Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
ý          QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 20182019
OR
o             TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from            to
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 classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Series A Common Stock, par value $.01 per shareASCMAN/A
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 Web site, if any, every 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 whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer xo
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 Exchange Act).  Yes o No ý

The number of outstanding shares of Ascent Capital Group, Inc.’s common stock as of July 26, 2018August 1, 2019 was:

Series A common stock 12,049,17112,121,542 shares; and Series B common stock 381,528 shares.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
  Page
   
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   
 

Item 1.  Financial Statements (unaudited)
ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Amounts in thousands, except share amounts
(unaudited)
June 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
June 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Assets      
Current assets: 
  
 
  
Cash and cash equivalents$4,185
 10,465
$29,762
 105,921
Restricted cash104
 

 189
Marketable securities, at fair value105,515
 105,958
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,390 in 2018 and $4,162 in 201712,456
 12,645
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 in 2019 and $3,759 in 2018
 13,121
Prepaid and other current assets23,185
 11,175
323
 32,202
Total current assets145,445
 140,243
30,085
 151,433
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $43,309 in 2018 and $37,915 in 201736,603
 32,823
Subscriber accounts and deferred contract acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,519,406 in 2018 and $1,439,164 in 20171,222,485
 1,302,028
Dealer network and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $47,288 in 2018 and $42,806 in 20171,213
 6,994
Goodwill349,149
 563,549
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $303 in 2019 and $40,827 in 20183
 36,549
Subscriber accounts and deferred contract acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization of $0 in 2019 and $1,621,242 in 2018
 1,195,463
Deferred income tax asset, net
 783
Operating lease right-of-use asset97
 
Other assets31,707
 9,348
8
 29,316
Total assets$1,786,602
 2,054,985
$30,193
 1,413,544
Liabilities and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity 
  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) 
  
Current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Accounts payable$12,779
 11,092
$173
 12,668
Accrued payroll and related liabilities5,231
 3,953
Other accrued liabilities56,829
 52,329
1,924
 36,006
Deferred revenue12,965
 13,871

 13,060
Holdback liability9,740
 9,309

 11,513
Current portion of long-term debt11,000
 11,000

 1,895,175
Total current liabilities108,544
 101,554
2,097
 1,968,422
Non-current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Long-term debt1,793,364
 1,778,044
Long-term holdback liability2,031
 2,658

 1,770
Derivative financial instruments3,313
 13,491

 6,039
Deferred income tax liability, net14,635
 13,311
Operating lease liabilities
 
Other liabilities3,116
 3,255
12
 2,742
Total liabilities1,925,003
 1,912,313
2,109
 1,978,973
Commitments and contingencies

 



 

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

 
Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 12,032,370 and 11,999,630 shares at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively120
 120
Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 381,528 shares at both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 20174
 4
Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 12,115,260 and 12,080,683 shares at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively121
 121
Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 381,528 shares at both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 20184
 4
Series C common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; no shares issued
 

 
Additional paid-in capital1,424,724
 1,423,899
1,425,384
 1,425,325
Accumulated deficit(1,575,648) (1,277,118)(1,397,425) (1,998,487)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net12,399
 (4,233)
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity(138,401) 142,672
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity$1,786,602
 2,054,985
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
 7,608
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)28,084
 (565,429)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)$30,193
 1,413,544
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts
(unaudited) 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Net revenue$135,013
 140,498
 $268,766
 281,698
$128,091
 135,013
 $257,697
 268,766
Operating expenses: 
  
     
  
    
Cost of services33,047
 29,617
 65,748
 59,586
28,536
 33,047
 55,300
 65,748
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation34,387
 64,771
 71,793
 101,016
29,364
 34,387
 61,876
 71,793
Radio conversion costs
 77
 
 309
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets53,891
 59,965
 108,302
 119,512
49,138
 53,891
 98,283
 108,302
Depreciation2,871
 2,132
 5,492
 4,259
3,123
 2,871
 6,281
 5,492
Loss on goodwill impairment214,400
 
 214,400
 

 214,400
 
 214,400
Gain on disposal of operating assets
 (14,579) 
 (21,217)
338,596
 141,983
 465,735
 263,465
110,161
 338,596
 221,740
 465,735
Operating income (loss)(203,583) (1,485) (196,969) 18,233
17,930
 (203,583) 35,957
 (196,969)
Other expense (income), net: 
  
     
  
    
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries(685,530) 
 (685,530) 
Restructuring and reorganization expense34,730
 
 34,730
 
Interest income(774) (563) (1,255) (958)(318) (774) (862) (1,255)
Interest expense40,422
 38,165
 79,074
 75,651
40,521
 40,422
 78,415
 79,074
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss, net on derivative financial instruments(969) 
 6,804
 
Refinancing expense
 
 331
 
Other income, net(211) (222) (2,276) (464)(71) (211) (330) (2,276)
39,437
 37,380
 75,543
 74,229
(611,637) 39,437
 (566,442) 75,543
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes(243,020) (38,865) (272,512) (55,996)
Income tax expense from continuing operations1,347
 4,661
 2,693
 6,475
Net loss from continuing operations(244,367) (43,526) (275,205) (62,471)
Discontinued operations: 
  
    
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax of $0
 
 
 92
Net loss(244,367) (43,526) (275,205) (62,379)
Income (loss) before income taxes629,567
 (243,020) 602,399
 (272,512)
Income tax expense666
 1,347
 1,337
 2,693
Net income (loss)628,901
 (244,367) 601,062
 (275,205)
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
  
     
  
    
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 584
 
 642
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on marketable securities, net(823) 536
 (3,900) 1,087
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities, net
 (823) 
 (3,900)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net5,521
 (5,777) 19,927
 (4,728)(472) 5,521
 (940) 19,927
Deconsolidation of subsidiaries(6,668) 
 (6,668) 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax4,698
 (4,657) 16,027
 (2,999)(7,140) 4,698
 (7,608) 16,027
Comprehensive loss$(239,669) (48,183) $(259,178) (65,378)
Comprehensive income (loss)$621,761
 (239,669) $593,454
 (259,178)
              
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share: 
  
    
Continuing operations$(19.82) (3.58) $(22.35) (5.14)
Discontinued operations
 
 
 0.01
Net loss$(19.82) (3.58) $(22.35) (5.13)
Basic earnings (loss) per share: 
  
    
Net income (loss)$50.48
 (19.82) $48.30
 (22.35)
       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share: 
  
    
Net income (loss)$50.02
 (19.82) $47.86
 (22.35)
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Amounts in thousands
(unaudited)
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
2018 20172019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net loss$(275,205) (62,379)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax
 (92)
Net income (loss)$601,062
 (275,205)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets108,302
 119,512
98,283
 108,302
Depreciation5,492
 4,259
6,281
 5,492
Stock-based and long-term incentive compensation945
 3,575
760
 945
Deferred income tax expense1,324
 2,104

 1,324
Gain on disposal of operating assets
 (21,217)
Legal settlement reserve
 28,000
Amortization of debt discount and deferred debt costs5,994
 5,415
197
 5,994
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries(685,530) 
Restructuring and reorganization expense34,730
 
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, net4,577
 
Refinancing expense331
 
Bad debt expense5,623
 4,987
5,903
 5,623
Loss on goodwill impairment214,400
 

 214,400
Other non-cash activity, net(805) 3,542
(738) (805)
Changes in assets and liabilities: 
  
 
  
Trade receivables(5,434) (3,949)(5,327) (5,434)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(2,001) (1,192)4,590
 (2,001)
Subscriber accounts - deferred contract acquisition costs(2,586) (1,547)(1,781) (2,586)
Payables and other liabilities7,623
 (8,143)34,780
 7,623
Operating activities from discontinued operations, net
 (3,408)
Net cash provided by operating activities63,672
 69,467
98,118
 63,672
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
 
  
Capital expenditures(8,928) (5,752)(6,767) (8,928)
Cost of subscriber accounts acquired(69,695) (88,287)(61,335) (69,695)
Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash(11,588) 
Purchases of marketable securities(39,022) (2,626)
 (39,022)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities37,841
 1,057

 37,841
Proceeds from the disposal of operating assets
 32,612
Net cash used in investing activities(79,804) (62,996)(79,690) (79,804)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  
 
  
Proceeds from long-term debt105,300
 95,550
43,100
 105,300
Payments on long-term debt(95,200) (82,350)(99,376) (95,200)
Payments of restructuring and reorganization costs(35,968) 
Payments of refinancing costs(2,521) 
Value of shares withheld for share-based compensation(144) (431)(11) (144)
Net cash provided by financing activities9,956
 12,769
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(6,176) 19,240
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(94,776) 9,956
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(76,348) (6,176)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period10,465
 12,319
106,110
 10,465
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$4,289
 31,559
$29,762
 4,289
Supplemental cash flow information: 
  
 
  
State taxes paid, net$2,710
 3,105
$2,637
 2,710
Interest paid72,899
 70,226
38,063
 72,899
Accrued capital expenditures616
 493
461
 616
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ DeficitEquity (Deficit)
Amounts in thousands
(unaudited)
 


        Additional Paid-in Capital   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity
 Preferred Stock Common Stock  Accumulated Deficit  
  Series A Series B Series C    
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
 
 
 
 
 (275,205) 
 (275,205)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 16,027
 16,027
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 969
 
 
 969
Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability
 
 
 
 (144) 
 
 (144)
Balance at June 30, 2018$
 120
 4
 
 1,424,724
 (1,575,648) 12,399
 (138,401)


        Additional Paid-in Capital   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
 Preferred Stock Common Stock  Accumulated Deficit  
  Series A Series B Series C    
Balance at December 31, 2018$
 121
 4
 
 1,425,325
 (1,998,487) 7,608
 $(565,429)
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 (27,839) 
 (27,839)
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (468) (468)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 459
 
 
 459
Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability
 
 
 
 (4) 
 
 (4)
Balance at March 31, 2019$
 121
 4
 
 1,425,780
 (2,026,326) 7,140
 $(593,281)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 628,901
 
 628,901
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 (7,140) (7,140)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 (389) 
 
 (389)
Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability
 
 
 
 (7) 
 
 (7)
Balance at June 30, 2019$
 121
 4
 
 1,425,384
 (1,397,425) 
 $28,084
 


        Additional Paid-in Capital   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
 Preferred Stock Common Stock  Accumulated Deficit  
  Series A Series B Series C    
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
 
 
 
 
 (30,838) 
 (30,838)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 11,329
 11,329
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 285
 
 
 285
Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability
 
 
 
 (116) 
 
 (116)
Balance at March 31, 2018$
 120
 4
 
 1,424,068
 (1,331,281) 7,701
 $100,612
Net loss
 
 
 
 
 (244,367) 
 (244,367)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 4,698
 4,698
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 684
 
 
 684
Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability
 
 
 
 (28) 
 
 (28)
Balance at June 30, 2018$
 120
 4
 
 1,424,724
 (1,575,648) 12,399
 $(138,401)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(1)    Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying Ascent Capital Group, Inc. ("Ascent Capital" or the "Company") condensed consolidated financial statements represent the financial position of Ascent Capital as of June 30, 2019 and results of operations of Ascent Capital and its consolidated subsidiaries.subsidiaries, including Monitronics International, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "Brinks"Monitronics", doing business as Brinks Home SecurityTM"), are through June 30, 2019. Monitronics is the primary operating and wholly owned subsidiariessubsidiary of the Company.  Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics 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 SecurityMonitronics customers are obtained through its direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "Direct to Consumer Channel") or its Authorized Dealerexclusive authorized dealer network (the "Dealer Channel"), which provides product and installation services, as well as support to customers. Its direct-to-consumer channelDirect to Consumer Channel offers both Do-It-Yourself ("DIY") and professional installation security solutions. As described in

The rolloutnote 2, Monitronics Bankruptcy, effective June 30, 2019, we deconsolidated Monitronics subsequent to its voluntary filing for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Brinks Home Security brandUnited States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") on June 30, 2019. As such, all amounts presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto exclude the second quarterassets, liabilities, and equity 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. 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 $107,885,000 and $113,698,000Monitronics as of June 30, 20182019. The condensed consolidated statement of operations and December 31, 2017, respectively. Net gain (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes related to corporate Ascent Capital activities was $(2,575,000) and $(7,206,000) forstatement of cash flows reflect the three and six months endedoperating results of Monitronics through June 30, 2018, as compared to $9,543,000 and $11,559,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.2019.

The unaudited interim financial information of the Company has been prepared in accordance with Article 10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the "SEC") Regulation S-X. Accordingly, it does not include all of the information required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. TheExcept as discussed above and in note 2, Monitronics Bankruptcy, the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2018,2019, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, include Ascent Capital and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Ascent Capital Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2018.

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("Topic 606") using the modified retrospective approach on JanuaryApril 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 opening balance of retained earnings.2019.

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"). Currently, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with the carrying value of the reporting unit (identified as "Step 1"). If the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount, then the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated. If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment is recognized (identified as "Step 2"). ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 from the impairment test; therefore, a goodwill impairment will be recognized as the difference of the fair value and the carrying value.


The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during those periods. See note 3, Revenue Recognition and note 5, Goodwill, in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for each reporting period.  The significant estimates made in preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements primarily relate to valuation of subscriber accounts and valuation of deferred tax assets and valuation of goodwill.assets. These estimates are based on management’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.

Restructuring Support Agreement

On May 20, 2019, Ascent Capital entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement (the "RSA") with (i) Monitronics, (ii) holders of in excess of 66 2/3% in dollar amount of Monitronics' 9.125% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "Senior Notes"), and (iii) holders of in excess of 66 2/3% in dollar amount of Monitronics' term loans under that certain Credit Facility, dated as of March 23, 2012 (as amended, the "Credit Facility"), to support the restructuring of the capital structure of Monitronics on the terms set forth in the term sheet annexed to the RSA (the "Restructuring Term Sheet"). Under the terms of the RSA, up to approximately $685,000,000 of Monitronics' debt will be converted to equity, including up to approximately $585,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Monitronics' Senior Notes and $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Monitronics' term loan under the Credit Facility. Monitronics expects to also receive $200,000,000 in cash from a combination of an equity rights offering to its noteholders and up to $23,000,000 of a deemed contribution of cash on hand through a merger with Ascent Capital (as discussed below). This cash will be used to, among other things, repay Monitronics' remaining term loan debt.

In accordance with the RSA, if, among other things, Ascent Capital receives approval from its stockholders and has a cash amount of greater than $20,000,000, net of all of its liabilities (as determined in good faith by Ascent Capital, Monitronics and certain of its noteholders) concurrently with the emergence of Monitronics from bankruptcy, Ascent Capital will merge with and into Monitronics, with Monitronics as the surviving company (the "Merger"). At the time of the Merger, all assets of Ascent Capital shall become assets of a "Reorganized" Monitronics and Ascent Capital stockholders will receive up to 5.82% of the outstanding shares of Reorganized Monitronics, depending on the final amount of cash Ascent Capital contributes, which

is capped at $23,000,000. If the Merger is not completed for any reason as noted in the RSA, then the restructuring of Monitronics will be completed without the participation of Ascent Capital and Ascent Capital's equity interests in Monitronics will be cancelled without Ascent Capital recovering any property or value on account of such equity interests. Furthermore, Ascent Capital will be obligated to make a cash contribution to Monitronics in the amount of $3,500,000 upon Monitronics' emergence from bankruptcy if the Merger is not consummated.

Nasdaq Delisting

On July 3, 2019 and July 5, 2019, the Company notified The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) of its intent to voluntarily withdraw the listing of its Series A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Common Stock”), from NASDAQ. As previously disclosed, on May 29, 2019, the Company received a notice from NASDAQ that its Series A Common Stock would be delisted, absent an appeal by the Company to stay the delisting, because it no longer qualified for listing on NASDAQ.

The Company had requested an appeal of the delisting determination but before the scheduled hearing could take place on August 1, 2019, the Company withdrew its request for an appeal and notified NASDAQ of its intent to voluntarily withdraw the listing of the Series A Common Stock from NASDAQ. Following its receipt of the notice of voluntary delisting, the Company's Series A Common Stock was suspended from trading at the open of business on July 12, 2019 and subsequently delisted from the NASDAQ on July 25, 2019, ten days after the Company had filed a Form 25 with the SEC to delist the Series A Common Stock.

The Company's Series A Common Stock is currently quoted on the OTC Markets under the symbol "ASCMA."

(2)    Monitronics Bankruptcy

On June 30, 2019 (the "Petition Date"), to implement the financial restructuring contemplated in the RSA, Monitronics and certain of its domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the "Debtors"), filed voluntary reorganization cases (the "Chapter 11 Cases") in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (the "Bankruptcy Court") to implement a restructuring pursuant to a partial prepackaged plan of reorganization (as amended from time to time, the "Plan"). The Debtors' Chapter 11 Cases are being jointly administered under the caption In re Monitronics International, Inc., et al., Case No. 19-33650.

On the Petition Date, the Debtors filed certain motions and applications intended to limit the disruption of the bankruptcy proceedings on its operations (the "First Day Motions"), which were subsequently approved by the Bankruptcy Court. Pursuant to the First Day Motions, and subject to certain terms and dollar limits included therein, Monitronics was authorized to continue to use its unrestricted cash on hand, as well as all cash generated from daily operations, to continue its operations without interruption during the course of the Chapter 11 Cases. Also pursuant to the First Day Motions, Monitronics received Bankruptcy Court authorization to, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable orders, pay certain pre-petition employee wages, salaries, health benefits and other employee obligations during its Chapter 11 Cases, pay certain pre-petition claims of its dealers, creditors in the normal course and taxes, continue its cash management programs and insurance policies, as well as continue to honor its dealer program post-petition. Monitronics is authorized under the Bankruptcy Code to pay post-petition expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business without seeking Bankruptcy Court approval. Until the Plan is effective, Monitronics will continue to manage its properties and operate its businesses as a “debtor-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Plan confirmation hearing is currently scheduled for August 7, 2019.

Debtor-in-possession ("DIP") Financing

In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and subsequent to June 30, 2019, the Debtors received approval from the Bankruptcy Court to enter into a secured superpriority and priming debtor-in-possession revolving credit facility (the “DIP Facility”) with the lenders party thereto, KKR Credit Markets LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, KKR Credit Advisors (US) LLC, as structuring advisor, Encina Private Credit SPV, LLC, as administrative agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer (the “DIP Administrative Agent”), and certain other financial parties thereto.

The DIP Facility is in an amount of up to $245,000,000, subject to availability under the Debtors’ borrowing base thereunder, including a letter of credit subfacility in the amount of $10,000,000 and a swingline loan commitment of $10,000,000. Interest on the DIP Facility will accrue at a rate per year equal to the LIBOR rate (with a floor of 1.50%) plus 5.00% or a base rate (with a floor of 4.50%) plus 4.00%.

