Consolidated Communications (CNSL) 10-Q 2 Aug 19 2019 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 29, 2019
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Entity File Number	000-51446
Entity Registrant Name	CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	02-0636095
Entity Central Index Key	0001304421
Entity Address, Address Line One	121 South 17th Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Mattoon
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	61938-3987
City Area Code	217
Local Phone Number	235-3311
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock - $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CNSL
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		72,076,069
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 18, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net revenues		$ 333,532		$ 350,221		$ 672,181	$ 706,260
Operating expense:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		143,780		151,358		292,099	304,274
Selling, general and administrative expenses		78,148		81,695		152,515	167,680
Depreciation and amortization		97,304		111,741		196,547	219,640
Income from operations		14,300		5,427		31,020	14,666
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income		(34,737)		(32,839)		(69,020)	(65,555)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt		249				249
Investment income		10,750		12,535		19,351	20,324
Other, net		(1,652)		308		(3,021)	550
Loss before income taxes		(11,090)		(14,569)		(21,421)	(30,015)
Income tax benefit		(3,778)		(4,009)		(6,923)	(8,257)
Net loss		(7,312)	$ (7,186)	(10,560)	$ (11,198)	(14,498)	(21,758)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		75		83		154	183
Net loss attributable to common shareholders		$ (7,387)		$ (10,643)		$ (14,652)	$ (21,941)
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted
Net loss per basic and diluted common shares attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)		$ (0.10)		$ (0.15)		$ (0.21)	$ (0.32)
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38738			$ 0.38		$ 0.39	$ 0.77	$ 0.38738

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net loss	$ (7,312)	$ (10,560)	$ (14,498)	$ (21,758)
Pension and post-retirement obligations:
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service credit to earnings, net of tax	1,026	954	2,052	1,876
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax	(12,146)	3,884	(18,835)	8,621
Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2017-12			(576)
Reclassification of realized (gain) loss to earnings, net of tax	(440)	1,066	(647)	1,331
Comprehensive loss	(18,872)	(4,656)	(32,504)	(9,930)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	75	83	154	183
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders	$ (18,947)	$ (4,739)	$ (32,658)	$ (10,113)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 10,450	$ 9,599
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	133,535	133,136
Income tax receivable	11,380	11,072
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	45,231	44,336
Total current assets	200,596	198,143
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,872,312	1,927,126
Investments	112,154	110,853
Goodwill	1,035,274	1,035,274
Customer relationships, net	196,754	228,959
Other intangible assets	10,927	11,483
Other assets	57,693	23,423
Total assets	3,485,710	3,535,261
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	44,746	32,502
Advance billings and customer deposits	46,892	47,724
Dividends payable		27,579
Accrued compensation	55,926	64,459
Accrued interest	9,955	9,232
Accrued expense	77,589	71,650
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations	29,003	30,468
Total current liabilities	264,111	283,614
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	2,309,117	2,303,585
Deferred income taxes	174,631	188,129
Pension and other post-retirement obligations	298,571	314,134
Other long-term liabilities	80,107	30,145
Total liabilities	3,126,537	3,119,607
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 72,076,069 and 71,187,301 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	721	712
Additional paid-in capital	489,084	513,070
Accumulated deficit	(65,486)	(50,834)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(71,218)	(53,212)
Noncontrolling interest	6,072	5,918
Total shareholders' equity	359,173	415,654
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 3,485,710	$ 3,535,261

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	72,076,069	71,187,301

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net	Non-controlling Interest	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 708	$ 615,662		$ (48,083)	$ 5,655	$ 573,942
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	70,777
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cash dividends on common stock		(25,243)	$ (2,359)			(27,602)
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures	$ 5	(5)
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures (in shares)	475
Non-cash, share-based compensation		678				678
Other comprehensive income (loss)				5,924		5,924
Cumulative adjustment of new accounting standard adoption | ASU 2014-09			2,359			2,359
Net loss			(11,298)		100	(11,198)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 713	591,092	(11,298)	(42,159)	5,755	544,103
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	71,252
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 708	615,662		(48,083)	5,655	573,942
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	70,777
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net loss						(21,758)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 713	565,961	(21,941)	(36,255)	5,838	514,316
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2018	71,252
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 713	591,092	(11,298)	(42,159)	5,755	544,103
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	71,252
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cash dividends on common stock		(26,669)	(933)			(27,602)
Non-cash, share-based compensation		1,538				1,538
Other comprehensive income (loss)				5,904		5,904
