Monitronics is facing increasing competition from telecommunications and cable companies who are expanding into alarm monitoring services and bundling their existing offerings with monitored security services. The existing access to and relationship with subscribers that these companies have could give them a substantial advantage over Monitronics, especially if they are able to offer subscribers a lower price by bundling these services. Any of these forms of competition could reduce the acquisition opportunities available to Monitronics, thus slowing its rate of growth, or requiring it to increase the price paid for subscriber accounts, thus reducing its return on investment and negatively impacting its revenues and results of operations.

Shifts in customer choice of, or telecommunications providers’ support for, telecommunications services and equipment could adversely impact Monitronics’ business and require significant capital expenditures.
Substantially all of Monitronics’ subscriber alarm systems use either a traditional land-line or cellular service to communicate alarm signals from the subscribers’ locations to its monitoring facilities. There is a growing trend for consumers to give up their land-line and exclusively use cellular and IP communication technology in their homes and businesses. In addition, some telecommunications providers may discontinue land-line services in the future and cellular carriers may choose to discontinue certain cellular networks. One of the nation's largest cellular carriers has announced that it does not intend to support its 2G cellular network services beyond 2016 and expects to terminate service carried on this network. As land-line and cellular network service is discontinued or disconnected, subscribers with alarm systems that communicate over these networks may need to have certain equipment in their security system replaced to maintain their monitoring service. The process of changing out this equipment will require Monitronics to subsidize the replacement of subscribers’ outdated equipment and is likely to

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cause an increase in subscriber attrition. During 2014, Monitronics implemented a program (the "Radio Conversion Program") to upgrade subscribers' alarm monitoring systems that communicate across the 2G network it expects to be discontinued.  In connection with the Radio Conversion Program, Monitronics incurred costs of $14,369,000 in 2015 and $1,113,000 in 2014 and could incur incremental costs of $17,000,000 to $21,000,000 in 2016.  Monitronics is working with the cellular carriers and other 2G network user groups to pursue strategies which could reduce these costs, but there is no assurance any of these efforts will be successful. In addition to the conversion costs, this process may divert management’s attention and other important resources away from customer service and sales efforts.

In the future, Monitronics may not be able to successfully implement new technologies or adapt existing technologies to changing market demands in the future. If Monitronics is unable to adapt timely to changing technologies, market conditions or customer preferences, its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Privacy concerns, such as consumer identity theft and security breaches, could hurt Monitronics’ reputation and revenues.
As part of its operations, Monitronics collects a large amount of private information from its subscribers, including social security numbers, credit card information, images and voice recordings. If it were to experience a breach of its data security, it may put private information of its subscribers at risk of exposure. To the extent that any such exposure leads to credit card fraud or identity theft, Monitronics may experience a general decline in consumer confidence in its business, which may lead to an increase in attrition rates or may make it more difficult to attract new subscribers. If consumers become reluctant to use Monitronics’ services because of concerns over data privacy or credit card fraud, Monitronics’ ability to generate revenues would be impaired. In addition, if technology upgrades or other expenditures are required to prevent security breaches of its network, boost general consumer confidence in its business, or prevent credit card fraud and identity theft, Monitronics may be required to make unplanned capital expenditures or expend other resources. Any such loss of confidence in Monitronics’ business or additional capital expenditure requirement could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Monitronics’ reputation as a service provider of high quality security offerings may be adversely affected by product defects or shortfalls in customer service.
Monitronics’ business depends on its reputation and ability to maintain good relationships with its subscribers, dealers and local regulators, among others. Its reputation may be harmed either through product defects, such as the failure of one or more of its subscribers’ alarm systems, or shortfalls in customer service. Subscribers generally judge Monitronics’ performance through their interactions with the staff at the monitoring and customer care centers, dealers and technicians who perform on-site maintenance services. Any failure to meet subscribers’ expectations in such customer service areas could cause an increase in attrition rates or make it difficult to recruit new subscribers. Any harm to Monitronics’ reputation or subscriber relationships caused by the actions of its dealers, personnel or third party service providers or any other factors could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
A loss of experienced employees could adversely affect Monitronics.
The success of Monitronics has been largely dependent upon the active participation of its officers and employees. The loss of the services of key members of its management for any reason may have a material adverse effect on its operations and the ability to maintain and grow its business. Monitronics depends on the managerial skills and expertise of its management and employees to provide customer service by, among other things, monitoring and responding to alarm signals, coordinating equipment repairs, administering billing and collections under the alarm monitoring contracts and administering and providing dealer services under the contract acquisition agreements. There is no assurance that Monitronics will be able to retain its current management and other experienced employees or replace them satisfactorily to the extent they leave its employ. The loss of Monitronics' experienced employees’ services and expertise could materially and adversely affect Monitronics’ business.


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Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's acquisition strategy may not be successful.

One focus of Monitronics’ strategy is toBrinks Home Security may seek opportunities to grow free cash flow through strategic acquisitions, which may include leveraged acquisitions. However, there can be no assurance that MonitronicsBrinks Home Security will be able to consummate that strategy, and if Monitronics is not able to invest its capital in acquisitions that are accretive to free cash flow itwhich could negatively impact its growth. Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's ability to consummate such acquisitions may be negatively impacted by various factors, including among other things:

failure to identify attractive acquisition candidates on acceptable terms;
competition from other bidders;
inability to raise any required financing; and
antitrust or other regulatory restrictions, including any requirements that may be imposed by government agencies as a condition to any required regulatory approval.

If MonitronicsBrinks Home Security engages in any acquisition, it will incur a variety of costs, and may never realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. If MonitronicsBrinks Home Security undertakes any acquisition, the process of operating such acquired business may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures, including the assumption of the liabilities and exposure to unforeseen liabilities of such acquired business and the possibility of litigation or other claims in connection with, or as a result of, such an acquisition, including claims from terminated employees, customers, former stockholders or other third parties. Moreover, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition as rapidly as expected or at all, and it may experience increased attrition in its subscriber base and/or a loss of dealer or other strategic relationships and difficulties integrating acquired businesses, technologies and personnel into its business or achieving anticipated operations efficiencies or cost savings. Future acquisitions could cause MonitronicsBrinks Home Security to incur debt and expose it to liabilities. Further, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security may incur significant expenditures and devote substantial management time and attention in anticipation of an acquisition that is never realized. Lastly, while it intends to implement appropriate controls and procedures as it integrates any acquired companies, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security may not be able to certify as to the effectiveness of these companies’companies' disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting within the time periods required by U.S. federal securities laws and regulations.
We may be unable to obtain future financing on terms acceptable to Monitronics or at all, which may hinder Monitronics’ ability to grow its business.

Monitronics intends to continue to pursue growth through the acquisition of subscriber accounts through its authorized dealer network and its direct to consumer channel in LiveWatch, among other means. To continue its growth strategy, it intends to make additional drawdowns under the revolving credit portion of its Credit Facility and may seek financing through new credit arrangements or the possible sale of new securities, any of which may lead to higher leverage or result in higher borrowing costs. In addition, any future downgrade in Monitronics’ credit rating could also result in higher borrowing costs. An inability to obtain funding through external financing sources on favorable terms or at all is likely to adversely affect Monitronics’ ability to continue or accelerate its subscriber account acquisition activities.

Monitronics has a substantial amount of indebtedness and the costs of servicing that debt may materially affect its business.
Monitronics has a significant amount of indebtedness.  As of December 31, 2015, Monitronics had principal indebtedness of $1,667,909,000, related to terms loans and a revolving credit facility both under its senior secured credit agreement (together referred to as the "Credit Facility"), and $585,000,000 of 9.125% senior notes (the "Senior Notes"). At December 31, 2015, Monitronics also had outstanding 9.868% promissory note of $100,000,000 due to the Company, $88,000,000 of which has since been contributed to Monitronics’ stated capital and the remaining $12,000,000 of which is currently outstanding and subject to an amended and restated promissory note that is subject to an interest rate of 12.5%.  That substantial indebtedness, combined with its other financial obligations and contractual commitments, could have important consequences to us.  For example, it could:
make it more difficult for Monitronics to satisfy its obligations with respect to its existing and future indebtedness, and any failure to comply with the obligations under any of the agreements governing its indebtedness could result in an event of default under such agreements;
require Monitronics to dedicate a substantial portion of any cash flow from operations (which also constitutes substantially all of our cash flow) to the payment of interest and principal due under its indebtedness, which will

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reduce funds available to fund future subscriber account acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements;
increase its vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
limit its flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and the markets in which it operates;
limit Monitronics’ ability to obtain additional financing required to fund future subscriber account acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements;
expose Monitronics to market fluctuations in interest rates;
place Monitronics at a competitive disadvantage compared to some of its competitors that are less leveraged;
reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures; and
cause any refinancing of Monitronics’ indebtedness to be at higher interest rates and require Monitronics to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict its business operations.

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The agreements governing Monitronics' various debt obligations, including its Credit Facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes, impose restrictions on its business and the business of its subsidiaries and such restrictions could adversely affect Monitronics’ ability to undertake certain corporate actions.
The agreements governing Monitronics’ indebtedness restrict its ability to, among other things:
incur additional indebtedness;
make certain dividends or distributions with respect to any of its capital stock;
make certain loans and investments;
create liens;
enter into transactions with affiliates, including Ascent Capital;
restrict subsidiary distributions;
dissolve, merge or consolidate;
annual limits on the amount of capital expenditures;
transfer, sell or dispose of assets;
enter into or acquire certain types of alarm monitoring contracts;
enter into certain transactions with affiliates;
make certain amendments to its organizational documents;
make changes in the nature of its business;
enter into certain burdensome agreements;
make accounting changes;
use proceeds of loans to purchase or carry margin stock; and
allow the suspension of alarm licenses.
In addition, Monitronics also must comply with certain financial covenants under the Credit Facility that require it to maintain a consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of not more than 5.00 to 1.00, a consolidated senior secured leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of not more than 3.25 to 1.00, a consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of not less than 2.00 to 1.00, each of which is calculated quarterly on a trailing twelve-month basis. In addition, the revolving portion of the Credit Facility requires Monitronics to maintain a consolidated senior secured RMR leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of no more than 28.0 to 1.00, calculated quarterly, and an attrition rate (as defined in the Credit Facility) of no more than 15.0%, calculated quarterly on a trailing twelve-month basis. If Monitronics cannot comply with any of these financial covenants, or if Monitronics or any of its subsidiaries fails to comply with the restrictions contained in the Credit Facility, such failure could lead to an event of default and Monitronics may not be able to make additional drawdowns under the revolving portion of the Credit Facility, which would limit its ability to manage its working capital requirements. In addition, failure to comply with the financial covenants or restrictions contained in the Credit Facility could lead to an event of default, which could result in the acceleration of a substantial amount of Monitronics’ indebtedness.

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security may pursue business opportunities that diverge from its current business model, which may cause its business to suffer.

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security may pursue business opportunities that diverge from its current business model, including expanding its products or service offerings, investing in new and unproven technologies, adding or modifying the focus of its customer acquisition channels (including, for example, increased direct marketing efforts) and forming new alliances with companies to market its services. MonitronicsBrinks Home Security can offer no assurance that any such business opportunities will prove to be successful. Among other negative effects, Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's pursuit of such business opportunities could cause its cost of investment in new customers to grow at a faster rate than its recurring revenue. Additionally, any new alliances or customer acquisition channels could have higher cost structures than Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's current arrangements, which could reduce operating margins and require more working capital. In the event that working capital requirements exceed operating cash flow, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security might be required to draw on its Credit Facility or pursue other external financing, which may not be readily available. Further, new alliances or customer acquisition channels may also result in the cannibalization of Brinks Home Security's products, such as in the case of the alliance with Nest. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Third party claims with respect to Monitronics’Brink Home Security's intellectual property, if decided against Monitronics,Brinks Home Security, may result in competing uses of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's intellectual property or require the adoption of new, non-infringing intellectual property.

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security has received and may continue toin the future receive notices claiming it committed intellectual property infringement, misappropriation or other intellectual property violations and third parties have claimed, and may, in the future, claim that MonitronicsBrinks Home Security does not own or have rights to use all intellectual property rights used in the conduct of its business. While MonitronicsBrinks Home Security does not believe that any of the currently outstanding claims it has previously received are material, there can be no assurance that third

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parties will not assert future infringement claims against it or claim that its rights to its intellectual property are invalid or unenforceable, and MonitronicsBrinks Home Security cannot guarantee that these claims will be unsuccessful. AnyThe "Brinks" and "Brinks Home Security" trademarks are licensed from Brink's. While Brink's is required to defend its intellectual property rights related to the "Brinks" or "Brinks Home Security" trademarks, any claims involving rights to use the "Monitronics" mark "Brinks"

or the "LiveWatch" mark"Brinks Home Security" trademarks could have a material adverse effect on Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business if such claims were decided against MonitronicsBrink's and MonitronicsBrink's was precluded from using or licensing the “Monitronics” mark"Brinks" or the "LiveWatch" mark"Brinks Home Security" trademarks or others were allowed to use such mark.trademarks. If MonitronicsBrinks Home Security was required to adopt a new name, it would entail marketing costs in connection with building up recognition and goodwill in such new name. In the event that MonitronicsBrinks Home Security was enjoined from using any of its other intellectual property, there would be costs associated with the replacement of such intellectual property with developed, acquired or licensed intellectual property. There would also be costs associated with the defense and settlement of any infringement or misappropriation allegations and any damages that may be awarded.


Factors Relating to Regulatory Matters
 
"False Alarm" ordinances could adversely affect Monitronics’ business and operations.
Significant concern has arisen in certain municipalities about the high incidence of false alarms. In some localities, this concern has resulted in local ordinances or policies that restrict police response to third-party monitored burglar alarms. In addition, an increasing number of local governmental authorities have considered or adopted various measures aimed at reducing the number of false alarms, including:
subjecting alarm monitoring companies to fines or penalties for transmitting false alarms;
imposing fines on alarm monitoring services customers for false alarms;
imposing limitations on the number of times the police will respond to alarms at a particular location; and
requiring further verification of an alarm signal, such as visual verification or verification to two different phone numbers, before the police will respond.

Enactment of these measures could adversely affect Monitronics’ future operations and business. For example, numerous cities or metropolitan areas have implemented verified response ordinances or policies for residential and commercial burglar alarms. A verified response policy means that police officers generally do not respond to an alarm until someone else (e.g., the resident, a neighbor or a security guard) first verifies that it is valid. Some alarm monitoring companies operating in these areas hire security guards or use third-party guard firms to verify an alarm. If Monitronics needs to hire security guards or use third-party guard firms, it could have a material adverse effect on its business through either increased servicing costs, which could negatively affect the ability to properly fund its ongoing operations, or increased costs to its customers, which may limit its ability to attract new customers or increase its subscriber attrition rates. In addition, the perception that police departments will not respond to third-party monitored burglar alarms, may reduce customer satisfaction with traditional monitored alarm systems, which may also result in increased attrition rates or decreased customer demand. Although Monitronics has less than 50,000 subscribers in areas covered by these ordinances or policies, a more widespread adoption of such a policy or similar policies in other cities or municipalities could materially and adversely affect its business.
Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business operates in a regulated industry.

Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business, operations and dealers are subject to various U.S. federal, state and local consumer protection laws, licensing regulation and other laws and regulations, and, to a lesser extent, similar Canadian laws and regulations. While there are no U.S. federal laws that directly regulate the security alarm monitoring industry, Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's advertising and sales practices and that of its dealer network are subject to regulation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") in addition to state consumer protection laws. The FTC and the Federal Communications Commission have issued regulations that place restrictions on, among other things, unsolicited automated telephone calls to residential and wireless telephone subscribers by means of automatic telephone dialing systems and the use of prerecorded or artificial voice messages. If MonitronicsBrinks Home Security (through its direct marketing efforts) or Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's dealers were to take actions in violation of these regulations, such as telemarketing to individuals on the "Do Not Call" registry, it could be subject to fines, penalties, private actions, investigations or enforcement actions by government regulators. MonitronicsBrinks Home Security has been named, and may be named in the future, as a defendant in litigation arising from alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the "TCPA"). While MonitronicsBrinks Home Security endeavors to comply with the TCPA, no assurance can be given that MonitronicsBrinks Home Security will not be exposed to liability as a result of its or its dealersdealers' direct marketing efforts.efforts or debt collections. For example, Brinks Home Security recognized a legal settlement reserve in the second quarter of 2017 related to a class action lawsuit based on alleged TCPA violations. In addition, although MonitronicsBrinks Home Security has taken steps to insulate itself from any such wrongful conduct by its dealers, and to require its dealers to comply with these laws and regulations, no assurance can be given that it will not be exposed to liability as result of its dealers’dealers' conduct. If MonitronicsBrinks Home Security or any such dealers do not comply with applicable laws, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security may be exposed to increased liability and penalties.penalties and there can be no assurance, in the event of such liability, that Brinks Home Security would be adequately covered, if at all, by its insurance policies. Further, to the extent that any changes in law or regulation further restrict the lead generation activity of MonitronicsBrinks Home Security or its dealers, these restrictions could result in a material reduction in subscriber acquisition opportunities, reducing the growth prospects of its business and adversely affecting its financial

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condition and future cash flows. In addition, most states in which MonitronicsBrinks Home Security operates have licensing laws directed specifically toward the monitored security services industry. Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business relies heavily upon wireline and cellular telephone service to communicate signals. Wireline and cellular telephone companies are currently regulated by both federal and state governments. Changes in laws or regulations could require MonitronicsBrinks Home Security to change the way it operates, which could increase costs or otherwise disrupt operations. In addition, failure to comply with any such applicable laws or regulations could result in substantial fines or revocation of its operating permits and licenses, including in geographic areas where its services have substantial penetration, which could adversely affect its business and financial condition. Further, if these laws and regulations were to change or MonitronicsBrinks Home Security failed to comply with such laws and regulations as they exist today or in the future, its business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Increased adoption of statutes and governmental policies purporting to void automatic renewal provisions in the alarm monitoring contracts,AMAs, or purporting to characterize certain charges in the alarm monitoring contractsAMAs as unlawful, could adversely affect Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business and operations.

The alarm monitoring contractsAMAs typically contain provisions automatically renewing the term of the contract at the end of the initial term, unless a cancellation notice is delivered in accordance with the terms of the contract. If the customer cancels prior to the end of the contract term, other than in accordance with the contract, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security may charge the customer an early cancellation fee as specified in the contract, which typically allows MonitronicsBrinks Home Security to charge 80% of the amounts that would have been paid over the remaining term of the contract. Several states have adopted, or are considering the adoption of, consumer protection policies or legal precedents which purport to void or substantially limit the automatic renewal provisions of contracts such as the alarm monitoring contracts,AMAs, or otherwise restrict the charges that can be imposed upon contract cancellation. Such initiatives could negatively impact Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business. Adverse judicial determinations regarding these matters could increase legal exposure to customers against whom such charges have been imposed, and the risk that certain customers may seek to

recover such charges through litigation. In addition, the costs of defending such litigation and enforcement actions could have an adverse effect on Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's business and operations.

False alarm ordinances could adversely affect Brinks Home Security's business and operations.

Significant concern has arisen in certain municipalities about the high incidence of false alarms. In some localities, this concern has resulted in local ordinances or policies that restrict police response to third-party monitored burglar alarms. In addition, an increasing number of local governmental authorities have considered or adopted various measures aimed at reducing the number of false alarms; measures include alarm fines to Brinks Home Security and/or our customers, limits on number of police responses allowed, and requiring certain alarm conditions to exist before a response is granted.  In extreme situations, authorities may not respond to an alarm unless a verified problem exists.
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Enactment of these measures could adversely affect Brinks Home Security's future operations and business. Alarm monitoring companies operating in areas impacted by government alarm ordinances may choose to hire third-party guard firms to respond to an alarm. If Brinks Home Security needs to hire third-party guard firms, it could have a material adverse effect on its business through either increased servicing costs, which could negatively affect the ability to properly fund its ongoing operations, or increased costs to its customers, which may limit its ability to attract new customers or increase its subscriber attrition rates. In addition, the perception that police departments will not respond to monitored burglar alarms may reduce customer satisfaction or customer demand for an alarm monitoring service.  Although Brinks Home Security currently has less than 80,000 subscribers in areas covered by these ordinances or policies, a more widespread adoption of policies of this nature could adversely affect its business.



Factors Relating to Our Common Stock and Convertible Notes
 
Our stock price has been volatile in the past and may decline in the future.

Our common stock has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations in the past. For example, during 2018, our Series A common stock price fluctuated from a high of $12.23 to a low of $0.25. Investors may not be able to sell their shares at or above the price at which they were purchased. The market price of our common stock may experience significant fluctuations in the future depending upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. Factors that could affect our stock price and trading volume include, among others, the ability, or perceived ability, of our Company and Brinks Home Security to continue as going concerns, the ability of Brinks Home Security to obtain or maintain any requested waiver or forbearance with respect to the Credit Facility and Senior Notes, potential restructurings and strategic transactions with respect to Brinks Home Security, the delisting of our Series A common stock from Nasdaq, the perceived prospects of our business; differences between anticipated and actual operating results; changes in analysts' recommendations or projections; the commencement and/or results of litigation and other legal proceedings; and future sales of our common stock by us or by significant shareholders, officers and directors. In addition, stock markets in general have experienced extreme price and volume volatility from time to time, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock for reasons unrelated to our performance.

Brinks Home Security may be subject to United States Bankruptcy Court proceedings in the near future, which would have an adverse effect on our common stock.

See "Brinks Home Security may be subject to United States Bankruptcy Court proceedings in the near future, which would pose significant risks to its business and to its and our investors" above for a discussion of the impact on our common stock if Brinks Home Security became subject to United States Bankruptcy Court proceedings.

Our Series A Common Stock could be delisted, which could have an adverse impact on the trading volume, liquidity and market price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for our shareholders to sell our common stock.

Our Series A Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. As a Nasdaq listed company, we are required to satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.

On November 26, 2018, we received a letter from Nasdaq indicating that the market value of publicly held shares of our Series A common stock (“MVPHS”) for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $15 million, which is the minimum market value of publicly held shares (the “MVPHS Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(3)(C). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(D), we have been provided 180 calendar days, or until May 28, 2019, to regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement. To regain compliance, our MVPHS must be at least $15 million for at least ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period, at which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to us and close the matter. If we do not regain compliance with the

MVPHS Requirement within the 180-day compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice to us that our Series A common stock is subject to delisting. We may transfer our Series A common stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market, provided we meet the listing requirements for that market, but there can be no assurance that we will meet those listing requirements.

In addition, on December 28, 2018, we received a letter (the “Minimum Bid Notice”) from Nasdaq indicating that the closing bid price of our Series A common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $1.00, which is the minimum closing bid price (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have been provided 180 calendar days, or until June 26, 2019, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of our Series A common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for at least ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period, at which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to the Company of compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and close the matter. The Minimum Bid Notice provides that, if we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by June 26, 2019, we may be eligible to transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market and take advantage of an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify, we would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, and provide written notice of our intention to cure the minimum bid price deficiency during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse split, if necessary. If we meet these requirements, we will be granted an additional compliance period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, but there can be no assurance that we will meet those listing requirements. If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by June 26, 2019, and the Nasdaq staff determines that we will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if we are not otherwise eligible for any additional compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice that our Series A common stock is subject to delisting.

While Nasdaq’s rules permit us to appeal any delisting determination, there can be no assurance the Nasdaq’s staff would grant our request for continued listing. Further, there can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement or the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s other continued listing requirements.

In addition, a delisting of our Series A Common Stock from Nasdaq would negatively impact us because it could, among other things: (i) reduce the liquidity and market price of our common stock; (ii) reduce the amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; (iii) reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing and the ability of our shareholders to sell our common stock; (iv) limit our ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing us from accessing the public capital markets; (v) impair our ability to provide liquid equity incentives to our employees; and (vi) have negative reputational impact for us with our customers, suppliers, employees and other persons with whom we transact from time to time.

If our Series A Common Stock ceases to be listed on at least one U. S. national securities exchange, such cessation would trigger a fundamental change under the Indenture governing our outstanding Convertible Notes, which would give holders of our convertible notes the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the outstanding convertible notes.

If our Series A Common Stock ceases to be listed on at least one U.S. national securities exchange, such cessation would constitute a “fundamental change,” as such term is defined in the indenture (the “Indenture”) governing our Convertible Notes. As a result, each holder of the remaining Convertible Notes would have the right, at such noteholder’s option, to require Ascent Capital to repurchase for cash all or a portion of such noteholder’s Convertible Notes on the repurchase date specified by Ascent Capital in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with any accrued and unpaid interest, including any unpaid “additional interest” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) to, but excluding, the “fundamental change repurchase date” (as such term is defined in the Indenture). We may not have sufficient funds, or be able to obtain financing, to pay the fundamental change repurchase price if we are required to repurchase the Convertible Notes. A failure to pay the fundamental change repurchase price if we are required to repurchase the Convertible Notes would constitute an event of default under the Indenture. If an event of default occurs under the Indenture, either the trustee under the Indenture or the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture may accelerate the due date of the entire outstanding principal amount of, and any accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid additional interest on all the Convertible Notes, to be due and payable immediately.

It may be difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so may be beneficial to our shareholders.

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our companyCompany that our shareholders may consider favorable. These provisions include the following:

a capital structure with multiple series of common stock: a Series B that entitles the holders to ten votes per share, a Series A that entitles the holders to one vote per share, and a Series C that, except in such limited circumstances as may be required by applicable law, entitles the holders to no voting rights;
authorizing the issuance of “blank check”"blank check" preferred stock, which could be issued by our board of directors to increase the number of outstanding shares and thwart a takeover attempt;
classifying our board of directors with staggered three-year terms, which may lengthen the time required to gain control of our board of directors through a proxy contest or exercise of voting rights;
limiting who may call special meetings of shareholders;
prohibiting shareholder action by written consent (subject to certain exceptions), thereby requiring such action to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders;
establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by shareholders at shareholder meetings;
requiring shareholder approval by holders of at least 80% of our voting power or the approval by at least 75% of our board of directors with respect to certain extraordinary matters, such as a merger or consolidation of our company,Company, a sale of all or substantially all of our assets or an amendment to our certificate of incorporation;
requiring the consent of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding Series B Common Stockcommon stock (voting as a separate class) to certain share distributions and other corporate actions in which the voting power of the Series B Common Stockcommon stock would be diluted, for example by issuing shares having multiple votes per share as a dividend to holders of Series A Common Stock;common stock; and
the existence of authorized and unissued stock which would allow our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, thereby protecting the continuity of its management, or which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us.

In addition, Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's Credit Facility provides that the occurrence of specified change of control events will result in an event of default thereunder, and the Senior Notes include a covenant that requires MonitronicsBrinks Home Security to make an offer to purchase all outstanding Senior Notes, at 101% of par, upon the occurrence of specified change of control events, each of which could cause an acquisition of our companyCompany to be prohibitively expensive for a potential bidder.

Our stock price has been volatile in the past and may decline in the future.

Our common stock has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations in the past. For example, during 2015, our stock price fluctuated from a high of $53.09 to a low of $15.26. Investors may not be able to sell their shares at or above the price at which they were purchased. The market price of our common stock may experience significant fluctuations in the future depending upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. Factors that could affect our stock price and trading volume include, among others, the perceived prospects of our business; differences between anticipated and actual operating results; changes in analysts' recommendations or projections; the commencement and/or results of litigation and other legal proceedings; and future sales of our common stock by us or by significant shareholders, officers and directors. In addition, stock markets in general have experienced extreme price and volume volatility from time to time, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock for reasons unrelated to our performance.

Holders of a single series of our common stock may not have any remedies if an action by our directors has an adverse effect on only that series of our common stock.

Principles of Delaware law and the provisions of our certificate of incorporation may protect decisions of our board of directors that have a disparate impact upon holders of any single series of our common stock. Under Delaware law, the board of directors has a duty to act with due care and in the best interests of all of our shareholders, including the holders of all series of our common stock. Principles of Delaware law established in cases involving differing treatment of multiple classes or series of stock provide that a board of directors owes an equal duty to all common shareholders regardless of class or series and does not have separate or additional duties to any group of shareholders. As a result, in some circumstances, our directors may be required to make a decision that is viewed as adverse to the holders of one series of our common stock. Under the principles of Delaware law and the business judgment rule, holders may not be able to successfully challenge decisions that they believe have a disparate impact upon the holders of one series of our stock if our board of directors is disinterested and independent

21


with respect to the action taken, is adequately informed with respect to the action taken and acts in good faith and in the honest belief that the board is acting in the best interest of all of our stockholders.

Although our Series B Common Stockcommon stock trades on the OTC Markets, there is no meaningful trading market for the stock.