The Debtors are required to pay fees in relation to the DIP Facility, including the following:
unused commitment fee: 0.75% per annum on the daily unused amount of the revolving credit portion of the DIP Facility;
letter of credit commitment fronting fee: 0.25% per annum on the average daily amount of the letter of credit exposure of the DIP Facility; and
agent fees: separately agreed upon between the Debtors and the DIP Administrative Agent;

The DIP Facility will mature on the earlier of: (i) 45 days after the date of entry of the interim DIP order, if the final DIP order has not been entered by the Bankruptcy Court on or prior to such date; (ii) 12 months after June 30, 2019; (iii) the effective date with respect to any Chapter 11 plan of reorganization, including the Plan; (iv) the filing of a motion by the Debtors seeking the dismissal of any of the Chapter 11 Cases, the dismissal of any Chapter 11 Case, the filing of a motion by the Debtors seeking to convert any of the Chapter 11 Cases to a case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code or the conversion of any of the Chapter 11 Cases to a case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code; (v) the date of a sale of all or substantially all of the Debtors’ assets consummated under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code; (vi) acceleration of the DIP Facility following an occurrence of an event of default thereunder; or (vii) the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee.

Proceeds of the DIP Facility can be used by the Debtors to (i) pay certain costs, fees and expenses related to the Chapter 11 Cases, (ii) pay in full the claims of the revolving lenders under Monitronics’ Credit Facility, (iii) cash collateralize certain letters of credit previously issued under Monitronics' Credit Facility, and other letters of credit as approved by the majority lenders under the DIP Facility from time to time, (iv) to fund certain carve-out expenses and (v) fund working capital and general corporate purposes of the Debtors, in all cases, subject to the terms of the DIP Facility and applicable orders of the Bankruptcy Court.

The obligations and liabilities of Monitronics under the DIP Facility are secured by a first priority, senior priming lien on, and security interest in, substantially all assets and property of the estate of the Debtors, and the equity in Monitronics owned by Ascent, and are guaranteed by each of Monitronics’ existing and future subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.

The DIP Facility contains mandatory prepayments (a) if the amount of loans outstanding under the DIP Facility exceeds the lesser of the DIP Facility and the borrowing base thereunder and (b) with the proceeds of certain (i) asset sales, (ii) casualty events (subject, in each case, to certain reinvestment rights) and (iii) issuances of indebtedness not permitted by the DIP Facility.

The DIP Facility contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants for agreements of this type, including, among others covenants regarding minimum liquidity, relating to financial reporting, compliance with laws, payment of taxes, preservation of existence, books and records, maintenance of properties and insurance, limitations on liens, restrictions on mergers and restrictions on sales of all or substantially all of the Debtors’ assets, and limitations on changes in the nature of the Debtors’ businesses.

Amendment No. 8 to Monitronics' Credit Facility

In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and subsequent to June 30, 2019, the Debtors entered into an Amendment No. 8 to the Credit Facility and Consent to Agency Resignation and Appointment Agreement (“Amendment No. 8”), among Cortland Capital Market Services LLC (“Cortland”), as successor administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto. Pursuant to Amendment No. 8, the Debtors and the required lenders under Monitronics' Credit Facility approved the resignation of Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, and the appointment of Cortland as the successor administrative agent. Amendment No. 8 also made certain other amendments to Monitronics' Credit Facility to accommodate the appointment of Cortland as the successor administrative agent.

Restructuring and reorganization expense

Monitronics has incurred and will continue to incur significant costs associated with the reorganization. Restructuring and reorganization expense for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 was $34,730,000 which primarily represent legal and professional fees. The amount of these costs are being expensed as incurred and have been recorded in Restructuring and reorganization expense within the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Deconsolidation of Monitronics

The Chapter 11 Cases were a reconsideration event for Ascent Capital to determine whether the consolidation of Monitronics continues to be appropriate. Subsequent to the Petition Date, the power to make material decisions of Monitronics is deemed to have been transferred to the Bankruptcy Court according to GAAP. Therefore, Management has concluded that Ascent Capital only possesses non-substantive voting rights and that it is not the beneficiary of Monitronics, since the Bankruptcy Court is now considered to control its material activities.

As such, it was determined that Ascent Capital should deconsolidate Monitronics effective on the Petition Date. Given the factors discussed above, including the terms of the RSA, Management determined that Ascent Capital does not have significant influence over Monitronics; therefore, Ascent Capital will record its investment in Monitronics at fair value subsequent to the deconsolidation.

Upon the deconsolidation of Monitronics, Ascent Capital recognized a $685,530,000 gain on deconsolidation and recorded an investment in Monitronics of zero due to the negative equity associated with Monitronics' underlying financial position. In addition, as of June 30, 2019, Monitronics represented total assets of $1,289,724,000, and total liabilities of $1,968,588,000 with total contractual debt of $1,838,900,000.

(3)    Going Concern

As discussed in note 1, Basis of Presentation, Ascent Capital is party to the RSA, which if fully consummated as planned, will result in Ascent Capital being merged with and into Monitronics. If Ascent Capital is unable to participate in the Merger, then it will cease to have any ownership of Monitronics, which at present is the sole operating company of Ascent Capital.

These matters raise substantial doubt about Ascent Capital's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plan involves pursuing the Merger of Ascent Capital and Monitronics. Ascent Capital and Monitronics management have been diverted from seeking other potential opportunities if the Merger cannot be consummated, for whatever reason. Assurance cannot be provided as to Ascent Capital's ability to generate returns for its shareholders if the Merger is not consummated and Ascent Capital is excluded from participating in the RSA and ceases its ownership of Monitronics.

The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2019 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.

(4)    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial 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, theThe Company is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Further,adopted ASU 2016-02 requires a finance lease to be recognized as both an interest expense and an amortization of the associated asset. Operating leases generally recognize the associated expense on a straight line basis. ASU 2016-02 requires the Company to adopt the standard using a modified retrospective approach and becomes effective onat January 1, 2019. The Company2019, as outlined in ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. Under this method of adoption, there is currently evaluatingno impact to the impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on its financial position, resultscomparative condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows.

(3)    Revenue Recognition

Topic 606 amends and supersedes FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition ("Topic 605").condensed consolidated balance sheets. The core principle of Topic 606 isCompany determined that revenue will be recognized when the transfer of promised goods or servicesthere was no cumulative effect adjustment 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.

Accounting Policy for Periods Commencing January 1, 2018

Brinks Home Security offers its subscribers professional alarm monitoring services, as well as interactive and home automation services, through equipment at the subscriber's site that communicates with Brinks Home Security’s central 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 Brinks Home Security’s network of third party Authorized Dealers or directly from Brinks Home Security via its direct-to-consumer sales channel. Brinks Home Security also offers equipment sales and installation services and, to its existing subscribers, maintenance services on existing alarm equipment. Brinks Home Security also 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.

Revenue under subscriber AMAs is allocated to alarm monitoring revenue and, if applicable, product and installation revenue based on the stand alone selling prices (“SSP”) of each performance obligation as a percentage of the total SSP of all performance obligations. Allocated alarm monitoring revenue is recognized as the monthly service is provided. Allocated product and installation revenue is recognized when the product 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 as 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 be impaired and is immediately expensed in full to Selling, general and administrative expensebeginning Accumulated deficit on the condensed consolidated statementbalance sheets. The Company will continue to report periods prior to January 1, 2019 in its financial statements under prior guidance as outlined in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 840, "Leases". In addition, the Company elected the package of operations.practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed carry forward of historical lease classifications.

Maintenance services are billedAdoption of this standard had no impact on the Company's Loss before income taxes and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Upon adoption as of January 1, 2019, the Company recognized as revenue whenan Operating lease right-of-use asset of $20,383,000 and a total Operating lease liability of $20,908,000. The difference between the services are completedtwo amounts were due to decreases in the homeprepaid rent and agreed to by the subscriberdeferred rent recorded 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):
 Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Alarm monitoring revenue$124,844
 136,453
 $249,685
 273,343
Product and installation revenue9,477
 3,136
 17,624
 6,430
Other revenue692
 909
 1,457
 1,925
Total Net revenue$135,013
 140,498
 $268,766
 281,698

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands):
 June 30, 2018 At adoption
Trade receivables, net$12,456
 12,645
Contract assets, net - current portion (a)13,528
 14,197
Contract assets, net - long-term portion (b)12,908
 10,377
Deferred revenue12,965
 12,892
(a)Amount is includedprior lease accounting in Prepaid and other current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(b)Amount is included inand Other assets in the unaudited condensed 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 a subscriber move (“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 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 condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 (in thousands):


i. Condensed consolidated balance sheets
 Impact of changes in accounting policies
 
As reported
June 30, 2018
 Adjustments Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Assets     
Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents$4,185
 
 4,185
Restricted cash104
 
 104
Marketable securities, at fair value105,515
 
 105,515
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts12,456
 
 12,456
Prepaid and other current assets23,185
 (13,528) 9,657
Total current assets145,445
 (13,528) 131,917
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation36,603
 
 36,603
Subscriber accounts and deferred contract acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization1,222,485
 47,452
 1,269,937
Dealer network and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization1,213
 
 1,213
Goodwill349,149
 
 349,149
Other assets, net31,707
 (12,908) 18,799
Total assets$1,786,602
 21,016
 1,807,618
Liabilities and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity 
    
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable$12,779
 
 12,779
Accrued payroll and related liabilities5,231
 
 5,231
Other accrued liabilities56,829
 
 56,829
Deferred revenue12,965
 1,302
 14,267
Holdback liability9,740
 
 9,740
Current portion of long-term debt11,000
 
 11,000
Total current liabilities108,544
 1,302
 109,846
Non-current liabilities: 
    
Long-term debt1,793,364
 
 1,793,364
Long-term holdback liability2,031
 
 2,031
Derivative financial instruments3,313
 
 3,313
Deferred income tax liability, net14,635
 
 14,635
Other liabilities3,116
 
 3,116
Total liabilities1,925,003
 1,302
 1,926,305
Commitments and contingencies

 
 
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:     
Preferred stock
 
 
Series A common stock120
 
 120
Series B common stock4
 
 4
Series C common stock
 
 
Additional paid-in capital1,424,724
 
 1,424,724
Accumulated deficit(1,575,648) 19,714
 (1,555,934)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net12,399
 
 12,399
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity(138,401) 19,714
 (118,687)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity$1,786,602
 21,016
 1,807,618


ii. Condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss)
 Impact of changes in accounting policies
 
As reported
three months ended
June 30, 2018
 Adjustments Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Net revenue$135,013
 (2,445) 132,568
Operating expenses:     
Cost of services33,047
 (1,596) 31,451
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation34,387
 (30) 34,357
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets53,891
 1,880
 55,771
Depreciation2,871
 
 2,871
Loss on goodwill impairment214,400
 
 214,400
 338,596
 254
 338,850
Operating loss(203,583) (2,699) (206,282)
Other expense (income), net: 
    
Interest income(774) 
 (774)
Interest expense40,422
 
 40,422
Other income, net(211) 
 (211)
 39,437
 
 39,437
Loss before income taxes(243,020) (2,699) (245,719)
Income tax expense1,347
 
 1,347
Net loss(244,367) (2,699) (247,066)
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
    
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities, net(823) 
 (823)
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net5,521
 
 5,521
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax4,698
 
 4,698
Comprehensive loss$(239,669) (2,699) (242,368)


 Impact of changes in accounting policies
 
As reported
six months ended
June 30, 2018
 Adjustments Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Net revenue$268,766
 (2,770) 265,996
Operating expenses: 
    
Cost of services65,748
 (3,518) 62,230
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation71,793
 (9) 71,784
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets108,302
 3,763
 112,065
Depreciation5,492
 
 5,492
Loss on goodwill impairment214,400
 
 214,400
 465,735
 236
 465,971
Operating loss(196,969) (3,006) (199,975)
Other expense (income), net: 
    
Interest income(1,255) 
 (1,255)
Interest expense79,074
 
 79,074
Other income, net(2,276) 
 (2,276)
 75,543
 
 75,543
Loss before income taxes(272,512) (3,006) (275,518)
Income tax expense2,693
 
 2,693
Net loss(275,205) (3,006) (278,211)
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
    
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities, net(3,900) 
 (3,900)
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, net19,927
 
 19,927
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax16,027
 
 16,027
Comprehensive loss$(259,178) (3,006) (262,184)


iii. Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows
 Impact of changes in accounting policies
 
As reported
six months ended
June 30, 2018
 Adjustments Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Cash flows from operating activities:     
Net loss$(275,205) (3,006) (278,211)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: 
    
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets108,302
 3,763
 112,065
Depreciation5,492
 
 5,492
Stock-based and long-term incentive compensation945
 
 945
Deferred income tax expense1,324
 
 1,324
Amortization of debt discount and deferred debt costs5,994
 
 5,994
Bad debt expense5,623
 
 5,623
Goodwill impairment214,400
 
 214,400
Other non-cash activity, net(805) 
 (805)
Changes in assets and liabilities: 
    
Trade receivables(5,434) 
 (5,434)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(2,001) 3,164
 1,163
Subscriber accounts - deferred contract acquisition costs(2,586) 89
 (2,497)
Payables and other liabilities7,623
 (783) 6,840
Net cash provided by operating activities63,672
 3,227
 66,899
Cash flows from investing activities: 
    
Capital expenditures(8,928) 
 (8,928)
Cost of subscriber accounts acquired(69,695) (3,227) (72,922)
Purchases of marketable securities(39,022) 
 (39,022)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities37,841
 
 37,841
Net cash used in investing activities(79,804) (3,227) (83,031)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
    
Proceeds from long-term debt105,300
 
 105,300
Payments on long-term debt(95,200) 
 (95,200)
Value of shares withheld for share-based compensation(144) 
 (144)
Net cash provided by financing activities9,956
 
 9,956
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(6,176) 
 (6,176)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period10,465
 
 10,465
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$4,289
 
 4,289



(4)    Investments in Marketable Securities
Ascent Capital owns marketable securities primarily consisting of diversified corporate bond funds. The following table presents a summary of amounts recordedaccrued liabilities, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets (amountssheets. The adoption entry included the leases in thousands):
  As of June 30, 2018
  Cost Basis Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Total
Mutual funds (a) $106,190
 
 (675) 105,515
Ending balance $106,190
 
 (675) 105,515
         
  As of December 31, 2017
  Cost Basis Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Total
Equity securities $3,432
 2,039
 
 5,471
Mutual funds (a) 98,628
 1,859
 
 100,487
Ending balance $102,060
 3,898
 
 105,958
(a)Primarily consists of corporate bond funds.

The following table providesMonitronics' name since the realized and unrealized investment gains and losses recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (amounts in thousands):
 Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net gains and (losses) recognized during the period on trading securities$(612) (3) $(1,624) 3
Less: Net gains and (losses) recognized during the period on trading securities sold during the period(1,329) (3) (303) 3
Unrealized gains and (losses) recognized during the reporting period on trading securities still held at the reporting date$717
 
 $(1,321) 

(5)    Goodwill

The following table provides the activity and balances of goodwill by reporting unit (amounts in thousands):
  MONI LiveWatch 
Brinks Home
Security
 Total
Balance at 12/31/2017 $527,502
 $36,047
 $
 $563,549
Goodwill impairment (214,400) 
 
 (214,400)
Reporting unit reallocation (313,102) (36,047) 349,149
 
Balance at 6/30/2018 $
 $
 $349,149
 $349,149
The Company accounts for its goodwill pursuantadoption occurred prior to the provisionsdeconsolidation of FASB ASC Topic 350,Monitronics. See 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 a reporting unit may be below its carrying amount.

As of May 31, 2018, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred due to a sustained decrease in the Company's 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 the income-based approach (using a discount rate of 8.50%) and 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 for 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 the impairment are primarily the experience of overall lower account acquisition in recent periods. Using this information, we adjusted the growth outlook for the MONI reporting unit, which resulted in reductions in future cash flows and 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 Presentationnote 13, Leases, 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.information.


(6)(5)    Other Accrued Liabilities
 
Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
 June 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
Interest payable$15,697
 $15,927
Income taxes payable1,601
 2,950
Legal settlement reserve (a)23,000
 23,000
Other16,531
 10,452
Total Other accrued liabilities$56,829
 $52,329
(a)See note 12, Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities, for further information.
 June 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Accrued payroll and related liabilities$199
 $4,957
Interest payable
 15,537
Income taxes payable
 2,742
Operating lease liabilities98
 
Accrued restructuring expense878
 
Other749
 12,770
Total Other accrued liabilities$1,924
 $36,006

(7)    Long-Term(6)    Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
 June 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
Ascent Capital 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020 with an effective rate of 9.0%$85,019
 $82,614
Brinks Home Security 9.125% Senior Notes due April 1, 2020 with an effective rate of 9.5%580,392
 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 8.0%1,056,465
 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 5.7%82,488
 66,673
 1,804,364
 1,789,044
Less current portion of long-term debt(11,000) (11,000)
Long-term debt$1,793,364
 $1,778,044
 June 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Ascent Capital 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020$
 $90,725
Monitronics 9.125% Senior Notes due April 1, 2020
 585,000
Monitronics term loan, matures September 30, 2022, LIBOR plus 5.50%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%
 1,075,250
Monitronics $295 million revolving credit facility, matures September 30, 2021, LIBOR plus 4.00%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%
 144,200
 
 1,895,175
Less current portion of long-term debt
 (1,895,175)
Long-term debt$
 $

Ascent Capital Convertible Senior Notes
 
The Ascent Capital convertible senior notes total $96,775,0004.00% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2020 (the "Convertible Notes") were settled and terminated as of June 30, 2019 as described below.

On February 14, 2019, pursuant to the settlement of the Noteholder Action lawsuit (as described in note 11, Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities), the Company repurchased and settled $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount mature on July 15, 2020 and bear interest at 4.00% per annumof Convertible Notes. Ascent Capital paid to the Noteholder Parties (as defined below) an aggregate amount of $70,666,176.28 in cash (the "Convertible Notes"Note Cash Settlement"). Interest, consisting of (i) an aggregate of $6,104,720.92 for professional fees and expenses incurred on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annuallyNoteholder 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 January 15 and July 15account of each year. The Convertible Notes are convertible, under certain circumstances, into cash, shares of Ascent Capital's Series A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series A Common Stock"), or any combination thereof at Ascent Capital’s election.the Note Repurchase (as defined below).