Cumulative adjustment of new accounting standard adoption | ASU 2014-09			933			933
Net loss			(10,643)		83	(10,560)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 713	565,961	(21,941)	(36,255)	5,838	514,316
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2018	71,252
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 712	513,070	(50,834)	(53,212)	5,918	415,654
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	71,187
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cash dividends on common stock		(27,356)	(576)			(27,932)
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures	$ 9	(9)
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures (in shares)	923
Non-cash, share-based compensation		1,498				1,498
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(6,446)		(6,446)
Cumulative adjustment of new accounting standard adoption | ASU 2017-12			576			576
Net loss			(7,265)		79	(7,186)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 721	487,203	(58,099)	(59,658)	5,997	376,164
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019	72,110
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 712	513,070	(50,834)	(53,212)	5,918	415,654
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	71,187
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income (loss)						(18,006)
Net loss						(14,498)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 721	489,084	(65,486)	(71,218)	6,072	359,173
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019	72,076
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 721	487,203	(58,099)	(59,658)	5,997	376,164
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019	72,110
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cash dividends on common stock		67				67
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures (in shares)	(34)
Non-cash, share-based compensation		1,814				1,814
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(11,560)		(11,560)
Net loss			(7,387)		75	(7,312)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 721	$ 489,084	$ (65,486)	$ (71,218)	$ 6,072	$ 359,173
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019	72,076

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 163,262	$ 194,371
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net	(119,768)	(124,840)
Proceeds from sale of assets	14,203	1,443
Distributions from investments	329	233
Other	(450)
Net cash used in investing activities	(105,686)	(123,164)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	107,000	76,000
Payment of finance lease obligations	(6,811)	(6,027)
Payment on long-term debt	(97,175)	(91,176)
Repurchase of senior notes	(4,294)
Dividends on common stock	(55,445)	(55,019)
Net cash used in financing activities	(56,725)	(76,222)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	851	(5,015)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,599	15,657
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 10,450	$ 10,642

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES ​ Business and Basis of Accounting ​ Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a 23-state service area. ​ Leveraging our advanced fiber network spanning more than 37,000 fiber route miles, we offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as multi-service residential and small business bundles. Our business product suite includes data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services. As of June 30, 2019, we had approximately 873,000 voice connections, 783,000 data connections and 90,000 video connections. ​ In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods. Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. ​ Divestitures ​ On July 31, 2018, we completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding stock of our subsidiaries Peoples Mutual Telephone Company and Peoples Mutual Long Distance Company (collectively, “Peoples”) for total cash proceeds of approximately $21.0 million, net of certain contractual and customary working capital adjustments. Peoples operates as a local exchange carrier in Virginia and provides telecommunications services to residential and business customers. The sale of Peoples has not been reported as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as the annual revenue of these operations is less than 1% of the consolidated operating revenues. ​ Recent Accounting Pronouncements ​ Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases ​ As part of the adoption, we elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the new lease standard, which among other things, allows us to carry forward the historical lease classification. As a result, there was no impact to opening retained earnings. We elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components, as well as the practical expedient related to land easements, which allows us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements in existing agreements. We also made an accounting policy election to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with a term of 12 months or less and will recognize lease payments as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ​ The adoption of the new lease standard resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $30.9 million for historical operating leases, while our accounting for historical finance leases remained substantially unchanged. The adoption of the new lease standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of cash flows or our debt-covenant compliance under our current agreements. For additional information on leases and the impact of the new lease standard, refer to Note 8. ​ Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2018-07 (“ASU 2018-07”), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting ​ Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2018-02 (“ASU 2018-02”), Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ​ Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2017-12 (“ASU 2017-12”), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities ​ In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2018-15 (“ASU 2018-15”), Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract ​ In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14 (“ASU 2018-14”), Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans ​ In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ​ Reclassifications ​ Certain amounts in our 2018 condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