Our Series B Common Stockcommon stock is not widely held, with 95% of the outstanding shares as of December 31, 20152018 beneficially owned by John C. Malone, a former director of the Company, and William Fitzgerald, Ascent Capital's Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer.of the Board. Although it is quoted on the OTC Markets, it is sparsely traded and does not have an active trading market.  The OTC Markets tends to be highly illiquid, in part, because there is no national quotation system by which potential investors can track the market price of shares except through information received or generated by a limited number of broker-dealers that make markets in particular stocks. There is also a greater chance of market volatility for securities that trade on the OTC Markets as opposed to a national exchange or quotation system. This volatility is due to a variety of factors, including a lack of readily available price quotations, lower trading volume, absence of consistent administrative supervision of “bid”"bid" and “ask”"ask" quotations, and market conditions. Each share of the Series B Common Stockcommon stock is convertible, at any time at the option of the holder, into one share of Series A Common Stock,common stock, which is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "ASCMA."


Factors Relating to Ascent Capital and Its Corporate History and Structure
 
We have a history of losses and may incur losses in the future.

Monitronics,Brinks Home Security, our primary operating subsidiary, incurred losses in each of its last five full fiscal years. In future periods, we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability on a consistent quarterly or annual basis.  Failure to maintain profitability in future periods may materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We areAscent Capital is a holding company and derivederives substantially all of ourits revenue and cash flow from ourits primary operating subsidiary, Monitronics.Brinks Home Security.
 
MonitronicsBrinks Home Security is a separate and independent legal entity and has no obligation to make funds available to us, whether in the form of loans, dividends or otherwise. The ability of MonitronicsBrinks Home Security to pay dividends to us is subject to, among other things, compliance with covenants in its Credit Facility and Senior Note indenture, the availability of sufficient earnings and funds, and applicable state laws. As of December 31, 2015, Monitronics2018, Brinks Home Security had principal indebtedness of $1,667,909,000, excluding the 9.868% promissory note for $100,000,000 due to the Company, which has since been amended and restated as discussed above.$1,804,450,000. Claims of other creditors of MonitronicsBrinks Home Security have priority as to its assets over our claims and those of our creditors and shareholders. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Companyas of April 1, 2019, Ascent Capital had approximately $$96,775,000$260,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding underof its 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020 (the "Convertible Notes").Notes. Although we believe we currently have sufficient cash reserves at the Company to service our obligations under the Convertible Notes, our sources of cash remain limited as a result of our holding company structure and the restrictions on Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's ability to distribute cash to our company.Company.

An inability to access capital markets at attractive rates could materially increase our expenses.

Although we currently have sufficient cash and investments available to meet our anticipated capital requirements for the foreseeable future, weWe may in the future require access to capital markets as a source of liquidity for investments and expenditures. In any such event, there can be no assurance that we would be able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. If our ability to access required capital were to become significantly constrained, we could incur material borrowing costs, our financial condition could be harmed and future results of operations could be adversely affected.
Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets represent a significant portion of our total assets, and we may never realize the full value of our intangible assets.

As of December 31, 2015, we had goodwill of $563,549,000, which represents approximately 26% of total assets. Goodwill was recorded in connection with the Monitronics, Security Networks, and LiveWatch acquisitions. The Company accounts for its goodwill pursuant to the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other ("FASB ASC Topic 350"). In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, goodwill is tested for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstances occur that would, more likely than not, reduce the fair value of an asset below its carrying value, resulting in an impairment. Impairments may result from, among other things, deterioration in financial and operational performance, declines in stock price, increased attrition, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws and/or regulations, deterioration of general macroeconomic conditions, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, increased competitive markets in which Monitronics

22


operates in, declining financial performance over a sustained period, changes in key personnel and/or strategy, and a variety of other factors.

The amount of any quantified impairment must be expensed immediately as a charge to results of operations. Any impairment charge relating to goodwill or other intangible assets would have the effect of decreasing our earnings or increasing our losses in such period. At least annually, or as circumstances arise that may trigger an assessment, we will test our goodwill for impairment. There can be no assurance that our future evaluations of goodwill will not result in our recognition of impairment charges, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial statements and results of operations.

We may have substantial indemnification obligations under certain inter-company agreements we entered into in connection with the 2008 spin-off of our company from DHC (the "2008 spin-off").
Pursuant to our tax sharing agreement with DHC, we have agreed to be responsible for all taxes attributable to us or any of our subsidiaries, whether accruing before, on or after the 2008 spin-off (subject to specified exceptions). We have also agreed to be responsible for and indemnify DHC with respect to (i) certain taxes attributable to DHC or any of its subsidiaries (other than Discovery Communications, LLC) and (ii) all taxes arising as a result of the 2008 spin-off (subject to specified exceptions). Our indemnification obligations under the tax sharing agreement are not limited in amount or subject to any cap. Pursuant to the reorganization agreement we entered into with DHC in connection with the 2008 spin-off, we assumed certain indemnification obligations designed to make our company financially responsible for substantially all non-tax liabilities that may exist relating to the business of our former subsidiary, Ascent Media Group, LLC, whether incurred prior to or after the 2008 spin-off, as well as certain obligations of DHC. Any indemnification payments under the tax sharing agreement or the reorganization agreement could be substantial.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.Not applicable.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
 
Currently, the Company leases approximately 59,000 square feet of office space in California of which 43,000 is being subleased to third parties.  The Company leases approximately 4,000 square feet of office space in Colorado. The Company owns 29,000 square feet of office space in California and 15,000 square feet of office space in the United Kingdom. The Company is currently exploring opportunities to dispose of or monetize such real property.
 
MonitronicsBrinks Home Security leases approximately 165,000 square feet in Farmers Branch, Texas to house its executive offices, monitoring and certain call centers, sales and marketing and data retention functions.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security also leases approximately 16,000 square feet of office space in Dallas, Texas and 13,000 square feet in McKinney, Texas, of office space that support oursupports its monitoring operations and back up facility.

LiveWatchAdditionally, Brinks Home Security leases approximately 10,00026,000 square feet of office space in StSt. Marys, Kansas to house sales office functions and its fulfillment center and approximately 17,500 square feet of office space in Manhattan, Kansas to house sales fulfillment function and software development. Additionally, LiveWatchoffice functions. Brinks Home Security also leases approximately 1,5008,100 square feet of office space in Evanston, Illinois for its general administrative and sales office functions.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
FromIn the ordinary course of business, from time to time, the Company is involved inand its subsidiaries are the subject of complaints or litigation from subscribers or inquiries or investigations from government officials, sometimes related to alleged violations of state or federal consumer protection statutes. The Company and similarits subsidiaries may also be subject to employee claims incidental to the conduct of its business.based on, among other things, alleged discrimination, harassment or wrongful termination claims. Although no assurances can be given, in the opinion of management, none of the pending actions is likely to have a material adverse impact on the Company’sCompany's financial position or results of operations, either individually or in the aggregate.

Other Legal Proceedings
On August 27, 2018, certain holders of Ascent Capital’s Convertible Notes caused an action to be filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned KLS Diversified Master Fund L.P. et. al. v. Ascent Capital Group, Inc. et al., C.A. No. 2018-0636 (as amended on September 5, 2018, October 1, 2018 and October 22, 2018, the “Noteholder Action”)

against Ascent Capital and each of its directors and executive officers. On February 11, 2019, Ascent Capital and its directors and executive officers, on the one hand, and the holders of Convertible Notes that were plaintiffs in the Noteholder Action (together with certain of each of such holders’ respective affiliates, the “Noteholder Parties”) collectively holding $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, representing 78.20% of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding, on the other hand, entered into a Settlement and Note Repurchase Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”), which, among other things as described herein, (i) provided for the settlement of the Noteholder Action and the mutual release of claims related thereto (the “Settlement”) and (ii) in connection with the Settlement, provided for the delivery by the Noteholder Parties of their respective written consents (the “Consents”) with respect to all Convertible Notes held by such Noteholder Parties to certain amendments described below (the “Amendments”) to the Indenture and for the private repurchase (the “Note Repurchase”) by the Company of all Convertible Notes held by such Noteholder Parties. On February 14, 2019, the transactions contemplated in the Settlement Agreement (including the obtaining of the Consents and the Note Repurchase) were consummated and following the receipt of the Consents, the Company and the Trustee entered into the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2019 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”), to the Indenture and the Amendments became effective. The Amendments effected by the Second Supplemental Indenture modified the Indenture to (i) remove references to subsidiary, subsidiaries and/or significant subsidiary, as applicable, of Ascent Capital from certain events of default provisions contained in Section 6.01 of the Indenture and (ii) allow conversion of Ascent Capital into a non-corporate legal form. Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Settlement Agreement, on February 15, 2019, a Stipulation of Dismissal with respect to the Noteholder Action was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, pursuant to which the Noteholder Action was dismissed with prejudice.

The Settlement Agreement states that, in connection with the Settlement, Ascent Capital paid to the Noteholder Parties an aggregate amount of $70,666,176.28 in cash, consisting of (i) an aggregate of $6,104,720.92 for professional fees and expenses incurred on the Noteholder Parties’ behalf, (ii) an aggregate of $2,000,000.00 in consideration for the Noteholder Parties’ Consents, (iii) an aggregate of $10,808,555.36 in consideration for and in full and final satisfaction of the settled claims as set forth in the Settlement Agreement and (iv) an aggregate of $51,752,900.00 on account of the Note Repurchase.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
None.


23


PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Market Information
 
We have two series of common stock outstanding.  Holders of our Series A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held, and holders of our Series B common stock are entitled to 10 votes for each share held, as well as a separate class vote on certain corporate actions.  Each share of the Series B common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of Series A common stock; the Series A common stock is not convertible.  Except for such voting rights, conversion rights and designations, shares of Series A common stock and Series B common stock are substantially identical.
 
Our Series A common stock trades on the NASDAQNasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol ASCMA."ASCMA".  Our Series B common stock is eligible for quotationquoted on the OTC Markets under the symbol ASCMB,"ASCMB", but it is not actively traded.  The following table sets forthStock price information for securities traded on the quarterly range of high and low sales prices of shares of our Series A common stock forNasdaq's Global Select Market can be found on the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. 
 Series A
 High Low
 Amounts in U.S. Dollar
2015 
  
First quarter53.09
 38.78
Second quarter44.17
 37.83
Third quarter43.68
 25.96
Fourth quarter32.18
 15.26
2014 
  
First quarter85.61
 66.04
Second quarter79.02
 59.80
Third quarter67.35
 59.31
Fourth quarter64.99
 49.22
Nasdaq's website at www.nasdaq.com.

The following table sets forth the quarterly range of high and low sales prices of shares of our Series B common stock for the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014, as reported by2017. There is no established public trading market for Series B common stock, which are quoted on the OTC Markets. This information representsMarket. Such over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices without dealer mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions, and may not be indicative of the value of the common stock or the existence of an active market.necessarily represent actual transactions. 
Series BSeries B
High LowHigh Low
Amounts in U.S. DollarAmounts in U.S. Dollar
2015 
  
2017:   
First quarter57.87
 48.37
16.00
 15.00
Second quarter44.37
 41.00
15.00
 15.00
Third quarter(a)44.00
 30.00

 
Fourth quarter(a)31.13
 20.00

 
2014 
  
2018:   
First quarter80.96
 67.75
11.40
 6.67
Second quarter73.07
 64.00
5.85
 5.85
Third quarter65.00
 63.37
3.78
 3.00
Fourth quarter64.75
 57.87
2.50
 1.65
(a)No sales of our Series B common stock were reported during the period.


24


Holders

As of January 29, 2016,March 13, 2019, there were approximately 760634 record holders of our Series A common stock and 5042 record holders of our Series B common stock (which amounts do not include the number of shareholders whose shares are held of record by banks, brokerage houses or other institutions, but include each institution as one shareholder).
 
Dividends
 
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and have no present intention to do so.  Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be determined by our Boardboard of Directorsdirectors in light of our earnings, financial condition, alternative uses for cash and other relevant considerations.
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
 
Information required by this item is incorporated by referencewill be included in an amendment to our definitive proxy statement for our 2016 Annual Meeting of stockholders.
Stock Performance Graph
The following performance graph and related information shall notthis Form 10-K that will be deemed "soliciting material" or "filed"filed with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filings under the Securities Act of 1933and Exchange Commission on or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing.
The following graph sets forth the percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on our Series A and Series B common stock for the preceding 5-year period ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the NASDAQ Stock Market Index over the same period.  The graph assumes $100 was originally invested on December 31, 2011.
The comparisons in the graph below are based on historical data and are not intended to forecast the possible future performance of our Series A and Series B common stock.before April 30, 2019.

  

 12/31/2011 12/31/2012 12/31/2013 12/31/2014 12/31/2015
ASCMA Series A$100.00
 $122.12
 $168.69
 $104.36
 $32.97
ASCMB Series B$100.00
 $146.25
 $205.00
 $144.68
 $50.00
NASDAQ Stock Market Index$100.00
 $115.91
 $160.32
 $181.80
 $192.21

25


Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
 
The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’sCompany did not purchase any of its own equity securities during the three months ended December 31, 2015:2018. The following table sets forth information concerning shares withheld in payment of withholding taxes on certain vesting of stock awards of Series A Common Stock, in each case, during the three months ended December 31, 2018.
 
Period
Total number of
shares
purchased /
surrendered (1)
   
Average price
paid per share
 
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) or Shares (or
Units) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
10/1/2015 - 10/31/1586,700
   $28.05
 
 (1)
11/1/2015 - 11/30/15
   
 
  
12/1/2015 - 12/31/156,136
 (2) 16.97
 
  
Total92,836
   $27.32
 
  
Period 
Total number of
shares
purchased
(surrendered) (1)
   
Average price
paid per share
 
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) or Shares (or
Units) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (1)
10/1/2018 - 10/31/2018 7,798
 (2) $1.71
 
  
11/1/2018 - 11/30/2018 2,740
 (2) 0.99
 
  
12/1/2018 - 12/31/2018 3,291
 (2) 0.35
 
  
Total 13,829
   $1.24
 
  
 
(1)        On June 16, 2011, the Company announced that it received authorization to implement a share repurchase program, pursuant to which it could purchase up to $25,000,000 of its shares of Series A Common Stock, par value $0.01, from time to time. On November 14, 2013, November 10, 2014 and September 4, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, at each date, the repurchase of an incremental $25,000,000 of its Series A Common Stock. As of December 31, 2015, 2,002,4252018, 2,391,604 shares of Series A Common Stock had been purchased, at an average price paid of $44.99$40.65 per share, pursuant to these authorizations.  As of December 31, 2015,2018, the remaining availability under the Company's existing stock repurchase program will enable the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately $9,910,000$2,771,000 of Series A Common Stock.common stock. The Company may also purchase shares of its Series B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, under the increased program.
 
(2)TheseRepresents shares were withheld in payment of withholding taxes by certain of our employees upon vesting of theiremployees' restricted share awards in December 2015.awards.

ITEM 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, all of which are set forth below, are derived from the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and the notes thereto. The balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and the statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 shown below were derived from previously issued financial statements including a reclass of deferred financing costs and current deferred taxes as required by the adoption of new pronouncements from the Financial Accounting Standards Board.  Not applicable.

 December 31,
 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
 (amounts in thousands)
Summary Balance Sheet Data:
 
  
  
  
  
Current assets$123,273
 176,500
 196,894
 257,866
 284,012
Property and Equipment, net$32,440
 36,010
 56,528
 56,491
 74,697
Total assets$2,173,305
 2,163,342
 2,191,359
 1,677,780
 1,619,693
Current liabilities$86,211
 91,143
 95,568
 72,150
 124,807
Long-term debt, excluding current portion$1,713,868
 1,595,649
 1,544,792
 1,074,127
 891,347
Stockholders’ equity$324,769
 439,688
 514,757
 508,603
 550,678

26


 Years ended December 31,
 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Summary Statement of Operations Data:
 
  
  
  
  
Net revenue$563,356
 539,449
 451,033
 344,953
 311,898
Operating income$49,367
 78,198
 71,556
 49,642
 22,341
Net loss from continuing operations$(86,236) (37,448) (21,600) (25,001) (28,901)
Net income (loss) (a)$(83,384) (37,752) (21,471) (29,349) 19,888
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (b)$(6.44) (2.77) (1.54) (2.09) 1.40
(a)Includes a gain on the sale of Content Distribution of $66,136,000 and related income tax expense of $6,716,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011.  The gain and related tax expense is included in discontinued operations.
(b)Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed the same as basic net income (loss) per share for all periods presented because the Company recorded a loss from continuing operations in all periods presented, which would make potentially dilutive securities antidilutive.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
 
At December 31, 2015,2018, our principal assets consisted primarily of our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Monitronics.Brinks Home Security, and cash and cash equivalents.

Overview
 
MonitronicsBrinks Home Security and Subsidiaries
 
On December 17, 2010, we acquired 100%Brinks Home Security provides residential customers and commercial client accounts with monitored home and business security systems, as well as interactive and home automation services, in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Brinks Home Security customers are obtained through its direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "Direct to Consumer Channel") or its exclusive authorized dealer network (the "Dealer Channel"), which provides product and installation services, as well as support to customers. Its Direct to Consumer Channel offers both Do-It-Yourself ("DIY") and professional installation security solutions.

The rollout of the outstanding capital stock of Monitronics, through the merger of Mono Lake Merger Sub, Inc., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Ascent Capital established to consummate the merger, with and into Monitronics, with Monitronics as the surviving corporationBrinks Home Security brand in the merger (the “Monitronics Acquisition”).  On August 16, 2013, Monitronics acquired allsecond quarter of 2018 included the integration of our business model under a single brand. As part of the equity interestsintegration, we reorganized our business from two reportable segments, "MONI" and "LiveWatch", to one reportable segment, Brinks Home Security. Following the integration, the Company's chief operating

decision maker reviews internal financial information on a consolidated basis. The change in reportable segments had no impact on our previously reported historical consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended, (Topic 606) ("Topic 606") using the modified retrospective approach, which means the standard is applied to only the current period. Any significant impact as a result of Security Networks and certain affiliated entitiesthis adoption is discussed in the Security Networks Acquisition. On February 23, 2015, Monitronics acquired LiveWatch, a DIY home security provider.
Monitronics provides security alarm monitoring and related servicesresults of operations detail below. See note 5, Revenue Recognition, in the notes to residential and business subscribers throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada.  Monitronics monitors signals arising from burglaries, fires, medical alerts and other events through security systems at subscribers’ premises.  Nearly all of its revenues are derived from monthly recurring revenues under security alarm monitoring contracts acquired through its exclusive nationwide network of independent dealers.accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Revenues areThe Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04") which requires a goodwill impairment to be recognized as the related monitoring services are provided. Other revenues are derived fromdifference of the provisionfair value and the carrying value of third-party contract monitoring servicesthe reporting unit. See note 8, Goodwill, in the notes to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

The Company also adopted ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and from field technical repair services.  Additionally, LiveWatch generates revenue from equipment salesHedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities ("ASU 2017-12") which simplifies the application of hedge accounting guidance. The standard was early adopted effective January 1, 2018, and an opening equity adjustment of $605,000 was recognized that reduced Accumulated deficit, offset by a gain in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). There was no material impact as a result of this adoption to the results of operations detail below. See note 1, Basis of Presentation, in the notes to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Going Concern and Potential Bankruptcy

Based on the factors discussed below in "Liquidity and Capital Resources," the Company and Brinks Home Security have each received a going concern qualification in connection with the external audit report of their respective Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Brinks Home Security has engaged financial and legal advisors to assist in considering potential alternatives to address the issues described in "Liquidity and Capital Resources." Brinks Home Security may not be able to come to an agreement with respect to the outstanding indebtedness that is recognized asacceptable to all of Brinks Home Security’s stakeholders. Brinks Home Security’s failure to refinance the equipment is shippedSenior Notes or to reach an agreement with its stakeholders on the customer. All direct external costs associated withterms of a restructuring would have a material adverse effect on its and our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations and may result in it filing a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the creation of subscriber accounts and certain internal direct costs, including bonus incentives for account activations at LiveWatch, are capitalized and amortized over fifteen years usingUnited States Bankruptcy Code in order to implement a declining balance method beginning in the month following the date of acquisition.restructuring plan.

Attrition
 
Account cancellation, otherwise referred to as subscriber attrition, has a direct impact on the number of subscribers that MonitronicsBrinks Home Security services and on its financial results, including revenues, operating income and cash flow.  A portion of the subscriber base can be expected to cancel its service every year. Subscribers may choose not to renew or terminate their contract for a variety of reasons, including relocation, cost, and switching to a competitor’s service.competitor's service and limited use by the subscriber and thus low perceived value.  The largest categorycategories of canceled accounts relate to subscriber relocation or the inability to contact the subscriber.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security defines its attrition rate as the number of canceled accounts in a given period divided by the weighted average of number of subscribers for that period. 

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MonitronicsBrinks Home Security considers an account canceled if payment from the subscriber is deemed uncollectible or if the subscriber cancels for various reasons.  If a subscriber relocates but continues its service, this is not a cancellation.  If the subscriber relocates, discontinues its service and a new subscriber takes over the original subscriber’ssubscriber's service continuing the revenue stream, this is also not a cancellation.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security adjusts the number of canceled accounts by excluding those that are contractually guaranteed by its dealers.  The typical dealer contract provides that if a subscriber cancels in the first year of its contract, the dealer must either replace the canceled account with a new one or refund to MonitronicsBrinks Home Security the cost paid to acquire the contract. To help ensure the dealer’sdealer's obligation to Monitronics, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security, Brinks Home Security typically maintains a dealer funded holdback reserve ranging from 5-10%5-8% of subscriber accounts in the guarantee period.  In some cases, the amount of the holdback liability may beis less than actual attrition experience.

The table below presents subscriber data for the twelve monthsyears ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014:2017:
 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014 2018 2017
Beginning balance of accounts 1,058,962
 1,046,155
 975,996
 1,046,791
Accounts acquired 188,941
 156,225
 112,920
 95,786
Accounts canceled(b) (147,923) (135,842) (162,579) (159,630)
Canceled accounts guaranteed by dealer and acquisition adjustments (a) (10,445) (7,576)(b)
Canceled accounts guaranteed by dealer and other adjustments (a) (b)(4,587) (6,951)
Ending balance of accounts 1,089,535
 1,058,962
 921,750
 975,996
Monthly weighted average accounts 1,086,071
 1,052,492
 950,705
 1,016,798
Attrition rate (c) (13.6)% (12.9)% 
Attrition rate - Unit (b)17.1% 15.7%
Attrition rate - RMR (b) (c)14.9% 14.1%
 
(a)Includes canceled accounts that are contractually guaranteed to be refunded from holdback.
(b)IncludesAccounts canceled for the year ended December 31, 2017 were recast to include an increaseestimated 4,532 accounts included in Brinks Home Security's Radio Conversion Program that canceled in excess of 1,101 subscriber accounts associated with multi-site subscribers that were considered single accounts prior to the completion of the Security Networks integration in April 2014.their expected attrition.
(c)The recurring monthly revenue ("RMR") attrition rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was 13.7% and 12.6%, respectively. The RMR of canceled accounts follows the same definition as subscriber unit attrition as noted above. RMR attrition is defined as the RMR of canceled accounts in a given period, adjusted for the impact of price increases or decreases in that period, divided by the weighted average of RMR for that period. RMR attrition is a commonly used performance indicator in our industry.

The unit attrition rate for the twelve monthsyears ended December 31, 20152018 and 20142017 was 13.6%17.1% and 12.9%15.7%, respectively. IncreasedThe RMR attrition is primarilyrate for the result of anyears ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was 14.9% and 14.1%, respectively. Contributing to the increase in unit and RMR attrition was fewer customers under contract or in the dealer guarantee period in the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the prior period, and increased competition from new market entrants. The increase in the number of subscriber accounts reaching the end of their initial contract term in the period primarily related to the Pinnacle Security bulk buys. Monitronics purchased approximately 113,000 accounts from Pinnacle Security in 2012 and 2013 which are now experiencing normal end-of-term attrition. The Pinnacle Security accounts are contributing approximately 100 basis points of excess attrition within the overall portfolio. TheRMR attrition rate withoutfor the Pinnacle Security accounts as ofyear ended December 31, 20152018 is 12.7%.partially offset by Brinks Home Security's more aggressive price increase strategy.

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security analyzes its attrition by classifying accounts into annual pools based on the year of acquisition.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security then tracks the number of accounts that cancel as a percentage of the initial number of accounts acquired for each pool for each year subsequent to its acquisition.  Based on the average cancellation rate across the pools, Monitronics has averaged less than 1%Brinks Home Security's attrition rate is very low within the initial 12-month12 month period after considering the accounts which were replaced or refunded by the dealers at no additional cost to Monitronics.Brinks Home Security. Over the next few years of the subscriber account life, the number of subscribers that cancel as a percentage of the initial number of subscribers in that pool gradually increases and historically has peaked following the end of the initial contract term, which is typically three to five years. The peak following the end of the initial contract term is primarily a result of the buildup of subscribers that moved or no longer had need for the service but did not cancel their service until the end of their initial contract term.  Subsequent to the peak following the end of the initial contract term, the number of subscribers that cancel as a percentage of the initial number of subscribers in that pool declines.

Accounts Acquired
 
During the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, Monitronics acquired 37,349 and 37,998 subscriber accounts, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014, Monitronics2017, Brinks Home Security acquired 188,941112,920 and 156,22595,786 subscriber accounts, respectively, through its Dealer and Direct to Consumer Channels. Accounts acquired for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 reflect bulk buys of approximately 17,800 and 3,500 accounts, respectively. AccountsThe increase in accounts acquired for the year ended December 31, 2015 included 31,919 accounts from the LiveWatch

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Table of Contents

Acquisition in February 2015. Acquired contracts for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 also include approximately 2,000 and 8,300 accounts, respectively, purchased in various2018 is primarily due to bulk buys throughout the periods.completed in 2018.

RMR acquired during the three and twelve monthsyears ended December 31, 20152018 and 2017 was approximately $1,720,000$5,326,000 and $8,188,000, respectively. RMR acquired for the year ended December 31, 2015 included $909,000 from the LiveWatch Acquisition in February 2015. RMR acquired during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014 was approximately $1,776,000 and $7,182,000,$4,603,000, respectively.

Strategic Initiatives

Given the recent decreases in the generation of new subscriber accounts in Brinks Home Security's Dealer Channel and trends in subscriber attrition, it has implemented several initiatives related to account growth, creation costs, attrition and margin improvements.

Account Growth

Brinks Home Security believes that generating account growth at a reasonable cost is essential to scaling its business and generating stakeholder value. In recent years, acquisition of new subscriber accounts through its Dealer Channel has declined due to the attrition of large dealers, efforts to acquire new accounts from dealers at lower purchase prices, changes in consumer

buying behavior and increased competition from technology, telecommunications and cable companies in the market. Brinks Home Security currently has several initiatives in place to improve account growth, which include:

Enhancing its brand recognition with consumers, which was recently bolstered by the rebranding to Brinks Home Security,
Recruiting high quality dealers into the Brinks Home Security Authorized Dealer Program,
Assisting new and existing dealers with training and marketing initiatives to increase productivity,
Acquiring bulk accounts to supplement account generation,
Offering third party equipment financing to consumers which is expected to assist in driving account growth at lower creation costs, and
Growing the Direct to Consumer Channel under the Brinks Home Security brand.

Creation Costs

Brinks Home Security also considers the management of creation costs to be a key driver in improving its financial results, as lower creation costs would improve its profitability and cash flows. The initiatives related to managing creation costs include:

Growing the Direct to Consumer Channel, including further leveraging our partnership with Nest Labs, Inc., with expected lower creation cost multiples,
Expanding the use and availability of third party financing to all of its sales channels, which will drive down net creation costs, and
Negotiating lower subscriber account purchase price multiples in its Dealer Channel.

Attrition

While Brinks Home Security has also experienced higher subscriber attrition rates in the past few years, it has continued to develop its efforts to manage subscriber attrition, which it believes will help drive increases in its subscriber base and stakeholder value. Brinks Home Security currently has several initiatives in place to reduce subscriber attrition, which include:

Maintaining high customer service levels,
Using predictive modeling to identify subscribers with a higher risk of cancellation and engaging with these subscribers to obtain contract extensions on terms favorable to Brinks Home Security, and
Implementing effective pricing strategies.

Margin Improvement

Brinks Home Security has also adopted initiatives to reduce expenses and improve its financial results, which include:

Reducing its operating costs by right sizing the cost structure to the business and leveraging its scale,
Implementing more sophisticated purchasing techniques, and
Increasing use of automation.