HoldersOn February 19, 2019, the Company commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of the remaining 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, ("Noteholders") havepursuant to which the right, at their option,Company agreed to convert all or any portion of suchincrease the purchase price for the Convertible Notes subjectin the Offer to the satisfaction of certain conditions, at an initial conversion rate of 9.7272 shares of Series A Common Stock$950 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 "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 Capital'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 no accrued and unpaid interest including unpaid additional interest, if any, unlessto 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 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, the Company separately negotiated the repurchase date occurs after an interest record date and on or prior toof the related interest payment date, as specifiedremaining $260,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes for cash in the indenture.amount of $247,000 during the second quarter of 2019. On June 30, 2019, U.S. Bank

The Convertible Notes are within the scope of FASB ASC Subtopic 470-20, DebtNational Association, trustee with Conversion and Other Options, 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 ascribedrespect to the Convertible Notes, as a whole. The excessacknowledged the satisfaction and discharge of the principal amountunderlying indenture 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 meet the conditions for equity classification as prescribed in FASB ASC Subtopic 815-40, Contracts in an Entity’s Own EquityConvertible Notes.

The Convertible Notes are presented on the consolidated balance sheetsheets as follows (amounts in thousands):
As of
June 30,
2018
 As of
December 31,
2017
As of
June 30,
2019
 As of
December 31,
2018
Principal$96,775
 $96,775
$
 $96,775
Unamortized discount(11,011) (13,263)
 (5,666)
Deferred debt costs(745) (898)
 (384)
Carrying value$85,019
 $82,614
$
 $90,725
 
The Company is using an effective interest rate of 14.0% to calculate the accretion of the debt discount, which is being recorded as interest expense over the expected remaining term to maturity of the Convertible Notes.  The Company recognized contractual interest expense of $968,000amortized $47,000 and $1,936,000 for both of the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. The Company amortized $1,224,000 and $2,405,000$197,000 of the Convertible Notes debt discount and deferred debt costs into interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, respectively, as compared to $1,065,000$1,224,000 and $2,092,000$2,405,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.
Hedging Transactions Relating2018, respectively. The Company accelerated amortization of discount and deferred debt costs of $5,008,000, which was accelerated due to the Offeringrepurchase of the Convertible Notes
In connection with pursuant to the issuancesettlement of the Noteholder Action lawsuit. This acceleration resulted in the carrying value of the Convertible Notes Ascent Capital entered into separate privately negotiated purchased call options (the "Bond Hedge Transactions").settled in February 2019 to equal the Convertible Note Cash Settlement. For the remaining unamortized debt discount and deferred debt costs, the Company used an effective interest rate of 14.0% to calculate the accretion of the debt discount, which was being recorded as interest expense until the settlement of such Convertible Notes.  The Bond Hedge Transactions requireCompany recognized contractual interest benefit of $176,000 for the counterpartiesthree months ended June 30, 2019 and contractual interest expense of $140,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to offset Series A Common Stock deliverable or cash payments made by Ascent Capital upon conversioncontractual interest expense of $968,000 and $1,936,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The Company was not required to pay accrued interest as part of the Convertible NotesNote Cash Settlement and the Amended Offer transactions described above so interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2019 resulted in the event that the volume-weighted average price of Series A Common Stock on each trading day of the relevant valuation period is greater than the strike price of $102.804, which correspondsa benefit related to the Conversion Pricereversal 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.accrued interest.

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’ rights under the Convertible Notes.  The Noteholders will not have any rights with respect to the Bond Hedge Transactions or the Warrant Transactions.

Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics Senior Notes

The Brinks Home Security senior notes totalDue to the deconsolidation of Monitronics as discussed in note 2, Monitronics Bankruptcy, the Monitronics Senior Notes that have an outstanding principal amount of $585,000,000 in principal, matureas of June 30, 2019, are due on April 1, 2020 and bear interest at 9.125% per annum, (the "Senior Notes").  Interest payments are due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by all of Brinks Home Security’s existing domestic subsidiaries.no longer presented in Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of Brinks Home Security's obligations under the Senior Notes. AsCapital's unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2018, the Senior Notes had deferred financing costs and unamortized premium, net of accumulated amortization of $4,608,000.2019.

Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics Credit Facility

On September 30, 2016, Brinks Home Security entered into an amendment ("Amendment No. 6") withDue to the lendersdeconsolidation of its existing senior secured credit agreement dated March 23, 2012, andMonitronics as amended and restated on April 9, 2015, February 17, 2015, August 16, 2013, March 25, 2013, and November 7, 2012 (the "Existingdiscussed in note 2, Monitronics Bankruptcy, the Monitronics Credit Agreement"). Amendment No. 6 provided for, among other things, the issuance of a $1,100,000,000 senior secured term loan at a 1.5% discount and a new $295,000,000 super priority revolver (the Existing Credit Agreement together with Amendment No. 6, the "Credit Facility").

AsFacility is no longer presented in Ascent Capital's unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2018, the2019. The Credit Facility term loan has aan outstanding principal amountbalance of $1,080,750,000,$1,072,500,000 as of June 30, 2019, maturing on September 30, 2022. The Credit Facility term loan requires quarterly interest payments and quarterly principal payments of $2,750,000. Monitronics did not make its quarterly principal repayment in the second quarter of 2019. The Credit Facility term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 5.5%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.0%. The Credit Facility revolver has a principal amount outstanding of $84,100,000$181,400,000 and an aggregate of $1,000,000 under two standby letters of credit issued as of June 30, 2018 and matures2019, maturing on September 30, 2021. The Credit Facility revolver typically bears interest at LIBOR plus 4.0%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.0%. There is a commitment fee of 0.5% on unused portions of the Credit Facility revolver. AsIn conjunction with negotiations around certain defaults of June 30, 2018, $210,900,000 is available for borrowing underthe Monitronics Credit Facility in the first quarter of 2019, the Credit Facility revolver subjectlenders allowed Monitronics to certain financial covenants.

The maturity date for both the term loan andcontinue to borrow under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility are subjectfor up 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. In addition, if Brinks Home Security is unable to repay or refinance the Senior Notes prior to the filing with the SEC of their Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, they may be subject to a going concern qualification in connection with their audit, which would be$195,000,000 at an event of default 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 duealternate base rate plus 3.0% and payable and terminate any commitment to make further loans under the Credit Facility. Also, failure to comply with restrictions contained in the Senior Notes could lead to an event of default under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of all of the outstanding stock of Brinks Home Security and all of its existing subsidiaries and is guaranteed by all of Brinks Home Security's existing domestic subsidiaries.  Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of Brinks Home Security's obligations under the Credit Facility.
As of June 30, 2018, Brinks Home Security has deferred financing costs and unamortized discounts, net of accumulated amortization, of $25,897,000 related to the Credit Facility.
In order to reduce the financial risk related to changes in interest rates associated with the floating rate term loan under the Credit Facility term loan Brinks Home Security has entered intolenders allowed the term loan to renew with interest due on an alternate base rate plus 4.5%. Additionally, for the period of April 24, 2019 through May 20, 2019, an additional 2.0% default interest rate swap agreements with terms similar towas accrued and paid on the Credit Facility term loan (all outstanding interest rate swap agreements are collectively referred to asand revolver. On July 3, 2019, with approval from the “Swaps”). The Swaps have been designated as effective hedges of the Company’s variable rate debt and qualify for hedge accounting.  As a result of these interest rate swaps, Brinks Home Security's effective weighted average interest rate (excluding the impacts of non-cash amortization of deferred debt costs and discounts) on the borrowings underBankruptcy Court, the Credit Facility term loanrevolver principal and interest was 7.98% as of June 30, 2018. See note 8, Derivatives, for further disclosures related to these derivative instruments. 
The terms ofrepaid in full with proceeds from the Convertible Notes, the Senior Notes and the Credit Facility provide for certain financial and nonfinancial covenants.  As of June 30, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all required covenants under these financing arrangements.

As of June 30, 2018, principal payments scheduled to be made on the Company’s debt obligations, assuming no Springing Maturity of the Credit Facility, are as follows (amounts in thousands):
Remainder of 2018$5,500
201911,000
2020692,775
202195,100
20221,042,250
2023
Thereafter
Total principal payments1,846,625
Less:

Unamortized deferred debt costs, discounts and premium, net42,261
Total debt on condensed consolidated balance sheet$1,804,364
DIP Facility.

(8)(7)    Derivatives

Brinks Home Security utilizesHistorically, Monitronics utilized Swaps to reduce the interest rate risk inherent in Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' variable rate Credit Facility term loan. The valuation of these instruments iswas determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflectsreflected the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and usesused observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and

implied volatility. The Company incorporatesincorporated credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect the respective counterparty’scounterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. See note 9,8, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information about the credit valuation adjustments.

AllPrior to December of 2018, 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 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). ChangesHowever, in December of 2018, given the potential for changes in Monitronics' future expected interest payments that these Swaps hedged, all of the Swaps no longer qualified as a cash flow hedge and were de-designated as such. Before the de-designation, changes in the fair value of the Swaps were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) areand were reclassified to Interest expense when the hedged interest payments on the underlying debt were recognized. After the de-designation, changes in the fair value of the Swaps are recognized.  Amountsrecognized in Accumulated otherUnrealized loss on derivative financial instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) expected to be recognized as a reduction of Interest expense in. For the coming 12three months total approximately $474,000.

As ofended June 30, 2018,2019, the Swaps’Company recorded an Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments of $3,196,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recorded an Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments of $4,577,000. On April 30, 2019, the various counterparties and Monitronics agreed to settle and terminate all of the outstanding notional balances, effective dates, maturity datesswap agreements, which required Monitronics to pay $8,767,000 in termination amount to certain counterparties and interest rates paid and received are noted below:
Notional Effective Date Maturity Date Fixed Rate Paid Variable Rate Received
$190,490,554
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 3.110% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor (a)
248,750,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 3.110% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor (a)
49,750,000
 March 23, 2018 April 9, 2022 2.504% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
375,115,000
 March 23, 2018 September 30, 2022 1.833% 3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
(a)
On September 30, 2016, Brinks Home Security negotiated amendments to the terms of these interest rate swap agreements (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, Brinks Home Security 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 income (loss) relating to the dedesignation are recognized in Interest expense over the remaining life of the Amended Swaps.

required a certain counterparty to pay $6,540,000 in termination amount to Monitronics, resulting in a Realized net loss on derivative financial instruments of $2,227,000.

The impact of the derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on the condensed consolidated financial statements is depicted below (amounts in thousands):
 Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Effective portion of gain (loss) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)$5,096
 (7,243) $18,764
 (7,976)
Effective portion of loss reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into Net loss (a)$(425) (1,466) $(1,163) (3,248)
Ineffective portion of amount of loss recognized into Net loss (a)$
 (110) $
 (92)
 Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Effective portion of gain recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)$
 5,096
 $
 18,764
Effective portion of loss reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into Net loss (a)$(472) (425) $(940) (1,163)
 
(a)        Amounts are included in Interest expense in the unaudited condensed 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.

(9)(8)    Fair Value Measurements
 
According to the FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, 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 June 30, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 (amounts in thousands): 
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
June 30, 2018 
  
  
  
Investments in marketable securities (a)$105,515
 
 
 105,515
Interest rate swap agreements - assets (b)
 16,166
 
 16,166
Interest rate swap agreements - liabilities (b)
 (3,313) 
 (3,313)
Total$105,515
 12,853
 
 118,368
December 31, 2017 
  
  
  
Investments in marketable securities (a)$105,958
 
 
 105,958
Interest rate swap agreements - assets (b)
 7,058
 
 7,058
Interest rate swap agreements - liabilities (b)
 (13,817) 
 (13,817)
Total$105,958
 (6,759) 
 99,199
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
June 30, 2019 
  
  
  
Interest rate swap agreements - assets (a)$
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements - liabilities (a)
 
 
 
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
 
(a)Level 1 investments primarily consist of diversified corporate bond funds.
(b)Swap asset values are included in non-current Other assets and Swap liability values are included in non-current Derivative financial instruments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company has determined that the significant 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.

Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value are as follows (amounts in thousands):
 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Long term debt, including current portion: 
  
Carrying value$1,804,364
 1,789,044
Fair value (a)1,542,944
 1,709,342
June 30, 2019 (a)December 31, 2018
Long term debt, including current portion:

Carrying value$
1,895,175
Fair value (b)
1,273,502
 
(a)
Due to the deconsolidation of Monitronics, all amounts presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets exclude the assets of Monitronics as of June 30, 2019.
(b) 
The fair value is based on market 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.


(10)(9)    Stockholders’ EquityDeficit
 
Common Stock
 
The following table presents the activity in the Series A Common Stock and Ascent Capital's Series B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series B Common Stock"), for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018:
Series A
Common Stock
 
Series B
Common Stock
Balance at December 31, 201812,080,683
 381,528
Issuance of stock awards19,624
 
Restricted stock canceled for tax withholding(7,461) 
Balance at March 31, 201912,092,846
 381,528
Issuance of stock awards30,988
 
Restricted stock canceled for tax withholding(8,574) 
Balance at June 30, 201912,115,260
 381,528
Series A
Common Stock
 
Series B
Common Stock
   
Balance at December 31, 201711,999,630
 381,528
11,999,630
 381,528
Issuance of stock awards64,189
 
13,153
 
Restricted stock canceled for tax withholding(31,449) 
(10,680) 
Balance at March 31, 201812,002,103
 381,528
Issuance of stock awards51,036
 
Restricted stock canceled for tax withholding(20,769) 
Balance at June 30, 201812,032,370
 381,528
12,032,370
 381,528

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The following table provides a summary of the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the period presentedsix months ended June 30, 2019 (amounts in thousands):
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Unrealized
 Holding
 Gains and 
Losses on
Marketable
Securities, net
 
Unrealized
 Gains and
Losses on
 Derivative
Instruments, net (a)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
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 income (loss), net of income tax of $0
 (1,625) 18,764
 17,139
Reclassifications of loss (gain) into Net loss, net of income tax of $0
 (2,275) 1,163
 (1,112)
Net current period Other comprehensive income (loss)
 (3,900) 19,927
 16,027
Balance at June 30, 2018$(758) 
 13,157
 12,399
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2018$7,608
Reclassifications of unrealized loss on derivatives into Net loss, net of income tax of $0 (a)(468)
Balance at March 31, 2019$7,140
Reclassifications of unrealized loss on derivatives into Net loss, net of income tax of $0 (a)(472)
Deconsolidation of subsidiaries(6,668)
Balance at June 30, 2019$
 
(a)
Amounts reclassified into netNet loss are included in Interest expense on the condensed consolidated statementstatements of operations.  See note 8,7, Derivatives, for further information.


(11)The following table provides a summary of the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 (amounts in thousands):
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Unrealized
 Holding
 Gains and 
Losses on
Marketable
Securities, net (a)
 
Unrealized
 Gains and
Losses on
 Derivative
Instruments, net (b)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
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 income (loss), net of income tax of $0
 (1,014) 13,668
 12,654
Reclassifications of loss (gain) into Net loss, net of income tax of $0
 (2,063) 738
 (1,325)
Net period Other comprehensive income (loss)
 (3,077) 14,406
 11,329
Balance at March 31, 2018$(758) 823
 7,636
 7,701
Gain (loss) through Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax of $0
 (611) 5,096
 4,485
Reclassifications of loss (gain) into Net loss, net of income tax of $0
 (212) 425
 213
Net period Other comprehensive income (loss)
 (823) 5,521
 4,698
Balance at June 30, 2018$(758) 
 13,157
 12,399
(a)
Amounts reclassified into Net loss are included in Other income, net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(b)Amounts reclassified into Net loss are included in Interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

(10)    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 shares of Series A and Series B Common Stock outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of Series A and Series B Common Stock outstanding and the effect of dilutive securities, including the Company's outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units.

For all periods presented,the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, there were no anti-dilutive securities. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, diluted EPS is computed the same as basic EPS because the Company recorded a Net loss, from continuing operations, which would make potentially dilutive securities anti-dilutive. Diluted shares outstanding excluded an aggregate of 624,024 unvested restricted shares and performance units for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Diluted shares outstanding excluded an aggregate of 344,037 unvested restricted shares and performance units for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
 Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Weighted average number of shares of Series A and Series B Common Stock12,327,387
 12,168,582
 12,313,233
 12,151,417
 Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Weighted average number of shares of Series A and Series B Common Stock - basic12,459,283
 12,327,387
 12,444,628
 12,313,233
Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units114,793
 
 114,793
 
Weighted average number of shares of Series A and Series B Common Stock - diluted12,574,076
 12,327,387
 12,559,421
 12,313,233


(12)(11)    Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities

Brinks Home SecurityLegal

Monitronics 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) offor 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 SecurityMonitronics Authorized Dealer, or any Authorized Dealer’sDealer's lead generator or sub-dealer. In the second quarter of 2017, Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics and the plaintiffs agreed to settle this litigation for $28,000,000 ("the Settlement Amount"). Brinks Home Security is actively seeking to recover the Settlement Amount under its insurance policies. The settlement agreement remains subject to court approval and the court’s entry of a final order dismissing the actions. In the third quarter of 2017, Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics paid $5,000,000 of the Settlement Amount pursuant to the settlement agreement with the plaintiffs. In the third quarter of 2018, Monitronics paid the remaining $23,000,000 of the Settlement Amount. Monitronics recovered a portion of the Settlement Amount under its insurance policies held with multiple carriers. In the fourth quarter of 2018, Monitronics settled its claims against two such carriers in which those carriers paid Monitronics an aggregate of $12,500,000. In April of 2019, Monitronics settled a claim against one such carrier in which that carrier paid Monitronics $4,800,000.

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

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% 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 governing the Convertible Notes (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.


(12)    Revenue Recognition

Disaggregation of Revenue

Revenue is disaggregated by source of revenue as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Alarm monitoring revenue$119,085
 124,844
 $240,564
 249,685
Product and installation revenue7,585
 9,477
 14,118
 17,624
Other revenue1,421
 692
 3,015
 1,457
Total Net revenue$128,091
 135,013
 $257,697
 268,766

Following the deconsolidation of Monitronics, Ascent Capital has no sources of revenue.

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands):
June 30,
2019 (a)
December 31,
2018
Trade receivables, net$
13,121
Contract assets, net - current portion (b)
13,452
Contract assets, net - long-term portion (c)
16,154
Deferred revenue
13,060
(a)Due to the deconsolidation of Monitronics, all amounts presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets exclude the assets of Monitronics as of June 30, 2019.
(b)Amount is included in Prepaid and other current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(c)Amount is included in Other assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

(13)    Leases

The Company primarily leases buildings and equipment. The Company determines if a contract is a lease at the inception of the arrangement. The Company reviews all options to extend, terminate, or purchase its right of use assets at the inception of the lease and accounts for these options when they are reasonably certain of being exercised. Certain real estate leases contain lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for separately.