REVENUE

REVENUE	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
REVENUE
REVENUE	​ 2. REVENUE ​ Nature of Contracts with Customers ​ Our revenue contracts with customers may include a promise or promises to deliver goods such as equipment and/or services such as broadband, video or voice services. Promised goods and services are considered distinct as the customer can benefit from the goods or services either on their own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and the Company’s promise to transfer a good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. The Company accounts for goods and services as separate performance obligations. Each service is considered a single performance obligation as it is providing a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer. ​ The transaction price is determined at contract inception and reflects the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring a good or service to the customer. This amount is generally equal to the market price of the goods and/or services promised in the contract and may include promotional discounts. The transaction price excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as sales taxes and regulatory fees. Conversely, nonrefundable upfront fees, such as service activation and set-up fees, are included in the transaction price. In determining the transaction price, we consider our enforceable rights and obligations within the contract. We do not consider the possibility of a contract being cancelled, renewed or modified. ​ The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of the good or service, net of the related discount, as applicable. ​ Revenue is recognized when or as performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of the good or service to the customer as described below. ​ Disaggregation of Revenue ​ The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Operating Revenues ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Commercial and carrier: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Data and transport services (includes VoIP) ​ $ 88,538 ​ $ 87,603 ​ $ 176,664 ​ $ 173,628 ​ Voice services ​ 47,136 ​ 51,322 ​ 95,206 ​ 103,483 ​ Other ​ ​ 13,390 ​ ​ 14,237 ​ ​ 28,566 ​ ​ 26,100 ​ ​ ​ ​ 149,064 ​ ​ 153,162 ​ ​ 300,436 ​ ​ 303,211 ​ Consumer: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Broadband (VoIP and Data) ​ ​ 64,068 ​ ​ 62,545 ​ ​ 127,153 ​ ​ 125,656 ​ Video services ​ ​ 20,341 ​ ​ 22,065 ​ ​ 41,077 ​ ​ 44,899 ​ Voice services ​ ​ 45,235 ​ ​ 51,616 ​ ​ 91,114 ​ ​ 103,678 ​ ​ ​ ​ 129,644 ​ ​ 136,226 ​ ​ 259,344 ​ ​ 274,233 ​ Subsidies ​ ​ 18,134 ​ ​ 20,979 ​ ​ 36,293 ​ ​ 46,234 ​ Network access ​ ​ 34,198 ​ ​ 37,338 ​ ​ 70,789 ​ ​ 77,053 ​ Other products and services ​ ​ 2,492 ​ ​ 2,516 ​ ​ 5,319 ​ ​ 5,529 ​ Total operating revenues ​ $ 333,532 ​ $ 350,221 ​ $ 672,181 ​ $ 706,260 ​ ​ Services Services revenues, with the exception of usage-based revenues, are generally billed in advance and recognized in subsequent periods when or as services are transferred to the customer. We offer bundled service packages that consists of high-speed Internet, video and voice services including local and long distance calling, voicemail and calling features. Each service is considered distinct and therefore accounted for as a separate performance obligation. Service revenue is recognized over time, consistent with the transfer of service, as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance as the Company performs. Usage-based services, such as per-minute long-distance service and access charges billed to other telephone carriers for originating and terminating long-distance calls in our network, are billed in arrears. We recognize revenue from these services when or as services are transferred to the customer. Revenue related to nonrefundable upfront fees, such as service activation and set-up fees are deferred and amortized over the expected customer life as discussed below. Equipment Equipment revenue is generated from the sale of voice and data communications equipment as well as design, configuration, installation and professional support services related to such equipment. Equipment revenue generated from telecommunications systems and structured cabling projects is recognized when or as the project is completed. Maintenance services are provided on both a contract and time and material basis and are recognized when or as services are transferred. Subsidies and Surcharges Subsidies consist of both federal and state subsidies, which are designed to promote widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices in rural areas. These revenues are calculated by the administering government agency based on information we provide. There is a reasonable possibility that out-of-period subsidy adjustments may be recorded in the future, but they are expected to be immaterial to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. ​ We recognize Federal Universal Service contributions on a gross basis. We account for all other taxes collected from customers and remitted to the respective government agencies on a net basis. ​ Contract Assets and Liabilities ​ The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from our revenue contracts with customers: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ ​ June 30, (In thousands) ​ 2019 ​ 2018 Accounts receivable, net ​ $ 133,535 ​ $ 122,411 Contract assets ​ 15,991 ​ 7,408 Contract liabilities ​ 51,406 ​ 49,039 ​ Contract assets include costs that are incremental to the acquisition of a contract. Incremental costs are those that result directly from obtaining a contract or costs that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained, which primarily relate to sales commissions. These costs are deferred and amortized over the expected customer life. We determined that the expected customer life is the expected period of benefit as the commission on the renewal contract is not commensurate with the commission on the initial contract. During the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized expense of $1.