While the uncertainties related to the successful implementation of the foregoing initiatives could impact Brinks Home Security's ability to achieve net profitability and positive cash flows in the near term, Brinks Home Security believes it will position itself to improve its operating performance, increase cash flows and create stakeholder value over the long-term.


Adjusted EBITDA
 
We evaluate the performance of our operations based on financial measures such as revenue and "Adjusted EBITDA." Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation, amortization (including the amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets), restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, and other non-cash or non-recurring charges.  Ascent Capital believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its business, including the business’business' ability to fund its ongoing acquisition of subscriber accounts, its capital expenditures and to service its debt.  In addition, this measure is used by management to evaluate operating results and perform analytical comparisons and identify strategies to improve performance.  Adjusted EBITDA is also a measure that is customarily used by financial analysts to evaluate the financial performance of companies in the security alarm monitoring industry and is one of the financial measures, subject to certain adjustments, by which Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's covenants are calculated under the agreements governing theirits debt obligations.  Adjusted EBITDA does not represent cash flow from operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), should not be construed as an alternative to net income or loss and is indicative neither of our results of operations nor of cash flows available to fund all of our cash needs.  It is, however, a measurement that Ascent Capital believes is useful to investors in analyzing its operating performance.  Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.  As companies often define non-GAAP financial measures differently, Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by Ascent Capital should not be compared to any similarly titled measures reported by other companies.


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Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth selected data from the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated (amounts(dollar amounts in thousands).
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2015 2014 2013 
Net revenue (a)$563,356
 539,449
 451,033
 
Cost of services110,246
 93,600
 74,136
 
Selling, general, and administrative, including stock-based compensation121,418
 102,109
 92,002
 
Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets258,668
 253,403
 208,760
 
Gain on disposal of operating assets, net(1,156) (71) (5,473) 
Interest expense(123,743) (117,464) (95,836) 
Income tax expense from continuing operations(6,505) (3,420) (3,270) 
Net loss from continuing operations(86,236) (37,448) (21,600) 
Net loss(83,384) (37,752) (21,471) 
Adjusted EBITDA (b)
 
  
  
 
Monitronics business Adjusted EBITDA$354,807
 362,227
 305,250
 
Corporate Adjusted EBITDA(7,055) (7,422) (776) 
Total Adjusted EBITDA$347,752
 354,805
 304,474
 
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Revenue 
  
  
 
Monitronics business63.0 % 67.1 % 67.7 % 
Corporate(1.3)% (1.4)% (0.2)% 
 Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017
Net revenue$540,358
 553,455
Cost of services128,939
 119,193
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation130,637
 167,887
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets211,639
 236,788
Interest expense191,202
 152,257
Income tax benefit from continuing operations(11,611) (408)
Net loss from continuing operations (b)(698,044) (107,651)
Net loss (b)(698,044) (107,559)
    
Adjusted EBITDA (a)
   
Brinks Home Security business Adjusted EBITDA$289,448
 313,553
Corporate Adjusted EBITDA(8,616) (7,275)
Total Adjusted EBITDA$280,832
 306,278
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Net revenue   
Brinks Home Security business53.6 % 56.7 %
Corporate(1.6)% (1.3)%
    
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net   
Gross subscriber acquisition costs$47,874
 40,312
Revenue associated with subscriber acquisition costs(4,678) (4,852)
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net$43,196
 35,460

(a)         See reconciliation of Net revenue for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2013 reflects the negative impact of $359,000 and $2,715,000, respectively, fair value adjustments that reduced deferred revenue acquired in the Security Networks Acquisition and LiveWatch Acquisition, respectively.loss from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA below.
(b)         See reconciliation to netIncluded in Net loss from continuing operations below.and Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 is a goodwill impairment of $563,549,000. Refer to Note 8, Goodwill, for further information.

Net Revenue.revenue.  Revenue increased $23,907,000,decreased $13,097,000, or 4.4%2.4%, for the year ended December 31, 20152018 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The decrease in net revenue is attributable to the lower average number of subscribers in 2018. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in average RMR per subscriber due to certain price increases enacted during the past twelve months. Average RMR per subscriber increased from $44.04 as of December 31, 2017 to $45.27 as of December 31, 2018. In addition, the Company recognized a $8,149,000 increase in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 from the favorable impact of the new revenue recognition guidance, Topic 606, adopted effective January 1, 2018.

Cost of services.  Cost of services increased $9,746,000, or 8.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The increase is primarily due to expensing certain direct and incremental field service costs on new contracts obtained in connection with a subscriber move ("Moves Costs") of $8,646,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. Upon adoption of Topic 606, all Moves Costs are expensed, whereas prior to adoption, certain Moves Costs were capitalized on the balance sheet. For comparative purposes, Moves Costs capitalized as Subscriber accounts, net for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $14,366,000. Furthermore, subscriber acquisition costs, which include expensed equipment and labor costs associated with the creation of new subscribers, increased to $14,722,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $12,158,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase is attributable to increased production volume in the Company's Direct to Consumer Channel. These increases were partially offset by reduced salary and wage expense due to lower headcount. Cost of services as a percent of net revenue increased from 21.5% for the year ended December 31, 2017 to 23.9% for the year ended December 31, 2018.


Selling, general and administrative.  Selling, general and administrative expense ("SG&A") decreased $37,250,000, or 22.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The decrease is primarily attributable to a $28,000,000 legal settlement recognized in the second quarter of 2017 for class action litigation of alleged violation of telemarketing laws and the 2018 recognition of an aggregate of $12,500,000 in related insurance receivable settlements reached with multiple carriers that provided coverage on the matter. Also contributing to the decrease in 2018 were decreases in stock-based compensation expense, consulting fees related to company cost reduction initiatives and general and administrative headcount. These decreases were offset by increases in SG&A subscriber acquisition costs associated with the creation of new subscribers. Subscriber acquisition costs included in SG&A increased to $33,152,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $28,154,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Other increases in SG&A contributing to the overall change period over period included increased professional legal fees at Ascent Capital, Brinks Home Security rebranding expense and severance expense related to transitioning Ascent Capital executive leadership and a reduction in headcount event at Brinks Home Security. SG&A as a percent of net revenue decreased from 30.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017 to 24.2% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets.  Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets decreased $25,149,000, or 10.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The decrease is related to a lower number of subscriber accounts purchased in the last year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the corresponding prior year as well as the timing of amortization of subscriber accounts acquired prior to 2018, which have a lower rate of amortization in 2018 based on the applicable double declining balance amortization method. Additionally, as discussed above, Moves Costs are expensed under Topic 606, whereas prior to adoption, these Moves Costs were capitalized on the balance sheet and amortized. This change resulted in a $7,487,000 decrease in amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease is partially offset by increased amortization related to accounts acquired subsequent to December 31, 2017.

Interest expense.  Interest expense increased $38,945,000, or 25.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the corresponding prior year. The increase in net revenue is attributable to the growth in the number of subscriber accounts and the increase in average monthly revenue per subscriber.  The growth in subscriber accounts reflects the acquisition of over 157,000 accounts through the Monitronics and LiveWatch subscriber channels, as well as 31,919 accounts from the LiveWatch Acquisition in February 2015. In addition, average monthly revenue per subscriber increased from $41.64 as of December 31, 2014 to $41.92 as of December 31, 2015.  Excluding accounts acquired through the LiveWatch Acquisition, which had an average monthly revenue per subscriber of $28.46, Monitronics' average monthly revenue per subscriber increased from $41.64 to $42.33 for the period ending December 31, 2015. Net revenue also reflects the negative impact of a $359,000 fair value adjustment that reduced deferred revenue acquired in the LiveWatch Acquisition.

Revenue increased $88,416,000, or 19.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The increase in net revenue is attributable to the growth in the number of subscriber accounts and the increase in average monthly revenue per subscriber.  The increase in net revenue is attributable to the growth in the number of subscriber accounts and the increase in average monthly revenue per subscriber.  The growth in subscriber accounts reflects the acquisition of over 200,000 accounts from the Security Networks Acquisition in August 2013 and the acquisition of over 145,000 accounts through Monitronics’ authorized dealer program subsequent to December 31, 2013.  In addition, average monthly revenue per subscriber increased from $40.90 as of December 31, 2013 to $41.64 as of December 31, 2014.  Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013 also reflects the negative impact of a $2,715,000 fair value adjustment that reduced deferred revenue acquired in the Security Networks Acquisition.
Cost of Services.  Cost of services increased $16,646,000 or 17.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The increase is attributable to the inclusion of LiveWatch, which expensed equipment costs associated with the creation of new subscribers of $7,058,000. The increase is also attributable to the growth in the number of accounts being monitored across the cellular network, including home automation accounts, and service costs to upgrade

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existing subscribers' equipment. Service cost of services as a percent of net revenue increased from 17.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014 to 19.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Costs of services increased $19,464,000, or 26.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The increase is attributed to subscriber growth and increases in cellular and service costs as more accounts are being monitored across the cellular network, which require additional service costs to upgrade existing subscribers' equipment. In addition, Monitronics incurred redundant staffing costs at its Dallas, Texas monitoring and call center facilities through April 2014, when the transition of Security Networks operations from Florida to Texas was complete. Cost of service as a percent of net revenue increased from 16.4% for the year ended December 31, 2013 to 17.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Selling, General and Administrative.  Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) increased $19,309,000, or 18.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The primary driver of the increase in SG&A expense is attributable to $11,240,000 of LiveWatch marketing and sales expense related to the creation of new subscribers. LiveWatch SG&A also includes $3,930,000 of contingent bonuses payable to LiveWatch's key members of management in accordance with the employment agreements entered into in connection with th LiveWatch Acquisition. Other increases in SG&A are one-time costs incurred by Monitronics of $946,000 related to professional services rendered in connection with the LiveWatch Acquisition and $720,000 costs incurred to relocate Monitronics' headquarters in July 2015. These increases are partially offset by decreases in Monitronics' staffing and operating costs incurred at its headquarters as a result of the Security Networks' integration being completed in April 2014. SG&A for the year ended December 31, 2014 also includes $2,182,000 of incremental costs incurred in connection with Security Networks integration. SG&A as a percent of net revenue increased from 18.9% for the year ended December 31, 2014 to 21.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) increased $10,107,000, or 11.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The increase is attributable to increases in Monitronics SG&A costs which are primarily attributable to subscriber growth over the last twelve months. In addition, Monitronics incurred redundant staffing and operating costs in its Dallas, Texas headquarters through April 2014, when the transition of Security Network operations from Florida to Texas was completed. SG&A as a percent of net revenue decreased from 20.4% for the year ended December 31, 2013 to 18.9% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Amortization of Subscriber Accounts, Dealer Network and Other Intangible Assets.  Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets increased $5,265,000 and $44,643,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior years.  The increases are attributable to amortization of subscriber accounts acquired subsequent to each of the preceding years ended. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2014, amortization includes approximately $58,126,000 of amortization expense related to the definite lived intangible assets acquired in the Security Networks Acquisition as compared to $23,599,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Gain on the Sale of Assets.  During the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company sold certain land and building property for approximately $20,170,000 property, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $1,151,000. During the year ended December 31, 2014 the Company disposed of certain property, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $71,000. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company sold an equity investment which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $3,250,000.  Additionally, the Company sold certain land and building property for $9,634,000 resulting in a pre-tax gain of $2,221,000. 

Interest Expense.  Interest expense increased $6,279,000 and $21,628,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior years.  The increase in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 is primarily attributable to increases in the Company's consolidated debt balance related to the borrowings incurred to fund the the Company's LiveWatch acquisition and the subsequent amendment of its Credit Facility term loans in April 2015. The increase includes the impact of the amortization of the debt discount and deferred financing costs related to the Company's outstanding debt.

The increase in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 is attributable to increases in the Company's consolidated debt balance related to the borrowings incurred to fund the Security Networks Acquisition. This increase includes the impact of therevolving credit facility activity, higher interest rates from increasing LIBOR rates and increased amortization of the debt discount related toand deferred debt costs under the beneficial conversion feature of Ascent Capital's Convertible Notes issued in the third quarter of 2013. The increase is partially offset by the favorable repricing of Monitronics' credit facilityeffective interest rates effective March 25, 2013.

rate method. Amortization of debt discount and deferred debt costs included in interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018 and 20132017 was $10,357,000, $9,023,000$41,430,000 and $5,851,000,$11,111,000, respectively. 

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Income Taxes from Continuing Operations.  Fordebt discount and deferred debt costs in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015, we2018 is $3,128,000 of accelerated amortization related to the Convertible Notes debt discount and deferred debt costs, $2,784,000 of accelerated amortization related to the Senior Notes debt premium and deferred debt costs and $23,215,000 of accelerated amortization related to the Credit Facility debt discount and deferred debt costs.

Income tax benefit from continuing operations.  The Company had a pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $79,731,000$709,655,000 and income tax expensebenefit from continuing operations of $6,505,000.  For$11,611,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014, we2018.  The Company had a pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $34,028,000$108,059,000 and income tax expensebenefit from continuing operations of $3,420,000.  For$408,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013, we had a pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $18,330,000 and2017.  The income tax expense from continuing operationsbenefit for the year ended December 31, 2018 is attributable to the deferred tax impact of $3,270,000.  Incomethe full impairment of Brinks Home Security's goodwill, partially offset by Brinks Home Security's state tax expense incurred from Texas margin tax. The income tax benefit from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 20152017 is attributable to Monitronics’ state tax expense and the deferred tax impact from amortization of deductible goodwillprimarily attributable to the Security Networks and LiveWatch acquisitions. IncomeUnited States federal tax expense from continuing operations forreform legislation that was enacted on December 22, 2017, which lowered the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is attributable to Monitronics’ state tax expense and the deferred tax impact from amortization of deductible goodwill attributable to the Security Networks Acquisition. For the year ended December 31, 2013,federal corporate income tax rate from continuing operations is offset by the reduction35% to 21% beginning in valuation allowance as a result of acquisition accounting for the Security Networks Acquisition. fiscal year 2018.

Net loss from continuing operations. For the year ended December 31, 2015,The Company had net loss from continuing operations increased to $86,236,000 from $37,448,000of $698,044,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in net loss from continuing operations is attributable2018, as compared to a $13,256,000 increase in costs incurred under the Company's Radio Conversion Program, the negative impact of expensed creation costs as a result of LiveWatch's direct-to-consumer model (which is further discussed in Adjusted EBITDA below), increased interest costs and refinancing costs of $4,468,000 related to the April 2015 amendment to Monitronics' Credit Facility and $6,389,000 of non-cash charges$107,651,000 for other-than-temporary impairments recognized on certain marketable securities.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, net loss from continuing operations increased to $37,448,000 from $21,600,000 for the year end December 31, 2013.2017. The increase in net loss from continuing operations is primarily attributablerelated to increased interest coststhe $563,549,000 goodwill impairment recognized in 2018, reductions in net revenue and the gains on sale of Ascent Capital properties recognized in 2017 offset by the $28,000,000 legal settlement reserve recognized in the second quarter of 2017 as a result of the borrowings incurred to fund the Security Networks Acquisition.discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA. The following table provides a reconciliation of total Adjusted EBITDA to netNet loss from continuing operations to total Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):
 Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014 2013
Adjusted EBITDA$347,752
 354,805
 304,474
Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets(258,668) (253,403) (208,760)
Depreciation(10,444) (10,145) (8,941)
Stock-based compensation(7,343) (7,164) (8,174)
Restructuring charges
 (952) (1,111)
Radio Conversion Program costs(14,369) (1,113) 
One-time severance expense (a)(112) 
 
LiveWatch acquisition related costs(946) 
 
LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges(3,930) 
 
Monitronics Headquarters relocation costs(720) 
 
Security Networks Acquisition costs
 
 (2,470)
Security Networks Integration costs
 (2,182) (1,264)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on marketable securities(6,389) 
 
Refinancing expense, net of gain on extinguishment of debt(3,723) 
 
Interest income2,904
 3,590
 3,752
Interest expense(123,743) (117,464) (95,836)
Income tax expense from continuing operations(6,505) (3,420) (3,270)
Net loss from continuing operations$(86,236) (37,448) (21,600)
 Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017
Net loss from continuing operations$(698,044) (107,651)
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets211,639
 236,788
Depreciation11,457
 8,844
Stock-based compensation1,615
 7,229
Radio conversion costs
 450
Legal settlement reserve (related insurance recovery)(12,500) 28,000
Severance expense (a)4,014
 1,363
LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges250
 189
Rebranding marketing program7,410
 880
Integration / implementation of company initiatives516
 2,425
Gain on revaluation of acquisition dealer liabilities(240) (1,358)
Impairment of capitalized software
 713
Loss on goodwill impairment563,549
 
Gain on disposal of operating assets
 (21,217)
Interest income(2,439) (2,446)
Interest expense191,202
 152,257
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments3,151
 
Refinancing expense13,356
 
Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities, net(3,251) 220
Release of foreign currency translation adjustments758
 
Income tax benefit from continuing operations(11,611) (408)
Adjusted EBITDA$280,832
 306,278
 
 
(a)         Severance expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 related to transitioning executive leadership at Monitronics.Ascent Capital and a reduction in headcount event at Brinks Home Security. Severance expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to transitioning executive leadership and a reduction in headcount event at Brinks Home Security.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $7,053,000,$25,446,000, or 2.0%8.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  Adjusted EBITDA is negatively impacted for the year ending December 31, 2015 due to LiveWatch's direct-to-

32


consumer business, which requires it to recognize certain revenue and expenses associated with the creation of subscriber accounts. This is in contrast to Monitronics' dealer business, which capitalizes payments to dealers to acquire accounts and amortizes those payments to amortization expense over the life of the accounts.  LiveWatch's expensed creation costs, net of creation revenue, included in adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $14,276,000.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $50,331,000, or 16.5% for the year ended December 31, 20142018 as compared to the corresponding prior year.  The decrease is primarily the result of lower revenues, the expensing of subscriber moves in 2018, an increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to revenue growth. subscriber acquisition costs and Ascent Capital professional legal fees as discussed above.

MonitronicsBrinks Home Security's consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $354,807,000, $362,227,000$289,448,000 and $305,250,000$313,553,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018 and 2013,2017, respectively.

Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net. Subscriber acquisition costs, net increased to $43,196,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $35,460,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in subscriber acquisition costs, net is primarily attributable to the increase in volume of direct sales subscriber acquisitions year over year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Capital Resources

At December 31, 2015,2018, we had $5,577,000$105,921,000 of cash and cash equivalents, $55,000equivalents. Subsequent to December 31, 2018, we used an aggregate of current restrictedapproximately $70,700,000 of our cash to make payments pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement (as defined in “Part I - Item 3. Legal Proceedings - Other Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) and $87,052,000an additional approximately $19,800,000 of marketable securities on a consolidated basis.our cash to pay holders of our Convertible Notes whose Convertible Notes were accepted for payment in the Amended Tender Offer (as defined below). We may use a portion of these assetsour remaining cash and cash equivalents to decrease debt obligations, fund stock repurchases, or fund potential strategic acquisitions or investment opportunities.
 
Additionally, our other source of funds is our cash flows from operating activities which are primarily generated from the operations of Monitronics.Brinks Home Security.  During the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018 and 2013,2017, our cash flow from operating activities was $207,885,000, $233,870,000$92,931,000 and $212,233,000,$136,497,000, respectively.  The primary driverdrivers of our cash flow from operating activities is Adjusted EBITDA.  Fluctuationsare the fluctuations in our Adjusted EBITDArevenues and the components of that measure areoperating expenses as discussed in “Results"Results of Operations”Operations" above.  In addition, our cash flow from operating activities may be significantly impacted by changes in working capital.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018 and 2013,2017, the Company used cash of $266,558,000, $268,160,000$140,450,000 and $234,914,000,$142,909,000, respectively, to fund subscriber account acquisitions, net of holdback and guarantee obligations.  In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018 and 2013,2017, the Company used cash of $12,431,000, $7,769,000$14,903,000 and $9,939,000,$14,393,000, respectively, to fund its capital expenditures. 

In 2015, Monitronics paid cash of $56,778,000 for the acquisition of LiveWatch, net of the transfer of $3,988,000 to LiveWatch upon the Closing Date to fund LiveWatch employees' transaction bonuses and LiveWatch cash on hand of $784,000. The LiveWatch Acquisition was funded by borrowings from Monitronics' expanded Credit Factility revolver as well as cash contributions from Ascent Capital.

In 2013, we paid cash of $478,738,000 as part of the purchase price paid to acquire Security Networks, net of Security Networks cash on hand of $3,096,000.  The Security Networks Acquisition was funded by the proceeds of Ascent Capital’s July issuance of $103,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of 4.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2020, the proceeds of Monitronics’ issuance of $175,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 9.125% Senior Notes due 2020 and the proceeds of incremental term loans of $225,000,000 issued under Monitronics’ existing credit facility, and approximately $20,000,000 of cash on hand.  In addition to the cash paid, the purchase price also consisted of 253,333 shares of Ascent Capital’s Series A common stock (par value $0.01 per share) with a Closing Date fair value of $18,723,000.

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018 and 2013,2017, we purchased marketable securities for cash of $26,934,000, $4,603,000$39,022,000 and $21,770,000,$26,634,000, respectively. In addition, the Company sold marketable securities for proceeds of $57,291,000$143,316,000 and $7,842,000$1,108,000 for the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, respectively.

On June 16, 2011,The existing long-term debt of the Company announced that it received authorizationat December 31, 2018 includes the aggregate principal balance of $1,901,225,000 under (i) the Ascent Capital Convertible Notes totaling $96,775,000 in aggregate principal amount, maturing on July 15, 2020 and bearing interest at 4.00% per annum, (ii) the Brinks Home Security senior notes totaling $585,000,000 in principal, maturing on April 1, 2020 and bearing interest at 9.125% per annum (the "Senior Notes"), and (iii) the $1,100,000,000 senior secured term loan and $295,000,000 super priority revolver under the sixth amendment to implementthe Brinks Home Security secured credit agreement dated March 23, 2012, as amended (the "Credit Facility"). The Convertible Notes had an outstanding principal balance of $96,775,000 as of December 31, 2018. Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Settlement Agreement and the consummation of the Amended Tender Offer (as defined below), an aggregate principal amount of $260,000 of Convertible Notes remain outstanding. The Senior Notes have an outstanding principal balance of $585,000,000 as of December 31, 2018. The Credit Facility term loan has an outstanding principal balance of $1,075,250,000 as of December 31, 2018 and requires principal payments of $2,750,000 per quarter with the remaining amount becoming due on September 30, 2022.  The Credit Facility revolver has an outstanding balance of $144,200,000 and a stock repurchase program,$600,000 standby letter of credit issued as of December 31, 2018, which becomes due on September 30, 2021.

On February 14, 2019, the Company repurchased $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Convertible Notes pursuant to the Settlement Agreement (as defined and described in “Part I - Item 3. Legal Proceedings - Other Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Convertible Notes repurchased pursuant to the Settlement Agreement were cancelled.

On February 19, 2019, the Company commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding Convertible Notes (the “Tender Offer”). On March 22, 2019, the Company entered into transaction support agreements with holders of approximately $18,554,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes, pursuant to which itthe Company agreed to increase the purchase price for the Convertible Notes in the Tender Offer to $950 per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, with no accrued and unpaid interest to be payable (as so amended, the “Amended Tender Offer”) and such holders agreed to tender, or cause to be tendered, into the Amended Tender Offer all Convertible Notes held by such holders. The Amended Tender Offer expired at 5:00 pm Eastern time on March 29, 2019 and was settled on April 1, 2019. A total of $20,841,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes were accepted for payment pursuant to the Amended Tender Offer. The information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K shall not constitute an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the Convertible Notes or any other securities of the Company, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of such securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.


The maturity date for each of the term loan and the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility is subject to a springing maturity 181 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Senior Notes, or October 3, 2019, if Brinks Home Security is unable to refinance the Senior Notes by that date. Since Brinks Home Security has not refinanced the Senior Notes and the springing maturity date of October 3, 2019 occurs in a period less than twelve months after the issuance date of the accompanying consolidated financial statements, management has concluded there is substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.  Based on the factors above and other factors discussed below, the Company has received a going concern qualification in connection with the external audit report of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Furthermore, as there is substantial doubt about Brinks Home Security's ability to continue as a going concern, Brinks Home Security has received a going concern qualification in connection with its standalone external audit report of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2018, which is an event of default under Brinks Home Security’s Credit Facility. At any time after the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders may, purchaseamong other options, declare any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility immediately due and payable and terminate any commitment to make further loans under the Credit Facility. A default under the Credit Facility is also an event of default under the Senior Notes. If an event of default under the indenture governing the Senior Notes occurs and is continuing, the holders of the Senior Notes may declare the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes and any accrued interest on the Senior Notes to be immediately due and payable. To the extent that an event of default under the indenture governing the Senior Notes exists, Brinks Home Security will seek a waiver or forbearance of such event of default.

Brinks Home Security has obtained a waiver from the Credit Facility revolving loan lenders and a forbearance from the Credit Facility term lenders, in each case with respect to the default in connection with the going concern qualification contained in Brinks Home Security’s external audit report of their Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “Going Concern Default”), and in each case through April 30, 2019, subject to the terms and conditions of the waiver and forbearance. The waiver obtained from the Credit Facility revolving loan lenders allows Brinks Home Security to continue to borrow under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility, up to $25,000,000$195,000,000 at an alternate base rate plus 3.00%. The forbearance obtained from the Credit Facility term lenders states that the term loan lenders will not exercise remedies with respect to an event of itsdefault that may mature from the Going Concern Default. The Going Concern Default and any resulting event of default under the Credit Facility term loan would continue, absent a waiver from the term loan lenders. To the extent any waiver or forbearance under the Credit Facility expires, any acceleration as a result of an event of default under the Credit Facility would trigger an Event of Default under the indenture governing the Senior Notes. To the extent an event of default under such indenture occurs, Brinks Home Security would seek to obtain a waiver or forbearance from the bondholders thereunder.

Nasdaq Deficiency Notices

Our Series A Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. As a Nasdaq listed company, we are required to satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.

On November 26, 2018, we received a letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the market value of publicly held shares of our Series A common stock (“MVPHS”) for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $15 million, which is the minimum market value of publicly held shares (the “MVPHS Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(3)(C). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(D), we have been provided 180 calendar days, or until May 28, 2019, to regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement. To regain compliance, our MVPHS must be at least $15 million for at least ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period, at which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to us and close the matter. If we do not regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement within the 180-day compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice to us that our Series A common stock is subject to delisting. We may transfer our Series A common stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market, provided we meet the listing requirements for that market, but there can be no assurance that we will meet those listing requirements. Alternatively, if the Series A Common Stock is not eligible to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we intend to apply to have the Series A Common Stock quoted on the OTC Market.

In addition, on December 28, 2018, we received a letter (the “Minimum Bid Notice”) from Nasdaq indicating that the closing bid price of our Series A common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $1.00, which is the minimum closing bid price (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have been provided 180 calendar days, or until June 26, 2019, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of our Series A common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for at least ten consecutive

business days during this 180-day period, at which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to the Company of compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and close the matter. The Minimum Bid Notice provides that, if we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by June 26, 2019, we may be eligible to transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market and take advantage of an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify, we would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, and provide written notice of our intention to cure the minimum bid price deficiency during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse split, if necessary. If we meet these requirements, we will be granted an additional compliance period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, but there can be no assurance that we will meet those listing requirements. If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by June 26, 2019, and the Nasdaq staff determines that we will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if we are not otherwise eligible for any additional compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice that our Series A common stock is subject to delisting. Alternatively, if the Series A Common Stock is not eligible to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we intend to apply to have the Series A Common Stock quoted on the OTC Market.

While Nasdaq’s rules permit us to appeal any delisting determination, there can be no assurance the Nasdaq’s staff would grant our request for continued listing. Further, there can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement or the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s other continued listing requirements.

In addition, a delisting of our Series A Common Stock from Nasdaq would negatively impact us because it could, among other things: (i) reduce the liquidity and market price of our common stock; (ii) reduce the amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; (iii) reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing and the ability of our shareholders to sell our common stock; (iv) limit our ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing us from accessing the public capital markets; (v) impair our ability to provide liquid equity incentives to our employees; and (vi) have negative reputational impact for us with our customers, suppliers, employees and other persons with whom we transact from time to time.  On November 14, 2013, November 10, 2014 and September 4, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, at each date, the repurchase of an incremental $25,000,000 of its

If our Series A Common Stock ceases to be listed on at least one U.S. national securities exchange, such cessation would constitute a “fundamental change,” as such term is defined in the indenture (the "Share Repurchase Authorizations"“Indenture”) governing our 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020 (the "Convertible Notes").