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Lease expense for these leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

All of the Company's leases are currently determined to be operating leases.

Components of Lease Expense

The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Operating lease cost (a)$120
 251
Operating lease cost (b)1,001
 2,022
Total operating lease cost$1,121
 2,273
(a)Amount is included in Cost of services in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(b)Amount is included in Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate

The following table presents the weighted-average remaining lease term and the weighted-average discount rate, which excludes any leases in Monitronics' name due to the deconsolidation of Monitronics:
As of June 30, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term for operating leases (in years)1
Weighted-average discount rate for operating leases10%

All of the Company's lease contracts do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. For these contracts, the Company's estimated incremental borrowing rate is based on information available either upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 or at the inception of the lease.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following is the supplemental cash flow information associated with the Company's leases (in thousands):
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases2,187

Maturities of Lease Liabilities

As of June 30, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows, which excludes any leases in Monitronics' name due to the deconsolidation of Monitronics:
Remainder of 2019$47
202056
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total lease payments$103
Less: Interest(5)
Total lease obligations$98


Disclosures Related to Periods Prior to Adoption of ASU 2016-02

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 using a modified retrospective method at January 1, 2019 as described in note 4, Recent Accounting Pronouncements. As required, the following disclosure is provided for periods prior to adoption, which included the leases in Monitronics' name since the adoption of ASU 2016-02 occurred prior to the deconsolidation of Monitronics. Minimum lease commitments as of December 31, 2018 that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31: 
2019$4,739
20204,263
20213,093
20223,068
20233,087
Thereafter20,329
Minimum lease commitments$38,579


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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,capital, the ability of Ascent Capital and Monitronics to consummate the Merger (as defined below) and to continue as going concerns, potential restructurings and strategic transactions, financial prospects, and anticipated sources and uses of capital.capital, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 24, 2019, by and between Ascent Capital and Monitronics (the “Merger Agreement”); the Plan (as defined below) or Monitronics’ restructuring; risks related to disruption of management's attention from ongoing business operations due to the Merger, the Chapter 11 Cases (as defined below) or the restructuring; and the effects of future litigation, including litigation relating to the Merger, the Chapter 11 Cases or the restructuring. 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:

general businessthe availability and terms of capital, including the ability of Monitronics to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval to implement the Plan;
the risk that the Merger and the Chapter 11 Cases will result in changes in Reorganized Monitronics' (as defined below) management team and the loss of other key employees, the composition of the board of directors will be different than the current composition of the board of directors;
the ability to obtain requisite shareholder approval and the satisfaction of the other conditions to the consummation of the Merger or the occurrence of a non-Ascent restructuring toggle event (as defined in the RSA);
the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Merger and industry trends;restructuring on relationships, including with employees, suppliers, customers, competitors, lenders and credit rating agencies;
the risk that the Chapter 11 Cases may result in unfavorable tax consequences for Reorganized Monitronics and impair its ability to utilize federal income tax net operating loss carryforwards in future years;
the risk that Reorganized Monitronics may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as an independent publicly-traded company, and Reorganized Monitronics may experience increased costs after the Merger;
Monitronics' high degree of leverage and the restrictive covenants governing its indebtedness;
macroeconomic conditions and their effect on the general economy and on the U.S. housing market, in particular single family homes, which represent Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' largest demographic;
uncertainties in the development of ourMonitronics' business strategies, including the rebranding to Brinks Home Security and market acceptance of new products and services;
the competitive environment in which Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics 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;
Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' 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 Brinks Home Security and/or its dealers are 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 with the need for significant upgrade expenditures;expenditures, including the phase out of 3G 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 Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' 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, 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 Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics business partners;
the reliability and creditworthiness of Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' independent alarm systems dealers and subscribers;
changes in Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' expected rate of subscriber attrition;
availability of, and our ability to retain, qualified personnel;
integration of acquired assets and businesses;

the availability and terms of capital,regulatory environment in which we operate, including the abilitymultiplicity of Brinks Home Securityjurisdictions, state and federal consumer protection laws and licensing requirements to refinancewhich Monitronics and/or its existing debt or obtain future financing to grow its business;
Brinks Home Security's high degree of leveragedealers are subject and the restrictive covenants governing its indebtedness;risk of new regulations, such as the increasing adoption of "false alarm" ordinances; and
availability of qualified personnel.general business conditions and industry trends.

For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20172018 (the "2017"2018 Form 10-K") and Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly 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.
 
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 condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere herein and the 20172018 Form 10-K.


Overview
 
Ascent Capital Group, Inc. ("Ascent Capital" or the "Company") is a holding company and, until June 30, 2019, its assets primarily consistconsisted of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Monitronics International, Inc. and its operating subsidiaries (collectively, "Brinks Home Security")."Monitronics", doing business as Brinks Home SecurityTM). Monitronics 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 SecurityMonitronics customers are obtained through its direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "Direct to Consumer Channel") or its Authorized Dealerexclusive authorized dealer network (the "Dealer Channel"), which provides product and installation services, as well as support to customers. Its direct-to-consumer channelDirect to Consumer Channel offers both Do-It-Yourself ("DIY") and professional installation security solutions.

The rollout Effective June 30, 2019, Ascent Capital deconsolidated Monitronics subsequent to Monitronics' voluntary filing for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Brinks Home Security brandUnited States Bankruptcy Code (the "Chapter 11 Cases") to implement a restructuring pursuant to a partial prepackaged plan of reorganization (the "Plan"). As such, all amounts presented in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reflect the second quarteroperating results of 2018 includedMonitronics through June 30, 2019 but exclude the integrationassets, liabilities and equity of our business model under a single brand. As partMonitronics as of the integration, we reorganized our business from two reportable segments, "MONI" and "LiveWatch," to one reportable segment, Brinks Home Security.June 30, 2019. Following the integration, the Company's chief operating decision maker reviews internal financial information on a consolidated basis. The change in reportable segments haddeconsolidation of Monitronics, Ascent Capital has no impact on our previously reported historical condensed consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (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 resultsources of this adoption is discussed in the results of operations detail below. See note 3, Revenue Recognition, in the notes to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.revenue.

The Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-GoodwillRestructuring Support Agreement

On May 20, 2019, Ascent Capital entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement (the "RSA") with (i) Monitronics, (ii) holders of in excess of 66 2/3% in dollar amount of Monitronics' 9.125% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "Senior Notes"), and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying(iii) holders of in excess of 66 2/3% in dollar amount of Monitronics' term loans under that certain Credit Facility, dated as of March 23, 2012 (as amended, the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04""Credit Facility") which requires, to support the restructuring of the capital structure of Monitronics on the terms set forth in the term sheet annexed to the RSA (the "Restructuring Term Sheet"). Under the terms of the RSA, up to approximately $685,000,000 of Monitronics' debt will be converted to equity, including up to approximately $585,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Monitronics' Senior Notes and $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Monitronics' term loan under the Credit Facility. Monitronics expects to also receive $200,000,000 in cash from a goodwill impairmentcombination of an equity rights offering to its noteholders and up to $23,000,000 of a deemed contribution of cash on hand through a merger with Ascent Capital (as discussed below). This cash will be recognizedused to, among other things, repay Monitronics' remaining term loan debt.

In accordance with the RSA, if, among other things, Ascent Capital receives approval from its stockholders and has a cash amount of greater than $20,000,000, net of all of its liabilities (as determined in good faith by Ascent Capital, Monitronics and certain of its noteholders) concurrently with the emergence of Monitronics from bankruptcy, Ascent Capital will merge with and into Monitronics, with Monitronics as the differencesurviving company (the "Merger"). At the time of the fair valueMerger, all assets of Ascent Capital shall become assets of a "Reorganized" Monitronics and Ascent Capital stockholders will receive up to 5.82% of the carrying value. See note 5, Goodwill,outstanding shares of Reorganized Monitronics, depending on the final amount of cash Ascent Capital contributes, which is capped at $23,000,000. If the Merger is not completed for any reason as noted in the notesRSA, then the restructuring of Monitronics will be completed without the participation of Ascent Capital and Ascent Capital's equity interests in Monitronics will be cancelled without Ascent Capital recovering any property or value on account of such equity interests. Furthermore, Ascent Capital will be obligated to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

The Company also adopted ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvementsmake a cash contribution 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,Monitronics in the notes toamount of $3,500,000 upon Monitronics' emergence from bankruptcy if the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.Merger is not consummated.

Attrition
 
Account cancellation, otherwise referred to as subscriber attrition, has a direct impact on the number of subscribers that Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics 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 to terminate their contract for a variety of reasons, including relocation, cost, switching to a competitor's service, and limited use by the subscriber and thusor low perceived value.  The largest categories of canceled accounts relate to subscriber relocation or the inability to contact the subscriber.  Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics 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.  Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics 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's service continuing the revenue stream, this is also not a cancellation.  Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics 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 Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics the cost paid to acquire the contract. To help ensure the dealer's obligation to Brinks Home Security, Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics, Monitronics typically maintains a dealer funded holdback reserve ranging from 5-8% of subscriber accounts in the guarantee period.  In some cases, the amount of the holdback liability is less than actual attrition experience.


The table below presents subscriber data for the twelve months ended June 30, 20182019 and 2017:2018:
 Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 2017 2019 2018
Beginning balance of accounts 1,020,923
 1,074,922
 955,853
 1,020,923
Accounts acquired 98,561
 114,955
 96,736
 98,561
Accounts canceled (b) (158,233) (161,622) (162,318) (158,233)
Canceled accounts guaranteed by dealer and other adjustments (a) (b) (5,398)
(7,332)
Canceled accounts guaranteed by dealer and other adjustments (a) (4,835)
(5,398)
Ending balance of accounts 955,853
 1,020,923
 885,436
 955,853
Monthly weighted average accounts 980,008
 1,047,754
 921,898
 980,008
Attrition rate - Unit (b) 16.1% 15.4% 17.6% 16.1%
Attrition rate - RMR (b) (c) 13.6% 14.0%
Attrition rate - RMR (b) 17.5% 13.6%
 
(a)Includes canceled accounts that are contractually guaranteed to be refunded from holdback.
(b)Accounts canceled for the twelve months ending June 30, 2017 were recast to include an estimated 6,653 accounts included in Brinks Home Security's Radio Conversion Program that canceled in excess of their expected attrition.
(c)The recurring monthly revenue ("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.
 
The unit attrition rate for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was 17.6% and 2017 was 16.1% and 15.4%, respectively. Contributing to the increase in the unit attrition rate was the relative proportion of the number of new customers under contract or in the dealer guarantee period in the twelve months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the prior year period. The RMR attrition rate for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was 17.5% and 2017 was 13.6% and 14.0%, respectively. Contributing to the increase in unit and RMR attrition were fewer customers under contract or in the dealer guarantee period for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the prior period, increased non-pay attrition as well as some impact from competition from new market entrants. The decreaseincrease in the RMR attrition rate for the twelve months ended June 30, 20182019 was due to Brinks Home Security's morealso impacted by a less aggressive price increase strategy. There was also a modest increase to attrition attributed to subscriber losses related tostrategy in the impactsfirst half of Hurricane Maria on Brinks Home Security's Puerto Rico customer base. See Impact from Natural Disasters below for further information.2019.

Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics analyzes its attrition by classifying accounts into annual pools based on the year of acquisition.  Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics 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, Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' attrition rate is very low within the initial 12 month period after considering the accounts which were replaced or refunded by the dealers at no additional cost to Brinks Home Security.Monitronics. 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.  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 June 30, 2019 and 2018, Monitronics acquired 22,743 and 2017, Brinks Home Security acquired 37,383 and 26,782 subscriber accounts, respectively, through its dealerDealer and direct sales channels.Direct to Consumer Channels. During the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, Monitronics acquired 42,746 and 2017, Brinks Home Security acquired 58,930 and 56,158 subscriber accounts, respectively, through its dealerDealer and direct sales channels.Direct to Consumer Channels. There were no bulk buys during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. Accounts acquired for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflect bulk buys of approximately 10,600 and 10,900 accounts, respectively. AccountsThe decrease in accounts acquired for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 reflect2019 is due to year over year decline in accounts acquired from bulk buys and fewer accounts generated in the Direct to Consumer Channel. In 2019, Direct to Consumer Channel accounts generated were impacted by the Company’s decision to reduce equipment subsidies offered to new customers with the goal of approximately 450reducing creation costs and 3,450 accounts, respectively.improving credit quality.  The increasedecrease in accounts acquired for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 is due to bulk buys and year over year growth in the direct-to-consumer sales channel. The increase was partially offset by year over year declinean increase in accounts acquired from the dealer channel.Dealer Channel.

RMR acquired during the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $1,103,000 and 2017 was $1,759,000, and $1,304,000, respectively. RMR acquired during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $2,066,000 and 2017 was $2,745,000, and $2,740,000, respectively.


Strategic Initiatives

Given theIn recent decreases in the generation of new subscriber accounts in Brinks Home Security's dealer channel and trends in subscriber attrition, ityears, Monitronics has implemented several initiatives related to account growth, creation costs, attrition and margin improvements.improvements to combat decreases in the generation of new subscriber accounts and negative trends in subscriber attrition.

Account Growth

Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics believes that generating account growth at a reasonable cost is essential to scaling its business and generating shareholderstakeholder value. In recent years, acquisition ofMonitronics currently generates new subscriber accounts through both its dealer channel has declined dueDealer and Direct to the attrition of large dealers, effortsConsumer Channels. Its ability to acquiregrow new accounts from dealers at lower purchases prices,generated in the future will be impacted by its ability to adjust to changes in consumer buying behavior and increased competition from technology, telecommunications and cable companies in the market. Brinks Home Securitycompanies.  Monitronics currently has several initiatives in place to improvedrive profitable account growth, which include:

Enhancing its brand recognition with consumers, which was recently bolstered by the rebranding to Brinks Home Security,
Recruiting and retaining high quality dealers into the Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics Authorized Dealer Program,
Assisting new and existing dealers with training and marketing initiatives to increase productivity,
Acquiring bulk accountsDifferentiating and growing its Direct to supplement account generation,Consumer Channel under the Brinks Home Security brand, and
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 sales channel under the Brinks Home Security brand.costs.

Creation Costs

Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics 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-consumerImproving performance in its Direct to Consumer Channel including generating higher quality leads at reasonable cost, increasing sales channel with expected lower creation cost multiples,close rates and enhancing its customer activation process,
Negotiating lower subscriber account purchase price multiples in its dealer channel.Dealer Channel, and

In addition, Brinks Home Security expects that new customers who subscribe to its services through its partnership with NestExpanding the use and availability of third party financing, which will also contribute to lowerdrive down net creation cost multiples as it is expected that Nest equipment will be purchased up front by the consumer as opposed to subsidized by Brinks Home Security.costs.

Attrition

Brinks Home SecurityWhile Monitronics has also experienced higher subscriber attrition rates in the past few years. While there are a number of factors impacting its attrition rate, Brinks Home Security expects subscriber cancellations relating to a number of subscriber accounts that were acquired in bulk purchases during 2012 and 2013 from Pinnacle Security to decrease in the future.

Notwithstanding the anticipated decrease in future cancellations for these specific subscriber accounts, Brinks Home Securityyears, it has continued to develop its efforts to manage subscriber attrition, which it believes will help drive increases in its subscriber base and shareholderstakeholder value. Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics currently has several initiatives in place to reduce subscriber attrition, which include:

Maintaining high customer service levels,
Effectively managing the credit quality of new customers,
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,Monitronics, and
Implementing effective pricing strategies.

Margin Improvement

Brinks Home SecurityMonitronics 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,
Outsourcing certain high volume, non-critical processes,
Implementing more sophisticated purchasing techniques, and
Increasing use of automation.


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

Impact from Natural Disasters

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, made landfall in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, respectively, in the third quarter of 2017. Brinks Home Security had approximately 38,000, 55,000 and 36,000 subscribers in areas impacted by Harvey, Irma and Maria, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Brinks Home Security recognized $2,000,000 in revenue credits or refunds to subscribers due to service interruptions or other customer service incentives to retain subscribers impacted from these natural disasters. A vast majority of these credits were issued to subscribers in Puerto Rico, where damage from the hurricanes had been the most severe and widespread.

In the first half of 2018, Brinks Home Security recognized $1,250,000 in hurricane related revenue credits, substantially all due to continued customer service retention efforts on Puerto Rico subscribers. There continues to be a modest increase to last twelve months' attrition related to these events. As recovery from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico is still ongoing, Brinks Home Security may continue to experience increased revenue credits or refunds, field service costs and higher attrition in future periods. However, the extent to which we may experience these impacts cannot currently be estimated. We will continue to assess the impact of these events.

Adjusted EBITDA
 
We evaluate the performance of our operations based on financial measures such as revenue and "Adjusted EBITDA." Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and 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' ability to fund its ongoing acquisition of subscriber accounts, its capital expenditures and to service its debt.business. 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 Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' covenants are calculated under the agreements governing its 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.


Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth selected data from the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Net revenue$135,013
 140,498
 $268,766
 281,698
$128,091
 135,013
 $257,697
 268,766
Cost of services33,047
 29,617
 65,748
 59,586
28,536
 33,047
 55,300
 65,748
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation34,387
 64,771
 71,793
 101,016
29,364
 34,387
 61,876
 71,793
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets53,891
 59,965
 108,302
 119,512
49,138
 53,891
 98,283
 108,302
Interest expense40,422
 38,165
 79,074
 75,651
40,521
 40,422
 78,415
 79,074
Income tax expense from continuing operations1,347
 4,661
 2,693
 6,475
Net loss from continuing operations(244,367) (43,526) (275,205) (62,471)
Net loss(244,367) (43,526) (275,205) (62,379)
Income tax expense666
 1,347
 1,337
 2,693
Net income (loss)628,901
 (244,367) 601,062
 (275,205)
              
Adjusted EBITDA (a)
 
  
     
  
    
Brinks Home Security business Adjusted EBITDA
$72,159
 80,654
 $142,198
 162,876
Monitronics business Adjusted EBITDA$68,276
 72,159
 $142,015
 142,198
Corporate Adjusted EBITDA(2,759) (2,918) (3,929) (5,140)(1,106) (2,759) (2,126) (3,929)
Total Adjusted EBITDA$69,400
 77,736
 $138,269
 157,736
$67,170
 69,400
 $139,889
 138,269
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Net revenue 
  
     
  
    
Brinks Home Security business
53.4 %
57.4 % 52.9 % 57.8 %
Monitronics business53.3 %
53.4 % 55.1 % 52.9 %
Corporate(2.0)% (2.1)% (1.5)% (1.8)%(0.9)% (2.0)% (0.8)% (1.5)%
              
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net              
Gross subscriber acquisition costs$13,135
 9,450
 $24,825
 18,483
$10,877
 13,135
 $18,192
 24,825
Revenue associated with subscriber acquisition costs(1,255) (1,251) (2,767) (2,643)(2,393) (1,255) (4,096) (2,767)
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net$11,880
 8,199
 $22,058
 15,840
$8,484
 11,880
 $14,096
 22,058

(a) 
See reconciliation of Net loss from continuing operationsincome (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA below.