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, related to deferred contract acquisition costs. During the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized expense of $2.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related to deferred contract acquisition costs. ​ Contract liabilities include deferred revenues related to advanced payments for services and nonrefundable, upfront service activation and set-up fees, which under the new standard are generally deferred and amortized over the expected customer life as the option to renew without paying an upfront fee provides the customer with a material right. During the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company deferred and recognized revenues of $92.7 million and $83.8 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company deferred and recognized revenues of $186.7 million and $171.1 million, respectively. ​ A receivable is recognized in the period the Company provides goods or services when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. Payment terms on invoiced amounts are generally 30 to 60 days. ​ Performance Obligations ​ ASU No. 2014-09 (also known as ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers ​ 1. The performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less. 2. Revenue is recognized from the satisfaction of the performance obligations in the amount billable to the customer in accordance with ASC 606-10-55-18. ​ The Company has elected these practical expedients. As mentioned above, performance obligations related to our service revenue contracts are generally recognized over time. For services transferred over time, revenue is recognized based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer. Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over the life of the contract. As such, revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	3. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE ​ Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) are computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation method that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities considering dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Certain of the Company’s restricted stock awards are considered participating securities because holders are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends, if declared, during the vesting term. ​ The potentially dilutive impact of the Company’s restricted stock awards is determined using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, if the average market price during the period exceeds the exercise price, these instruments are treated as if they had been exercised with the proceeds of exercise used to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares issued and repurchased is included in the diluted share computation. ​ Diluted EPS includes securities that could potentially dilute basic EPS during a reporting period. Dilutive securities are not included in the computation of loss per share when a company reports a net loss from continuing operations as the impact would be anti-dilutive. ​ The computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders computed using the two-class method is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands, except per share amounts) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Net loss ​ $ (7,312) ​ $ (10,560) ​ $ (14,498) ​ $ (21,758) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ 75 ​ 83 ​ 154 ​ 183 ​ Loss attributable to common shareholders before allocation of earnings to participating securities ​ (7,387) ​ (10,643) ​ (14,652) ​ (21,941) ​ Less: earnings allocated to participating securities ​ — ​ 221 ​ 457 ​ 442 ​ Net loss attributable to common shareholders, after earnings allocated to participating securities ​ $ (7,387) ​ $ (10,864) ​ $ (15,109) ​ $ (22,383) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding ​ 70,813 ​ 70,598 ​ 70,813 ​ 70,598 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted ​ $ (0.10) ​ $ (0.15) ​ $ (0.21) ​ $ (0.32) ​ ​ Diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders for the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 excludes 1.3 million and 0.7 million potential common shares, respectively, that could be issued under our share-based compensation plan, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders excludes 1.0 million and 0.5 million potential common shares, respectively.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
INVESTMENTS
INVESTMENTS	4. INVESTMENTS ​ Our investments are as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ December 31, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 Cash surrender value of life insurance policies ​ $ 2,600 ​ $ 2,371 ​ Investments at cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (2.34% interest) ​ 21,450 ​ 21,450 ​ Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (3.60% interest) ​ 22,950 ​ 22,950 ​ CoBank, ACB Stock ​ 8,910 ​ 9,051 ​ Other ​ 298 ​ 298 ​ Equity method investments: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (20.51% interest) ​ 18,754 ​ 17,800 ​ Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (16.67% interest) ​ 7,790 ​ 7,786 ​ Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (23.67% interest) ​ 29,402 ​ 29,147 ​ Totals ​ $ 112,154 ​ $ 110,853 ​ ​ Investments at Cost ​ We own 2.34%of GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (the “Mobilnet South Partnership”). The principal activity of the Mobilnet South Partnership is providing cellular service in the Houston, Galveston and Beaumont, Texas metropolitan areas. We also own 3.60% of Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership, which provides cellular service in and around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Because of our limited influence over these partnerships, we account for these investments at our initial cost less any impairment because fair value is not readily available for these investments. No factors of impairment existed for any of the investments during the quarters ended June 30, 2019 or 2018. For these investments, we adjust the carrying value for any purchases or sales of our ownership interests. We record distributions received from these investments as investment income in non-operating income (expense). For the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $5.0 million and $6.1 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $8.