33


During 2015, the Company repurchased 940,729 shares of its Series A common stock at an average purchase price of $31.88 per share for a total of approximately $29,988,000 pursuant to the Share Repurchase Authorizations. During 2014, the Company repurchased 557,309 shares of its Series A common stock at an average purchase price of $64.12 per share for a total of approximately $35,734,000 pursuant to the Share Repurchase Authorizations. There were no stock repurchases pursuant to the Share Repurchase Authorizations during 2013. These repurchased shares were all canceled and returned to the status of authorized and unissued. As of December 31, 2015, the remaining availabilityConvertible Notes would have the right, at such noteholder’s option, to require Ascent Capital to repurchase for cash all or a portion of such noteholder’s Convertible Notes on the repurchase date specified by Ascent Capital in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with any accrued and unpaid interest, including any unpaid “additional interest” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) to, but excluding, the “fundamental change repurchase date” (as such term is defined in the Indenture). We may not have sufficient funds, or be able to obtain financing, to pay the fundamental change repurchase price if we are required to repurchase the Convertible Notes. A failure to pay the fundamental change repurchase price if we are required to repurchase the Convertible Notes would constitute an event of default under the Company's Share Repurchase Authorizations will enable the Company to purchase up toIndenture. If an aggregateevent of approximately $9,910,000 of Series A Common Stock. The Company may also purchase shares of its Series B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share,default occurs under the increased program.

In December 2015,Indenture, either the Company used cashtrustee under the Indenture or the holders of $4,653,000 to repurchase outstanding Convertible Notes representing $6,725,000 inthe requisite aggregate principal amount which wereof the Convertible Notes then retired.outstanding in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture may accelerate the due date of the entire outstanding principal amount of, and any accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid additional interest on all the Convertible Notes, to be due and payable immediately.

Radio Conversion Costs

Recently, Brinks Home Security has become aware that certain cellular carriers of 3G and CDMA cellular networks will be retiring their 3G and CDMA networks by the end of 2022 and Brinks Home Security currently estimates that the retirement of these networks will impact approximately 510,000 of its subscribers. Brinks Home Security is working on plans to identify and offer equipment upgrades to this population of subscribers. While such plans are not finalized, Brinks Home Security does expect to incur incremental expenses over the next three years related to retirement of 3G and CDMA networks. Total costs for the conversion of such customers are subject to numerous variables, including Brinks Home Security's ability to work with its partners and subscribers on cost sharing initiatives.

Liquidity Outlook

In considering our liquidity requirements for 2016,the next twelve months, we evaluated our known future commitments and obligations.  obligations including factors discussed above.  Brinks Home Security has engaged financial and legal advisors to advise it regarding potential alternatives to address the issues described above. There can be no assurance that any such potential alternatives or restructuring transactions will be possible on acceptable terms, if at all. Brinks Home Security may not be able

to come to an arrangement that is acceptable to all of its stakeholders. Brinks Home Security’s failure to reach an arrangement on the terms of a restructuring with its stakeholders would have a material adverse effect on its and our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations, including requiring it to potentially file a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in order to implement a restructuring plan.

We will require the availability of funds to finance the strategy of our primary operating subsidiary, Monitronics,Brinks Home Security, which is to grow through the acquisition of subscriber accounts.  In 2014, Monitronics implemented a Radio Conversion Program in response to one of the nation's largest carriers announcing that it does not intend to support its 2G cellular network services beyond 2016. The Company has incurred $14,369,000 and $1,113,000 in connection with the Radio Conversion Program for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, Monitronics could incur incremental costs of $17,000,000 to $21,000,000 in 2016, as it replaces or upgrades equipment used in those of our subscribers' security systems that operate over this carrier's network. As of December 31, 2015, we have approximately 41% of the 2G subscriber base remaining to convert from the 2G cellular network. We considered the expected cash flow from Monitronics,Brinks Home Security, as this business is the driver of our operating cash flows, as well asflows. In addition, we considered the current borrowing capacity of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's Credit Facility revolver, under which MonitronicsBrinks Home Security could, subject to the recently obtained waiver by Credit Facility revolving lenders, borrow an additional $181,750,000$50,200,000 as of December 31, 2015.  Based on this analysis, we expect that cash on hand, cash flow generated2018. Without additional waivers or forbearances from operations and borrowings under the Monitronics’ Credit Facility will provide sufficient liquidity, given our anticipated current and future requirements.
The existing long-term debt of the Company at December 31, 2015 includes the principal balance of $1,764,684,000 under its Convertible Notes, Senior Notes, Credit Facility, and Credit Facility revolver.  The Convertible Notes have an outstanding principal balance of $96,775,000 as of December 31, 2015 and mature July 15, 2020.  The Senior Notes have an outstanding principal balance of $585,000,000 as of December 31, 2015 are due on April 1, 2020. The Credit Facility term loans have an outstanding principal balance of $949,659,000 as of December 31, 2015 and require principal payments of $1,375,000 per quarter with $403,784,000 becoming due on March 23, 2018 and the remaining amount becoming due April 9, 2022.  The Credit Facility revolver has an outstanding balance of $133,250,000 as of December 31, 2015 and becomes due on December 22, 2017.revolving lenders, there may be insufficient liquidity to finance Brinks Home Security's operating strategy.

We may seek external equity or debt financing in the event of any new investment opportunities, additional capital expenditures or our operations requiringrequire additional funds, but there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain equity or debt financing on terms that would be acceptable to us or at all.  Our ability to seek additional sources of funding depends on our future financial position and results of operations, which are subject to general conditions in or affecting our industry and our customerssubscribers and to general economic, political, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors beyond our control.


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Contractual Obligations
Information concerning the amount and timing of required payments under our contractual obligations at December 31, 2015 is summarized below (amounts in thousands):
 Payments Due by Period
 
Less than
 1 Year
 1-3 Years 3-5 Years 
After 5
 Years
 Total
Operating leases$5,414
 5,905
 5,870
 30,905
 48,094
Long-term debt (a)5,500
 548,034
 692,775
 518,375
 1,764,684
Other (b)16,496
 220
 522
 5,767
 23,005
Total contractual obligations$27,410
 554,159
 699,167
 555,047
 1,835,783
(a)Amounts reflect principal amounts owed and therefore exclude net unamortized discount, premiums, and deferred debt costs, of $45,316,000.  Amounts also exclude interest payments which are based on variable interest rates.
(b)Primarily represents Monitronics holdback liability whereby it withholds payment of a designated percentage of acquisition cost when it acquires subscriber accounts from dealers. The holdback is used as a reserve to cover any terminated subscriber accounts that are not replaced by the dealer during the guarantee period.  At the end of the guarantee period, the dealer is responsible for any deficit or is paid the balance of the holdback.
We have contingent liabilities related to legal proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible we may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
None.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Valuation of Subscriber Accounts
 
Subscriber accounts, which totaled $1,423,538,000$1,195,463,000 net of accumulated amortization, at December 31, 2015,2018, relate primarily to the cost of acquiring portfolios of monitoring service contracts from independent dealers.  The subscriber accounts acquired in the Monitronics and Security NetworksBrinks Home Security's business acquisitions were recorded at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting.  Subscriber accounts not acquired as part of a business combination are recorded at cost.  All direct external costs and certain internalincremental costs, including bonus incentives related to account activation at LiveWatch,in the Direct to Consumer Channel, associated with the creation of subscriber accounts, including new subscriber contracts obtained in connection with a subscriber move, are capitalized. capitalized (the "subscriber accounts asset"). Upon adoption of Topic 606, all Moves Costs are expensed, whereas prior to adoption, certain Moves Costs were capitalized on the balance sheet.
 
The costs of subscriber accounts acquired in the Monitronics and Security NetworksBrinks Home Security's business acquisitions, as well as certain accounts acquired in bulk purchases, are amortized using the 14-year 235% declining balance method.  The costs of all other subscriber accounts are amortized using the 15-year 220% declining balance method, beginning in the month following the date of acquisition.  The amortization methods were selected to provide an approximate matching of the amortization of the subscriber accounts intangible asset to estimated future subscriber revenues based on the projected lives of individual subscriber contracts.  The realizable value and remaining useful lives of these assets could be impacted by changes in subscriber attrition rates, which could have an adverse effect on our earnings.
 
The Company reviewshas processes and controls in place, including the review of key performance indicators, to assist management in identifying events or circumstances that indicate the subscriber accounts for impairment or a change in amortization method and period whenever events or changes indicateasset may not be recoverable. If an indicator that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable orexists, management tests the life should be shortened.subscriber accounts asset for impairment. For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, we viewthe Company views subscriber accounts as a single pool, for each of the Dealer Channel and the Direct to Consumer Channel, because of the assets’ homogeneous characteristics, and because the pool of subscriber accounts is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of the other assets and liabilities.
Valuation of Long-lived Assets and Amortizable Other Intangible Assets
We perform If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment tests for our long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment, if an event or circumstance indicates that the carrying amount of our long-lived assets may notloss to be recoverable.  We are subject to the possibility of impairment of

35


long-lived assets arising in the ordinary course of business. We regularly consider the likelihood of impairment and may recognize impairment if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or intangible asset is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows.  Impairmentrecognized is measured as the difference betweenamount by which the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. We use bothassets exceeds the estimated fair value, as determined using the income approach and market approach to estimate fair value. Our estimates of fair value are subject to a high degree of judgment since they include a long-term forecast of future operations. Accordingly, any value ultimately derived from our long-lived assets may differ from our estimate of fair value.approach.

Valuation of Trade Receivables
We must make estimates ofIn addition, the collectability of our trade receivables.  We perform extensive credit evaluations onCompany reviews the portfolios of subscriber accounts priorasset amortization methodology annually to acquisition and require no collateral onensure the accounts that are acquired.  We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of subscribers to make required payments.  Factors such as historical-loss experience, recoveries and economic conditions are considered in determining the sufficiency of the allowance to cover potential losses.  Our trade receivables balance was $13,622,000, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,762,000, as of December 31, 2015.  As of December 31, 2014, our trade receivables balance was $13,796,000, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,120,000.methodology is consistent with actual experience.
 
Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC")FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, we review the nature of each component of our deferred income taxes for the ability to realize the future tax benefits.  As part of this review, we rely on the objective evidence of our current

performance and the subjective evidence of estimates of our forecast of future operations.  Our estimates of realizability are subject to a high degree of judgment since they include such forecasts of future operations.  After consideration of all available positive and negative evidence and estimates, we have determined that it is more likely than not that we will not realize the tax benefits associated with our United States deferred tax assets and certain foreign deferred tax assets, and as such, we have a valuation allowance which totaled $90,216,000$150,612,000 and $63,214,000$104,006,000 as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, respectively.

Valuation of Goodwill
 
As ofDuring the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, we hadrecorded a full goodwill impairment of $563,549,000, which represents approximately 26% of total assets.$563,549,000. Goodwill was recorded in connection with theAscent Capital's acquisition of Monitronics Security Networksin 2010 and LiveWatchMonitronics' subsequent business acquisitions.  The Company accounts for its goodwill pursuant to the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other ("FASB ASC Topic 350").  In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for impairment at least annually.
 
To the extent necessary, recoverability of goodwill for the reporting unit is measured using a discounted cash flow model incorporating discount rates commensurate with the risks involved, which is classified as a Level 3 measurement under FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow valuation model include discount rates, growth rates, cash flow projections and terminal value rates. Discount rates, growth rates and cash flow projections are the most sensitive and susceptible to change as they require significant management judgment.
 
We perform our annualThe Company assesses the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter of eachits fiscal year.  In the event that we are not able to achieve expected cash flow levels,year, based on October 31 financial information, or other factorswhenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the goodwill of a reporting unit may not be fully recoverable. In early June 2018, the reportable segments known as MONI and LiveWatch were combined and presented as Brinks Home Security. As a result of the change in reportable segments, goodwill assigned to these former reporting units was reallocated and combined under the Brinks Home Security reporting unit. Recoverability is impaired, we may need to write off all or partmeasured at the reporting unit level based on the provisions of our goodwill, which would adversely impact our operating results and financial position.FASB ASC Topic 350.


36


ITEM 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk
 
As of December 31, 2015, we have variable interest rate debt with principal amounts of $1,082,909,000.  As a result, weWe have exposure to changes in interest rates related to thesethe terms of our debt obligations.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security uses derivative financial instruments to manage the exposure related to the movement in interest rates.  As of December 31, 2015, we have seven outstanding derivatives with a net liability fair value of $13,470,000.  The derivatives are designated as hedges and were entered into with the intention of reducing the risk associated with variable interest rates on the debt obligations.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Tabular Presentation of Interest Rate Risk

The table below provides information about our outstanding debt obligations and derivative financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rate swaps are presented at their fair value amount and by maturity date.date as of December 31, 2018. Debt amounts represent principal payments by maturity date.
  As of December 31, 2015
Year of Maturity 
Fixed Rate
Derivative
Instruments,
net (a)
 
Variable Rate
Debt
 
Fixed Rate
 Debt
 Total
  Amounts in thousands
2016 
 5,500
 
 5,500
2017 
 138,750
 
 138,750
2018 8,610
 409,284
 
 417,894
2019 
 5,500
 
 5,500
2020 
 5,500
 681,775
 687,275
2021 
 5,500
 
 5,500
Thereafter 4,860
 512,875
 
 517,735
Total $13,470
 1,082,909
 681,775
 1,778,154
(a)The derivative financial instruments reflected in this column include seven interest rate swaps.  The termsdate, assuming certain accelerated maturities due to potential events of the Company’s outstanding swap derivative instrumentsdefault, as of December 31, 2015 are as follows:2018.
Notional Effective Date Maturity Date Fixed
Rate Paid
 Variable Rate Received
$529,375,000
 March 28, 2013 March 23, 2018 1.884% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor (a)
140,287,500
 March 28, 2013 March 23, 2018 1.384% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor (a)
109,673,367
 September 30, 2013 March 23, 2018 1.959% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
109,673,367
 September 30, 2013 March 23, 2018 1.850% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
191,475,002
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 2.924% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
250,000,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 2.810% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
50,000,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 2.504% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
Year of Maturity 
Fixed Rate
Derivative
Instruments,
net (a)
 
Variable Rate
Debt
 
Fixed Rate
 Debt
 Total
  (Amounts in thousands)
2019 $
 1,219,450
 681,775
 1,901,225
2020 
 
 
 
2021 
 
 
 
2022 (4,513) 
 
 (4,513)
2023 
 
 
 
Thereafter 
 
 
 
Total $(4,513) 1,219,450
 681,775
 1,896,712
 
(a) 
On March 25, 2013, Monitronics negotiated amendments to the termsThe derivative financial instruments reflected in this column include four interest rate swaps with a maturity date in 2022.  As a result of these interest rate swap agreements, which were entered into in March 2012 (the "Existing Swap Agreements," as amended,swaps, Brinks Home Security's effective weighted average interest rate (excluding the "Amended Swaps"). The Amended Swaps are held withimpacts of non-cash amortization of deferred debt costs and discounts) on the same counterparties as the Existing Swap Agreements. Upon entering into the Amended Swaps, Monitronics simultaneously dedesignated the Existing Swap Agreements and redesignated the Amended Swaps as cash flow hedges for the underlying change in the swap terms. The amounts previously recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss relating to the dedesignation are recognized in Interest expense over the remaining life of the Amended Swaps.borrowings under

37



the Credit Facility term loan is 8.08% as of December 31, 2018.  The terms of the Company’s outstanding swap derivative instruments as of December 31, 2018 are as follows:
Notional Effective Date Maturity Date Fixed Rate Paid Variable Rate Received
$189,506,107
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 3.110% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
247,500,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 3.110% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
49,500,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 2.504% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
373,230,000
 March 23, 2018 September 30, 2022 1.833% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
Our consolidated financial statements are filed under this Item, beginning on page 4144.  The financial statement schedules required by Regulation S-X are filed under Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chairman, presidentchief executive officer and principal accountingchief financial officer (the "Executives"), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company’sCompany's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 20152018 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’sCommission's rules and forms.forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified during the three months ended December 31, 20152018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

MANAGEMENT’SMANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
Ascent Capital’sCapital's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Company’sCompany's financial reporting. The Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (3) provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (4) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’sCompany's assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.


The Company assessed the design and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015.2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”("COSO") in Internal Control—IntegratedControl-Integrated Framework (2013).

Based upon our assessment using the criteria contained inset forth by COSO, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2015, Ascent Capital’s internal control over financial reporting is effectively designed and operating effectively.
Ascent Capital acquired LiveWatch during 2015, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of2018, Ascent Capital's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, LiveWatch's internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of $63,267,000is designed and total revenues of $14,734,000 included in the consolidated financial statements of Ascent Capital as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015.operating effectively.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 has been audited by KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements.  Their report appears on next page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


38


ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.


39


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors and Stockholders
Ascent Capital Group, Inc.:

We have audited Ascent Capital Group, Inc’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Ascent Capital Group, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinionOpinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Ascent Capital Group, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Ascent Capital Group, Inc. acquired LiveWatch Security, LLC. during 2015, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of Ascent Capital Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, LiveWatch Security, LLC’s internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of $63,267,000 and total revenues of $14,734,000 included in the consolidated financial statements of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. (and subsidiaries) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of LiveWatch Security, LLC.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015,and our report dated February 29, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements


40


/s/ KPMG LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 29, 2016

41


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Ascent Capital Group, Inc.:
Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014, and2017, the related consolidated statements of incomeoperations and comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and stockholders’ (deficit) equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015. 2018, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has substantial indebtedness classified within current liabilities that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for revenue transactions with customers due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended.

Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. Anmisstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit includesof its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessingstatements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statement presentation.statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, during 2015, Ascent Capital Group, Inc. adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) and ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Ascent Capital Group, Inc.’s internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 29, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 /s/ KPMG LLP
  
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2008.
Dallas, Texas 
February 29, 2016April 1, 2019 


42


ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Amounts in thousands, except share amounts
As of December 31,As of December 31,
2015 20142018 2017
Assets      
Current assets: 
  
 
  
Cash and cash equivalents$5,577
 $12,612
$105,921
 10,465
Restricted cash55
 18
189
 
Marketable securities, at fair value87,052
 122,593

 105,958
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,762 in 2015 and $2,120 in 201413,622
 13,796
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,759 in 2018 and $4,162 in 201713,121
 12,645
Prepaid and other current assets10,702
 8,546
32,202
 11,175
Assets held for sale6,265
 18,935
Total current assets123,273
 176,500
151,433
 140,243
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $32,158 in 2015 and $30,030 in 201432,440
 36,010
Subscriber accounts, net of accumulated amortization of $975,795 in 2015 and $736,824 in 20141,423,538
 1,373,630
Dealer network and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $73,578 in 2015 and
$54,077 in 2014
26,654
 44,855
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $40,827 in 2018 and $37,915 in 201736,549
 32,823
Subscriber accounts, net of accumulated amortization of $1,621,242 in 2018 and $1,439,164 in 20171,195,463
 1,302,028
Dealer network and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $0 in 2018 and $42,806 in 2017
 6,994
Goodwill563,549
 527,502

 563,549
Deferred income tax asset, net783
 
Other assets, net3,851
 4,845
29,316
 9,348
Total assets$2,173,305
 $2,163,342
$1,413,544
 2,054,985
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity 
  
Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity 
  
Current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Accounts payable$8,660
 $6,781
$12,668
 11,092
Accrued payroll and related liabilities4,385
 4,077
Other accrued liabilities31,573
 30,727
36,006
 56,282
Deferred revenue16,207
 14,945
13,060
 13,871
Holdback liability16,386
 19,046
11,513
 9,309
Current portion of long-term debt5,500
 9,166
1,895,175
 11,000
Liabilities of discontinued operations3,500
 6,401
Total current liabilities86,211
 91,143
1,968,422
 101,554
Non-current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Long-term debt1,713,868
 1,595,649

 1,778,044
Long-term holdback liability3,786
 5,156
1,770
 2,658
Derivative financial instruments13,470
 5,780
6,039
 13,491
Deferred income tax liability, net13,646
 9,529

 13,311
Other liabilities17,555
 16,397
2,742
 3,255
Total liabilities1,848,536
 1,723,654
1,978,973
 1,912,313
Commitments and contingencies

 



 

Stockholders’ equity: 
  
Stockholders' (deficit) equity: 
  
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued
 

 
Series A common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 12,301,248 and 13,162,095 shares at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively123
 132
Series B common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 382,359 and 384,086 shares at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively4
 4
Series A common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 12,080,683 and 11,999,630 shares at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively121
 120
Series B common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 381,528 at both December 31, 2018 and December 31, 20174
 4
Series C common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; no shares issued
 

 
Additional paid-in capital1,417,895
 1,441,291
1,425,325
 1,423,899
Accumulated deficit(1,078,315) (994,931)(1,998,487) (1,277,118)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net(14,938) (6,808)
Total stockholders’ equity324,769
 439,688
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$2,173,305
 $2,163,342
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net7,608
 (4,233)
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity(565,429) 142,672
Total liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity$1,413,544
 2,054,985
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

43


ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts

Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2015 2014 2013 2018 2017 2016
Net revenue$563,356
 539,449
 451,033
 $540,358
 553,455
 570,372
Operating expenses: 
  
    
  
  
Cost of services110,246
 93,600
 74,136
 128,939
 119,193
 115,236
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation121,418
 102,109
 92,002
 
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation130,637
 167,887
 125,892
Radio conversion costs14,369
 1,113
 
 
 450
 18,422
Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets258,668
 253,403
 208,760
 
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets211,639
 236,788
 246,753
Depreciation10,444
 10,145
 8,941
 11,457
 8,844
 8,435
Restructuring charges
 952
 1,111
 
Loss on goodwill impairment563,549
 
 
Gain on disposal of operating assets, net(1,156) (71) (5,473) 
 (21,217) 
513,989
 461,251
 379,477
 1,046,221
 511,945
 514,738
Operating income49,367
 78,198
 71,556
 
Other income (expense), net: 
  
   
Operating income (loss)(505,863) 41,510
 55,634
Other expense (income), net: 
  
  
Interest income2,904
 3,590
 3,752
 (2,439) (2,446) (2,282)
Interest expense(123,743) (117,464) (95,836) 191,202
 152,257
 132,269
Refinancing expense, net of gain on extinguishment of debt(3,723) 
 
 
Other income (expense), net(4,536) 1,648
 2,198
 
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments3,151
 
 
Refinancing expense13,356
 
 9,500
Other expense (income), net(1,478) (242) 140
(129,098) (112,226) (89,886) 203,792
 149,569
 139,627
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes(79,731) (34,028) (18,330) (709,655) (108,059) (83,993)
Income tax expense from continuing operations(6,505) (3,420) (3,270) 
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations(11,611) (408) 7,251
Net loss from continuing operations(86,236) (37,448) (21,600) (698,044) (107,651) (91,244)
Discontinued operations: 
  
    
  
  
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations2,852
 (304) 169
 
Income tax expense from discontinued operations
 
 (40) 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax2,852
 (304) 129
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax of $0
 92
 
Net loss(83,384) (37,752) (21,471) (698,044) (107,559) (91,244)
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
  
    
  
  
Foreign currency translation adjustments(293) (382) 121
 758
 782
 (1,032)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net904
 (3,286) (1,169) 
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net(8,741) (4,879) 12,317
 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(8,130) (8,547) 11,269
 
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on marketable securities, net(3,900) 2,828
 1,956
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net14,378
 1,582
 4,589
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax11,236
 5,192
 5,513
Comprehensive loss$(91,514) (46,299) (10,202) $(686,808) (102,367) (85,731)
           
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share: 
  
    
  
  
Continuing operations$(6.66) (2.75) (1.55) $(56.54) (8.83) (7.44)
Discontinued operations0.22
 (0.02) 0.01
 
 0.01
 
Net loss$(6.44) (2.77) (1.54) $(56.54) (8.82) (7.44)
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

44


ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Amounts in thousands
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net loss$(83,384) (37,752) (21,471)$(698,044) (107,559) (91,244)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
   
  
  
Loss (earnings) from discontinued operations, net of income tax(2,852) 304
 (129)
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax
 (92) 
Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets258,668
 253,403
 208,760
211,639
 236,788
 246,753
Depreciation10,444
 10,145
 8,941
11,457
 8,844
 8,435
Stock-based compensation7,343
 7,164
 8,174
Stock-based and long-term incentive compensation1,451
 7,431
 6,984
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)4,138
 (192) 203
(14,094) (4,474) 4,201
Gain on disposal of operating assets, net(1,156) (71) (5,473)
 (21,217) 
Refinancing expense, net of gain on extinguishment3,725
 
 
Non-cash legal settlement reserve (related insurance recovery)(2,750) 23,000
 
Amortization of debt discount and deferred debt costs10,357
 9,023
 5,851
41,430
 11,111
 10,670
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities6,389
 
 
Refinancing expense13,356
 
 9,500
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments3,151
 
 
Bad debt expense12,300
 11,014
 10,785
Loss on goodwill impairment563,549
 
 
Other non-cash activity, net13,366
 7,611
 7,479
(2,199) (4,057) (3,210)
Changes in assets and liabilities: 
  
       
Trade receivables(9,378) (8,926) (8,165)(12,776) (9,790) (11,032)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(3,857) 62
 8,638
(14,576) (1,669) 325
Subscriber accounts - deferred contract costs(1,773) 
 
(5,418) (3,064) (2,947)
Payables and other liabilities(4,096) (5,862) (525)(15,545) (6,361) (317)
Operating activities from discontinued operations, net(49) (1,039) (50)
 (3,408) 
Net cash provided by operating activities$207,885
 233,870
 212,233
92,931
 136,497
 188,903
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
   
  
  
Capital expenditures(12,431) (7,769) (9,939)(14,903) (14,393) (9,180)
Cost of subscriber accounts acquired(266,558) (268,160) (234,914)(140,450) (142,909) (201,381)
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired(56,778) 
 (478,738)
Purchases of marketable securities(26,934) (4,603) (21,770)(39,022) (26,634) (5,036)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities57,291
 7,842
 33,415
143,316
 1,108
 15,184
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash(37) 22
 2,600
Proceeds from the disposal of operating assets20,175
 241
 12,886
Other investing activities
 (436) (100)
Proceeds from disposal of operating assets
 32,612
 
Net cash used in investing activities$(285,272) (272,863) (696,560)(51,059) (150,216) (200,413)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  
   
  
  
Proceeds from long-term debt778,000
 169,000
 639,075
248,800
 187,950
 1,280,700
Payments on long-term debt(671,183) (127,166) (138,048)(184,100) (175,250) (1,238,059)
Payments of financing costs(6,477) 
 (11,136)(10,739) 
 (16,946)
Stock option exercises
 804
 171
Value of shares withheld for share-based compensation(188) (835) (358)
Purchases and retirement of common stock(29,988) (35,734) (33,436)
 
 (7,140)
Bond hedge and warrant transactions, net
 
 (6,107)
Other financing activities
 
 87
Net cash provided by financing activities$70,352
 6,904
 450,606
53,773
 11,865
 18,197
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents$(7,035) (32,089) (33,721)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period12,612
 44,701
 78,422
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$5,577
 12,612
 44,701
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash95,645
 (1,854) 6,687
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period10,465
 12,319
 5,632
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$106,110
 10,465
 12,319
Supplemental cash flow information:     
State taxes paid, net$2,517
 2,713
 2,645
Interest paid150,003
 140,706
 120,873
Accrued capital expenditures552
 272
 558

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

45


ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated StatementStatements of Stockholders’Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity
Amounts in thousands


        Additional   
Accumulated
Other
 Total
 Preferred Common Stock Paid-in Accumulated Comprehensive Stockholders’
 Stock Series A Series B Series C Capital Deficit Income (Loss) Equity
Balance at December 31,2012$
 134
 7
 
 1,453,700
 (935,708) (9,530) 508,603
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 (21,471) 
 (21,471)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 11,269
 11,269
Stock issued as considerations for
  the Security Networks
   Acquisition

 3
 
 
 18,720
 
 
 18,723
Stock awards and option exercises
 
 
 
 171
 
 
 171
Purchases and retirement of
  common stock

 
 (3) 
 (33,433) 
 
 (33,436)
Value of beneficial conversion
  option on the issuance of 4.00%
  Convertible Notes, net of the
  equity component of debt
  issuance costs

 
 
 
 29,857
 
 
 29,857
Bond hedge and warrant transactions, net
 
 
 
 (6,107) 
 
 (6,107)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 8,174
 
 
 8,174
Value of shares withheld for tax liability
 
 
 
 (1,026) 
 
 (1,026)
Balance at December 31, 2013$
 137
 4
 
 1,470,056
 (957,179) 1,739
 514,757
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 (37,752) 
 (37,752)
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (8,547) (8,547)
Stock awards and option exercises
 
 
 
 804
 
 
 804
Purchases and retirement of
  common stock

 (5) 
 
 (35,729) 
 
 (35,734)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 6,894
 
 
 6,894
Value of shares withheld for tax liability

   
 
 (734) 
 
 (734)
Balance at December 31, 2014$
 132
 4
 
 1,441,291
 (994,931) (6,808) 439,688
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 (83,384) 
 (83,384)
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (8,130) (8,130)
Stock awards and option exercises
 1
 
 
 (1) 
 
 
Purchases and retirement of common stock
 (10) 
 
 (29,978) 
 
 (29,988)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 7,509
 
 
 7,509
Purchase of convertible debt
 
 
 
 (131) 
 
 (131)
Value of shares withheld for tax liability
   
 
 (795) 
 
 (795)
Balance at December 31, 2015$
 $123
 $4
 $
 $1,417,895
 $(1,078,315) $(14,938) $324,769
 
Preferred
Stock
 Common Stock 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
  Series A Series B Series C    
Balance at December 31, 2015$
 123
 4
 
 1,417,895
 (1,078,315) (14,938) 324,769
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 (91,244) 
 (91,244)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 5,513
 5,513
Purchases and retirement of common stock
 (4) 
 
 (7,136) 
 
 (7,140)
Stock-based compensation
 1
 
 
 7,104
 
 
 7,105
Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability
 
 
 
 (358) 
 
 (358)
Balance at December 31, 2016$
 120
 4
 
 1,417,505
 (1,169,559) (9,425) 238,645
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 (107,559) 
 (107,559)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 5,192
 5,192
Stock-based compensation
 1
 
 
 7,228
 
 
 7,229
Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability
 (1) 
 
 (834) 
 
 (835)
Balance at December 31, 2017$
 120
 4
 
 1,423,899
 (1,277,118) (4,233) 142,672
Impact of adoption of Topic 606
 
 
 
 
 (22,720) 
 (22,720)
Impact of adoption of ASU 2017-12
 
 
 
 
 (605) 605
 
Adjusted balance at January 1, 2018
 120
 4
 
 1,423,899
 (1,300,443) (3,628) 119,952
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 (698,044) 
 (698,044)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 11,236
 11,236
Stock-based compensation
 1
 
 
 1,614
 
 
 1,615
Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability
 
 
 
 (188) 
 
 (188)
Balance at December 31, 2018$
 121
 4
 
 1,425,325
 (1,998,487) 7,608
 (565,429)
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

46


ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(1)                         Basis of Presentation

On July 7, 2011, Ascent Media Corporation merged with its direct wholly owned subsidiary, Ascent Capital Group, Inc., for the purpose of changing its name to Ascent Capital Group, Inc. The accompanying Ascent Capital Group, Inc. ("Ascent Capital" or the "Company") consolidated financial statements represent the financial position and results of operations of Ascent Capital and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Monitronics International, Inc. ("Monitronics"and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "Brinks Home SecurityTM") is, are the primary, wholly owned operating subsidiarysubsidiaries of the Company. On August 16, 2013, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security acquired all of the equity interests of Security Networks LLC ("Security Networks") and certain affiliated entities (the "Security Networks Acquisition"). On February 23, 2015, MonitronicsBrinks Home Security acquired LiveWatch Security, LLC ("LiveWatch"), a Do-It-Yourself ("DIY") home security firm, offering professionally monitored security services through a direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "LiveWatch Acquisition"). Monitronics

Brinks Home Security provides security alarm monitoringresidential customers and related services to residentialcommercial client accounts with monitored home and business subscribers throughoutsecurity systems, as well as interactive and home automation services, in the United States, Canada and partsPuerto Rico.  Brinks Home Security customers are obtained through its direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "Direct to Consumer Channel") or its exclusive authorized dealer network (the "Dealer Channel"), which provides product and installation services, as well as support to customers. Its Direct to Consumer Channel offers both DIY and professional installation security solutions.