Net revenue.  Net revenue decreased $5,485,000,$6,922,000, or 3.9%5.1%, and $12,932,000,$11,069,000, or 4.6%4.1%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The decrease in net revenue is attributable to the lower average number of subscribers in 2018.2019. 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 $43.84 as of June 30, 2017 to $45.01 as of June 30, 2018.2018 to $45.40 as of June 30, 2019. In addition, the Company realized arecognized decreases in revenue of $1,373,000 and $3,065,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to increases in revenue of $2,445,000 and $2,770,000 increase in revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, from the favorable impact of the new revenue recognition guidance,related to changes in Topic 606 adopted effective January 1, 2018.contract assets.

Cost of services.  Cost of services increased $3,430,000,decreased $4,511,000, or 11.6%13.7%, and $6,162,000,$10,448,000, or 10.3%15.9%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. 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 $2,232,000 and $4,637,000decrease for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. Upon adoption2019 is primarily attributable to decreased field service costs due to a lower volume of Topic 606, all Moves Costs areretention and move jobs being completed and a decrease in expensed whereas prior to adoption, certain Moves Costs were capitalized on the balance sheet. Moves Costs capitalized assubscriber acquisition costs. Subscriber accounts, net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 were $3,594,000 and $7,483,000, respectively. Furthermore, subscriber acquisition costs, which include expensed equipment and labor costs associated with the creation of new subscribers, increaseddecreased to $3,051,000 and $4,845,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to $4,320,000 and $7,930,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to $2,803,000 and $5,467,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, attributable to increased production volume in the Company's direct sales channel. These increases were offset by reduced salary and wage expense due to lower headcount.respectively. Cost of services as a percent of net revenue increaseddecreased from 21.1% and 21.2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, to 24.5% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, to 22.3% and 21.5% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.


Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative costs ("SG&A") decreased $30,384,000,$5,023,000, or 46.9%14.6%, and $29,223,000,$9,917,000, or 28.9%13.8%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The decrease is primarily attributable to several factors, including Monitronics receiving a $4,800,000 insurance receivable settlement in April 2019 from an insurance carrier that provided coverage related to the $28,000,000 legal settlement recognized in the second quarter of 2017 in relation to class action litigation of alleged violation of telemarketing laws. Furthermore, thereContributing to the decreased SG&A in 2019 were decreasesreduced subscriber acquisition selling and marketing costs associated with the creation of new subscribers and expenses recognized in consulting feesprior periods that were not incurred in the current periods, which include $2,403,000 and $3,295,000 of Monitronics' rebranding expense that was recognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $2,955,000 of Ascent Capital severance expense related to company cost reduction initiatives, stock-based compensation expensetransitioning Ascent Capital executive leadership in the six months ended June 30, 2018. Subscriber acquisition costs decreased to $7,826,000 and LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges$13,347,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, due to recent settlements or renegotiations of certain key agreements governing these costs. The decrease was offset by increases in direct marketing and other SG&A subscriber acquisition costs associated with the creation of new subscribers. Subscriber acquisition costs in SG&A increased2019, respectively, as compared to $8,815,000 and $16,895,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to $6,647,000respectively. These decreases are partially offset by a legal settlement received in the second quarter of 2018 for $983,000 and $13,016,000 forincreased consulting fees on integration / implementation of company initiatives and increased Topic 606 contract asset impairment costs incurred during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.2019. SG&A as a percent of net revenue decreased from 46.1% and 35.9% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, to 25.5% and 26.7% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, to 22.9% and 24.0% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.

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 $6,074,000$4,753,000, or 8.8%, and $11,210,000,$10,019,000, or 10.1% and 9.4%9.3%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The decrease is related to a lower number of subscriber accounts purchased in the last twelve months ended June 30, 20182019 compared to the prior corresponding period as well as the timing of amortization of subscriber accounts acquired prior to the second quarter of 2017,2018, which have a lower rate of amortization in 20182019 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 $1,880,000 and $3,763,000 decrease in amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The decrease is partially offset by increased amortization related to accounts acquired subsequent to June 30, 2017.

Interest expense.  Interest expense increased $2,257,000 and $3,423,000,$99,000, or 5.9% and 4.5%0.2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and decreased $659,000, or 0.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively,2019, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The increase in interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2019 is attributable to increasesincreased interest costs on the Credit Facility revolver due to a higher outstanding balance at June 30, 2019, and higher interest rates in the current year, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease in interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2019 is attributable to a decrease in the Company's revolving credit facility activity, higher interest rates from increasing LIBOR ratesConvertible Notes principal balance and increased amortization of debt discount and deferred debt costs under the effective interest rate method. These decreases also partially offset the increase in interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

Income tax expense from continuing operations.expense.  The Company had pre-tax income of $629,567,000 and $602,399,000 and income tax expense of $666,000 and $1,337,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.  The Company had pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $243,020,000 and $272,512,000 and income tax expense of $1,347,000 and $2,693,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The Company had pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $38,865,000 and $55,996,000 and incomeIncome tax expense of $4,661,000 and $6,475,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.2019 is attributable to Monitronics' state tax expense incurred from Texas margin tax. The gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 had no tax impact given Ascent Capital's tax basis in its investment in Monitronics did not change. Income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 is attributable to Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' state tax expense incurred from Texas margin tax and the deferred tax impact from amortization of deductible goodwill related to Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' business acquisitions.

Net loss from continuing operations.income (loss). The Company had net income of $628,901,000 and $601,062,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to net loss from continuing operations of $244,367,000 and $275,205,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as comparedrespectively. The increase in net income is primarily attributable to $43,526,000 and $62,471,000 forthe gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The increase in net2019, respectively, and the loss is primarily attributable to the $214,400,000on goodwill impairment recognizedrecorded in the second quarter ofthree and six months ended June 30, 2018, reductions in net revenue and the gains on sale of Ascent Capital properties recognized in 2017respectively, partially offset by the $28,000,000 legal settlement reserve recognizedrestructuring and reorganization expense recorded in the second quarter of 2017 as discussed above.three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.


Adjusted EBITDA. The following table provides a reconciliation of Net loss from continuing operationsincome (loss) to total Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 2018 2019 2018
Net loss from continuing operations$(244,367) (43,526) $(275,205) (62,471)
Net income (loss)$628,901
 (244,367) $601,062
 (275,205)
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets53,891
 59,965
 108,302
 119,512
49,138
 53,891
 98,283
 108,302
Depreciation2,871
 2,132
 5,492
 4,259
3,123
 2,871
 6,281
 5,492
Stock-based compensation685
 1,999
 970
 3,575
(389) 685
 70
 970
Radio conversion costs
 77
 
 309
Legal settlement reserve
 28,000
 
 28,000
Long-term incentive compensation264
 
 550
 
Severance expense (a)
 
 2,955
 27

 
 
 2,955
LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges62
 387
 124
 1,355

 62
 63
 124
Legal settlement reserve (related insurance recovery)(4,800) 
 (4,800) 
Rebranding marketing program2,403
 33
 3,295
 880

 2,403
 
 3,295
Integration / implementation of company initiatives
 1,389
 
 2,030
1,833
 
 3,414
 
Gain on revaluation of acquisition dealer liabilities
 (404) 
 (404)
Impairment of capitalized software
 
 
 713
Gain on disposal of operating assets
 (14,579) 
 (21,217)
Loss on goodwill impairment214,400
 
 214,400
 

 214,400
 
 214,400
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries(685,530) 
 (685,530) 
Restructuring and reorganization expense34,730
 
 34,730
 
Interest income(774) (563) (1,255) (958)(318) (774) (862) (1,255)
Interest expense40,422
 38,165
 79,074
 75,651
40,521
 40,422
 78,415
 79,074
Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities, net(1,540) 
 (2,576) 
Income tax expense from continuing operations1,347
 4,661
 2,693
 6,475
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss, net on derivative financial instruments(969) 
 6,804
 
Refinancing expense
 
 331
 
Insurance recovery in excess of cost on Ascent Convertible Note litigation
 
 (259) 
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net
 (1,540) 
 (2,576)
Income tax expense666
 1,347
 1,337
 2,693
Adjusted EBITDA$69,400
 77,736
 $138,269
 157,736
$67,170
 69,400
 $139,889
 138,269
 
(a) Severance expense related to transitioning executive leadership at Ascent Capital in 2018 and Brinks Home Security in 2017.2018.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $8,336,000,$2,230,000, or 10.7%, and $19,467,000, or 12.3%3.2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and increased $1,620,000, or 1.2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively,2019, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods.  The decrease for the three months ended June 30, 2019 is primarily the result of lower revenues,decreases in net revenue offset by favorable decreases in cost of services and subscriber acquisition costs. This decrease was also impacted by increases in other Monitronics' SG&A costs that were not adjusted for in the expensingtable above, offset by decreases in Ascent Capital SG&A costs due to decreased headcount and corporate activity. The increase for the six months is primarily the result of subscriber moves in 2018 and an increase indecreased cost of services, subscriber acquisition costs as discussed above.and Ascent Capital SG&A costs, offset by decreases in net revenue.

Brinks Home Security'sMonitronics' consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $68,276,000 and $142,015,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to $72,159,000 and $142,198,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to $80,654,000 and $162,876,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.

Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net.  Subscriber acquisition costs, net increaseddecreased to $8,484,000 and $14,096,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to $11,880,000 and $22,058,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to $8,199,000 and $15,840,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The increasedecrease in subscriber acquisition costs, net is primarily attributable to increasedecreased production volume in volume of direct sales subscriber acquisitionsMonitronics' Direct to Consumer Channel year over year.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
At June 30, 2018,2019, we had $4,185,000$29,762,000 of cash and cash equivalents. We plan to use our remaining cash and cash equivalents to fund Ascent Capital liabilities and $105,515,000contribute to the Merger of marketable securities on a consolidated basis.  We may use a portion of these assets to decrease debt obligations, fund stock repurchases, or fund potential strategic acquisitions or investment opportunities.Ascent Capital and Monitronics.
 
Additionally, our otherOur source of funds isthrough June 30, 2019 was primarily our cash flows from operating activities which are primarily generated from the operations of Brinks Home Security.Monitronics.  During the six months ended June 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, our cash flow from operating activities was $63,672,000$98,118,000 and $69,467,000,$63,672,000, respectively.  The primary driverdrivers of our cash flow from operating activities is Adjusted EBITDA.  Fluctuationswere the fluctuations in our Adjusted EBITDArevenues and the components of that measure areoperating expenses as discussed in “Results"Results of Operations”Operations" above.  Following the deconsolidation of Monitronics, Ascent Capital has no sources of revenue. In addition, our cash flow from operating activities may be significantly impacted by changes in working capital.
 

During the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, and 2017, the CompanyMonitronics used cash of $69,695,000$61,335,000 and $88,287,000,$69,695,000, respectively, to fund subscriber account acquisitions, net of holdback and guarantee obligations.  In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, and 2017, the CompanyMonitronics used cash of $8,928,000$6,767,000 and $5,752,000,$8,928,000, respectively, to fund its capital expenditures.

The existing long-term debt of the Company at June 30, 2018 includes the aggregate principal balance of $1,846,625,000 under (i) theOn February 14, 2019, Ascent Capital convertible senior notes totaling $96,775,000repurchased $75,674,000 in aggregate principal amount maturing on July 15, 2020of then outstanding Convertible Notes pursuant to the Settlement Agreement (as defined and bearingdescribed in Note 11, Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities). Convertible Notes repurchased pursuant to the Settlement Agreement were cancelled.

On February 19, 2019, Ascent Capital 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 the 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 at 4.00% per annum (the “Convertible Notes”), (ii)to be payable (as so amended, the Brinks Home Security senior notes totaling $585,000,000 in principal, maturing“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 was settled 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 amendment2019. A total of $20,841,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes were accepted for payment pursuant to the Brinks Home Security secured credit agreement dated March 23, 2012, as amended (the “Credit Facility”).  The Convertible Notes have an outstanding principal balanceAmended Tender Offer. Following the consummation of $96,775,000 asthe transactions contemplated by the Settlement Agreement and the consummation of June 30, 2018.  The Senior Notes have an outstanding principal balancethe Amended Offer, the Company separately negotiated the repurchase of $585,000,000 as of June 30, 2018.  The Credit Facility term loan has an outstanding principal balance of $1,080,750,000 as of June 30, 2018 and requires principal payments of $2,750,000 per quarter with the remaining $260,000 in aggregate principal amount becoming due on September 30, 2022. The Credit Facility revolver has an outstanding balancefor cash of $84,100,000 as$247,000 during the second quarter of June 30, 2018 and becomes due on September 30, 2021. The maturity date for both the term loan and the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility are 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. In addition, if Brinks Home Security is unable to repay or refinance the Senior Notes prior to the filing with the SEC of their Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, they may be subject to a going concern qualification in connection with their audit, which would be an event of default 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.2019.

Liquidity Outlook

In considering our liquidity requirements for the remainder of 2018,next twelve months, we evaluated our known future commitments and obligations. Weobligations including factors discussed above.  Ascent Capital will require at least $20,000,000 in cash under the availabilityterms of fundsthe Merger Agreement to financecontribute to the strategyMerger of our primary operating subsidiaries, Brinks Home Security, which is plannedAscent Capital and Monitronics. Given forecasted expenditures subsequent to growJune 30, 2019 through the acquisitionanticipated date of subscriber accounts. We considered the expected cash flow from Brinks Home Security, as this business is the driver of our operating cash flows.  In addition, we considered the borrowing capacity of Brinks Home Security's Credit Facility revolver, under which Brinks Home Security could borrow an additional $210,900,000 as of June 30, 2018, subjectMerger, Ascent Capital currently expects to certain financial covenants. Based on this analysis, we expect thathave sufficient cash on hand to complete the Merger, but there can be no assurances that it will meet all the requirements stipulated in the RSA, including cash flow generatedon hand if forecasted expenditures are larger than expected. If the Merger is not completed for any reason as noted in the RSA, then the restructuring of Monitronics will be completed without the participation of Ascent Capital and Ascent Capital's equity interests in Monitronics will be cancelled without Ascent Capital recovering any property or value on account of such equity interests. Furthermore, Ascent Capital will be obligated to make a cash contribution to Monitronics in the amount of $3,500,000 upon Monitronics' emergence from operations and available borrowings under Brinks Home Security's Credit Facility revolver will provide sufficient liquidity, given our anticipated current and future requirements.bankruptcy if the Merger is not consummated.

WeWithout ownership in Monitronics, Ascent Capital will have no primary source of cash flows and may have insufficient liquidity to generate future returns for its shareholders.

In any event, 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.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
We have exposure to changes in interest rates relatedPursuant to the termsrepurchase and settlement of our debt obligations.  Brinks Home Security uses derivative financial instruments to manage the exposure related to the movement in interest rates.  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.Convertible Notes, Ascent Capital has no debt.
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 as of June 30, 2018.  Debt amounts represent principal payments by maturity date as of June 30, 2018, assuming no springing maturity of both the term loan and the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility.
Year of Maturity 
Fixed Rate
Derivative
Instruments, net (a)
 
Variable Rate
Debt
 
Fixed Rate
Debt
 Total
  (Amounts in thousands)
Remainder of 2018 $
 $5,500
 $
 $5,500
2019 
 11,000
 
 11,000
2020 
 11,000
 681,775
 692,775
2021 
 95,100
 
 95,100
2022 (12,853) 1,042,250
 
 1,029,397
2023 
 
 
 
Thereafter 
 
 
 
Total $(12,853) $1,164,850
 $681,775
 $1,833,772
(a)
The 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 swaps, Brinks Home Security's effective weighted average interest rate on the borrowings under the Credit Facility term loans was 7.98% as of June 30, 2018.  See notes 7, 8 and 9 to our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report for further information.

Item 4.  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 chief executive officer and chief 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’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 20182019 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
 
There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended June 30, 20182019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal controls over financial reporting.


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings.

Monitronics Bankruptcy

On June 30, 2019 (the "Petition Date"), to implement the financial restructuring contemplated in the RSA, Monitronics and certain of its domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the "Debtors"), filed voluntary reorganization cases (the "Chapter 11 Cases") in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (the "Bankruptcy Court") to implement a restructuring pursuant to a partial prepackaged plan of reorganization (the "Plan") and the various related transactions. The Debtors' Chapter 11 Cases are being jointly administered under the caption In re Monitronics International, Inc., et al., Case No. 19-33650.

On the Petition Date, the Debtors filed certain motions and applications intended to limit the disruption of the bankruptcy proceedings on its operations (the "First Day Motions"), which were subsequently approved by the Bankruptcy Court. Pursuant to the First Day Motions, and subject to certain terms and dollar limits included therein, Monitronics was authorized to continue to use its unrestricted cash on hand, as well as all cash generated from daily operations, to continue its operations without interruption during the course of the Chapter 11 Cases. Also pursuant to the First Day Motions, Monitronics received Bankruptcy Court authorization to, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable orders, pay certain pre-petition employee wages, salaries, health benefits and other employee obligations during its Chapter 11 Cases, pay certain pre-petition claims of its dealers, creditors in the normal course and taxes, continue its cash management programs and insurance policies, as well as continue to honor its dealer program post-petition. Monitronics is authorized under the Bankruptcy Code to pay post-petition expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business without seeking Bankruptcy Court approval. Until the Plan is effective, Monitronics will continue to manage its properties and operate its businesses as a “debtor-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Plan confirmation hearing is currently scheduled for August 7, 2019.

Item 1A.  Risk FactorsFactors.

Except as discussed below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the 2017 Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Brinks Home Security may be unable to obtain future financing on terms acceptable to Brinks Home Security or at all, which may hinder its ability to grow its business or satisfy is obligations.

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 both the term loan and the revolving credit facility under the Credit Facility are subject to a springing maturity 181 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Senior Notes. Accordingly, if Brinks Home Security is unable to repay or refinance the Senior Notes by October 3, 2019, the maturity date for both the term loan and the revolving credit facility would be accelerated. Further, if Brinks Home Security is unable to repay or refinance the Senior Notes prior to the filing with the SEC of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, Brinks Home Security2018.