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively. ​ CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) is a cooperative bank owned by its customers. On an annual basis, CoBank distributes patronage in the form of cash and stock in the cooperative based on the Company’s outstanding loan balance with CoBank, which has traditionally been a significant lender in the Company’s credit facility. The investment in CoBank represents the accumulation of the equity patronage paid by CoBank to the Company. ​ Equity Method ​ We own 20.51%of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (“RSA #17”), 16.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(I)”) and 23.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(II)”). RSA #17 provides cellular service to a limited rural area in Texas. RSA 6(I) and RSA 6(II) provide cellular service in and around our Pennsylvania service territory. Because we have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these three entities, we account for the investments using the equity method. In connection with the adoption of ASC 606 by our equity method partnerships, the value of our combined partnership interests increased $1.8 million, which is reflected in the cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2018. For the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $5.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $9.6 million and $11.6 million, respectively.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS ​ Our derivative instruments related to interest rate swap agreements are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values of the interest rate swaps are determined using valuation models and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and observable market data of similar instruments. See Note 7 for further discussion regarding our interest rate swap agreements. ​ Our interest rate swap agreements measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As of June 30, 2019 ​ ​ ​ Quoted Prices Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ In Active ​ Other ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Markets for ​ Observable ​ Unobservable ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Identical Assets ​ Inputs ​ Inputs (In thousands) ​ Total ​ (Level 1) ​ (Level 2) ​ (Level 3) Current interest rate swap assets ​ $ 365 $ — ​ $ 365 $ — ​ Long-term interest rate swap liabilities ​ ​ (29,743) ​ — ​ ​ (29,743) ​ — ​ Total ​ $ (29,378) ​ $ — ​ $ (29,378) ​ $ — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As of December 31, 2018 ​ ​ ​ Quoted Prices Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ In Active ​ Other ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Markets for ​ Observable ​ Unobservable ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Identical Assets ​ Inputs ​ Inputs (In thousands) ​ Total ​ (Level 1) ​ (Level 2) ​ (Level 3) Current interest rate swap assets ​ $ 2,465 $ — ​ $ 2,465 $ — ​ Long-term interest rate swap assets ​ ​ 1,524 ​ — ​ ​ 1,524 ​ — ​ Long-term interest rate swap liabilities ​ (6,647) ​ — ​ (6,647) ​ — ​ Total ​ $ (2,658) ​ $ — ​ $ (2,658) ​ $ — ​ ​ We have not elected the fair value option for any of our financial assets or liabilities. The carrying value of other financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The following table presents the other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As of June 30, 2019 ​ As of December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Investments, equity basis ​ $ 55,946 ​ n/a ​ $ 54,733 ​ n/a ​ Investments, at cost ​ $ 53,608 ​ n/a ​ $ 53,749 ​ n/a ​ Long-term debt, excluding finance leases ​ $ 2,321,368 ​ $ 2,217,834 ​ $ 2,315,077 ​ $ 2,155,127 ​ ​ Cost & Equity Method Investments ​ Our investments as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 accounted for at cost and under the equity method consisted primarily of minority positions in various cellular telephone limited partnerships and our investment in CoBank. It is impracticable to determine the fair value of these investments. ​ Long-term Debt ​ The fair value of our senior notes was based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of borrowings under our credit facility was determined using current market rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. We have categorized the long-term debt as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
LONG-TERM DEBT
LONG-TERM DEBT	6. LONG-TERM DEBT ​ Long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts, consisted of the following: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ December 31, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 Senior secured credit facility: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Term loans, net of discounts of $6,304 and $6,994 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively ​ $ 1,787,584 ​ $ 1,796,068 ​ Revolving loan ​ 41,000 ​ 22,000 ​ 6.50% Senior notes due 2022, net of discount of $2,611 and $2,991 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively ​ ​ 492,784 ​ ​ 497,009 ​ ​ ​ 2,321,368 ​ 2,315,077 ​ Less: current portion of long-term debt ​ (18,350) ​ (18,350) ​ Less: deferred debt issuance costs ​ ​ (9,956) ​ ​ (11,386) ​ Total long-term debt ​ $ 2,293,062 ​ $ 2,285,341 ​ ​ Credit Agreement ​ In October 2016, the Company, through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement consists of a $110.0 million revolving credit facility, an initial term loan in the aggregate amount of $900.0 million (the “Initial Term Loan”) and an incremental term loan in the aggregate amount of $935.0 million (the “Incremental Term Loan”), collectively (the “Term Loans”). The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental loan facility which provides the ability to borrow, subject to certain terms and conditions, incremental loans in an aggregate amount of up to the greater of (a) $300.0 million and (b) an amount which would cause its senior secured leverage ratio not to exceed 3.00:1.00 (the “Incremental Facility”). Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of Consolidated Communications of Illinois Company and our majority-owned subsidiary, East Texas Fiber Line Incorporated. ​ The Initial Term Loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $900.0 million with a maturity date of October 5, 2023, but is subject to earlier maturity on March 31, 2022 if the Company’s unsecured Senior Notes due in October 2022 are not repaid in full or redeemed in full on or prior to March 31, 2022. The Initial Term Loan contains an original issuance discount of 0.25% or $2.3 million, which is being amortized over the term of the loan. The Initial Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.25 million and has an interest rate of 3.00% plus the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor. ​ The Incremental Term Loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $935.0 million and included an original issue discount of 0.50%, which is being amortized over the term of the loan. The Incremental Term Loan has the same maturity date and interest rate as the Initial Term Loan and requires quarterly principal payments of $2.34 million. ​ Our revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 5, 2021 and an applicable margin (at our election) of between 2.50% and 3.25% for LIBOR-based borrowings or between 1.50% and 2.25% for alternate base rate borrowings, in each case depending on our total net leverage ratio. Based on our leverage ratio as of June 30, 2019, the borrowing margin for the three month period ending September 30, 2019 will be at a weighted-average margin of 3.00% for a LIBOR-based loan or 2.00% for an alternate base rate loan. The applicable borrowing margin for the revolving credit facility is adjusted quarterly to reflect the leverage ratio from the prior quarter-end. As of June 30, 2019, borrowings of $41.0 million were outstanding under the revolving credit facility, which consisted of LIBOR-based borrowings of $38.0 million and alternate base rate borrowings of $3.0 million. At December 31, 2018, there were borrowings of $22.0 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility, which consisted of LIBOR-based borrowings of $10.0 million and alternate base rate borrowings of $12.0 million. Stand-by letters of credit of $16.0 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of June 30, 2019. The stand-by letters of credit are renewable annually and reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2019, $53.0 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility. ​ The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 5.44% and 5.54% as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Interest is payable at least quarterly. ​ Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance ​ The Credit Agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness and issue certain capital stock. We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including interest coverage and total net leverage ratios, all as defined in the Credit Agreement. Among other things, it will be an event of default if our total net leverage ratio or interest coverage ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter is greater than 5.25:1.00 or less than 2.25:1.00, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, our total net leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was 4.47:1.00 and our interest coverage ratio was 3.75:1.00. As of June 30, 2019, we were in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants. ​ Senior Notes ​ 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 ​ In September 2014, we completed an offering of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due in October 2022 (the “Existing Notes”). The Existing Notes were priced at par, which resulted in total gross proceeds of $200.0 million. On June 8, 2015, we completed an additional offering of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “New Notes” and together with the Existing Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The New Notes were issued as additional notes under the same indenture pursuant to which the Existing Notes were previously issued on in September 2014. The New Notes were priced at 98.26% of par with a yield to maturity of 6.80% and resulted in total gross proceeds of approximately $294.8 million, excluding accrued interest. The discount is being amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the notes. ​ The Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2022 and interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. Consolidated Communications, Inc. (“CCI”) is the primary obligor under the Senior Notes, and we and the majority of our wholly-owned subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. ​ In October 2015, we completed an exchange offer to register all of the Senior Notes under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”). The terms of the registered Senior Notes are substantially identical to those of the Senior Notes prior to the exchange, except that the Senior Notes are now registered under the Securities Act and the transfer restrictions and registration rights previously applicable to the Senior Notes no longer apply to the registered Senior Notes. The exchange offer did not impact the aggregate principal amount or the remaining terms of the Senior Notes outstanding. ​ During the quarter ended June 30, 2019, we repurchased $4.6 million of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes. In connection with the partial repurchase of the Senior Notes, we paid $4.3 million and recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.3 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2019. ​ Senior Notes Covenant Compliance ​ Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary covenants that, among other things, limits CCI’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions. The indenture also contains customary events of default. As of June 30, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indenture governing the Senior Notes.