The rollout of Canada.  Monitronics monitors signals arisingthe Brinks Home Security brand in the second quarter of 2018 included the integration of our business model under a single brand. As part of the integration, we reorganized our business from burglaries, fires, medical alertstwo reportable segments, "MONI" and other events through security systems installed by independent dealers at subscribers’ premises."LiveWatch," to one reportable segment, Brinks Home Security. Following the integration, the Company's chief operating decision maker reviews internal financial information on a consolidated Brinks Home Security basis, which excludes corporate Ascent Capital activities and consolidation eliminations not associated with the operation of Brinks Home Security. Total assets related to corporate Ascent Capital activities are $107,815,000 and $113,698,000 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Net gain (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes related to corporate Ascent Capital activities was $(16,311,000), $5,131,000 and $(14,835,000) for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for all periods presented.

The Company has reclassified certain prior period amounts to conformadopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended, (Topic 606) ("Topic 606") using the modified retrospective approach on January 1, 2018, at which time it became effective for the Company. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the current period's presentation includingopening balance of retained earnings.

The Company adopted ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities ("ASU 2017-12") which amends the hedge accounting rules to align risk management activities and financial reporting by simplifying the application of hedge accounting guidance. The guidance expands the ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components and eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. Additionally, certain hedge effectiveness assessment requirements may be accomplished qualitatively instead of quantitatively. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-12 effective January 1, 2018, and as such, an opening equity adjustment of $605,000 was recognized that reduced Accumulated deficit, offset by a gain in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). This adjustment primarily relates to the derecognition of the cumulative ineffectiveness recorded on the Company's interest rate swap derivative instruments, as well as adjustments to cumulative dedesignation adjustments. The Company does not expect this adoption to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows on an ongoing basis.

The Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"). Prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation2017-04, the fair value of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) the reporting unit was compared with the carrying value of the reporting unit (identified as "Step 1"). If the fair value of the reporting unit was lower than its carrying amount, then the implied fair value of goodwill was calculated. If the implied fair value of goodwill was lower than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment was recognized (identified as "Step 2"). ASU 2017-04 eliminated Step 2 from the impairment test; therefore, a goodwill impairment is recognized as the difference of the fair value and ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Balance Sheet Classificationthe carrying value of Deferred Taxes. the reporting unit.

The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during those periods. See note 3 Recent Accounting Pronouncements5, Revenue Recognition fand note 8, Goodwillor the changes in the presentationnotes to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

The Company’s Series A Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. As a Nasdaq listed company, the Company is required to satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.

On November 26, 2018, the Company received a letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the market value of those items. Additionally,publicly held shares of the Company’s Series A common stock (“MVPHS”) for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $15 million, which is the minimum market value of publicly held shares (the “MVPHS Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(3)(C). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(D), the Company has reclassified certain priorbeen provided 180 calendar days, or until May 28, 2019, to regain compliance with the MVPHS Requirement. To regain compliance, the Company’s MVPHS must be at least $15 million for at least ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period, amounts related to Radio conversion costs to conformat which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to the current period's presentation. These costs were previously reported in CostCompany and close the matter. If the Company does not regain compliance within the 180-day compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice to the Company that its Series A common stock is subject to delisting.

In addition, on December 28, 2018, the Company received a letter (the “Minimum Bid Notice”) from Nasdaq indicating that the closing bid price of servicesits Series A common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days was less than $1.00, which is the minimum closing bid price (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”) necessary to qualify for continued listing on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Nasdaq Global Select Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). Radio conversion costs represent all direct costs incurred by Monitronics duringIn accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the subscribers' alarm monitoring system upgrade in relationCompany has been provided 180 calendar days, or until June 26, 2019, to Monitronics' Radio Conversion Program as well as indirect retention costs for impacted subscribers. The Monitronics' Radio Conversion program was implemented in 2014 in response to oneregain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of the nation's largest carriers announcingCompany’s Series A common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for at least ten consecutive business days during this 180-day period, at which point Nasdaq would provide written confirmation to the Company of compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and close the matter. If the Company does not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by June 26, 2019, and the Nasdaq staff determines that it doeswill not intendbe able to supportcure the deficiency, or if it is not otherwise eligible for any additional compliance period, Nasdaq will provide notice that its 2G cellular services beyond 2016.Series A common stock is subject to delisting.

While Nasdaq’s rules permit the Company to appeal any delisting determination, there can be no assurance the Nasdaq’s staff would grant its request for continued listing. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the MVPHS requirement or the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s other continued listing requirements.

In addition, a delisting of our Series A Common Stock from Nasdaq would negatively impact the Company because it could, among other things: (i) reduce the liquidity and market price of the Company’s common stock; (ii) reduce the amount of news and analyst coverage for the Company; (iii) reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire the Company’s common stock, which could negatively impact its ability to raise equity financing and the ability of our shareholders to sell its common stock; (iv) limit the Company’s ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing it from accessing the public capital markets; (v) impair the Company’s ability to provide liquid equity incentives to its employees; and (vi) have negative reputational impact for the Company with its customers, suppliers, employees and other persons with whom it transacts from time to time.

If the Company’s Series A Common Stock ceases to be listed on at least one U.S. national securities exchange, such cessation would constitute a “fundamental change,” as such term is defined in the indenture (the “Indenture”) governing our 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020 (the "Convertible Notes"). As a result, each remaining holder of the Convertible Notes would have the right, at such noteholder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or a portion of such noteholder’s Convertible Notes on the repurchase date specified by the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with any accrued and unpaid interest, including any unpaid “additional interest” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) to, but excluding, the “fundamental change repurchase date” (as such term is defined in the Indenture). The Company may not have sufficient funds, or be able to obtain financing, to pay the fundamental change repurchase price if it is required to repurchase the Convertible Notes. A failure to pay the fundamental change repurchase price if the Company is required to repurchase the Convertible Notes would constitute an event of default under the Indenture. If an event of default occurs under the Indenture, either the trustee under the Indenture or the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture may accelerate the due date of the entire outstanding principal amount of, and any accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid additional interest on all the Convertible Notes, to be due and payable immediately.


(2)Going Concern

(2)    The Company has substantial indebtedness at December 31, 2018, including Brinks Home Security's $585,000,000 principal of senior notes, maturing on April 1, 2020 (the "Senior Notes"), and its existing credit facility with a term loan in principal of $1,075,250,000 as of December 31, 2018, maturing September 30, 2022, and a revolving credit facility with an outstanding balance of $144,200,000 as of December 31, 2018, maturing September 30, 2021 (the term loan and the revolver, together, the "Credit Facility"). The maturity date for each of the term loan and the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility is subject to a springing maturity 181 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Senior Notes, or October 3, 2019, if Brinks Home Security is unable to refinance the Senior Notes by that date. Since Brinks Home Security has not refinanced the Senior Notes and the springing maturity date of October 3, 2019 occurs in a period less than twelve months after the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements, management has concluded there is substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.

Ascent Capital and Brinks Home Security have engaged financial and legal advisors to assist them in considering potential alternatives to address the issues described above. As of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements, Brinks Home Security has not refinanced the Senior Notes and there can be no assurance that any refinancing, or an alternative restructuring of its outstanding indebtedness will be possible on acceptable terms, if at all. Brinks Home Security may not be able to come to an agreement with respect to the outstanding indebtedness that is acceptable to all of Brinks Home Security’s stakeholders. Brinks Home Security’s failure to refinance the Senior Notes or to reach an agreement with its stakeholders on the terms of a restructuring would have a material adverse effect on its liquidity, financial condition and results of operations and may result in it filing a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in order to implement a restructuring plan. Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of Brinks Home Security's obligations under the Senior Notes and Credit Facility.

Based on the factors above, the Company has received a going concern qualification in connection with the external audit report of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Furthermore, there is substantial doubt about Brinks Home Security’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the issuance date of its consolidated financial statements in its standalone Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. As such, Brinks Home Security has also received a going concern qualification in connection with its standalone external audit report of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2018, which constitutes a default under Brinks Home Security’s Credit Facility. Any default under the Credit Facility may, upon the passage of time, mature into an event of default. At any time after the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders thereunder may, among other options, declare any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility immediately due and payable and the revolving loan lenders thereunder may terminate any commitment to make further loans under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility. Any such acceleration may constitute an event of default under the indenture governing the Senior Notes. Further, in connection with management’s negotiations with its creditors, Brinks Home Security did not make its Senior Notes interest payment due on April 1, 2019.  The indenture governing the Senior Notes provides for a 30-day cure period on past due interest payments.  If an event of default occurs and is continuing thereunder, the holders of the Senior Notes may declare the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes and any accrued interest on the Senior Notes to be immediately due and payable.

Brinks Home Security has obtained a waiver from the Credit Facility revolving loan lenders and a forbearance from the Credit Facility term lenders, in each case with respect to the default in connection with the going concern qualification contained in Brinks Home Security’s external audit report of their Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “Going Concern Default”), and in each case through April 30, 2019, subject to the terms and conditions of the waiver and forbearance. The waiver obtained from the Credit Facility revolving loan lenders allows Brinks Home Security to continue to borrow under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility for up to $195,000,000 at an alternate base rate plus 3.00%. The forbearance obtained from the Credit Facility term lenders states that the term loan lenders will not exercise remedies with respect to an event of default that may mature from the Going Concern Default. The Going Concern Default and any such event of default under the Credit Facility term loan would continue absent a waiver from the term loan lenders. To the extent any waiver or forbearance under the Credit Facility expires, any acceleration as a result of an event of default under the Credit Facility would trigger an event of default under the indenture governing the Senior Notes. To the extent an event of default under such indenture occurs, Brinks Home Security would seek to obtain a waiver or forbearance from the bondholders thereunder.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.


(3)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation Principles

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers investments with original purchased maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash is cash that is restricted for a specific purpose and cannot be included in the cash and cash equivalents account.

Trade Receivables

Trade receivables consist primarily of amounts due from customerssubscribers for recurring monthly monitoring services over a wide geographical base.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security performs extensive credit evaluations on the portfolios of subscriber accounts prior to acquisition and requires no collateral on the accounts that are acquired.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security has established an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of subscribers to make required payments.  Factors such as historical-loss experience, recoveries and economic conditions are considered in determining the sufficiency of the allowance to cover potential losses.  The allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 20152018 and 20142017 was $2,762,000$3,759,000 and $2,120,000,$4,162,000, respectively.

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A summary of activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
Balance
Beginning
 of Year
 
Charged
 to Expense
 
Write-Offs
and Other
 
Balance
 End of
 Year
2015$2,120
 9,735
 (9,093) 2,762
2014$1,937
 8,149
 (7,966) 2,120
2013$1,436
 7,342
 (6,841) 1,937
 
Balance
Beginning
of Year
 
Charged
to Expense
 
Write-Offs
and Other
 
Balance
End of
Year
2018$4,162
 12,300
 (12,703) 3,759
2017$3,043
 11,014
 (9,895) 4,162
2016$2,762
 10,785
 (10,504) 3,043

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade accounts receivable.  MonitronicsBrinks Home Security performs extensive credit evaluations on the portfolios of subscriber accounts prior to acquisition and requires no collateral on the subscriber accounts that are acquired.  Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are generally limited due to the large number of subscribers comprising Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's customer base.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair values of cash equivalents, current accounts receivable and current accounts payable approximate the carrying amounts because of their short-term nature. For information related to the fair value of the Company’s convertible senior notes, see note 10, Long-Term Debt, below. The Company’s otherCompany's debt instruments are recorded at amortized cost on the consolidated balance sheet.  See note 12, Fair Value Measurements, for further fair value information on the Company’sCompany's debt instruments.
 
Investments

All investments in marketable securities held by the Company arein the prior year were classified as available-for-sale ("AFS") and arewere carried at fair value generally based on quoted market prices.  The Company recordsrecorded unrealized changes in the fair value of AFS securities in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets.  When these investments arewere sold, the gain or loss realized on the sale iswas recorded in Other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations.operations and comprehensive income (loss). In the third quarter of 2018, Ascent Capital divested of all marketable securities.

Inventories

Inventories consist of security system components and parts and are stated at the lower of cost (using the weighted average costing method) or net realizable value. Inventory is included in Prepaid and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets and was $4,868,000 and $3,495,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the underlying lease. Estimated useful lives by class of asset are as follows:
Buildings20 years
Leasehold improvements 15 years or lease term, if shorter
MachineryComputer systems and equipmentsoftware3 - 5 years
Furniture and fixtures 5 - 7 years
Computer systems and software (included in Machinery and Equipment in note 7, Property and Equipment)
3 - 5 years
 
Management reviews the realizability of its property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In evaluating the value and future benefits of long-term assets, their carrying value is compared to management’s best estimate of undiscounted future cash flows over the remaining economic life. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.  If necessary, the Company would use both the income approach and market approach to estimate fair value.

Subscriber Accounts

Subscriber accounts primarily relate to the cost of acquiring monitoring service contracts from independent dealers.  The subscriber accounts acquired in the Monitronics, Security Networks and the LiveWatchBrinks Home Security's business acquisitions were recorded at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting.  All other acquired subscriber accounts are recorded at cost.  All direct externaland incremental costs, including bonus incentives related to account activation in the Direct to Consumer Channel, associated with the creation of subscriber accounts, andare capitalized. Upon adoption of Topic 606, all costs on new subscriber contracts obtained in connection with a subscriber move ("Moves Costs") are expensed, whereas prior to adoption, certain internal direct costs, including bonus incentives for account activations at LiveWatch, areMoves Costs were capitalized and and amortized over fifteen years using a decliningon the balance method beginning in the month forllowing the date of acquisition.sheet.

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The costs of subscriber accounts acquired in the Monitronics, Security Networks and LiveWatchBrinks Home Security's business acquisitions, as well as certain accounts acquired in bulk purchases, are amortized using the 14-year 235% declining balance method.  The costs of all other subscriber accounts are amortized using the 15-year 220% declining balance method, beginning in the month following the date of acquisition.  The amortization methods were selected to provide an approximate matching of the amortization of the subscriber accounts intangible asset to estimated future subscriber revenues based on the projected lives of individual subscriber contracts.  Amortization of subscriber accounts was $238,800,000, $233,327,000$204,130,000, $226,697,000 and $195,010,000$236,673,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively.
 
Based on subscriber accounts held at December 31, 2015,2018, estimated amortization of subscriber accounts in the succeeding five fiscal years ending December 31 is as follows (amounts in thousands):
2016$220,860
2017$186,295
2018$157,168
2019$132,735
2020$117,419
2019$185,338
2020$161,949
2021$143,426
2022$130,246
2023$121,634

The Company reviewshas processes and controls in place, including the subscriber accounts at least annually for impairment or a changereview of key performance indicators, to assist management in amortization method and period wheneveridentifying events or changescircumstances that indicate that the carrying amount ofSubscriber Accounts Asset may not be recoverable. If an indicator that the asset may not be recoverable orexists, management tests the life should be shortened.Subscriber Accounts Asset for impairment. For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, the Company views subscriber accounts as a single pool, for each of the Dealer Channel and the Direct to Consumer Channel, because of the assets’assets' homogeneous characteristics, and the pool of subscriber accounts is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of the other

assets and liabilities. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment loss to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value, as determined using the income approach.

Dealer Network and Other Intangible Assets

Dealer network iswas an intangible asset that relatesrelated to the dealer relationships that were acquired as part of the Monitronics Acquisition and the Security Networks Acquisition.  Other intangible assets consistconsisted of non-compete agreements signed by the seller of Security Networks and certain key Security Networks executives and the LiveWatch trade mark asset.executives.  These intangible assets will bewere amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 5 years. These intangible assets were fully amortized during 2018. The LiveWatch trade mark asset was initially to be amortized over 10 years. Upon the rollout of the Brinks Home Security brand in the second quarter of 2018, it was determined that the LiveWatch trade mark asset had no remaining useful life and the remaining asset balance was amortized. Amortization of dealer network and other intangible assets was $19,501,000, $19,780,000$6,994,000, $9,830,000 and $13,717,000$9,830,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively.
The Company reviews the dealer network and other intangible assets at least annually for impairment or a change in amortization period whenever events or changes indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable or the lives should be shortened.

Goodwill

The Company accounts for its goodwill pursuant to the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 350, Intangibles — GoodwillIntangibles-Goodwill and Other ("FASB ASC Topic 350").  In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for impairment at least annually.annually, or earlier if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying amount.

The Company assesses the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, based on October 31 financial information, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the goodwill of a reporting unit may not be fully recoverable. In early June 2018, the reportable segments known as MONI and LiveWatch were combined and presented as Brinks Home Security. As a result of the change in reportable segments, goodwill assigned to these former reporting units was reallocated and combined under the Brinks Home Security reporting unit. Recoverability is measured at the reporting unit level based on the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350.

To the extent necessary, recoverability of goodwill at a reporting unit level is measured using a discounted cash flow model incorporating discount rates commensurate with the risks involved, which is classified as a Level 3 measurement under FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow valuation model include discount rates, growth rates, cash flow projections and terminal value rates. Discount rates, growth rates and cash flow projections are the most sensitive and susceptible to change as they require significant management judgment. IfAn impairment charge is recognized for the calculated fair value is less thanamount by which the current carrying value, impairment ofamount exceeds the reporting unit may exist. When the recoverability test indicates potential impairment, the Company will calculate an impliedunit's fair value of goodwill for the reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to how goodwill is calculated in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the carrying value of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recorded to write down the carrying value. An impairment loss cannot exceed the carrying value of goodwill

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assigned to the reporting unit but may indicate certain long-lived and amortizable intangible assets associated with the reporting unit may require additional impairment testing.
Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs are recorded as a reduction to long-term debt when the related debt is issued or when revolving credit lines increase the borrowing capacity of the Company.  Deferred financing costs are amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method.

Holdback Liability

The Company typically withholds payment of a designated percentage of the acquisition cost when it acquires subscriber accounts from dealers.  The withheld funds are recorded as a liability until the guarantee period provided by the dealer has expired.  The holdback is used as a reserve to cover any terminated subscriber accounts that are not replaced by the dealer during the guarantee period.  At the end of the guarantee period, the dealer is responsible for any deficit or is paid the balance of the holdback.

Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to movement in interest rates. The use of these financial instruments modifies the exposure of these risks with the intention of reducing the risk or cost. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative or trading purposes. The Company recognizes the fair value of all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. Fair value is based on market quotes for similar instruments with the same duration. For derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting under the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, unrealized gains and losses on the derivative instruments are reported in accumulatedAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss), to the extent the hedges are effective, until the underlying transactions are

recognized in earnings.  Derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are marked to market at the end of each accounting period with the change in fair value recorded in earnings.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currencies of the Company’sCompany's foreign subsidiaries are their respective local currencies. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations arewere translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates on the balance sheet date, and revenue and expenses arewere translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates for the period. The effects of the foreign currency translation adjustments arewere deferred and arewere included in stockholders’stockholders' equity as a component of accumulatedAccumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company dissolved all of its foreign subsidiaries in 2018. The cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss was reclassified through Other expense (income), net on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is generated from security alarm monitoring and related services provided by Monitronics and its subsidiaries.Brinks Home Security.  See note 5, Revenue related to alarm monitoring services is recognized ratably overRecognition, for the life of the contract.  Revenue related to maintenance and other services is recognized as the services are rendered.  Deferred revenue includes paymentsaccounting policy under Topic 606 for monitoring services to be provided in future periods. Additionally, equipment sales are recognized as the equipment is shipped to the customer. periods commencing January 1, 2018.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes ("FASB ASC Topic 740"), which prescribes an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’sCompany's consolidated financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company generally considers all expected future events other than proposed changes in the tax law or rates. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.  Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

FASB ASC Topic 740 specifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’scompany's consolidated financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  In instances where the Company has taken or expects to take a tax

50


position in its tax return and the Company believes it is more likely than not that such tax position will be upheld by the relevant taxing authority, the Company records the benefits of such tax position in its consolidated financial statements.
 
Share-Based Compensation
 
The Company accounts for share-based awards pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation — StockCompensation-Stock Compensation ("FASB ASC Topic 718"), which requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and to recognize that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the award). Forfeitures of awards are recognized as they occur.
 
The grant-date fair value of the Ascent Capital stock options granted to the Company’s employees was calculated using the Black-Scholes model. The expected term of the awards was calculated using the simplified method included in FASB ASC Topic 718. The volatility used in the calculation is based on the historical volatility of Ascent Capital and peer companies andwhile the risk-free rate is based on Treasury Bonds with a term similar to that of the subject options.  A dividend rate of zero was utilized for all granted stock options.

Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share — Series A and Series B
 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of Series A and Series B common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of Series A and Series B common shares outstanding and the effect of dilutive securities, including the Company’s outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock convertible notes and warrant transactions using the treasury stock method and convertible securities using the if-converted method.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018 and 2013,2017, diluted EPS is computed the same as basic EPS because the Company recorded a loss from continuing operations, which would make potentially dilutive securities antidilutive.anti-dilutive.  Diluted shares

outstanding excluded 892,851401,083 of stock options, unvested restricted shares and performance units for the year ended December 31, 20152018 because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.  Diluted shares outstanding excluded 1,492,531259,915 stock options, and unvested restricted shares and performance units for the year ended December 31, 2014 because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.  Diluted shares outstanding excluded 1,524,539 stock options, unvested restricted shares and rights to acquire restricted shares for the year ended December 31, 2013,2017 because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
 Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014 2013
Weighted average Series A and Series B shares12,947,215
 13,611,264
 13,926,832
 Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017 2016
Weighted average Series A and Series B shares12,346,804
 12,195,530
 12,256,895
 
Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and assumptionsjudgments that affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for each reporting period.  The significant estimates made in preparation of the Company’sCompany's consolidated financial statements primarily relate to valuation of goodwill, other intangible assets, long-lived assets,subscriber accounts, deferred tax assets convertible debt arrangements, derivative financial instruments, and the amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts.goodwill. These estimates are based on management’smanagement's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors and adjusts them when facts and circumstances change. As the effects of future events cannot be determined with any certainty, actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, net cash paid for income taxes was $3,245,000, $2,718,000 and $2,464,000, respectively.  For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, net cash paid for interest was $112,282,000, $106,535,000 and $88,252,000, respectively.

(3)(4)                         Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Under the update, revenue will be recognized based on a five-step model. The core principle of the model is that revenue will be recognized when the

51


transfer of promised goods or services to customers is made in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In the third quarter of 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the standard to annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption will be permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this
ASU will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30). Under this update, the cost of issuing debt will no longer be recorded as a separate asset, unless it is incurred before the receipt of the funding from the associated debt liability. Instead, debt issuance costs will be presented as a direct deduction from the debt liability, similar to the presentation of debt discounts. The costs will continue to be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method. The ASU requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented in the financial statements and is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company elected to early adopt the ASU for the financial statements ending December 31, 2015. The change reclassified $22,675,000 from other assets, net to long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet for the period ending December 31, 2014. The adoption of the ASU did not impact results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805). Under the update, an acquirer in a business combination is no longer required to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively, and, instead, will recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which it determines the amount of the adjustment. The effective date of the standard is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect the impact of adopting this ASU to be material to the Company's financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. Under the update, deferred taxes would be classified as noncurrent in the statement of financial position instead of being separated into current and non-current amounts. The ASU is effective for financial statements issued after January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. Additionally, the Company may apply the standard either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company elected to early adopt the ASU for the financial statements ending December 31, 2015 and to apply the change retrospectively. The change reclassified $6,346,000 from the current asset for Deferred income assets, net to the non-current Deferred income tax liability, net on the consolidated balance sheet for the period ending December 31, 2014. The adoption of the ASU did not impact results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments--Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ("ASU 2016-01"). ASU 2016-01 requires all equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) will be measured at fair value through earnings. The option for equities classified as available-for-sale to report changes in fair value in other comprehensive income is eliminated. Additionally, ASU 2016-01 requires deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses on securities be analyzed in combination with the Company's other deferred tax assets. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-01 beginning January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective application to all outstanding instruments, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening accumulated retained deficit.