Risks Related to the Merger
The Monitronics common stock to be received by Ascent Capital stockholders upon completion of the Merger will have different rights from shares of Ascent Capital common stock.

Upon completion of the Merger and the restructuring, Ascent Capital stockholders will no longer be stockholders of Ascent Capital and will relinquish all rights, preferences and privileges, including any liquidation preferences, in Ascent Capital. Instead, Ascent Capital stockholders will become stockholders of Reorganized Monitronics and their rights as stockholders will be governed by the terms of Reorganized Monitronics' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The terms of Reorganized Monitronics' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are in some respects materially different than the terms of Ascent Capital's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, which currently govern the rights of Ascent Capital stockholders. See the section entitled "Comparative Rights of Ascent Capital and Monitronics Stockholders" in Monitronics’ Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on July 25, 2019, for a discussion of the different rights we expect to be associated with Monitronics common stock.

After completion of the Merger, redomiciliation and restructuring, Ascent Capital stockholders will have a significantly lower ownership and voting interest in Reorganized Monitronics than they currently have in Ascent Capital, and will exercise less influence over management.

Based on the number of shares of Series A common stock and Series B common stock issued and outstanding as of July 12, 2019, after giving effect to the Merger and the redomiciliation and assuming completion of the restructuring as described in the RSA, holders of Ascent common stock may receive up to 5.82% of the outstanding shares of Monitronics common stock as of the Plan effective date, subject to dilution by an incentive compensation plan to be adopted. Consequently, former Ascent Capital stockholders will have less influence over the management and policies of Reorganized Monitronics than they currently have over the management and policies of Ascent Capital.


The market price of Monitronics common stock after the Merger may be affected by factors different from those affecting the market price of Ascent Capital common stock currently.

Upon completion of the Merger, redomiciliation and restructuring, holders of Ascent Capital common stock will become holders of Monitronics common stock. While Ascent Capital and Monitronics currently share certain corporate services and business platforms, the overall business composition and asset mix of Ascent Capital, along with its liabilities and potential exposures, differs from that of Monitronics in certain important respects, and accordingly, the results of operations of Reorganized Monitronics after the Merger, as well as the market price of Monitronics common stock, may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the results of operations of Ascent Capital, including:

actual or anticipated fluctuations in Reorganized Monitronics' operating results;
changes in earnings estimated by securities analysts or Reorganized Monitronics' ability to meet those estimates; 
the operating and stock price performance of comparable companies; and 
domestic economic conditions.

There can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop or be sustained for Monitronics common stock. Neither Ascent Capital nor Monitronics can predict the prices at which the Monitronics common stock may trade after the restructuring and the Merger or whether the market price of shares of Monitronics common stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market price of a share of Ascent Capital common stock held by such stockholder prior to the restructuring and the Merger. There is no current trading market and thus no trading history for Monitronics common stock.

While the Merger is pending, Ascent Capital and Monitronics are subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions that could disrupt Ascent Capital's and Monitronics' business.

Ascent Capital and Monitronics have experienced and, whether or not the pending Merger is completed, Ascent Capital and Monitronics may continue to experience disruption of their current plans and operations due to the pending restructuring and the pending Merger, which could have an adverse effect on Ascent Capital's and Monitronics' business and financial results. Employees and other key personnel may have uncertainties about the effect of the restructuring and the pending Merger, and those uncertainties may impact the ability to retain, recruit and hire key personnel to manage and run the Ascent Capital and Monitronics businesses while the restructuring is pending and while the Merger is pending or if it is not completed. To date, Ascent Capital and Monitronics have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant costs, expenses and fees for professional services and other transaction costs in connection with the restructuring and the proposed Merger, and certain of these fees and costs are payable by Ascent Capital and Monitronics whether or not the proposed Merger is completed or the restructuring is completed. Furthermore, Ascent Capital and Monitronics cannot predict how suppliers and customers will view or react to the restructuring or the proposed Merger, and some may be hesitant to transact with the businesses of Ascent Capital and Monitronics. If Ascent Capital and Monitronics are unable to reassure customers and suppliers to continue transacting with the businesses of Ascent Capital and Monitronics, respectively, whether or not the proposed Merger is completed, Ascent Capital's and Monitronics' financial results may be adversely affected.

In the event the Merger is not completed, the trading price of Ascent Capital common stock and Ascent Capital's and Monitronics' future businesses and financial results may be negatively impacted.

As noted below, the conditions to the completion of the Merger may not be satisfied, and under certain circumstances, the Merger Agreement may be terminated. If the Merger is not completed for any reason, Monitronics and Ascent Capital may be subject to a number of risks, including:

the RSA parties other than Ascent Capital may pursue a restructuring of the Debtors without the Merger and without the participation of Ascent Capital, Ascent Capital will be obligated to make the toggle contribution, Monitronics common stock will be issued to certain creditors of Monitronics (and will be eligible for grant to its management pursuant to an incentive compensation plan to be adopted) and not to Ascent Capital or stockholders of Ascent Capital, Ascent Capital's equity interests in Monitronics will be cancelled without consideration as a result of the non-Ascent restructuring in accordance with the Plan and the holders of Ascent Capital common stock would own stock in a company whose only assets are a minimal amount of cash and certain net operating losses ("NOLs");
Ascent Capital remaining liable for significant transaction costs; 
the focus of management of Monitronics and Ascent Capital having been diverted from seeking other potential opportunities without realizing any benefits of the completed Merger; 
Monitronics and Ascent Capital experiencing negative reactions from their respective customers, suppliers, regulators and employees; and 

the price of Ascent Capital common stock declining significantly from current market prices, given that current market prices may reflect a market assumption that the Merger will be completed.

If the Merger is not completed, the risks described above may materialize and adversely affect Monitronics' and Ascent Capital's businesses, financial condition and financial results and Ascent Capital's stock price.

Monitronics and Ascent Capital may be in the future subject to litigation with respect to the Merger, which could prohibit the Merger or be time consuming and divert the resources and attention of Monitronics' and Ascent Capital's management.

Monitronics and the individual members of its board of directors or Ascent Capital and the individual members of its board of directors may be named in lawsuits relating to the Merger Agreement and the proposed Merger, which could, among other things, seek to challenge or enjoin the Merger or seek monetary damages. The defense of any such lawsuits may be expensive and may divert management's attention and resources, which could adversely affect Monitronics' and Ascent Capital's business results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, if such lawsuits delay or prevent the approval of the proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement at a special meeting of Ascent Capital’s stockholders (the “Merger Proposal”) or the Merger is otherwise not consummated on the Plan effective date for any reason, then the non-Ascent restructuring may occur without the Merger, the Merger will not be consummated, and Ascent Capital's equity interests in Monitronics would be cancelled without Ascent Capital recovering any property or value on account of such equity interests, all of which could have a material adverse effect on Ascent Capital's business results of operations and financial condition.

Additionally, even if the Merger is approved, the conditions precedent to the consummation of the Plan may not occur, Monitronics may abandon the Plan or otherwise pursue an alternative transaction under Chapter 11. In such case, Monitronics may pursue a plan that does not provide for any recovery to Ascent Capital on account of its equity interest. Under U.S. bankruptcy law, unless Monitronics pays its pre-bankruptcy creditors in full on account of their claims, Ascent Capital would not have the right to receive or retain any property on account of its equity interests in Ascent Capital.

The Merger is subject to various closing conditions, including receipt of stockholder approvals and other uncertainties and there can be no assurances as to whether and when it may be completed.

The completion of the Merger is subject to a number of closing conditions, many of which are not within Monitronics' or Ascent Capital's control, and failure to satisfy such conditions may prevent, delay or otherwise materially adversely affect the completion of the Merger. These conditions include (1) the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of Ascent common stock entitled to vote, voting as a single class, (2) Ascent Capital, as the sole stockholder of Monitronics, shall have approved the adoption of the Merger Agreement, (3) the Plan shall become effective on terms materially consistent with the RSA, the Plan shall have been confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to a confirmation order materially consistent with the RSA, such confirmation order shall be in full force and effect and shall not have been stayed, modified, or vacated, and the Plan effective date shall occur contemporaneously with the closing of the Merger, (4) the shares of Monitronics common stock to be issued to the holders of Ascent Capital common stock upon consummation of the Merger and the redomiciliation shall be quoted on any tier of the OTC Markets Group or any other similar national or international quotation service, subject to official notice of issuance, (5) the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part shall have become effective under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of this registration statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the SEC, (6) no outstanding order, decision, judgment, writ, injunction, stipulation, award or decree ("Order") prevents the consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and no statute, rule, regulation or Order shall prohibit or make illegal the consummation of the Merger and (7) Ascent Capital shall have received an opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P., tax counsel to Ascent Capital, dated the closing date of the Merger to the effect that the Merger should be treated as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Merger Agreement shall be terminated at any time prior to the Merger effective time, whether before or after Ascent Capital stockholder approval or Monitronics stockholder approval has been obtained, without any further action by either of Ascent Capital or Monitronics upon the earlier to occur of (i) a non-Ascent restructuring toggle event and (ii) eighty (80) days after the date that Monitronics commenced Chapter 11 proceedings. If the Merger does not receive, or timely receive, the required stockholder approvals, or if another event occurs delaying or preventing the Merger, such delay or failure to complete the Merger may cause uncertainty or other negative consequences that may materially and adversely affect Monitronics' and Ascent Capital's business, financial performance and operating results and the price per share for Monitronics common stock and Ascent Capital common stock. There can be no assurance that the conditions to the Merger will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all. If the Merger is not completed, the restructuring contemplated by the RSA may occur without the Merger and Ascent Capital's equity interests in

Monitronics would be cancelled as a result of the restructuring in accordance with the Plan without Ascent Capital recovering any property or value on account of such equity interests. In such an event, the holders of Ascent common stock would own stock in a company whose only significant assets are a minimal amount of cash and certain NOLs. In such case, if Ascent makes the toggle contribution before the Plan effective date, it would receive certain releases in exchange as provided in the Plan.

Following the Merger, redomiciliation and restructuring, the composition of directors and officers of Reorganized Monitronics will be different than the composition of the current Monitronics directors and officers and the current Ascent Capital directors and officers.

Upon completion of the Merger, redomiciliation and restructuring, the composition of directors and officers of Reorganized Monitronics will be different than the current composition of Monitronics directors and officers and Ascent Capital directors and officers. The Monitronics board of directors currently consists of four directors and the Ascent Capital board of directors currently consists of five directors. Pursuant to the Plan, the number of directors on the board of directors of Reorganized Monitronics will be seven, and the directors will be appointed in accordance with the Plan.

With a different composition of directors and officers for Reorganized Monitronics, the management and direction of Reorganized Monitronics may be different than the current management and directors of each of Monitronics and Ascent Capital, and accordingly, may also result in new business plans and growth strategies as well as divergences from or alterations to existing ones at Monitronics and Ascent Capital. Any new business plans or growth strategies implemented by the new composition of directors and officers or any divergences from or alterations to existing business plans and strategies, if unsuccessful, may lead to material unanticipated problems, expenses, liabilities, competitive responses, loss of customer and other business relationships, and an adverse impact on operations and financial results.

Monitronics and Ascent Capital directors and officers may have interests in the Merger different from the interests of Ascent Capital stockholders.

Monitronics and Ascent Capital directors and executive officers may have interests in the Merger that are different from, or are in addition to, those of Ascent Capital stockholders, respectively. These interests include, but are not limited to, the continued employment of certain executive officers of Monitronics and Ascent Capital by Reorganized Monitronics and the treatment in the Merger of stock options, equity awards and other rights held by Monitronics and Ascent Capital directors and executive officers.

The Monitronics board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other things, in evaluating the Merger and negotiating the Merger Agreement. The Ascent Capital board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other things, in evaluating and negotiating the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

Risks Related to the Restructuring and Other Bankruptcy Law Considerations
The completion of the Plan will be subject to a number of significant conditions.

Although Monitronics and its domestic subsidiaries party to the RSA believe that the Plan effective date will occur in the second half of 2019, there can be no assurance as to such timing or that all conditions precedent will be satisfied. The occurrence of the Plan effective date is subject to certain conditions precedent as described in the Plan, including, among others, those relating to the exit financing facilities and the receipt or filing of all applicable approvals or applications with applicable government entities. The receipt of an order issued by the Bankruptcy Court under section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code confirming the terms of the Plan (the “Confirmation Order”) and its unconditional effectiveness are conditions precedent to completing the Merger. A stay, modification, or vacation of the Confirmation Order will delay the completion of the Merger.

Monitronics filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code; therefore, it is subject to the risks and uncertainties associated with bankruptcy proceedings.

In order to implement the restructuring contemplated by the RSA, the Debtors voluntarily filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Upon the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases, the operations and affairs of the Debtors became subject to the supervision and jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court, as provided under the Bankruptcy Code. Solely to the extent that the Merger does not occur, Ascent Capital expects that it will deconsolidate Monitronics and its subsidiaries from Ascent Capital's financial results upon the effectiveness of the Plan.


Monitronics and Ascent Capital are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties associated with the Chapter 11 Cases, which may lead to potential adverse effects on Monitronics' and Ascent Capital's liquidity, results of operations, or business prospects. Monitronics and Ascent Capital cannot assure you of the outcome of the Chapter 11 Cases. Risks associated with the Chapter 11 Cases include the following:

the ability of the Debtors to continue as a going concern qualificationconcern; 
the ability of the Debtors to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval with respect to motions in connectionthe Chapter 11 Cases and the outcomes of Bankruptcy Court rulings and any appeals of any such rulings in general; 
the ability of the Debtors to comply with and to operate under the cash collateral order and any cash management orders entered by the Bankruptcy Court from time to time; 
the length of time the Debtors will operate under the Chapter 11 Cases and their ability to successfully emerge, including with respect to obtaining any necessary regulatory approvals;
the ability of the Debtors to complete the Plan and Ascent Capital's limited role in the Plan;
Ascent Capital losing control over the operation of the Debtors as a result of the restructuring process; 
risks associated with third-party motions, proceedings and litigation in the Chapter 11 Cases and any appeals of any rulings in such motions, proceedings and litigation, which may interfere with the Plan; 
Ascent Capital's and the Debtors' ability to maintain sufficient liquidity throughout the Chapter 11 Cases; 
increased costs being incurred by Ascent Capital and the Debtors related to the bankruptcy proceeding, other litigation and any appeals of any rulings in such proceeding or other litigation; 
Ascent Capital's and the Debtors' ability to manage contracts that are critical to Ascent Capital's and the Debtors' operations, and to obtain and maintain appropriate credit and other terms with customers, suppliers and service providers; 
Ascent Capital's and the Debtors' ability to attract, retain, motivate or replace key employees; 
Ascent Capital's and the Debtor's ability to fund and execute its business plan; 
the disposition or resolution of all pre-petition claims against Ascent Capital and the Debtors; and 
Ascent Capital's ability to maintain existing customers and vendor relationships and expand sales to new customers.

The Chapter 11 Cases may disrupt Ascent Capital's and Monitronics' business and may materially and adversely affect its operations.

Ascent Capital and Monitronics have attempted to minimize the adverse effect of the Debtors' Chapter 11 Cases on its relationships with its audit,employees and other parties. Nonetheless, its relationships with employees may be adversely impacted by negative publicity or otherwise and its operations could be materially and adversely affected by the bankruptcy of its sole, direct operating subsidiary. In addition, the Chapter 11 Cases could negatively affect its ability to attract new employees and retain existing high performing employees or executives, which could materially and adversely affect Ascent Capital's and Monitronics' business.

The Chapter 11 Cases limit the flexibility of management in running the Debtors' business.

While the Debtors operate their businesses as debtors-in-possession under supervision by the Bankruptcy Court, Bankruptcy Court approval is required with respect to certain aspects of the Debtors' business, and in some cases certain holders of claims against Monitronics who have entered into the RSA, prior to engaging in activities or transactions outside the ordinary course of business. Bankruptcy Court approval of non-ordinary course activities entails preparation and filing of appropriate motions with the Bankruptcy Court, negotiation with various parties-in-interest, including the statutory committees appointed in the Chapter 11 Cases, and one or more hearings. Such committees and parties-in-interest may be heard at any Bankruptcy Court hearing and may raise objections with respect to these motions. This process could delay major transactions and limit the Debtors' ability to respond quickly to opportunities and events in the marketplace. Furthermore, in the event the Bankruptcy Court does not approve a proposed activity or transaction, the Debtors could be prevented from engaging in non-ordinary course activities and transactions that they believe are beneficial to them.

Additionally, the terms of the DIP Facility and applicable orders entered by the Bankruptcy Court may limit the Debtors' ability to undertake certain business initiatives. These limitations may include, among other things, the Debtors' ability to:

sell assets outside the normal course of business; 
consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Debtors' assets; 
grant liens; 
incur debt for borrowed money outside the ordinary course of business; 
prepay prepetition obligations; and 

finance the Debtors' operations, investments or other capital needs or to engage in other business activities that would be an event of default underin the Credit Facility. In either event, Brinks Home Security would be unableDebtors' interests.

Ascent Capital's cash flow and ability to meet its obligations will be adversely affected if Monitronics has insufficient liquidity for its business operations during the Chapter 11 Cases.

Although Ascent Capital believes that Monitronics will have sufficient liquidity to operate its businesses during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases, there can be no assurance that the revenue generated by Monitronics' business operations and cash made available to Monitronics will be sufficient to fund its operations, especially as Monitronics is expected to continue incurring substantial professional and other fees related to the restructuring. Monitronics has entered into the DIP Facility with KKR Credit Advisors (US) LLC and certain other parties thereto. In the event that the DIP Facility is not sufficient to meet Monitronics' liquidity requirements, Monitronics may be required to seek additional financing. There can be no assurance that such additional financing would be available or, if available, offered on terms that are acceptable. If, for one or more reasons, Monitronics is unable to obtain such additional financing, Monitronics could be required to seek a sale of the company or certain of its material assets or its businesses and assets may be subject to liquidation under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, and Monitronics may cease to continue as a going concern, which could harm Ascent Capital's business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Bankruptcy Court may not confirm the Plan or may require Monitronics to re-solicit votes with respect to the Plan.

Neither Ascent Capital nor Monitronics can assure you that the Plan will be confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court. Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, which sets forth the requirements for confirmation of a plan of reorganization, requires, among other things, a finding by the Bankruptcy Court that the plan of reorganization is "feasible," that all claims and interests have been classified in compliance with the provisions of Section 1122 of the Bankruptcy Code, and that, under the plan of reorganization, each holder of a claim or interest within each impaired class either accepts the plan of reorganization or receives or retains cash or property of a value, as of the date the plan of reorganization becomes effective, that is not less than the value such holder would receive or retain if the debtor were liquidated under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. There can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will conclude that the feasibility test and other requirements of Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code have been met with respect to the Plan.