In February 2016, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires the lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than twelve months. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, the Company is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Further, the leaseRecognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee of a finance lease to recognize both an interest expense and an amortization expense of the associated expense. Operating leases generally recognize the associatedasset. A lessee of an operating lease recognizes lease expense on a straight line basis.basis over the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, clarifies certain aspects of ASU 2016-12 and the two updates will be adopted concurrently. ASU 2016-02 requires leases to be recognized and measured at the Company to adoptbeginning of the standardearliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach upon adoption. However, ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements provides an alternative transition method by which leases are recognized at the date of adoption and adoption beginning on January 1, 2019.a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings is recognized in the period of adoption. The Company plans to adopt using this alternative and is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-02these standards will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

(4)    Acquisitions(5)Revenue Recognition

Topic 606 amends and supersedes FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition ("Topic 605"). The Company accounts for business combinations utilizingcore principle of Topic 606 is that revenue will be recognized when the acquisition methodtransfer of promised goods or services to customers is made in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the fair value ofan amount that reflects the consideration transferred has been allocated to which the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their preliminary estimates of fair value.entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

LiveWatch AcquisitionAccounting Policy for Periods Commencing January 1, 2018


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On February 23, 2015 ("the Closing Date"), Monitronics acquired LiveWatch for a purchase price of approximately $61,550,000 (the "LiveWatch Purchase Price"). The LiveWatch Purchase Price includes approximately $3,988,000 of cash transferred directly to LiveWatch to fund transaction bonuses payable to LiveWatch employees as of the Closing Date. This cash is not included in the fair value of consideration transferred for the LiveWatch Acquisition. The LiveWatch Purchase Price also includes post-closing adjustments of $435,000 which were paid in the third quarter of 2015. The LiveWatch acquisition was funded by borrowings from Monitronics' revolving credit facility,Brinks Home Security offers its subscribers professional alarm monitoring services, as well as cash contributionsinteractive and home automation services, through equipment at the subscriber's site that communicates with Brinks Home Security’s alarm monitoring station and interfaces with other equipment at the site and third party technology companies for interactive and home automation services. These services are typically provided under alarm monitoring agreements (“AMAs”) between Brinks Home Security and the subscriber. The equipment at the site is either obtained independently from Ascent Capital.Brinks Home Security’s network of third party Authorized Dealers or directly from Brinks Home Security via its Direct to Consumer Channel. Brinks Home Security also offers equipment sales and installation services and, to its existing subscribers, maintenance services on existing alarm equipment. Additionally, Brinks Home Security collects fees for contract monitoring, which are services provided to other security alarm companies for monitoring their accounts on a wholesale basis and other fees from subscribers for late fee or insufficient fund charges.

In connection with the LiveWatch Acquisition, Monitronics entered into employment agreements with certain key members of the LiveWatch management team which provide for retention bonuses of $5,400,000 (the "LiveWatch Retention Bonuses")Revenue under subscriber AMAs is allocated to be paid on the second anniversary of the Closing Date,alarm monitoring revenue and, performance based bonus arrangements payable on the fourth anniversary of the Close Date (the "LiveWatch Performance Bonuses"). The LiveWatch Performance Bonuses are estimated to yield an aggregate payout of approximately $7,600,000. The LiveWatch Retention Bonusesif applicable, product and LiveWatch Performance Bonuses (together, the "LiveWatch Acquisition Contingent Bonuses") are contingent upon the continued employment of the key members of the LiveWatch management team. As such, the LiveWatch Acquisition Contingent Bonuses are expensed ratably over the service periodinstallation revenue based on the estimated valuestand alone selling prices (“SSP”) of each performance obligation as a percentage of the payouts. Fortotal SSP of all performance obligations. Allocated alarm monitoring revenue is recognized as the year ended December 31, 2015,monthly service is provided. Allocated

product and installation revenue is recognized when the Companyproduct sale is complete or shipped and the installation service is provided, typically at inception of the AMA. Product and installation revenue is not applicable to AMA's acquired from Authorized Dealers in their initial term. Any cash not received from the subscriber at the time of product sale and installation is recognized $3,930,000 relatedas a contract asset at inception of the AMA and is subsequently amortized over the subscriber contract term as a reduction of the amounts billed for professional alarm monitoring, interactive and home automation services. If a subscriber cancels the AMA within the negotiated term, any existing contract asset is determined to the LiveWatch Acquisition Contingent Bonuses, which are includedbe impaired and is immediately expensed in full to Selling, general and administrative expense on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Maintenance services are billed and recognized as revenue when the services are completed in the home and agreed to by the subscriber under the subscriber AMA. Contract monitoring fees are recognized as alarm monitoring revenue as the monitoring service is provided. Other fees are recognized as other revenue when billed to the subscriber which coincides with the timing of when the services are provided.

Disaggregation of Revenue

Revenue is disaggregated by source of revenue as follows (in thousands):
 Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017 2016
Alarm monitoring revenue$498,236
 537,399
 552,590
Product and installation revenue38,455
 12,308
 13,264
Other revenue3,667
 3,748
 4,518
Total Net revenue$540,358
 553,455
 570,372

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands):
 December 31, 2018 At adoption
Trade receivables, net$13,121
 12,645
Contract assets, net - current portion (a)13,452
 14,197
Contract assets, net - long-term portion (b)16,154
 10,377
Deferred revenue13,060
 12,892
(a)Amount is included in Prepaid and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(b)Amount is included in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Changes in Accounting Policies

The Company adopted Topic 606, effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method. Under the modified retrospective transition method, the Company evaluated active AMAs on the adoption date as if each AMA had been accounted for under Topic 606 from its inception. Some revenue related to AMAs originated through Brinks Home Security's Direct to Consumer Channel or through extensions that would have been recognized in future periods under Topic 605 were recast under Topic 606 as if revenue had been accelerated and recognized in prior periods, as it was allocated to product and installation performance obligations. A contract asset was recorded as of the adoption date for any cash that has yet to be collected on the accelerated revenue. As this transition method requires that the Company not adjust historical reported revenue amounts, the accelerated revenue that would have been recognized under this method prior to the adoption date was recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings and, thus, will not be recognized as revenue in future periods as previously required under Topic 605. Therefore, the comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under Topic 605.

Under Topic 605, revenue provided under the AMA was recognized as the services were provided, based on the recurring monthly revenue amount billed for each month under contract. Product, installation and service revenue generally was recognized as billed and incurred. Under Topic 606, the Company concluded that certain product and installation services sold or provided to our customers at AMA inception are capable of being distinct and are distinct within the context of the contract.

As such, when Brinks Home Security initiates an AMA with a customer directly and provides equipment and installation services, each component is considered a performance obligation that must have revenue allocated accordingly. The allocation is based on the SSP of each performance obligation as a percentage of the total SSP of all performance obligations multiplied by the total consideration, or cash, expected to be received over the contract term. These AMAs may relate to new customers originated by Brinks Home Security through its Direct to Consumer Channel or existing customers who agree to new contract terms through customer service offerings. For AMAs with multiple performance obligations, management notes that a certain amount of the revenue billed on a recurring monthly basis is recognized earlier under Topic 606 than it was recognized under Topic 605, as a portion of that revenue is allocated to the equipment sale and installation, which is satisfied upon delivery of the product and performance of the installation services at AMA inception.

Revenue on AMAs originated through the Authorized Dealer program are not impacted by Topic 606 in their initial term, as the customer contracts for the equipment sale and installation separately with the Authorized Dealer prior to Brinks Home Security purchasing the AMA from the Authorized Dealer. Revenue on these customers is recognized as the service is provided based on the recurring monthly revenue amount billed for each month of the AMA. Maintenance service revenue for repair of existing alarm equipment at the subscribers' premises will continue to be billed and recognized based on their SSP at the time Brinks Home Security performs the services.

Topic 606 also requires the deferral of incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. Certain direct and incremental costs were capitalized under Topic 605, including on new AMAs obtained in connection with Moves Costs. Under Topic 606, Moves Costs are expensed as incurred to accompany the allocated revenue recognized upon product and installation performance obligations recognized at the AMA inception. There are no other significant changes in contract costs that are capitalized or the period over which they are expensed.

Impacts on Consolidated Financial Statements

The significant effects of adopting Topic 606 are changes to Prepaid and other current assets, Subscriber accounts, net, Other assets, net, Net revenue, Cost of services, Selling, general and administrative and Amortization of subscriber accounts for the period beginning January 1, 2018 for AMAs initiated by Brinks Home Security with the customer directly with multiple performance obligations, as a portion of that revenue is allocated to the equipment sale and installation, which is satisfied upon delivery of the product and performance of the installation services at AMA inception.

The following tables summarize the impacts of adopting Topic 606 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 (in thousands):


i. Consolidated balance sheets
 Impact of changes in accounting policies
 
As reported
December 31, 2018
 Adjustments Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Assets     
Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents$105,921
 
 105,921
Restricted cash189
 
 189
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts13,121
 
 13,121
Prepaid and other current assets32,202
 (13,452) 18,750
Total current assets151,433
 (13,452) 137,981
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation36,549
 
 36,549
Subscriber accounts and deferred contract acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization1,195,463
 45,970
 1,241,433
Deferred income tax asset, net783
 
 783
Other assets, net29,316
 (16,154) 13,162
Total assets$1,413,544
 16,364
 1,429,908
Liabilities and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity 
    
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable$12,668
 
 12,668
Other accrued liabilities36,006
 
 36,006
Deferred revenue13,060
 1,347
 14,407
Holdback liability11,513
 
 11,513
Current portion of long-term debt1,895,175
 
 1,895,175
Total current liabilities1,968,422
 1,347
 1,969,769
Non-current liabilities: 
    
Long-term debt
 
 
Long-term holdback liability1,770
 
 1,770
Derivative financial instruments6,039
 
 6,039
Other liabilities2,742
 
 2,742
Total liabilities1,978,973
 1,347
 1,980,320
Commitments and contingencies

 
 
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:     
Preferred stock
 
 
Series A common stock121
 
 121
Series B common stock4
 
 4
Series C common stock
 
 
Additional paid-in capital1,425,325
 
 1,425,325
Accumulated deficit(1,998,487) 15,017
 (1,983,470)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net7,608
 
 7,608
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity(565,429) 15,017
 (550,412)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity$1,413,544
 16,364
 1,429,908

ii. Consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

The table below represents the fair value of the assets and liabilities assumed in the LiveWatch Acquisition (dollars in thousands):

Cash$784
Trade receivables273
Other current assets706
Property and equipment362
Subscriber accounts24,900
Other intangible asset1,300
Goodwill36,047
Current liabilities(6,810)
Fair value of consideration transferred$57,562
 Impact of changes in accounting policies
 
As reported
year ended
December 31, 2018
 Adjustments Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Net revenue$540,358
 (8,149) 532,209
Operating expenses:     
Cost of services128,939
 (6,263) 122,676
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation130,637
 (1,670) 128,967
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets211,639
 7,487
 219,126
Depreciation11,457
 
 11,457
Loss on goodwill impairment563,549
 
 563,549
 1,046,221
 (446) 1,045,775
Operating loss(505,863) (7,703) (513,566)
Other expense (income), net: 
    
Interest income(2,439) 
 (2,439)
Interest expense191,202
 
 191,202
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments3,151
 
 3,151
Refinancing expense13,356
 
 13,356
Other expense (income), net(1,478) 
 (1,478)
 203,792
 
 203,792
Loss before income taxes(709,655) (7,703) (717,358)
Income tax expense(11,611) 
 (11,611)
Net loss(698,044) (7,703) (705,747)
Other comprehensive income (loss):     
Foreign currency translation adjustments758
 
 758
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities, net(3,900) 
 (3,900)
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net14,378
 
 14,378
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax11,236
 
 11,236
Comprehensive loss$(686,808) (7,703) (694,511)

The preliminary estimatesiii. Consolidated statements of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on available information as of the date of this report and may be revised as additional information becomes available, which primarily includes the finalization of the valuation of assets and liabilities acquired.cash flows
 Impact of changes in accounting policies
 
As reported
year ended
December 31, 2018
 Adjustments Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Cash flows from operating activities:     
Net loss$(698,044) (7,703) (705,747)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets211,639
 7,487
 219,126
Depreciation11,457
 
 11,457
Stock-based and long-term incentive compensation1,451
 
 1,451
Deferred income tax expense(14,094) 
 (14,094)
Non-cash legal settlement reserve (related insurance recovery)(2,750) 
 (2,750)
Amortization of debt discount and deferred debt costs41,430
 
 41,430
Refinancing expense13,356
 
 13,356
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments3,151
 
 3,151
Bad debt expense12,300
 
 12,300
Goodwill impairment563,549
 
 563,549
Other non-cash activity, net(2,199) 
 (2,199)
Changes in assets and liabilities:     
Trade receivables(12,776) 
 (12,776)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(14,576) 6,379
 (8,197)
Subscriber accounts - deferred contract acquisition costs(5,418) 89
 (5,329)
Payables and other liabilities(15,545) (581) (16,126)
Net cash provided by operating activities92,931
 5,671
 98,602
Cash flows from investing activities: 
    
Capital expenditures(14,903) 
 (14,903)
Cost of subscriber accounts acquired(140,450) (5,671) (146,121)
Purchases of marketable securities(39,022) 
 (39,022)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities143,316
 
 143,316
Net cash used in investing activities(51,059) (5,671) (56,730)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
    
Proceeds from long-term debt248,800
 
 248,800
Payments on long-term debt(184,100) 
 (184,100)
Payments of financing costs(10,739) 
 (10,739)
Value of shares withheld for share-based compensation(188) 
 (188)
Net cash provided by financing activities53,773
 
 53,773
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash95,645
 
 95,645
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period10,465
 
 10,465
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$106,110
 
 106,110

Goodwill in the amount of $36,047,000 was recognized in connection with the LiveWatch Acquisition and was calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the value to Monitronics for LiveWatch's recurring revenue and cash flow streams and its diversified business model and marketing channel. All of the goodwill acquired in the LiveWatch Acquisition is estimated to be deductible for tax purposes.

The subscriber accounts acquired in the LiveWatch Acquisition are amortized using the 14-year 235% declining balance method. The other intangible asset acquired, which represents LiveWatch's trademark asset, is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of 10 years.

The Company incurred $946,000 of legal and professional services expense and other costs related to the LiveWatch Acquisition, which are included in Selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Ascent Capital's results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2015 include the operations of LiveWatch from the Closing Date. The effect of the LiveWatch Acquisition was not material to the Company's consolidated results for the periods presented and, accordingly, proforma financial disclosures have not been presented.

Security Networks Acquisition

On August 16, 2013 (the "Closing Date"), Monitronics acquired all of the equity interests of Security Networks and certain affiliated entities.  The purchase price (the “Security Networks Purchase Price”) of $500,557,000 consisted of $481,834,000 in

53


cash and 253,333 shares of Ascent Capital’s Series A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a Closing Date fair value of $18,723,000.  The Security Networks Purchase Price includes post-closing adjustments of $1,057,000. The Company recognized goodwill of $177,289,000


(5)(6)                         Investments in Marketable Securities

In the third quarter of 2018, Ascent Capital divested of all marketable securities, which primarily consisted of diversified corporate bond funds. The following table presents a summary of amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheetsconsolidated balance sheets (amounts in thousands):
As of December 31, 2018
Cost Basis Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Total
Equity securities$
 
 
 
Mutual funds
 
 
 
Ending balance$
 
 
 
       
As of December 31, 2015As of December 31, 2017
Cost Basis (b) Unrealized
Gains
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
Cost Basis Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Total
Equity securities$4,603
 
 $(1,288) $3,315
$3,432
 2,039
 
 5,471
Mutual funds (a)83,333
 824
 (420) 83,737
98,628
 1,859
 
 100,487
Ending balance$87,936
 824
 $(1,708) $87,052
$102,060
 3,898
 
 105,958
       
As of December 31, 2014
Cost Basis Unrealized
Gains
 Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
Equity securities$4,603
 
 $(398) $4,205
Mutual funds (a)114,890
 1,416
 (2,746) 113,560
Corporate bonds$4,888
 
 $(60) $4,828
Ending balance$124,381
 $1,416
 $(3,204) $122,593
 
(a)Primarily consists of corporate bond funds.
(b)When an other-than-temporary impairment occurs, the Company reduces the cost basis of the marketable security involved. For the year end December 31, 2015, the Company recognized non-cash charges for other-than-temporary impairments on its mutual funds of $6,389,000, which are attributable to a low interest rate environment and widening credit spreads.

The following table provides the realized and unrealized investment gains and losses andrecognized in the total proceeds received from the saleconsolidated statements of marketable securitiesoperations (amounts in thousands):
 Year end December 31,
 2015 2014 2013
Gross realized gains$1,256
 $146
 $112
Gross realized losses$955
 $524
 $389
Total Proceeds$57,291
 $7,842
 $33,415

(6)    Assets Held for Sale
 Year end December 31,
 2018 2017 2016
Net gains and (losses) recognized during the period on marketable securities$2,234
 2,828
 1,956
Less: Net gains and (losses) recognized during the period on marketable securities sold during the period$2,234
 1
 869
Unrealized gains and (losses) recognized during the reporting period on marketable securities still held at the reporting date$
 2,827
 1,087

In the first and second quarters of 2015, the Company completed sales of assets held for sale with a total net book value of $18,935,000 for gains of approximately $1,151,000. At December 31, 2015, the Company has net assets held for sale of $6,265,000 on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company currently expects to complete the sale of these real estate properties during the next twelve months.


54


(7)Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of the following (amounts in thousands):
 As of December 31,
 2015 2014
Property and equipment, net: 
  
Land$4,700
 9,007
Buildings and leasehold improvements7,108
 12,566
Machinery and equipment52,790
 44,467
 64,598
 66,040
Accumulated depreciation(32,158) (30,030)
 $32,440
 36,010
 As of December 31,
 2018 2017
Property and equipment, net:   
Leasehold improvements$776
 $1,597
Computer systems and software73,426
 66,128
Furniture and fixtures3,174
 3,013
 77,376
 70,738
Accumulated depreciation(40,827) (37,915)
 $36,549
 $32,823
 
Depreciation expense for property and equipment was $10,444,000, $10,145,000$11,457,000, $8,844,000 and $8,941,000$8,435,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively.

(8)    Goodwill
(8)Goodwill

The following table provides the activity and balances of goodwill by reporting unit (amounts in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2013$527,502
Period activity
Balance at December 31, 2014527,502
LiveWatch Acquisition36,047
Balance at December 31, 2015$563,549
  MONI LiveWatch Brinks Home Security Total
Balance at December 31, 2016 $527,502
 $36,047
 $
 $563,549
Period activity 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017 $527,502
 $36,047
 $
 $563,549
Goodwill impairment (214,400) 
 
 (214,400)
Reporting unit reallocation (313,102) (36,047) 349,149
 
Goodwill impairment 
 
 (349,149) (349,149)
Balance at December 31, 2018 $
 $
 $
 $
 
The Company accounts for its goodwill pursuant to the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other("FASB ASC Topic 350"). In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for impairment annually, or earlier if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that indicate the fair value of the entitya reporting unit may be below its carrying amount (a "triggering event"). In connection with the Company's annual goodwill impairment assessment, which is performed in the fourth quarter using October 31 balances, the Company did not record an impairment loss to goodwill.amount.

As of DecemberMay 31, 2015,2018, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred due to a sustained decrease in the Company's market capitalization.share price. In response to the triggering event, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test for both the MONI and LiveWatch reporting units. Fair value was determined using a combination of an income-based approach (using a discount rate of 8.50%) and a market-based approach for the MONI reporting unit and an income-based approach (using a discount rate of 8.50%) for the LiveWatch reporting unit. Based on the analysis, the fair value of the LiveWatch reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value, while the carrying amount of the MONI reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value, which indicated an impairment at the MONI reporting unit.

The Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, which eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test, and as such, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. Applying this methodology, we recorded an impairment charge of $214,400,000 for the MONI reporting unit during the three months ended June 30, 2018. Factors leading to this impairment are primarily the experience of overall lower account acquisition in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350recent periods. Using this information, we adjusted the growth outlook for this reporting unit, which resulted in reductions in future cash flows and determined that there was no impairment.a lower fair value calculation under the income-based approach. Additionally, decreases in observable market share prices for comparable companies in the quarter reduced the fair value calculated under the market-based approach.

In early June 2018, the reportable segments known as MONI and LiveWatch were combined and presented as Brinks Home Security. Refer to Note 1, Basis of Presentation, for further discussion on the change in reportable segments. As a result of the change in reportable segments, goodwill assigned to these former reporting units of $313,102,000 and $36,047,000, for MONI and LiveWatch, respectively, have been reallocated and combined as of June 30, 2018 under the Brinks Home Security reporting unit.

In connection with the Company's annual goodwill impairment assessment, in which the Company performed a quantitative test in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, based on October 31 balances, the carrying amount of the Brinks Home Security reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value. Fair value was determined using an income-based approach (using a discount rate of 8.50%) for the Brinks Home Security reporting unit. Since the carrying amount exceeded the reporting unit's fair value, we recorded an additional impairment charge of $349,149,000, the amount of the remaining carrying value of goodwill. This impairment is primarily attributable to projected decreasing cash flows resulting from a declining customer base.  The Company’s projections were revised based on recent historical trends as well as other various outlook considerations, which resulted in reductions in future cash flows and enterprise valuation. 


(9)                         Other Accrued Liabilities

Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
December 31,
2015
 December 31,
2014
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Accrued payroll and related liabilities$4,957
 $3,953
Interest payable$15,390
 $15,594
15,537
 15,927
Income taxes payable2,665
 3,577
2,742
 2,950
Legal accrual379
 872
Legal settlement reserve (a)
 23,000
Other13,139
 10,684
12,770
 10,452
Total Other accrued liabilities$31,573
 $30,727
$36,006
 $56,282


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(10)Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
 December 31,
2015
 December 31,
2014
Ascent Capital 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020 with an
  effective rate of 7.8%
$74,507
 $75,774
Monitronics 9.125% Senior Notes due April 1, 2020 with an effective rate of 9.4%576,455
 574,768
Monitronics term loans, matures April 9, 2022, LIBOR plus 3.50%, subject to a LIBOR
  floor of 1.00% with an effective rate of 5.1%
542,420
 
Monitronics term loans, matures March 23, 2018, LIBOR plus 3.25%, subject to a LIBOR
  floor of 1.00% with an effective rate of 5.0%
394,938
 885,928
Monitronics $315 million revolving credit facility, matures December 22, 2017, LIBOR
  plus 3.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00% with an effective rate of 6.7%
131,048
 68,345
 1,719,368
 1,604,815
Less current portion of long-term debt(5,500) (9,166)
Long-term debt$1,713,868
 $1,595,649
 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Ascent Capital 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020 with an effective rate of 9.1%$90,725
 $82,614
Brinks Home Security 9.125% Senior Notes due April 1, 2020 with an effective rate of 9.5%585,000
 580,159
Brinks Home Security term loan, matures September 30, 2022, LIBOR plus 5.50%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, with an effective rate of 8.3%1,075,250
 1,059,598
Brinks Home Security $295 million revolving credit facility, matures September 30, 2021, LIBOR plus 4.00%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, with an effective rate of 4.8%144,200
 66,673
  
1,895,175
 1,789,044
Less current portion of long-term debt(1,895,175) (11,000)
Long-term debt$
 $1,778,044

Convertible Notes
In July, 2013, Ascent Capital issued $103,500,000Convertible Senior Notes

The Ascent Capital Convertible Notes total $96,775,000 in aggregate principal amount, of 4.00% convertible senior notes due July 15, 2020 (the "Convertible Notes") in an offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  The Convertible Notes are convertible, under certain circumstances, into cash, shares of Series A Common Stock or any combination thereof at Ascent Capital’s election. The Convertible Notes mature on July 15, 2020 and bear interest at a rate4.00% per annum of 4.00%.annum.  Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. In December 2015,On August 30, 2018, Ascent Capital entered into a Supplemental Indenture in which the Company purchased $6,725,000 in aggregate principal amountsurrendered its right to elect to deliver shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock upon conversion of the Convertible Notes (the "Convertible Notes Supplemental Indenture"). Following the execution of the Supplemental Indenture, the Company may satisfy its conversion obligation solely in cash.

See note 1, Basis of Presentation, for information about the potential of a delisting of our Series A Common Stock from Nasdaq, which may accelerate the due date of the entire outstanding principal amount of, and retired them recognizing a gainany accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid additional interest on extinguishment ofall the Convertible Notes, to be due and payable immediately. Given this potential, the outstanding debt of $745,000.the Convertible Notes has been classified as Current portion of long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018.

See note 17, Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities, and note 19, Subsequent Events, for further explanation of the Convertible Notes repurchased pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Second Supplemental Indenture and the cash tender offer that all occurred subsequent to December 31, 2018.
 
HoldersUnder certain circumstances, the remaining holders of the Convertible Notes ("Noteholders") have the right, at their option, to convert all or any portion of such Convertible Notes, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, at an initial conversion rate of 9.7272 shares of Series A Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (subject to adjustment in certain situations), which represents an initial conversion price per share of Series A Common Stock of approximately $102.804 (the

(the "Conversion Price").  Ascent Capital is entitled to settle any such conversion by delivery of cash, shares of Series A Common Stock or any combination thereof at Ascent’s election.  In addition, Noteholders have the right to submit Convertible Notes for conversion, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, in the event of certain corporate transactions.
 
In the event of a fundamental change (as such term is defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes) at any time prior to the maturity date, each Noteholder shall have the right, at such Noteholder’s option, to require Ascent Capital to repurchase for cash any or all of such Noteholder’s Convertible Notes on the repurchase date specified by Ascent Capital at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, including unpaid additional interest, if any, unless the repurchase date occurs after an interest record date and on or prior to the related interest payment date, as specified in the indenture.
 
The Convertible Notes are within the scope of FASB ASC Topic 470 Subtopic 20,470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options ("FASB ASC 470-20"), and as such are required to be separated into a liability and equity component. The carrying amount of the liability component is calculated by measuring the fair value of a similar liability (including any embedded features other than the conversion option) that does not have an associated conversion option. The carrying amount of the equity component is determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the initial proceeds ascribed to the Convertible Notes as a whole. The excess of the principal amount of the liability component over its carrying amount, treated as a debt discount, is amortized to interest cost over the expected life of a similar liability that does not have an associated conversion option using the effective interest method. The equity component is not remeasured as long as it continues to meetUpon the execution of the Convertible Notes Supplemental Indenture, the conversion option no longer meets the conditions for equity classification as prescribed in FASB ASC 815 Subtopic 40,815-40, Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity ("FASB ASC 815-40"). Accordingly, upon issuance,As such, the Company estimated fair valueconversion option is bifurcated as a separate derivative and recorded as a liability. Given the significant variance in the Conversion Price and the current market price per share of the Series A Common Stock, the conversion option derivative liability component as $72,764,000, with the remaining excess amount of $30,736,000 allocated to the equity component.is immaterial.


56


The Convertible Notes are presented on the consolidated balance sheet as follows (amounts in thousands):
As of
December 31,
2015
 As of
December 31,
2014
As of
December 31,
2018
 As of
December 31,
2017
Principal$96,775
 $103,500
$96,775
 $96,775
Unamortized discount(20,857) (25,969)(5,666) (13,263)
Deferred debt costs$(1,411) $(1,757)(384) (898)
Carrying value$74,507
 $75,774
$90,725
 $82,614
 
The Company amortized $8,111,000, $4,335,000 and $3,533,000 of the Convertible Notes debt discount and deferred financing costs into interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Included in the amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs for the year ended December 31, 2018 is accelerated amortization of $3,128,000, which was accelerated due to the subsequent settlement of the Convertible Notes and the potential of any remaining Convertible Notes being settled at close to par given certain circumstances existing as of December 31, 2018. Prior to the acceleration of the debt discount, the Company was using an effective interest rate of 14.0% to calculate the accretion of the debt discount, which iswas being recorded as interest expense over the expected remaining term to maturity of the Convertible Notes.  The Company recognized contractual interest expense of $4,125,000 and $4,140,000$3,871,000 on the Convertible Notes for each of the years ended December 31, 20152018, 2017 and 2014, respectively.  The Company amortized $3,643,000 and $3,342,000 of the Convertible Notes debt discount into interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company retired $1,468,000 of unamortized debt discount and $135,000 of deferred financing costs in connection with the retirement of the Convertible Notes.2016. 
 
Hedging Transactions Relating to the Offering of the Convertible Notes
 
In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, Ascent Capital entered into separate privately negotiated purchased call options (the "Bond Hedge Transactions").  The Bond Hedge Transactions require the counterparties to offset Series A Common Stock deliverable or cash payments made by Ascent Capital upon conversion of the Convertible Notes in the event that the volume-weighted average price of the Series A Common Stock on each trading day of the relevant valuation period is greater than the strike price of $102.804, which corresponds to the Conversion Price of the Convertible Notes.  The Bond Hedge Transactions cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, approximately 1,007,000 shares of Series A Common Stock, which is equivalent to the number of shares initially issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, and are expected to reduce the potential dilution with respect to the Series A Common Stock, and/or offset potential cash payments Ascent Capital is required to make in excess of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes upon conversion. Following the execution of the Convertible Notes Supplemental Indenture, the Company may satisfy its conversion obligation relating to the Convertible Notes solely in cash.
 

Concurrently with the Bond Hedge Transactions, Ascent Capital also entered into separate privately negotiated warrant transactions with each of the call option counterparties (the "Warrant Transactions").  The warrants are European options, and are exercisable in tranches on consecutive trading days starting after the maturity of the Convertible Notes.  The warrants cover the same initial number of shares of Series A Common Stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, as the Bond Hedge Transactions.  The Warrant Transactions require Ascent Capital to deliver Series A Common Stock or make cash payments to the counterparties on each expiration date with a value equal to the number of warrants exercisable on that date times the excess of the volume-weighted average price of the Series A Common Stock over the strike price of $118.62, which effectively reflects a 50% conversion premium on the Convertible Notes.  As such, the Warrant Transactions may have a dilutive effect with respect to the Series A Common Stock to the extent the Warrant Transactions are settled with shares of Series A Common Stock. Ascent Capital may elect to settle its delivery obligation under the Warrant Transactions in cash.
 
The Bond Hedge Transactions and Warrant Transactions are separate transactions entered into by Ascent Capital, are not part of the terms of the Convertible Notes and will not affect the Noteholders’Noteholders' rights under the Convertible Notes.  The Noteholders will not have any rights with respect to the Bond Hedge Transactions or the Warrant Transactions.

Ascent Capital purchased the bond hedge call option for $20,318,000 and received $14,211,000 in proceeds from the sale of the warrants, resulting in a net cost for the Bond Hedge Transactions and the Warrant Transactions of $6,107,000.  In accordance with FASB ASC 815-40, the fair value of the Bond Hedge and Warrant Transactions was recognized in Additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet.
Brinks Home Security Senior Notes

The senior notesBrinks Home Security Senior Notes total 585,000,000 in principal, mature on April 1, 2020$585,000,000 in principal, mature on April 1, 2020, and bear interest at 9.125% per annum.  Interest payments are due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by all of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's existing domestic subsidiaries.  Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's obligations under the Senior Notes.

Potential Credit Facility covenant breaches in 2019, which may include the acceleration of the maturity of the Credit Facility term loan and the Credit Facility revolver (as described below), would be an event of default under the Senior Notes. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the holders of the Senior Notes could declare the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes and any accrued interest on the Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately. As such, the outstanding debt of the Senior Notes as of December 31, 2015,2018 has been classified as Current portion of long-term debt in the senior notes hadconsolidated balance sheets.

Included in the amortization of deferred financing costs net of accumulatedand debt premium related to the Senior Notes for the year ended December 31, 2018 is accelerated amortization of $8,760,000.$2,784,000, which was accelerated as Brinks Home Security was not able to obtain a permanent waiver of the Going Concern Default under the Credit Facility as of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.


57


Brinks Home Security Credit Facility
 
On February 17, 2015, MonitronicsSeptember 30, 2016, Brinks Home Security entered into an amendment ("Amendment No. 4"6") with the lenders of its existing senior secured credit agreement dated March 23, 2012, and as amended and restated on April 9, 2015, February 17, 2015, August 16, 2013, March 25, 2013, and November 7, 2012 (the "Existing Credit Agreement"). Amendment No. 46 provided for, among other things, the increased commitment under the revolving credit facility in a principal amount of $315,000,000.

On April 9, 2015, Monitronics entered into Amendment No. 5 ("Amendment No. 5") to its Existing Credit Agreement. Pursuant to Amendment No. 5, Monitronics completed the issuance of an incremental $550,000,000a $1,100,000,000 senior secured Term Loan B offeringterm loan at a 0.5%1.5% discount withand a maturity date of April 9, 2022new $295,000,000 super priority revolver (the "2022 Term Loans"). Monitronics use the net proceeds to retire approximately $492,000,000 of its existing term loans due March 2018 (the "2018 Term Loans") and repaid $49,900,000 of its revolving credit facility. Amendment No 5 (the Existing Credit Agreement together with Amendment No. 4 and Amendment No. 5,6, the "Credit Facility") also incorporates certain covenant changes, including the removal.

As of the third quarter 2015 step downs of the senior secured and total leverage ratios, both as defined inDecember 31, 2018, the Credit Facility.

Facility term loan has a principal amount of $1,075,250,000 maturing on September 30, 2022. The 2018 Term Loans bearterm loan requires quarterly interest payments and quarterly principal payments of $2,750,000. The term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 3.25%5.5%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%,1.0%. The Credit Facility revolver has a principal amount outstanding of $144,200,000 and maturea $600,000 standby letter of credit issued as of December 31, 2018, maturing on March 23, 2018. Interest on the 2018 Term Loans are due quarterly with the principal due at maturity. The 2022 Term Loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.5%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00% Principal payments of approximately $1,375,000 and interest on the term loans are due quarterly on the 2022 Term Loans.September 30, 2021. The Credit Facility revolver bears interest at LIBOR plus 3.75%4.0%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, and matures on December 22, 2017.1.0%. There is an annuala commitment fee of 0.5% on unused portions of the Credit Facility revolver. As of December 31, 2015, $181,750,0002018, subject to the recently obtained waiver by Credit Facility revolving lenders, $50,200,000 is available for borrowing under the Credit Facility revolver.

The maturity date for each of the term loan and the revolving credit facility.facility under the Credit Facility is subject to a springing maturity 181 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Senior Notes, or October 3, 2019 (the "Springing Maturity"), if Brinks Home Security is unable to refinance the Senior Notes by that date.

The springing maturity date occurs less then twelve months from the balance sheet date of these consolidated financial statements and Brinks Home Security has not refinanced the Senior Notes as of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements. As such, the outstanding debt of the Credit Facility term loan and the Credit Facility revolver as of December 31, 2015,2018 has been classified as Current portion of long-term debt in the Company has deferred debt costs, net of accumulatedconsolidated balance sheets.


Included in the amortization of $9,058,000deferred financing costs and debt discount related to the Credit Facility.Facility for the year ended December 31, 2018 is accelerated amortization of $23,215,000, which was accelerated as Brinks Home Security was not able to obtain a permanent waiver of the Going Concern Default under the Credit Facility as of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.

The Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of all of the outstanding stock of MonitronicsBrinks Home Security and all of its existing subsidiaries and is guaranteed by all of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's existing domestic subsidiaries. Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's obligations under the Credit Facility.

At any time after the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders may, among other options, declare any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility immediately due and payable and terminate any commitment to make further loans under the Credit Facility.  In addition, failure to comply with restrictions contained in the Senior Notes could lead to an event of default under the Credit Facility.

In order to reduce the financial risk related to changes in interest rates associated with the floating rate term loansloan under the Credit Facility term loans, Monitronicsloan, Brinks Home Security has entered into interest rate swap agreements with terms similar to the Credit Facility term loansloan (all outstanding interest rate swap agreements are collectively referred to as the “Swaps”"Swaps"). The Swaps have been designated as effective hedges of the Company’sCompany's variable rate debt and qualify for hedge accounting. As a result of these interest rate swaps, Monitronics' currentBrinks Home Security's effective weighted average interest rate (excluding the impacts of non-cash amortization of deferred debt costs and discounts) on the borrowings under the Credit Facility term loans is 5.15%.loan was 8.08% as of December 31, 2018. See note 11, Derivatives, for further disclosures related to these derivative instruments.  .

The terms of the Convertible Notes, the Senior Notes and the Credit Facility provide for certain financial and nonfinancial covenants.  AsExcluding consideration of the Going Concern Default, as of December 31, 2015,2018, the Company was in compliance with all required covenants.covenants under these financing arrangements. See note 2, Going Concern, for further disclosures related to the Going Concern Default.

PrincipalAs of December 31, 2018, principal payments scheduled to be made on the Company’sCompany's debt obligations, assuming certain accelerated maturities due to potential events of default and subsequent transactions, are as follows (amounts in thousands):
2016$5,500
2017138,750
2018409,284
20195,500
2020687,275
20215,500
Thereafter512,875
Total principal payments$1,764,684
Less: 
Unamortized discounts, premium and deferred debt costs, net45,316
Total debt on consolidated balance sheet$1,719,368

58


(11)    Derivatives
2019$1,901,225
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total principal payments1,901,225
Less: 
Unamortized discounts, premium and deferred debt costs, net6,050
Total debt on consolidated balance sheet$1,895,175
 
The Company(11)Derivatives

Brinks Home Security utilizes interest rate swap agreementsSwaps to reduce the interest rate risk inherent in Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's variable rate Credit Facility term loans.loan.  The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatility. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect the respective counterparty’scounterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.  See note 12, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information about the credit valuation adjustments.

At December 31, 2015,2018, derivative financial instruments include seven interest rate swapsincluded two Swaps with a fair value $13,470,000 that constitute a liability of the Company.  At December 31, 2014, derivative financial instruments include one interest rate swap with aan aggregate fair value of $1,123,000,$10,552,000 that constituteconstituted an asset of the Company and three interest rate swapstwo Swaps with an aggregate fair value of $6,039,000 that constituted a liability to the Company.  At December 31, 2017, derivative financial instruments included two Swaps with a fair value $5,780,000of $7,058,000 that constituteconstituted an asset of the Company and six Swaps with an aggregate fair value of $13,817,000 that constituted a liability to the Company.  Depending on the maturity date of the Company.  The SwapsSwap and the balance sheet date, Swap asset values are included in Prepaid and other current assets or non-current Other assets, net and Swap liability values are included in current Other accrued liabilities or non-current Derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets.  As of December 31, 20152018 and 20142017, no amounts were offset for certain derivatives' fair value that were recognized under a master netting agreement with the same counterparty.
 

The objective of the swapSwap derivative instruments was to reduce the risk associated with Monitronics’Brinks Home Security's term loan variable interest rates.  In effect, the swapSwap derivative instruments convert variable interest rates into fixed interest rates on the Company’sCompany's term loan borrowings. 

All of the Swaps arewere designated and qualifyqualified as cash flow hedging instruments, with the effective portion of the Swaps' change in fair value recorded in accumulatedAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  Any ineffective portionsHowever, in December of 2018, given the potential for changes in Brinks Home Security's future expected interest payments that these Swaps hedged, all of the Swaps' change in fair value are recognized in current earnings in interest expense.  ChangesSwaps no longer qualified as a cash flow hedge and were dedesignated as such. Before the dedesignation, changes in the fair value of the Swaps were recognized in accumulatedAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss) areand were reclassified to interestInterest expense when the hedged interest payments on the underlying debt were recognized.  After the dedesignation, changes in the fair value of the Swaps are recognized.recognized in Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments of $3,151,000. Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of the dedesignation date will be amortized to Interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) over the remaining contractual term of the Swaps. Amounts in accumulatedAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss) expected to be recognized in Interest expense in the coming 12 months total approximately $7,092,000.$1,890,000.

The Swaps’ outstanding notional balance asAs of December 31, 20152018, the Swaps' outstanding notional balances, effective dates, maturity dates and termsinterest rates paid and received are noted below:
Notional Effective Date 
Maturity
Date
 
Fixed
Rate Paid
 Variable Rate Received
$529,375,000
 March 28, 2013 March 23, 2018 1.884% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor (a)
140,287,500
 March 28, 2013 March 23, 2018 1.384% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor (a)
109,673,367
 September 30, 2013 March 23, 2018 1.959% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
109,673,367
 September 30, 2013 March 23, 2018 1.850% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
191,475,002
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 2.924% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
250,000,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 2.810% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
50,000,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 2.504% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
Notional Effective Date Maturity Date Fixed Rate Paid Variable Rate Received
$189,506,107
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 3.110% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
247,500,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 3.110% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
49,500,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 2.504% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
373,230,000
 March 23, 2018 September 30, 2022 1.833% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
(a)
On March 25, 2013, Monitronics negotiated amendments to the terms of these interest rate swap agreements,which were entered into in March 2012 (the "Existing Swap Agreements," as amended, the “Amended Swaps”). The Amended Swaps are held with the same counterparties as the Existing Swap Agreements. Upon entering into the Amended Swaps, Monitronics simultaneously dedesignated the Existing Swap Agreements and redesignated the Amended Swaps as cash flow hedges for the underlying change in the swap terms. The amounts previously recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss relating to the dedesignation are recognized in Interest expense over the remaining life of the Amended Swaps.


59


The impact of the derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated financial statements is depicted below (amounts in thousands):
 Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
Effective portion of gain (loss) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $(16,041) (12,560) 7,014
$12,882
 (3,842) (2,673)
Effective portion of loss reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into Net loss (a) $(7,300) (7,681) (5,303)$(1,496) (5,424) (7,262)
Ineffective portion of amount of gain (loss) recognized into Net loss on interest rate swaps (a) $(119) (46) 24
Ineffective portion of amount of gain recognized into Net loss on interest rate swaps (a)$
 88
 423
 
(a)        Amounts are included in Interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Upon the adoption of ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2018, ineffectiveness is no longer measured or recognized.

(12)Fair Value Measurements

According to the FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification,, fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in the following three categories:
 
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active or inactive markets and valuations derived from models where all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable in any market.

The following summarizes the fair value level of assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis at December 31, 20152018 and December 31, 20142017 (amounts in thousands): 
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
December 31, 2015 
  
  
  
Money market funds (a)$2,242
 
 
 2,242
Investments in marketable securities (b)87,052
 
 
 87,052
Derivative financial instruments - liabilities
 (13,470) 
 (13,470)
Total89,294
 (13,470) 
 75,824
December 31, 2014 
  
  
  
Money market funds (a)$8,492
 
 
 8,492
Investments in marketable securities (b)117,765
 4,828
 
 122,593
Derivative financial instruments - assets (c)
 1,123
 
 1,123
Derivative financial instruments - liabilities
 (5,780) 
 (5,780)
Total126,257
 171
 
 126,428
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
December 31, 2018 
  
  
  
Interest rate swap agreements - assets (a)$
 10,552
 
 10,552
Interest rate swap agreements - liabilities (a)
 (6,039) 
 (6,039)
Total$
 4,513
 
 4,513
December 31, 2017 
  
  
  
Investments in marketable securities (b)$105,958
 
 
 105,958
Interest rate swap agreement - asset (a)
 7,058
 
 7,058
Interest rate swap agreements - liabilities (a)
 (13,817) 
 (13,817)
Total$105,958
 (6,759) 
 99,199
 
(a) 
IncludedDepending on the maturity date of the Swap and the balance sheet date, Swap asset values are included in cashPrepaid and cash equivalentsother current assets or non-current Other assets, net and Swap liability values are included in current Other accrued liabilities or non-current Derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets.
(b)Level 1 investments primarily consist of diversified corporate bond funds. The Level 2 security represents one investment in a corporate bond which was sold in in the second quarter of 2015.  All investments are classified as available-for-sale securities.
(c)
Included in Other assets, net on the consolidated balance sheets.
 
The Company has determined that the majority of thesignificant inputs used to value the Swaps fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.   As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. There were no transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.


60


Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value are as follows (amounts in thousands):
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Long term debt, including current portion: 
  
   
Carrying value$1,719,368
 $1,604,815
$1,895,175
 1,789,044
Fair value (a)1,563,376
 1,590,809
1,273,502
 1,709,342
 
(a) 
The fair value is based on valuationsmarket quotations from third party financial institutions and is classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy.
 
Ascent Capital’s other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of their short-term maturity.
(13)    Restructuring Charges

In connection with the Security Networks Acquisition, management approved a restructuring plan to transition Security Networks’ operations in West Palm Beach and Kissimmee, Florida to Dallas, Texas (the "2013 Restructuring Plan"). The 2013 Restructuring Plan provided certain Security Networks' employees with a severance package that entitled them to receive benefits upon completion of the transition in 2014. Severance costs related to the 2013 Restructuring Plan were recognized ratably over the future service period. No restructuring charges were recognized during 2015. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company recognized $952,000 and $1,111,000, respectively of restructuring charges related to employee termination benefits under the 2013 Restructuring Plan. The transition of Security Networks' operations to Dallas was completed in the second quarter of 2014.

The following tables provide the activity and balances of the Company’s restructuring plan (amounts in thousands):
 December 31, 2014 Additions Payments Other December 31, 2015
2013 Restructuring Plan 
  
  
    
Severance and retention$134
 
 (134) 
 
 December 31, 2013 Additions Payments Other December 31, 2014
2013 Restructuring Plan         
Severance and retention$1,570
 952
 (2,388) 
 134
 December 31, 2012 Additions Payments Other December 31, 2013
2013 Restructuring Plan         
Severance and retention$
 1,111
 (33) 492
(a)1,570
(a)(13)                         Amount was recorded upon the acquisition of Security Networks.Income Taxes

(14)    Income Taxes
Components of pretax income (loss)Loss from continuing operations before taxes by jurisdiction are as follows (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
Domestic$(80,021) (34,383) (18,625)$(709,655) (122,842) (84,202)
Foreign290
 355
 295

 14,783
 209
Loss from continuing operations before taxes$(79,731) (34,028) (18,330)$(709,655) (108,059) (83,993)


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The Company’s incomeCompany's Income tax benefit (expense)expense (benefit) from continuing operations is as follows (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
Current: 
  
  
 
  
  
Federal$
 
 
$
 (426) 
State(2,305) (3,527) (2,953)2,483
 2,669
 3,008
Foreign(62) (85) (114)
 1,823
 42
(2,367) (3,612) (3,067)2,483
 4,066
 3,050
Deferred: 
  
  
 
  
  
Federal(3,894) (3,292) 3,343
(12,892) (4,593) 4,000
State(266) 3,384
 (3,596)(1,202) 501
 206
Foreign22
 100
 50

 (382) (5)
(4,138) 192
 (203)(14,094) (4,474) 4,201
Total income tax expense from continuing operations$(6,505) (3,420) (3,270)
Total Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations$(11,611) (408) 7,251
 
TotalOn December 22, 2017, new tax reform legislation that significantly reforms the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, was enacted (the "2017 Tax Act"). The 2017 Tax Act includes numerous changes to existing tax law, including a permanent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The rate reduction is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018.

Total Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 and 2016 as a result of the following (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
Computed expected tax benefit$27,906
 11,910
 6,416
$(149,028) (37,821) $(29,398)
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit(1,671) (93) (4,257)
Change in valuation allowance affecting income tax expense(27,890) (11,232) (2,345)54,605
 31,811
 30,859
Income (expense) not resulting in tax impact(803) (694) (1,539)
US tax effect of foreign earnings and dividends
 5,110
 44
Other foreign tax rate differentials
 1,434
 31
Goodwill impairment not resulting in tax impact78,869
 
 
Other expense (income) not resulting in tax impact2,932
 2,013
 (381)
Tax amortization of indefinite-lived assets(3,890) (3,292) (1,481)
 4,001
 4,000
2017 Federal tax reform enactment
 (9,020) 
State and local income taxes, net of federal income taxes1,011
 2,059
 2,091
Other, net(157) (19) (64)
 5
 5
Income tax expense$(6,505) (3,420) (3,270)
Total Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations$(11,611) (408) 7,251

Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (amounts in thousands):
As of December 31,As of December 31,
2015 20142018 2017
Accounts receivable reserves$1,874
 1,301
$1,212
 1,357
Accrued liabilities10,205
 10,085
3,725
 10,751
Net operating loss carryforwards192,570
 162,994
195,688
 172,138
Derivative financial instruments4,997
 1,682
1,780
 1,705
Other deferred tax assets11,248
 11,410
5,088
 6,929
Valuation allowance(90,216) (63,214)(150,612) (104,006)
Total deferred tax assets130,678
 124,258
56,881
 88,874
Intangible assets(133,339) (123,068)(52,476) (95,007)
Convertible notes(7,694) (9,388)(1,326) (3,067)
Property, plant and equipment(1,371) (100)(2,076) (2,006)
Other deferred tax liabilities(1,920) (1,231)(220) (2,105)
Total deferred tax liabilities(144,324) (133,787)(56,098) (102,185)
Net deferred tax liabilities$(13,646) $(9,529)
Net deferred tax assets / (liabilities)$783
 (13,311)

For the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, the valuation allowance increased by $27,002,000.$46,606,000.  The change in the valuation allowance is primarily attributable to anthe impact of the full impairment of Brinks Home Security's goodwill in 2018, which contributed to the $54,605,000 increase of $27,890,000in valuation allowance related to current year computed federal income tax expense, anbenefit. This increase was offset by a decrease of $901,000$5,980,000 related to an anticipated 481(a) adjustment for a change in accounting method upon the adoption of Topic 606 for the 2018 federal tax return and other changes in the derivative and marketable securities fair values recorded in other comprehensive income and $1,789,000 of other adjustments to deferred taxes.

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The excess tax benefits associated with the exercise of non-qualified stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards from the Company’s incentive plans, for 2015 and 2014 in the amount of $1,998,000 and $2,115,000, respectively, did not reduce current income taxes payable and, accordingly, are not included in the deferred tax asset relating to net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards. The 2015 amount is included with the federal and state NOL carryforwards disclosed below.assets.

AtAs of December 31, 2015,2018, the Company has $529,400,000, $84,519,000$770,854,000 and $97,636,000$262,846,000 in net operating loss carryforwardsNOLs for federal California and other state tax purposes, respectively.  The federal net operating losses recognized through December 31, 2017 of $761,452,000 expire at various times from 2024 through 2035.2037.  The state net operating loss carryforwards will expire during the years 2016 through 2035.2037.  Approximately $129,521,000 of the Company’s net operating losses are subject to IRCInternal Revenue Code Section 382 limitations.  The Company has $1,064,000$426,000 of alternative minimum tax ("AMT") credits which will be refunded upon filing the 2018 through 2021 federal income tax credits, of which $638,000 will expire in 2018.returns.  The Company also has $1,012,000$783,000 of state credits that will expire through year 2026.

As of December 31, 2018, the 2015 the 2012 to 20152018 tax years remain open to examination by the IRS and the 20112014 to 20152018 tax years remain open to examination by certain state tax authorities.  The Company’s foreign tax returns subsequent to 20112014 are open for review by the foreign taxing authorities.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of uncertain tax positions, which is recorded in other long term liabilities, is as follows (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
As of the beginning of the year$191
 247
 247
$4,985
 3,956
 2,907
Increases for tax positions of current years2
 4
 
627
 1,033
 1,049
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
 (60) 
(6) (4) 
As of the end of the year$193
 191
 247
$5,606
 4,985
 3,956
 
When the tax law requires interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes, the Company recognizes interest expense from the first period the interest would begin accruing according to the relevant tax law. Any accrual of interest and penalties related to underpayment of income taxes on uncertain tax positions is included in Income tax expense from continuing operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 20152018, accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions were approximately $69,000.$143,000.  The Company does not expect a significant change in uncertain tax positions in the next twelve months.

(15)    
(14)Stock-based and Long-Term Compensation

Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan

The Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2015 incentive plan") was adopted, effective February 25, 2015, in part, due to the diminishing number of shares of the Company’s common stock with respect to which awards could be granted under the 2008 plans (as defined below). The 2015 incentive plan was amended and restated effective May 24, 2017 to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2015 incentive plan by 300,000 shares, extend the expiration date until May 24, 2027 and require the underlying award to vest prior to the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents. The 2015 incentive plan is designed to provide additional compensation to certain employees, nonemployee directors and independent contractors for services rendered, to encourage their investment in our capital stock, to attract persons of exceptional ability to become officers, nonemployee directors, and employees of the Company and/or its subsidiaries. The number of individuals who receive awards under the 2015 incentive plan will vary from year to year and is not predictable. Awards may be granted as non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, cash awards, performance awards or any combination of the foregoing (collectively, "awards"). The maximum number of shares of Ascent Capital’s common stock with respect to which awards may be granted under the 2015 incentive plan, as amended and restated, was determined based on the number of shares that remained available under the 2008 plans, resulting in an aggregate of 599,862899,862 shares (plus any shares of our common stock subject to currently outstanding awards that become available again under the 2008 Plans) available under the 2015 incentive plan, subject to anti-dilution and other adjustment provisions of the 2015 incentive plan. The base or exercise price of a stock option or stock appreciation right may not be less than fair market value on the day it is granted.

Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan and Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2008 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan
 
The Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan (the "2008 incentive plan") and the Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2008 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (together with the 2008 incentive plan, the "2008 plans") were adopted by the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors of the Company on September 15, 2008.  The 2008 plans were designed to provide additional compensation to

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certain employees and independent contractors for services rendered, to attract persons of exceptional ability to become officers and employees, to compensate the non-employee Boardboard of Directordirector members for services rendered and to encourage investment in Ascent Capital's capital stock.  Upon the adoption of the 2015 incentive plan by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Boardboard of directors determined to cease making any further grants under the 2008 plans. The 2008 plans permitted awards of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, stock units, cash awards, performance awards or any combination of the foregoing (collectively, "awards").foregoing. The 2008 plans provided that base or exercise price of a stock option or stock appreciation right may not be less than fair market value on the day it was granted.
 
Stock Options

The Company makes awards of non-qualified stock options for Ascent Capital Series A common stockCommon Stock to the Company’sCompany's executives and certain employees.  The exercise price is typically granted as the closing share price for Ascent Capital Series A common stockCommon Stock as of the grant date.  The awards generally have a life of five to seven years and vest over two to four years.
The grant-date fair value of the Ascent Capital stock options granted to the Company’s employees was calculated using the Black-Scholes model. There were no options granted in 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013.2016.
 
The following table presents the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of outstanding options to purchase Ascent Capital Series A common stock:Common Stock:
Series A
Common Stock Options
 WAEP
Series A
Common Stock Options
 WAEP
Outstanding at January 1, 20151,262,887
 $41.50
Outstanding at January 1, 20181,043,532
 $39.89
Granted
 $

 $
Exercised
 $

 $
Forfeited(20,268) $54.11
(13,605) $54.51
Outstanding at December 31, 20151,242,619
 $41.29
Exercisable at December 31, 2015922,856
 $33.74
Expired(572,712) $26.69
Outstanding at December 31, 2018457,215
 $56.00
Exercisable at December 31, 2018457,215
 $56.00
 

There was no intrinsic value for both outstanding stock option awards and exercisable stock option awards at December 31, 2015.2018. The weighted average remaining contractual life of both outstanding and exercisable awards at December 31, 20152018 was 3.0 years and 2.7 years, respectively.0.8 years.

As of December 31, 2018, there was no compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards to be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations over the next twelve months.
 
Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units
 
The Company makes awards of restricted stock for its common stock to the Company’s executives and certain employees.  Substantially all of these awards have been for its Series A common stock.Common Stock.  The fair values for the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are the closing price of Ascent Capital Series A common stockCommon Stock on the applicable dates of grants. 

Upon the grant of thea restricted stock award, the recipient receives a stock certificate thatfor the number of restricted shares granted. The stock cannot be transferedtransferred or sold until the vesting criteria have been met. AUpon the grant of a restricted stock unit award, the recipient receives the right to receive a number of shares at vesting and, as such, shares of stock isare not issued until the vesting criteria have been met. The awards generally vest over two to five years.
 
The following table presents the number and weighted average fair value (“WAFV”("WAFV") of unvested restricted stock awards:
Series A
Restricted Stock
Awards
 WAFV
Series A
Restricted Stock Awards
 WAFV
Outstanding at January 1, 2015229,644
 $59.12
Outstanding at January 1, 2018105,160
 $22.57
Granted118,313
 $27.41
23,947
 $3.68
Vested(89,202) $52.44
(68,651) $26.77
Canceled(15,962) $53.19
(11,283) $12.74
Outstanding at December 31, 2015242,793
 $45.15
Outstanding at December 31, 201849,173
 $9.75
  
There were no outstanding Series B restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2015.2018.


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The following table presents the number and WAFV of unvested restricted stock units:
Series A
Restricted Stock Units
 WAFVSeries A
Restricted Stock Units
 WAFV
Outstanding at January 1, 2015
 $
Outstanding at January 1, 2018272,040
 $22.21
Granted137,485
 $38.38
616,305
 $3.68
Vested
 $
(111,642) $22.98
Canceled(22,500) $26.30
(72,463) $13.80
Outstanding at December 31, 2015114,985
 $40.74
Outstanding at December 31, 2018704,240
 $6.74

As of December 31, 2015,2018, the total compensation cost related to unvested equityrestricted stock and stock unit awards was approximately $14,090,000.$1,948,000.  Such amount will be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations over a period of approximately 42.3 years.