There can be no assurance that modifications to the Plan will not be required for confirmation, or that such modifications will not require a re-solicitation of votes on the Plan.

Moreover, the Bankruptcy Court could fail to approve the Plan or the disclosure statement sent to Monitronics' senior lenders and determine that the votes in favor of the Plan should be disregarded. Monitronics then would be required to recommence the solicitation process, which would include re-filing a plan of reorganization and disclosure statement. Typically, this process involves a 60- to 90-day period and includes a court hearing for the required approval of a disclosure statement, followed (after bankruptcy court approval) by another solicitation of claim and interest holder votes for the plan of reorganization, followed by a confirmation hearing at which the Bankruptcy Court will determine whether the requirements for confirmation have been satisfied, including the requisite claim and interest holder acceptances.

If the Plan is not confirmed, Monitronics' reorganization case could be converted into a case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, pursuant to which a trustee would be appointed or elected to liquidate either Monitronics' assets, as applicable, for distribution in accordance with the priorities established by the Bankruptcy Code. Alternatively, Monitronics may elect to pursue a Chapter 11 plan that is substantially different than the Plan, subject to the RSA. Monitronics believes that liquidation under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code would result in, among other things:

smaller distributions being made to creditors than those provided for in the Plan because of: 
the likelihood that Monitronics' assets would need to takebe sold or otherwise disposed of in a less orderly fashion over a short period of time; 
additional administrative expenses involved in the appointment of a trustee; and
additional expenses and claims, some of which would be entitled to priority, which would be generated during the liquidation and from the rejection of leases and other measuresexecutory contracts in connection with a cessation of Monitronics' operations.

The Bankruptcy Court may determine that solicitation of votes on the Plan does not satisfy the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code.

The Bankruptcy Code provides that a debtor may solicit votes prior to satisfy itsthe commencement of a Chapter 11 case if conducted in accordance with applicable non-bankruptcy law governing the adequacy of disclosure in connection with such solicitation or, if there is no such non-bankruptcy law, after disclosure of "adequate information," as defined in the Bankruptcy Code. Additionally, the Bankruptcy Code provides that a holder of a claim will not be deemed to have accepted or rejected a plan before commencement of a Chapter 11 case if the Bankruptcy Court finds that the Plan was not transmitted to substantially all creditors whichand other interest holders of that same class entitled to vote or that an unreasonably short time was prescribed for voting.

If the Bankruptcy Court concludes that the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code have not been met, then the Bankruptcy Court could deem votes solicited prior to the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases invalid. If the Bankruptcy Court so concludes, the Plan could not be confirmed without a re-solicitation of votes to accept or reject the Plan. While Monitronics believes that the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code will be met, there can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will reach the same conclusion.

If a re-solicitation of the Plan is required, there can be no assurance that such re-solicitation would be successful. In addition, re-solicitation could delay confirmation of the Plan and result in termination of the RSA. Non-confirmation of the Plan and loss of the benefits under the RSA could result in significant negativea lengthy bankruptcy proceeding, the outcome of which would be uncertain.

Monitronics may not be able to satisfy the voting requirements for confirmation of the Plan.

If votes are received in number and amount sufficient to enable the Bankruptcy Court to confirm the Plan, Monitronics may seek, as promptly as practicable thereafter, confirmation. If the Plan does not receive the required support from voting creditors, Monitronics may elect to amend the Plan, seek confirmation regardless of the rejection, seek to sell its assets pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, or proceed with a liquidation under Chapter 7, subject to the terms and conditions of the RSA.

The Plan may be confirmed regardless of whether the Merger Proposal is approved in a timely fashion or at all.

Ascent Capital, as the sole Monitronics stockholder, has agreed to support the Plan under the terms of the RSA. Pursuant to the RSA, if any of the following occur (a “non-Ascent restructuring toggle event”):

the Merger Proposal is not approved at the special meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof), 
all requisite approvals to consummate the Merger (including approval of the Merger Proposal and all required third-party and regulatory approvals) are not obtained by the date that is no later than sixty-three (63) days after the date that Monitronics commenced Chapter 11 proceedings, 
the Merger otherwise does not occur on the Plan effective date for any reason, 
the Net Cash Amount is, or is reasonably expected to be, in the determination of the RSA parties other than Ascent Capital, less than $20 million as of the Plan effective date, 
there is a material breach by Ascent Capital of the RSA, 
Ascent Capital (1) communicates its intention not to support the restructuring or files, communicates, executes a definitive written agreement with respect to, or otherwise supports an Alternative Restructuring Proposal and (2) such action has, or may be reasonably expected to have, an adverse effect on the Debtors' ability to consummate the restructuring, 
Ascent Capital files a motion or pleading with the Bankruptcy Court that is not consistent in all material respects with the RSA, the relief requested by such motion has, or may be reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on the Debtors' ability to consummate the restructuring, and such motion is not withdrawn within two business days of the receipt by Ascent Capital of written notice from the other RSA parties that such motion or pleading is inconsistent with the RSA, 
the occurrence of certain bankruptcy or insolvency events with respect to Ascent Capital specified in the RSA, or 
Ascent Capital validly terminates the RSA with respect to itself, so long as no other RSA party actually exercises an independent right to terminate the RSA;

then the RSA parties other than Ascent Capital may pursue a restructuring of the Debtors without the Merger and without the participation of Ascent Capital, Ascent Capital will be obligated to make the toggle contribution to Monitronics in the amount of $3.5 million, Monitronics common stock will be issued to certain creditors of Monitronics (and will be eligible for grant to its management pursuant to an incentive compensation plan to be adopted) and not to Ascent Capital or stockholders of Ascent

Capital and Ascent Capital's equity interests in Monitronics will be cancelled without consideration as a result of the non-Ascent restructuring in accordance with the Plan.

Additionally, there may be other events that lead to the restructuring of Monitronics and the other Debtors without the Merger that are not expressly contemplated in the RSA. See "Risk Factors-Risks Related to the Restructuring and Other Bankruptcy Law Considerations."


Additionally, under the "cram down" provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, a plan may be confirmed even if Ascent Capital, as the sole Monitronics stockholder, does not vote to accept the Plan if the Bankruptcy Court finds that such plan does not discriminate unfairly, and is fair and equitable, regarding each class of claims or interests that is impaired under, and has not accepted, the Plan. If the requisite votes of the senior secured lenders and noteholders of Monitronics to accept a plan are obtained, but Ascent Capital, as the sole Monitronics stockholder, does not vote to accept the Plan, Monitronics may seek to have the applicable plan confirmed under the "cram down" provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.

Even if Monitronics receives all necessary acceptances necessary for the Plan to become effective and Ascent Capital receives all necessary acceptances necessary for the Merger, Monitronics may fail to meet all conditions precedent to effectiveness of the Plan.

Although Monitronics and Ascent Capital believe that the effective time of the Merger would occur very shortly after confirmation of the Plan, there can be no assurance as to such timing.

The confirmation and effectiveness of the Plan are subject to certain conditions that may or may not be satisfied. Neither Monitronics nor Ascent Capital can assure you that all requirements for confirmation and effectiveness required under the Plan will be satisfied.

A claim or interest holder may object to, and the Bankruptcy Court may disagree with Monitronics' classifications of each class of creditor claims against Monitronics (“Claims”) and each claim of stockholder interests in Monitronics (Interests).

Section 1122 of the Bankruptcy Code provides that a plan may place a claim or an interest in a particular class only if such claim is substantially similar to the other claims or interests of such class. Although Monitronics believes that the classifications of Claims and Interests under the Plan complies with the requirements set forth in the Bankruptcy Code, a Claim or Interest holder could challenge the classification. In such event, the cost of the Plan and the time needed to confirm the Plan may increase, and neither Monitronics nor Ascent Capital can assure you that the Bankruptcy Court will agree with Monitronics' classification of Claims and Interests. If the Bankruptcy Court concludes that either or both of the classifications of Claims and Interests under the Plan do not comply with the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code, Monitronics may need to modify the Plan. Such modification could require a re-solicitation of votes on the Plan. The Plan may not be confirmed if the Bankruptcy Court determines that Monitronics' classifications of Claims and Interests is not appropriate.

The SEC, the United States Trustee, or other parties may object to the Plan on account of the third-party release provisions.

Any party in interest, including the SEC and the United States Trustee, could object to the Plan on the grounds that the third-party releases are not given consensually or in a permissible non-consensual manner. In response to such an objection, the Bankruptcy Court could determine that the third-party releases are not valid under the Bankruptcy Code. If the Bankruptcy Court made such a determination, the Plan could not be confirmed without being modified to remove or revise the third-party release provisions. This could result in substantial delay in confirmation of the Plan or in the Plan not being confirmed.

Other parties in interest might be permitted to propose alternative plans of reorganization that may be less favorable to certain of Monitronics' constituencies than the Plan.

Although Monitronics has commenced the Chapter 11 Cases to confirm the Plan, other parties in interest could seek authority from the Bankruptcy Court to propose an alternative plan of reorganization. Under the Bankruptcy Code, a debtor-in-possession initially has the exclusive right to propose and solicit acceptances of a plan of reorganization for a period of 120 days from the filing. However, such exclusivity period can be reduced or terminated upon order of the Bankruptcy Court. If such an order were to be entered, other parties in interest would then have the opportunity to propose alternative plans of reorganization.


Alternative plans of reorganization also may treat less favorably the claims of a number of other constituencies, including Monitronics' senior secured creditors, noteholders, employees and trading partners and customers. Monitronics considers maintaining relationships with its senior secured creditors, noteholders, common stockholder, employees and trading partners and customers as critical to maintaining the value of Reorganized Monitronics following consummation of the Merger, and has sought to treat those constituencies accordingly. However, proponents of alternative plans of reorganization may not share Monitronics' assessments and may seek to impair the claims of such constituencies to a greater degree. If there were competing plans of reorganization, Monitronics' reorganization case likely would become longer, more complicated and much more expensive. If this were to occur, or if Monitronics' employees or other constituencies important to Monitronics' business reacted adversely to an alternative plan of reorganization, the adverse consequences discussed in the first risk factor in this section discussing risks related to the Plan also could occur.

Monitronics' business may be negatively affected if it is unable to assume its executory contracts.

An executory contract is a contract on which performance remains due to some extent by both parties to the contract. Monitronics intends to preserve as much of the benefit of its existing contracts and leases as possible. However, with respect to some limited classes of executory contracts, Monitronics may need to obtain the consent of the counterparty to maintain the benefit of the contract. There is no guarantee that such consent either would be forthcoming or that conditions would not be attached to any such consent that makes assuming the contracts unattractive. Reorganized Monitronics would be required to either forego the benefits offered by such contracts or to find alternative arrangements to replace them.

Material transactions could be set aside as fraudulent conveyances or preferential transfers.

Certain payments received by stakeholders prior to the bankruptcy filing could be challenged under applicable debtor/creditor or bankruptcy laws as either a "fraudulent conveyance" or a "preferential transfer." A fraudulent conveyance occurs when a transfer of a debtor's assets is made with the intent to defraud creditors or in exchange for consideration that does not represent reasonably equivalent value to the property transferred. A preferential transfer occurs upon a transfer of property of the debtor while the debtor is insolvent to or for the benefit of a creditor on account of an antecedent debt owed by the debtor that was made on or within 90 days before the date of filing of the bankruptcy petition or one year before the date of filing of the petition, if the creditor, at the time of such transfer was an insider. If any transfer is challenged in the Bankruptcy Court and a fraudulent conveyance or preferential transfer is found to have occurred with regard to any of Monitronics' material transactions, the court could order the recovery of all amounts received by the recipient of the transfer.

Neither Monitronics nor Ascent Capital can predict the amount of time that the Debtors will spend in bankruptcy for the purpose of implementing the Plan, and a lengthy bankruptcy proceeding could disrupt Monitronics' and Ascent Capital's business, as well as impair the prospect for reorganization on the terms contained in the Plan.

While Monitronics and Ascent Capital expect that the Chapter 11 Cases filed solely for the purpose of implementing the Plan will be of short duration and will not be unduly disruptive to either Monitronics' or Ascent Capital's business, neither Monitronics nor Ascent Capital can be certain that this necessarily will be the case. Although the Plan is designed to minimize the length of the bankruptcy proceedings, it is impossible to predict with certainty the amount of time that Monitronics may spend in bankruptcy, and neither Monitronics nor Ascent Capital can be certain that the Plan will be confirmed. Even if confirmed on a timely basis, a bankruptcy proceeding to confirm the Plan could itself have an adverse effect on either Monitronics or Ascent Capital. There is a risk, due to uncertainty about Monitronics' and Ascent Capital's futures, that, among other things:

customers could move to Monitronics' competitors, including competitors that have comparatively greater financial resources and that are in comparatively less financial distress; 
employees could be distracted from performance of their duties or more easily attracted to other career opportunities; and
business partners could terminate their relationship with either Monitronics or Ascent Capital or demand financial assurances or enhanced performance, any of which could impair either Monitronics' or Ascent Capital's prospects.

A lengthy bankruptcy proceeding also would involve additional expenses and divert the attention of management from the operation of Monitronics' and Ascent Capital's businesses, as well as create concerns for employees, suppliers and customers.

The disruption that bankruptcy proceedings may have upon Monitronics' and Ascent Capital's businesses could increase with the length of time it takes to complete the proceeding. If Monitronics is unable to obtain confirmation of the Plan on a timely basis, either because of a challenge to the Plan or otherwise, Monitronics may be forced to operate in bankruptcy for an

extended period of time while it tries to develop a different reorganization plan that can be confirmed. A protracted bankruptcy case could increase both the probability and the magnitude of the adverse effects described above.

Monitronics may seek to amend, waive, modify or withdraw the Plan at any time prior to the confirmation of the Plan.

Monitronics reserves the right, prior to the confirmation or substantial consummation thereof, subject to the provisions of Section 1127 of the Bankruptcy Code and applicable law and the RSA, to amend the terms of the Plan, or waive any conditions thereto if and to the extent such amendments or waivers are necessary or desirable to consummate the Plan. The potential impact of any such amendment or waiver on the holders of Claims and Interests cannot presently be foreseen but may include a change in the economic impact of the Plan on some or all of the proposed classes or a change in the relative rights of such classes. All holders of Claims and Interests will receive notice of such amendments or waivers required by applicable law and the Bankruptcy Court. If, after receiving sufficient acceptances, but prior to confirmation of the Plan, Monitronics seeks to modify the Plan, the previously solicited acceptances will be valid only if (1) all classes of adversely affected creditors and interest holders accept the modification in writing or (2) the Bankruptcy Court determines, after notice to designated parties, that such modification was de minimis or purely technical or otherwise did not adversely change the treatment of holders accepting Claims and Interests or is otherwise permitted by the Bankruptcy Code.

Monitronics may exhaust its available cash collateral or financing under the DIP Facility if the Chapter 11 Cases take longer than expected to conclude.

The Bankruptcy Court has authorized Monitronics to use cash collateral and the DIP Facility to fund the Chapter 11 Cases. Such access to cash collateral and the DIP Facility will provide liquidity during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases. If the Chapter 11 Cases take longer than expected to conclude, Monitronics may exhaust its available cash collateral or financing under the DIP Facility. There can be no assurance that Monitronics will be able to obtain an extension of the right to use cash collateral or additional postpetition financing, in which case, the liquidity necessary for the orderly functioning of Monitronics' business may be impaired materially.

The confirmation and consummation of the Plan could be delayed.

Monitronics estimates that the process of obtaining confirmation of the Plan by the Bankruptcy Court will last approximately 30 to 60 days from the date of the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases, but it could last considerably longer if, for example, confirmation is contested or the conditions to confirmation or consummation are not satisfied or waived.

The restructuring will likely impair the ability of the Debtors to utilize their pre-restructuring tax attributes.

Ascent Capital and the Debtors have generated substantial NOLs through the taxable year ending December 31, 2018. Ascent Capital and the Debtors believe that their consolidated group will generate additional NOLs for the 2019 tax year. Ascent Capital and Monitronics intend that, upon the Merger, Monitronics would inherit NOLs of Ascent Capital. Under U.S. federal income tax law, a corporation is generally permitted to deduct from taxable income NOLs carried forward from prior years. When the restructuring is consummated, however, it is expected that the Debtors will recognize a substantial amount of cancellation of indebtedness income and, as a result, the Debtors' NOLs will be reduced on account of such cancellation of indebtedness income.

Moreover, the Debtors' ability to use their NOLs may be significantly limited if there is an "ownership change" (as defined in Section 382 of the Code) as a result of the restructuring. Generally, there is an "ownership change" if one or more stockholders owning 5% or more of a corporation's common stock have aggregate increases in their ownership of such stock of more than 50 percentage points over the prior three-year period. Under Section 382 of the Code, absent an applicable exception, if a corporation undergoes an "ownership change," the amount of its NOLs that may be utilized to offset future taxable income generally is subject to an annual limitation based on the equity value of the corporation immediately prior to the ownership change. If the Debtors undergo an ownership change in connection with the Plan, however, the Debtors should be allowed to calculate the limitation on NOLs and other consequences,tax attributes, in general, by reference to the Debtors' equity value immediately after the ownership change (rather than the equity value immediately before the ownership change, as is the case under the general rule for non-bankruptcy ownership changes), thus generally reflecting any increase in the value of the stock due to the cancellation of debt resulting from the Plan. The annual limitation could also be increased each year to the extent that there is an unused limitation in a prior year.

Following the implementation of the Plan, it is likely that an "ownership change" will be deemed to occur and the Debtors' NOLs, including those that it is intended will be inherited by Monitronics from Ascent Capital pursuant to the Merger, will be

subject to an annual limitation described under "MONIabove. Accordingly, the ability of the Debtors to use their NOLs to offset future taxable income may be significantly limited.

Risks Related to Ascent Capital’s Business

Ascent Capital is subject to the risks below and additional risks described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Part I. Item 1A. in Ascent Capital's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

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

Substantially all of Monitronics' subscriber alarm systems use either cellular service or traditional land-lines to communicate alarm signals from the subscribers' locations to Monitronics' 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 Monitronics 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 Monitronics currently estimates that the retirement of these networks will impact approximately 485,000 of its subscribers. Monitronics is working on plans to identify and offer equipment upgrades to this population of subscribers. Monitronics does expect to incur significant incremental costs over the next three years related to the retirement of 3G and CDMA networks. While Monitronics is currently unable to provide a more precise estimate for such retirement costs, it currently estimates that it will incur between $60 million and $80 million to complete the retirement of these networks. Total costs for the conversion of such customers are subject to numerous variables, including Monitronics' ability to work with its partners and subscribers on cost sharing initiatives, and the costs that it actually incurs could be materially higher than its current estimates. If Monitronics 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.

In the absence of regulation, certain providers of Internet access may block Monitronics' services or charge their customers more for using Monitronics' services, or government regulations relating to the Internet could change, which could materially adversely affect Monitronics' revenue and growth.

Monitronics' interactive and home automation services are primarily accessed through the Internet and Monitronics' security monitoring services are increasingly delivered using Internet technologies. Users who access Monitronics' services through mobile devices, such as smart phones, laptops, and tablet computers must have a high-speed Internet connection, such as Wi-Fi, 3G, or 4G, to use such services. Currently, this access is provided by telecommunications companies and Internet access service providers that have significant and increasing market power in the broadband and Internet access marketplace. In the absence of government regulation, these providers could take measures that affect their customers' ability to use Monitronics' products and services, such as degrading the quality of the data packets Monitronics transmits over their lines, giving Monitronics' packets low priority, giving other packets higher priority than Monitronics', blocking Monitronics' packets entirely, or attempting to charge their customers more for using Monitronics' products and services. To the extent that Internet service providers implement usage-based pricing, including meaningful bandwidth caps, or otherwise try to monetize access to their networks, Monitronics could incur greater operating expenses and customer acquisition and retention could be negatively impacted. Furthermore, to the extent network operators were to create tiers of Internet access service and either charge Monitronics for or prohibit Monitronics' services from being available to Monitronics' customers through these tiers, Monitronics' business could be negatively impacted. Some of these providers also offer products and services that directly compete with Monitronics' own offerings, which could potentially give them a competitive advantage.

In addition, the elimination of net neutrality rules and any changes to the rules could affect the market for broadband Internet access service in a way that impacts our business, for example, if Internet access providers provide better Internet access for their own alarm monitoring or interactive services that compete with Monitronics' services or limit the bandwidth and speed for the transmission of data from Monitronics' equipment, thereby depressing demand for our services or increasing the costs of services we provide.

Reorganized Monitronics will have a substantial amount of indebtedness and the costs of servicing that debt may materially affect its business" in Part I. Item 1A, Risk Factorsbusiness.

Monitronics has a significant amount of indebtedness. After the restructuring, Reorganized Monitronics' indebtedness will include a $145 million revolving credit facility, a $150 million term loan facility and a $822.5 million takeback term loan facility. 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 Reorganized 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 Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-Kagreements governing its indebtedness could result in an event of default under such agreements; 
require Reorganized 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 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 year ended December 31, 2017.markets in which it operates; 
limit Reorganized Monitronics' ability to obtain additional financing required to fund future subscriber account acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements; 
expose Reorganized Monitronics to market fluctuations in interest rates; 
place Reorganized 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 Reorganized Monitronics' indebtedness to be at higher interest rates and require Reorganized Monitronics to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict its business operations.

GoodwillThe agreements that will govern Reorganized Monitronics' various debt obligations after the restructuring impose restrictions on its business and the business of its subsidiaries and such restrictions could adversely affect Reorganized Monitronics' ability to undertake certain corporate actions.

The agreements that will govern Reorganized Monitronics' indebtedness after the restructuring will restrict its ability to, among other identifiable intangible assets represent a significant portionthings:

incur additional indebtedness; 
make certain dividends or distributions with respect to any of our total assets,its capital stock; 
make certain loans and we mayinvestments; 
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; and 
use proceeds of loans to purchase or carry margin stock.

In addition, Reorganized Monitronics will be required to recognizecomply with certain financial covenants that will require it to, among other things, maintain a consolidated total leverage ratio of not more than (i) 4.50 to 1.00 on or prior to December 31, 2020, (ii) 4.25 to 1.00 from on and after January 1, 2021 through and including December 31, 2021 and (iii) 4.00 to 1.00 thereafter. If Reorganized Monitronics fails to comply with any of the financial covenants, or if Reorganized Monitronics or any of its subsidiaries fails to comply with the restrictions contained in the credit facilities, such failure could lead to an event of default and Reorganized Monitronics may not be able to make additional impairment charges.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 Reorganized Monitronics' indebtedness.

As
Reorganized Monitronics' Amended and Restated Certificate of December 31, 2017, we had goodwillIncorporation will designate the Court of $563,549,000,Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by Reorganized Monitronics' stockholders, which represented 27%could limit Reorganized Monitronics' stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with Reorganized Monitronics or its directors, officers, employees or agents.

Reorganized Monitronics' Amended and Restated Certificate of total assets. Goodwill was recordedIncorporation will provide that, unless Reorganized Monitronics consents in connection withwriting to the MONI, Security Networks,selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and LiveWatch acquisitions. The Company accountsexclusive forum for any stockholder of Reorganized Monitronics (including beneficial owners) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of Reorganized Monitronics, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of Reorganized Monitronics' directors, officers, or other employees to Reorganized Monitronics or its goodwillstockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against Reorganized Monitronics, or its directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, Reorganized Monitronics' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Reorganized Monitronics' Amended and Restated Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against Reorganized Monitronics or any of its directors or officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except as to each of (i) through (iv) above, subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise holding any interest in shares of Reorganized Monitronics' capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and consented to, the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 350, Intangibles-GoodwillReorganized Monitronics' Amended 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 valueRestated Certificate 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 Brinks Home Security 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 future impairment charges 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. The Company typically tests its goodwill for impairmentIncorporation described in the fourth quarterpreceding sentence. This choice of each year and determinedforum provision may limit a stockholder's ability to test its goodwill again during the second quarter 2018bring a claim in light of its recent stock price performance. During the three months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $214,400,000judicial forum that it finds favorable for the impairment of goodwill at the MONI reporting unit primarily due to lower overall account acquisitions in recent periods. There can be no assurance that our future evaluations of goodwill will not result in our recognition of additional impairment charges,disputes with Reorganized Monitronics' directors, officers, employees or agents, which may havediscourage such lawsuits against Reorganized Monitronics and such persons. Alternatively, if a material adverse effect on ourcourt were to find these provisions of Reorganized Monitronics' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, Reorganized Monitronics may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect its business, financial statements andcondition or results of operations.

Reorganized Monitronics' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will provide that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, Reorganized Monitronics' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will provide that the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

(c) Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

The Company did not purchase any of its own equity securities during the three months ended June 30, 2018.2019. 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 June 30, 2018.2019.
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)
4/1/2018 - 4/30/2018 6,045
 (2) $3.54
 
  
5/1/2018 - 5/31/2018 3,441
 (2) 2.18
 
  
6/1/2018 - 6/30/2018 
   
 
  
Total 9,486
   $3.04
 
  
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)
4/1/2019 - 4/30/2019 5,825
 (2) $0.75
 
  
5/1/2019 - 5/31/2019 2,749
 (2) 1.10
 
  
6/1/2019 - 6/30/2019 
 (2) 
 
  
Total 8,574
   $0.86
 
  
 
(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, 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 June 30, 2018,2019, 2,391,604 shares of Series A Common Stock had been purchased, at an average price paid of $40.65 per share, pursuant to these authorizations.  As of June 30, 2018,2019, the remaining availability under the Company's existing share repurchase program will enable the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately $2,771,000 of Series A Common Stock. The Company may also purchase shares of its Series B Common Stock, under the remaining availability of the program.

Common Stock. The Company may also purchase shares of its Series B Common Stock, under the remaining availability of the program.

(2)Represents shares withheld in payment of withholding taxes upon vesting of employees' restricted share awards.
Item 5.Other Information

General Development of Business

We were incorporated in the state of Delaware on May 29, 2008 and were 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. The spin-off was intended to qualify as a tax-free transaction.

On February 26, 2018, 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"). Under the terms of the Brink's License Agreement, Monitronics has exclusive 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 for an initial term of seven years, which, subject to certain conditions, may be extended in subsequent renewal periods beyond 20 years pursuant to the agreement’s renewal provisions.

At June 30, 2018, our assets consisted primarily of our primary wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, Brinks Home Security, investments in marketable securities and cash and cash equivalents.

At June 30, 2018, we had investments in marketable securities and cash and cash equivalents, on a consolidated basis, of $105,515,000 and $4,185,000, respectively.

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") and 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.

* * * * *

Financial Information About Reportable Segments

We identify our reportable segments based on financial information reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker. Prior to the second quarter of 2018, we reported financial information for our consolidated business segments that represented 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, 2017 and 2016, MONI and LiveWatch.

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. Following the integration, our chief operating decision maker reviews internal financial information on a Brinks Home Security consolidated 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 $107,885,000 and $113,698,000 as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Net gain (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes related to corporate Ascent Capital activities was $(2,575,000) and $(7,206,000) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to $9,543,000 and $11,559,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

Narrative Description of Business

Ascent Capital, a Delaware corporation, is a holding company whose principal assets as of June 30, 2018 consisted of our primary wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, Brinks Home Security, investments in marketable securities 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.

Monitronics was incorporated in Texas in 1994 and is headquartered in Farmers Branch, Texas.

Brinks Home Security

Through Brinks Home Security, we are one of the largest security alarm monitoring companies in North America, with customers under contract in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 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 comprehensive platform of home 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 between our monitoring center and our customers; and
customer service and 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 sources customers through direct-to-consumer advertising primarily through internet, print and partnership program marketing activities. In May 2018, both the Dealer Channel and Direct to Consumer 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 62% of gross additional customers in the second quarter of 2018, when excluding bulk account purchases in the period. By outsourcing the low margin, high fixed‑cost elements of Brinks Home Security's business to a large network of dealers, 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 customer base rather than to local offices or depreciating hard assets and, we believe, derive higher cash flow generation.

Our Direct to Consumer Channel is an important addition to our channel diversity. Our Direct to Consumer Channel accounted for 38% of our gross additional customers in the second quarter of 2018, when excluding bulk account purchases in the period. Our Direct to Consumer Channel provides customers with a do-it-yourself (“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 agreements ("AMAs"), which include access to interactive and automation features at a higher fee.  Additional revenue is also generated as our customers bundle other interactive services with their traditional monitoring services. During the three months ended June 30, 2018, 95% of new customers purchased at least one of Brinks Home Security's interactive services alongside traditional security monitoring services. As of June 30, 2018, Brinks Home Security had 955,853 subscribers generating $43,000,000 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 June 30, 2018, Brinks Home Security provided wholesale monitoring services for over 57,000 accounts. The incremental revenue streams do not represent a significant portion of our overall revenue.

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 the Authorized Dealer nationwide network, is an effective way for us 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 over 345 independent dealers who are typically small businesses that sell and install alarm systems.  These dealers generally do not retain the AMAs due to the scale and large upfront investment required to build and efficiently operate monitoring stations and related infrastructure.  These dealers typically sell the AMAs to third parties and outsource the monitoring function for any AMAs they retain. The initial contract term for contracts generated by the dealers are typically three to five 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 signals from nearly all types of residential security systems.

Brinks Home Security generally enters into exclusive contracts with dealers that typically have initial terms ranging between two to five years, with renewal terms thereafter. In order to maximize revenue and geographic diversification, Brinks Home Security partners with dealers from throughout the U.S. We believe Brinks Home Security's ability to maximize return on invested capital is largely dependent on the quality of our dealers and the accounts acquired. In addition, rigorous underwriting standards are applied and a detailed review of each AMA to be acquired.

Brinks Home Security generally acquires each new AMA at a cost based on a multiple of the account’s RMR. The dealer contracts generally provide that if an acquired AMA is terminated within the first 12 months, the dealer must replace the AMA or refund the AMA purchase price. To secure the dealer’s obligation, Brinks Home Security typically retains a percentage of the AMA 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 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.

Currently, 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 the 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 network, it periodically acquire alarm monitoring accounts from other alarm companies in bulk on a negotiated basis. Our 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.

Customer Operations

Once a customer has contracted for services through the Dealer Channel, Brinks Home Security provides monitoring services as well as billing and 24-hour telephone support through its central monitoring station, located in Farmers Branch, Texas.  This facility is Underwriters Laboratories ("UL") listed.  To obtain and maintain a UL listing, an 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 of alarm monitoring centers to ensure compliance with their requirements.  Brinks Home Security's central monitoring station has also received the Monitoring

Association’s prestigious Five Diamond certification. Five Diamond certification is achieved by having all alarm monitoring operators complete special industry training and pass an exam.

Brinks 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 monitoring and customer care center.

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 is delivered to the operator’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.  Brinks Home Security never dispatches its own personnel to the subscriber’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, Brinks Home Security will contract with an independent third party responder if available in that area.

Security 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 service 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. Brinks Home Security has a proprietary centralized information system that enables it to satisfy over 90% of subscriber technical inquiries over the telephone, without dispatching a service technician. If the customer requires field service, Brinks Home Security relies on its nationwide network of independent service dealers and over 85 employee field service technicians to provide such service.  Brinks Home Security closely monitors service dealer performance with customer satisfaction forms, follow-up quality assurance calls and other performance metrics.  In 2017, Brinks Home Security dispatched approximately 295 independent service dealers around the country to handle its field service.

DIY and Customer Operations

Brinks Home Security is also a leading DIY home security provider offering professionally monitored security services through the Direct to Consumer Channel. This DIY business is an asset-light business and geographically unconstrained. Brinks Home Security obtains subscribers through e-commerce online sales and through a trained inside sales phone operation and typically offers substantial equipment subsidies to initiate, renew or upgrade AMAs. The initial contract term for DIY AMAs is typically one to three years, with automatic renewal on a month-to-month basis.

When a customer initiates and completes the sales process to 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 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 Brinks Home Security website. Monitoring services are provided through a third party central monitoring station. Security system, interactive and home automation services are contracted with and provided to the subscriber by various third party technology companies. Brinks Home Security customer care centers handle general inquiries from the DIY subscribers as well as engage in retention activities.

Customers

We believe Brinks Home Security's subscriber acquisition process, which includes both clearly defined customer account standards and a comprehensive due diligence process focusing on both the dealers and the AMAs to be acquired, contributes significantly to the high quality of Brinks Home Security's subscriber base. For each of the last five calendar years, the average credit score associated with AMAs that were acquired was 715 or higher on the FICO scale.

Approximately 94% of Brinks Home Security's subscribers are residential homeowners and the remainder are small commercial accounts. We believe that by focusing on 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 exclusive 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. Brinks Home Security also owns certain proprietary software applications that are used to provide services to our dealers and subscribers, 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 our proprietary software applications.

Strategy

Corporate Strategy

Ascent Capital actively seeks opportunities to leverage Brinks Home Security's strong 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’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.

Brinks Home Security Strategy

Brinks Home Security's goal is to maximize return on invested capital, which it believes can be achieved by pursuing the following strategies:

Capitalize on Limited Market Penetration

Brinks 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 business 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 customer retention by consistently offering high quality automated home monitoring services and increasing the average life of acquired AMAs through the following initiatives:


maintain the high quality of Brinks Home Security's customer base by continuing to implement its highly disciplined AMA acquisition program;
continue to motivate Brinks Home Security's dealers to obtain only high‑quality accounts through incentives built into purchase multiples and by having a performance guarantee on substantially all dealer originated accounts;
prioritize the inclusion of interactive and home automation services in the 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 customers who are relocating and target retention of such customers.

Maximize Economics of Business Model

Due to the scalability of Brinks Home Security's operations and the low fixed and variable costs inherent in its cost structure, we believe we will continue to experience high Adjusted EBITDA margins as costs are spread over increased recurring revenue streams. In addition, Brinks Home Security optimizes the rate of return on investment by managing subscriber acquisition costs, or the costs of acquiring an account (“Subscriber Acquisition Costs”). Subscriber Acquisition Costs, whether capitalized or expensed, include the costs related to the Direct to Consumer Channel and the costs to acquire alarm monitoring contracts from authorized dealers and certain sales and marketing costs. Brinks Home Security consistently offers what it views as competitive rates for account acquisition. We believe our cash flows may also benefit from continued efforts to decrease Brinks Home Security’s cost to serve by investing in customer service automation, targeting cost saving initiatives and integrating the operations of our subsidiaries. 

Grow Dealer Channel

Brinks Home Security plans to expand AMA acquisitions by targeting new dealers from whom it expects to generate high quality customers. 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, Brinks Home Security is able to attract and partner with dealers that will succeed in its existing dealer network.

Industry; Competition

The security alarm industry is highly competitive and fragmented. Brinks Home Security's competitors include two other major security alarm companies with nationwide coverage, numerous smaller providers with regional or local coverage and certain large multi-service organizations in the telecommunications or cable businesses. Brinks Home Security's significant competitors for obtaining subscriber AMA's are:

ADT, Inc. ("ADT");
Vivint, Inc.;
Guardian Protection Services;
Vector Security, Inc.;
Comcast Corporation; and
SimpliSafe, Inc.

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 and obtain customer accounts. Competition for customers has also increased in recent years with the emergence of DIY home security providers and other technology companies expanding into the security alarm industry. We believe Brinks Home Security competes effectively with other national, regional and local alarm monitoring companies, including cable and telecommunications companies, due to its reputation for reliable monitoring, customer and technical services, the quality of its services, and its relatively lower cost structure. We believe the dynamics of the security alarm industry favor larger alarm monitoring companies, such as Brinks Home Security, with a nationwide focus that have greater resources and benefit from economies of scale in technology, advertising and other expenditures.


Some of these security alarm companies have also adopted, in whole or in part, a dealer program similar to Brinks Home Security's.  In these instances, Brinks Home Security must also compete with these programs in recruiting dealers.  We believe Brinks Home Security competes effectively with other dealer programs due to the quality of its dealer support services and its competitive acquisition terms.  Brinks Home Security’s significant competitors for recruiting dealers are:

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

Seasonality

Brinks Home Security's 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, Brinks Home Security's 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.

Regulatory Matters

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, Brinks 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 our company.

Security alarm systems monitored by Brinks 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.

Employees

At June 30, 2018, Ascent Capital, together with its subsidiaries, had over 1,280 full-time employees and over 60 part-time employees, all of which are located in the U.S.

Financial Information About Geographic Areas

Brinks Home Security provides monitoring services for subscribers located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

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.

Item 6Exhibits
 
Listed below are the exhibits which are included as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
2.1
3.1
10.1 
10.2 
10.3 
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
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 Labels Linkbase Document. *
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. *


*Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith.





SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
     
     
Date:August 3, 20187, 2019 By:/s/ William E. Niles
    William E. Niles
    Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
     
     
Date:August 3, 20187, 2019 By:/s/ Fred A. Graffam
    Fred A. Graffam
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


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