Cash Incentive Plan

In 2017 and 2018, Brinks Home Security made awards to certain employees under its 2017 Cash Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The 2017 Plan provides the terms and conditions for the grant of, and payment with respect to, phantom units granted to certain officers and other key personnel of Brinks Home Security. The value of a single phantom unit (“phantom unit value”) is tied to the value of Ascent Capital Series A Common Stock. The 2017 Plan is administered by a committee (the "committee") whose members are designated by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Grants are determined by the committee, with the first grant occurring on January 1, 2017 and a second grant occurring on January 1, 2018. There were 307,697 phantom units granted as of December 31, 2018. The phantom units vest annually over a three year period beginning on the grant date and are payable in cash at each vesting date. Brinks Home Security records a liability and a charge to expense based on the phantom unit value and percent vested at each reporting period. As of December 31, 2018, $39,000 was accrued for the estimated vested value of the phantom awards.

(16)(15)                         Stockholders’Stockholders' Equity

Preferred Stock
 
The Company’s preferred stock is issuable, from time to time, with such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in a resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred stock adopted by Ascent Capital’s Board of Directors.  As of December 31, 2015,2018, no shares of preferred stock were issued.
 
Common Stock
 
Holders of Ascent Capital Series A common stockCommon Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held, and holders of Ascent Capital Series B common stockCommon Stock are entitled to 10 votes for each share held.  Holders of Ascent Capital Series C common stockCommon Stock are not entitled to any voting powers, except as required by Delaware law.  As of December 31, 2015, 12,301,2482018, 12,080,683 shares of Series A common stockCommon Stock were issued and outstanding and 382,359381,528 shares of Series B common stockCommon Stock were issued and outstanding.  Each share of the Series B common stockCommon Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of Series A common stock.Common Stock.  As of December 31, 2015,2018, no shares of Ascent Capital Series C common stockCommon Stock were issued or outstanding.
 
On June 16, 2011, the Company announced that it received authorization to implement a share repurchase program, pursuant to which it could purchase up to $25,000,000 of its shares of Series A Common Stock from time to time. On November 14, 2013, November 10, 2014 and September 4, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, at each date, the repurchase of an incremental $25,000,000 of its Series A Common Stock (the "Share Repurchase Authorizations").

During 2015, the Company repurchased 940,729 shares of its Series A common stock at an average purchase price of $31.88 per share for a total of approximately $29,988,000 pursuant to the Share Repurchase Authorizations. During 2014, the Company repurchased 557,309 shares of its Series A common stock at an average purchase price of $64.12 per share for a total of approximately $35,734,000 pursuant to the Share Repurchase Authorizations. There were no stock repurchases pursuant to the Share Repurchase Authorizations during 2013. These repurchased shares were all canceled2018 and returned to the status of authorized and unissued.2017.

On October 25, 2013,During 2016, the Company purchased 351,734389,179 shares of Ascent Capital’sits Series B common stock (the “Purchased Shares”) from John C. MaloneA Common Stock at an average purchase price of $18.35 per share for aggregate cash considerationa total of approximately $33,436,000.  The Purchased Shares were canceled and returned$7,140,000 pursuant to the status of authorized and unissued.Share Repurchase Authorizations.

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The following table presents the activity in Ascent Capital’s Series A and Series B common stockCommon Stock for the three yearthree-year period ended December 31, 2015:2018:
Series A
Common Stock
 
Series B
Common Stock
Series A
Common Stock
 
Series B
Common Stock
Balance at December 31, 201213,389,821
 737,166
Conversion from Series B to Series A shares1,220
 (1,220)
Issuance of restricted stock42,804
 
Restricted stock canceled for forfeitures and tax withholding(18,035) 
Stock option exercises3,531
 
Stock issuance as consideration for Security Networks Acquisition253,333
 
Repurchases and retirement of Series B Shares
 (351,734)
Balance at December 31, 201313,672,674
 384,212
Conversion from Series B to Series A shares126
 (126)
Issuance of restricted stock36,797
 
Restricted stock canceled for forfeitures and tax withholding(12,442) 
Stock option exercises22,249
 
Repurchases and retirements of Series A shares(557,309)  
Balance at December 31, 201413,162,095
 384,086
Balance at December 31, 201512,301,248
 382,359
Conversion from Series B to Series A shares1,727
 (1,727)500
 (500)
Issuance of restricted stock118,313
 
91,859
 
Restricted stock canceled for forfeitures and tax withholding(40,158) 
(35,276) 
Repurchases and retirements of Series A shares(940,729) 
(389,179) 
Balance at December 31, 201512,301,248
 382,359
Balance at December 31, 201611,969,152
 381,859
Conversion from Series B to Series A shares331
 (331)
Issuance of stock awards106,142
 
Restricted stock canceled for forfeitures and tax withholding(75,995) 
Balance at December 31, 201711,999,630
 381,528
Issuance of stock awards135,589
 
Restricted stock canceled for forfeitures and tax withholding(54,536) 
Balance at December 31, 201812,080,683
 381,528
 
As of December 31, 2015,2018, there were 1,242,6191,161,455 shares of Ascent Capital Series A common stockCommon Stock reserved for issuance under exercise privileges of outstanding stock options.options and unvested restricted stock and performance unit awards.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Foreign
 Currency
 Translation
 Adjustments (a)
 
Unrealized
 Holding
 Gains and Losses, 
net (b)
 
Unrealized
 Gains and 
Losses on
 Derivative
Instruments, 
net (c)
 
Accumulated
  Other
  Comprehensive
  Income (Loss)
Foreign
 Currency
 Translation
 Adjustments (a)
 
Unrealized
 Holding Gains and 
Losses, 
net (b)
 
Unrealized
 Gains and 
Losses on
 Derivative
Instruments, net (c)
 
Accumulated
  Other
  Comprehensive
  Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2012$46
 2,667
 (12,243) (9,530)
Balance at December 31, 2015$(508) (884) (13,546) (14,938)
Gain (loss) through Accumulated other comprehensive loss121
 (1,446) 7,014
 5,689
(1,032) 2,991
 (2,673) (714)
Reclassifications of loss (gains) into net income
 277
 5,303
 5,580

 (1,035) 7,262
 6,227
Balance at December 31, 2013167
 1,498
 74
 1,739
Balance at December 31, 2016$(1,540) 1,072
 (8,957) (9,425)
Gain (loss) through Accumulated other comprehensive loss(382) (3,664) (12,560) (16,606)782
 2,609
 (3,842) (451)
Reclassifications of loss (gains) into net income
 378
 7,681
 8,059

 219
 5,424
 5,643
Balance at December 31, 2014(215) (1,788) (4,805) (6,808)
Balance at December 31, 2017$(758) 3,900
 (7,375) (4,233)
Impact of adoption of ASU 2017-12
 
 605
 605
Adjusted balance at January 1, 2018$(758) 3,900
 (6,770) (3,628)
Gain (loss) through Accumulated other comprehensive loss(293) 6,991
 (16,041) (9,343)
 (1,625) 12,882
 11,257
Reclassifications of loss (gains) into net income
 (6,087) 7,300
 1,213
758
 (2,275) 1,496
 (21)
Balance at December 31, 2015$(508) (884) (13,546) (14,938)
Balance at December 31, 2018$
 
 7,608
 7,608
 
 
(a)        No income taxes were recorded on foreign currency translation amounts for 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 20132016 because the Company is subject to a full valuation allowance.
(b)        No income taxes were recorded on the December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 20132016 unrealized holding gains because the Company is subject to a full valuation allowance.  Amounts reclassified into net incomeNet loss are included in Other

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income, net on the consolidated statement of operations.  See note 5,6, Investments in Marketable Securities, for further information.
(c)         No income taxes were recorded on the unrealized lossgain / (loss) on derivative instrument amounts for 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 20132016 because the Company is subject to a full valuation allowance.  Amounts reclassified into net incomeNet loss are included in Interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations.  See note 11, Derivatives, for further information.

(17)  (16)Employee Benefit Plans
Defined Contribution Plan

The Company offers a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering its full-time employees. The plan is funded by employee and employer contributions.  Total 401(k) plan expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 20132016 was $132,000, $80,000$178,000, $183,000 and $125,000,$111,000, respectively.
 
(18)(17)                         Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities

Contractual Obligations
 
Future minimum lease payments under scheduled operating leases, which are primarily for buildings equipment and real estate,equipment, having initial or remaining noncancelable terms in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31:  
2016$5,414
20172,974
20182,931
20192,943
$4,739
20202,927
4,263
20213,093
20223,068
20233,087
Thereafter30,905
20,329
Sublease income(1,609)
Minimum lease commitments$46,485
$38,579
 

Rent expense for noncancelable operating leases for real property and equipment was $4,540,000, $3,664,000$4,128,000, $3,899,000 and $2,468,000$3,862,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively.  Various lease arrangements contain options to extend terms and are subject to escalation clauses.
Indemnifications
On September 17, 2008 ("Spin-Off Date"), Ascent Capital was spun off from DHC as effected by a distribution of Ascent Capital Series A and Series B common stock holders of DHC Series A and Series B common stock (the "Spin-Off").  In connection with the Spin-Off, Ascent Capital and DHC entered into certain agreements in order to govern certain ongoing relationships between Ascent Capital and DHC after the Spin-Off and to provide mechanisms for an orderly transition.  These agreements included a tax sharing agreement.  Pursuant to the tax sharing agreement with DHC, Ascent Capital is responsible for all taxes attributable to it or any of its subsidiaries, whether accruing before, on or after the Spin-Off Date.  The Company is responsible for and indemnifies DHC with respect to (i) certain taxes attributable to DHC or any of its subsidiaries (other than Discovery Communications, LLC) and (ii) all taxes arising as a result of the Spin-Off.  The indemnification obligations under the tax sharing agreement are not limited in amount or subject to any cap.  Also, pursuant to the reorganization agreement it entered into with DHC in connection with the Spin-Off, the Company assumed certain indemnification obligations designed to make it financially responsible for substantially all non-tax liabilities that may exist relating to the business of the Company's former subsidiary, Ascent Media Group, LLC, whether incurred prior to or after the Spin-Off, as well as certain obligations of DHC.  The Company does not expect to incur any material obligations under such indemnification provisions.

Legal

Brinks Home Security was named as a defendant in multiple putative class actions consolidated in U.S. District Court (Northern District of West Virginia) on behalf of purported class(es) or persons who claim to have received telemarketing calls in violation of various state and federal laws. The actions were brought by plaintiffs seeking monetary damages on behalf of all plaintiffs who received telemarketing calls made by a Brinks Home Security Authorized Dealer, or any Authorized Dealer's lead generator or sub-dealer. In the second quarter of 2017, Brinks Home Security and the plaintiffs agreed to settle this litigation for $28,000,000 ("the Settlement Amount"). In the third quarter of 2017, Brinks Home Security paid $5,000,000 of the Settlement Amount pursuant to the settlement agreement with the plaintiffs. In the third quarter of 2018, Brinks Home Security paid the remaining $23,000,000 of the Settlement Amount. Brinks Home Security recovered a portion of the Settlement Amount under its insurance policies held with multiple carriers. In the fourth quarter of 2018, Brinks Home Security settled its claims against two such carriers in which those carriers agreed to pay Brinks Home Security an aggregate of $12,500,000.

In addition to the above, the Company is also involved in litigation and similar claims incidental to the conduct of its business, including from time to time, contractual disputes, claims related to alleged security system failures and claims related to alleged violations of the U.S. Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Matters that are probable of unfavorable outcome to the Company and which can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals are based on information known about the matters, management’smanagement's estimate of

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the outcomes of such matters and experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters.  In management’smanagement's opinion, none of the pending actions isare likely to have a material adverse impact on the Company’sCompany's financial position or results of operations.  The Company accrues and expenses legal fees related to loss contingency matters as incurred.

(19) Reportable Business Segments

Description of Segments

The Company operates through two reportable business segments according to the nature and economic characteristics of its services as well as the manner in which the information issued internally by the Company's key decision maker, who is the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Company's business segments are as follows:Other Legal Proceedings

MonitronicsOn August 27, 2018, certain holders of Ascent Capital’s Convertible Notes caused an action to be filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned KLS Diversified Master Fund L.P. et. al. v. Ascent Capital Group, Inc. et al., C.A. No. 2018-0636 (as amended on September 5, 2018, October 1, 2018 and October 22, 2018, the “Noteholder Action”) against Ascent Capital and each of its directors and executive officers. On February 11, 2019, Ascent Capital and its directors and executive officers, on the one hand, and the holders of Convertible Notes that were plaintiffs in the Noteholder Action (together with certain of each of such holders’ respective affiliates, the “Noteholder Parties”) collectively holding $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, representing 78% of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes then outstanding, on the other hand, entered into a Settlement and Note Repurchase Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”), which, among other things as described herein, (i) provided for the settlement of the Noteholder Action and the mutual release of claims related thereto (the “Settlement”) and (ii) in connection with the Settlement, provided for the delivery by the Noteholder Parties of their respective written consents (the “Consents”) with respect to all Convertible Notes held by such Noteholder Parties to certain amendments described below (the “Amendments”) to the Indenture and for the private repurchase (the “Note Repurchase”) by the Company of all Convertible Notes held by such Noteholder Parties. On February 14, 2019, the transactions contemplated in the Settlement Agreement (including the obtaining of the Consents and the Note Repurchase) were consummated and following the receipt of the Consents, the Company and the Trustee entered into the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2019 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”), to the Indenture and the Amendments became effective. The Amendments effected by the Second Supplemental Indenture modified the Indenture to (i) remove references to subsidiary, subsidiaries and/or significant subsidiary, as applicable, of Ascent Capital from certain events of default provisions contained in Section 6.01 of the Indenture and (ii) allow conversion of Ascent Capital into a non-corporate legal form. Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Settlement Agreement, on February 15, 2019, a Stipulation of Dismissal with respect to the Noteholder Action was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, pursuant to which the Noteholder Action was dismissed with prejudice.

The Monitronics segment is primarily engagedSettlement Agreement states that, in connection with the Settlement, Ascent paid to the Noteholder Parties an aggregate amount of $70,666,176.28 in cash, consisting of (i) an aggregate of $6,104,720.92 for professional fees and expenses incurred on the Noteholder Parties’ behalf, (ii) an aggregate of $2,000,000.00 in consideration for the Noteholder Parties’ Consents, (iii) an aggregate of $10,808,555.36 in consideration for and in full and final satisfaction of the settled claims as set forth in the businessSettlement Agreement and (iv) an aggregate of providing security alarm monitoring services: monitoring signals arising from burglaries, fires, medical alerts and other events through security systems at subscribers' premises, as well as providing customer service and technical support. Monitronics outsources the sales, installation and most of its field service functions to its dealers. By outsourcing the low margin, high fixed-cost elements of its business to a large network of independent service providers, Monitronics is able to allocate capital to growing its revenue-generating$51,752,900.00 on account base rather than to local offices or depreciating hard assets.

LiveWatch

LiveWatch is a do-it-yourself ("DIY") home security provider offering professionally monitored security services through a direct-to-consumer sales channel. LiveWatch offers a differentiated go-to-market strategy through direct response TV, internet and radio advertising. When a customer initiates the process to obtain monitoring services, LiveWatch pre-configures the alarm monitoring system based on customer specifications. LiveWatch then packages and ships the equipment directly to the customer. The customer self-installs the equipment on-site and activates the monitoring service over the phone.

Other Activities

Other Activities primarily consists of Ascent Capital's corporate costs, including administrative and other activities not associated with the operation of the reportable segments.Note Repurchase.


The business segment management reporting and controlling systems are based on the same accounting policies as those described in (18)note 2, Summary of Significant Account Accounting Policies.

As they arise, transactions between segments are recorded on a arm's length basis using relevant market prices.

For the year ended December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands):
  Monitronics LiveWatch Other Consolidated
Net revenue $548,622
 $14,734
 $
 $563,356
Depreciation and amortization $264,870
 $3,864
 $378
 $269,112
Net loss from continuing operations before income taxes $(47,793) $(18,365) $(13,573) $(79,731)

As of December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands):
  Monitronics LiveWatch Other Consolidated
Subscriber accounts, net of amortization $1,400,515
 $23,023
 $
 $1,423,538
Goodwill $527,502
 $36,047
 $
 $563,549
Total assets $2,033,180
 $63,267
 $76,858
 $2,173,305

Prior to the acquisition of LiveWatch in February 2015, Ascent Capital had one operating segment. Therefore, no segment presentation is provided for fiscal year 2014.


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(20) Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)(Unaudited - see accompanying accountants' report)

 1st
Quarter
 2nd
Quarter
 3rd
Quarter
 4th
Quarter
 Amounts in thousands,
except per share amounts
2015: 
  
  
  
Net revenue$138,416
 141,543
 141,846
 141,551
Operating income$20,641
 17,798
 8,907
 2,021
Net loss$(9,835) (18,409) (24,330) (30,810)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share$(0.74) (1.40) (1.87) (2.48)
2014: 
  
  
  
Net revenue$132,864
 134,696
 136,027
 135,862
Operating income$19,152
 18,847
 19,939
 20,260
Net income (loss)$(9,732) (10,278) (11,125) (6,617)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share$(0.70) (0.75) (0.82) (0.50)
 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter
 (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
2018:       
Net revenue$133,753
 135,013
 137,156
 134,436
Operating income (loss)$6,614
 (203,583) 8,341
 (317,235)
Net loss$(30,838) (244,367) (40,095) (382,744)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share$(2.51) (19.82) (3.24) (30.87)
2017:       
Net revenue$141,200
 140,498
 138,211
 133,546
Operating income (loss)$19,718
 (1,485) 10,571
 12,706
Net loss$(18,853) (43,526) (29,160) (16,020)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share$(1.55) (3.58) (2.39) (1.30)


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(19)Subsequent Events

On February 11, 2019, the Company and its directors and executive officers, entered into the Settlement Agreement described in Tablenote 17, Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities. As part of Contentsthe Settlement Agreement, the Company executed a second supplemental indenture of the Convertible Notes, dated as of February 14, 2019, pursuant to which amendments to the Convertible Notes were effected to modify the Indenture to (i) remove references to subsidiary, subsidiaries and/or significant subsidiary, as applicable, of the Company from certain events of default provisions contained in Section 6.01 of the Indenture and (ii) allow for the conversion of the Company into a non-corporate legal form. On February 14, 2019, the transactions contemplated in the Settlement Agreement were consummated and $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes were repurchased and settled.

On February 19, 2019, the Company commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding Convertible Notes (the “Offer”). On March 22, 2019, the Company entered into transaction support agreements with holders of approximately $18,554,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes, pursuant to which the Company agreed to increase the purchase price for the Convertible Notes in the Offer to $950 per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, with no accrued and unpaid interest to be payable (as so amended, the “Amended Offer”) and such holders agreed to tender, or cause to be tendered, into the Amended Offer all Convertible Notes held by such holders. The Amended Offer expired at 5:00 pm Eastern time on March 29, 2019 and was settled on April 1, 2019. A total of $20,841,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes were accepted for payment pursuant to the Amended Offer.

Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Settlement Agreement and the consummation of the Amended Offer, $260,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes remain outstanding. The information in these consolidated financial statements shall not constitute an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the Convertible Notes or any other securities of the Company, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of such securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

PART III
 
The following required information is incorporated by referencewill be included in an amendment to our definitive proxy statement for our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders presently scheduled to be held in the second quarter of 2016:this Form 10-K:

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
 
We will file our definitive proxy statement for our 2016 Annual Meeting of stockholdersan amendment to this Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 29, 2016.30, 2019.


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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a) (1) Financial Statements
 
Included in Part II of this Annual Report:
 
Ascent Capital Group, Inc.:
 Page No.
 
(a) (2)  Financial Statement Schedules
 
(i)  All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not material or the required information is set forth in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
 

71


(a) (3)  Exhibits
 
Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
4.3Indenture, dated March 23, 2012, between Monitronics, as issuer, the guarantors party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on May 9, 2012 (the "March 2012 10-Q")).
   
4.44.3 
   
4.54.4 
   
4.64.5 
   
4.74.6 
   
4.84.7 
   
4.94.8 
4.9
   
4.10 
4.11
   


72


4.114.12 
4.13
4.14
4.15
   
4.124.16 
   
10.1 Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2008, by and among Discovery Holding Company, Discovery Communications, Inc., the Company,
10.2Ascent Capital Group, Inc.Corporation 2008 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’sRegistrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-156231), filed with the Commission on December 17, 2008).
   
10.310.2 
   
10.410.3 
   
10.510.4 
   
10.610.5 
   
10.710.6 Employment Agreement, dated September 30, 2011, between the Company and Michael R. Meyers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 7, 2011 (the "September 2011 10-Q")).
10.8Employment Agreement, dated September 30, 2011, between the Company and Michael R. Haislip (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the September 2011 10-Q).
10.9
   
10.1010.7 
   
10.1110.8 
   
10.1210.9 
   
10.1310.10 
   
10.1410.11 Long-Term Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2008 Plan for William R. Fitzgerald, dated March 15, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the June 2012 10-Q).
10.15
   
10.1610.12 
   
10.1710.13 
   
10.1810.14 
   

73


10.1910.15 
   
10.2010.16 
   
10.2110.17 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated July 20, 2015, by and between the Company and William E. Niles (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2015).
10.22Amendment to
10.23Employment Agreement, dated August 25, 2015, by and between the CompanyAscent Capital and Jeffrey R. Gardner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30,Q3 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2015)10-Q).
   
10.2410.18 
   
10.2510.19 Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of March 24, 2015, by and between the Company and Michael R. Meyers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2015).
10.26
   
10.2710.20 
   
10.2810.21 
   
10.2910.22 
10.23
10.24
10.25
10.26
10.27
10.28
10.29
10.30
   
21 
   
23 
   
24 
   
31.1 
   
31.2 
   

32 
   
101.INS XBRL Instance Document.*
   
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*
   
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.*
   
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.*
   
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.*
   
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.*
 
*Filed herewith.

74


*Filed herewith.
** 
Pursuant to the Commission’sCommission's Orders Granting Confidential Treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Rule 24(b)-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, certain confidential portions of this Exhibit were omitted by means of redacting a portion of the text.
***Furnished herewith.


75


Table of ContentsITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Not applicable.


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
   
February 29, 2016Dated:April 1, 2019By/s/ William R. FitzgeraldE. Niles
 William R. FitzgeraldE. Niles
 Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
Signature Title Date
     
/s/ William E. NilesChief Executive Officer, General Counsel and SecretaryApril 1, 2019
William E. Niles
/s/ William R. Fitzgerald Chairman of the Board and Director and February 29, 2016April 1, 2019
William R. Fitzgerald Chief Executive Officer  
     
/s/ Philip J. Holthouse Director February 29, 2016April 1, 2019
Philip J. Holthouse
/s/ Brian DeevyDirectorFebruary 29, 2016
Brian Deevy    
     
/s/ Michael J. Pohl Director February 29, 2016April 1, 2019
Michael J. Pohl    
     
/s/ Charles Y. TanabeThomas P. McMillin Director February 29, 2016April 1, 2019
Charles Y. TanabeThomas P. McMillin    
     
/s/ Carl E. VogelJeffery R. Gardner Director and Executive Vice President February 29, 2016April 1, 2019
Carl E. VogelJeffery R. Gardner    
     
/s/ Michael R. MeyersFred A. Graffam Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) February 29, 2016April 1, 2019
Michael R. MeyersFred A. Graffam (Principal Accounting Officer)  


76


EXHIBIT INDEX
Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 000-53280), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on June 13, 2008 (the "Form 10")).
3.2Certificate of Ownership and Merger, dated July 7, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on July 8, 2011) (filed for the purpose of changing the name of the Company).
3.3Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10).
3.4Certificate of Elimination, dated January 27, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on January 27, 2014 (the "January 2014 8-K")).
4.1Specimen Certificate for shares of Series A common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 10).
4.2Specimen Certificate for shares of Series B common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 10).
4.3Indenture, dated March 23, 2012, between Monitronics, as issuer, the guarantors party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on May 9, 2012 (the “March 2012 10-Q”)).
4.4Credit Agreement, dated March 23, 2012, among Monitronics, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and letter of credit issuer, Citibank, N.A. and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as co-syndication agents, U.S. Bank National Association, as document agent and the lenders party thereto (the "Credit Agreement") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the March 2012 10-Q).
4.5Form of Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, dated November 7, 2012, by and among Monitronics, Bank of America, N.A., individually and as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions signatory thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on February 27, 2013 (the "2012 10-K")).
4.6Form of Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement, dated March 25, 2013, by and among Monitronics, Bank of America, N.A., individually and as administrative agent, and other financial institutions signatory thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on May 10, 2013).
4.7Form of Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Guaranty Agreement, dated August 16, 2013, by and among Monitronics International, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., individually and as administrative agent, and the certain lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 12, 2013).
4.8Form of Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement, dated February 17, 2015, by and among Monitronics International, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., individually and as administrative agent, and the certain lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on May 8, 2015).
4.9Form of Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement, dated April 9, 2015, by and among Monitronics International, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., individually and as administrative agent, and the certain lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34176) filed with the Commission on April 15, 2015).
4.10Indenture, dated as of July 17, 2013, between the Company, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on August 9, 2013 (the "June 2013 10-Q").
83



4.11Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2013, by and among Monitronics International, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Monitronics (File No. 333-191805), filed with the Commission on October 18, 2013 (the “S-4”)).
4.12Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 26, 2013, by and among Monitronics, the Guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the S-4).
10.1Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2008, by and among Discovery Holding Company, Discovery Communications, Inc., the Company, Ascent Media Group, LLC and CSS Studios, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on September 17, 2008 ("Amend. No. 8 to the Form 10")).
10.2Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-156231), filed with the Commission on December 17, 2008).
10.3Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its Directors and Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Amend. No. 1 to the Form 10).
10.4Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2008 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Amend. No. 8 to the Form 10).
10.5Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated January 25, 2013, between the Company and William R. Fitzgerald (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the 2012 10-K).
10.6Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated May 31, 2011, between the Company and William E. Niles (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on August 8, 2011).
10.7Employment Agreement, dated September 30, 2011, between the Company and Michael R. Meyers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 7, 2011 (the "September 2011 10-Q")).
10.8Employment Agreement, dated September 30, 2011, between the Company and Michael R. Haislip (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the September 2011 10-Q).
10.9Form of Long-Term Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan (the "2008 Plan") for Non-Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on August 9, 2012 (the "June 2012 10-Q")).
10.10Form of Long-Term Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2008 Plan for Non-Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the June 2012 10-Q).
10.11Form of Long-Term Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2008 Plan for Executive Officers of the Company and Monitronics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the June 2012 10-Q).
10.12Form of Long-Term Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2008 Plan for Executive Officers of the Company and Monitronics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the June 2012 10-Q).
10.13Form of Short-Term Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2008 Plan for Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the June 2012 10-Q).
10.14Long-Term Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2008 Plan for William R. Fitzgerald, dated March 15, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the June 2012 10-Q).
10.15Long-Term Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2008 Plan for William E. Niles, dated March 15, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the June 2012 10-Q).
10.16Long-Term Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2008 Plan for William R. Fitzgerald, dated November 30, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the 2012 10-K).
10.17Long-Term Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2008 Plan for William R. Fitzgerald, dated November 30, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the 2012 10-K).
10.18Ascent Capital Group, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Omnibus Incentive Plan") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-203043) filed with the Commission on March 26, 2015).



10.19Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on May 8, 2015).
10.20Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated July 20, 2015, by and between the Company and Michael R. Meyers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2015).
10.21Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated July 20, 2015, by and between the Company and William E. Niles (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2015).
10.22Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated August 25, 2015, by and between the Company and Michael R. Haislip (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2015).
10.23Employment Agreement, dated August 25, 2015, by and between the Company and Jeffrey R. Gardner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2015).
10.24Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of June 22, 2015, by and between the Company and William E. Niles (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2015).
10.25Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective as of March 24, 2015, by and between the Company and Michael R. Meyers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015 (File No. 001-34176), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2015).
10.26Confirmation, dated July 11, 2013, of Base Issuer Warrant Transaction between Bank of America, N.A. and Ascent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the June 2013 10-Q).**
10.27Confirmation, dated July 11, 2013, of Base Convertible Bond Hedge Transaction between Bank of America, N.A. and Ascent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the June 2013 10-Q).**
10.28Confirmation, dated July 11, 2013, of Base Issuer Warrant Transaction between Credit Suisse Capital LLC and Ascent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the June 2013 10-Q).**
10.29Confirmation, dated July 11, 2013, of Base Convertible Bond Hedge Transaction between Credit Suisse Capital LLC and Ascent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the June 2013 10-Q).**
21List of Subsidiaries of Ascent Capital Group, Inc.*
23Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.*
24Power of Attorney dated February 29, 2016.*
31.1Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.*
31.2Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.*
32Section 1350 Certification.***
101.INSXBRL Instance Document.*
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.*
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.*
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.*
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.*
*Filed herewith.



**
Pursuant to the Commission’s Orders Granting Confidential Treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Rule 24(b)-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, certain confidential portions of this Exhibit were omitted by means of redacting a portion of the text.
***Furnished herewith.