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS ​ We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates. Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We may designate certain of our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our expected future interest payments. For derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the change in the fair value is recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and is recognized as an adjustment to earnings over the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. When an interest rate swap agreement terminates, any resulting gain or loss is recognized over the shorter of the remaining original term of the hedging instrument or the remaining life of the underlying debt obligation. If a derivative instrument is de-designated, the remaining gain or loss in AOCI on the date of de-designation is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedging instrument. For derivative financial instruments that are not designated as a hedge, including those that have been de-designated, changes in fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings. Cash flows from hedging activities are classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. ​ The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of June 30, 2019: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Notional ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Amount ​ 2019 Balance Sheet Location ​ Fair Value Cash Flow Hedges: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 650,000 ​ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ $ 365 ​ Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 500,000 ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ ​ (19,786) ​ Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 1,410,000 ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ ​ (9,957) ​ Total Fair Values ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ (29,378) ​ ​ Our interest rate swap agreements mature on various dates between September 2019 and July 2023. The forward-starting interest rate swap agreements, each with a term of one year and a notional value of $705.0 million, become effective in July 2019 and July 2020. ​ The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of December 31, 2018: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Notional ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Amount ​ 2018 Balance Sheet Location ​ Fair Value Cash Flow Hedges: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 650,000 ​ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ $ 2,465 ​ Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 705,000 Other assets ​ 1,524 ​ Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 500,000 Other long-term liabilities ​ (5,698) ​ Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 705,000 Other long-term liabilities ​ (949) ​ Total Fair Values ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ (2,658) ​ ​ The counterparties to our various swaps are highly rated financial institutions. None of the swap agreements provide for either us or the counterparties to post collateral nor do the agreements include any covenants related to the financial condition of Consolidated or the counterparties. The swaps of any counterparty that is a lender, as defined in our credit facility, are secured along with the other creditors under the credit facility. Each of the swap agreements provides that in the event of a bankruptcy filing by either Consolidated or the counterparty, any amounts owed between the two parties would be offset in order to determine the net amount due between parties. ​ During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional value of $500.0 million and a term of five years. The interest rate swap agreement was designated as a cash flow hedge. On March 12, 2018, we completed a syndication of a portion of the $500.0 million interest rate swap agreement with five new counterparties. On the date of the syndication, the interest rate swap agreements were de-designated due to changes in critical terms as a result of the syndication. Prior to de-designation, the change in fair value of the interest rate swap was recognized in AOCI. The balance of the unrealized loss included in AOCI as of the date the swaps were de-designated is being amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the interest rate swap agreements. Changes in fair value of the de-designated swaps were immediately recognized in earnings as interest expense prior to the re-designation date. During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the interest rate swap agreements were re-designated as a cash flow hedge. During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018, a gain of $0.4 million and a loss of $2.5 million, respectively, was recognized in interest expense for the change in fair value of the de-designated swaps. ​ As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the total pre-tax unrealized gain (loss) related to our interest rate swap agreements included in AOCI was $(24.0) million and $3.2 million, respectively. From the balance in AOCI as of June 30, 2019, we expect to recognize a loss of approximately $3.5 million in earnings in the next twelve months. ​ Information regarding our cash flow hedge transactions is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 ​ 2019 Unrealized loss recognized in AOCI, pretax ​ $ (16,440) ​ $ (25,493) ​ Deferred gains reclassified from AOCI to interest expense ​ $ 596 ​ $ 876 ​ ​

LEASES

LEASES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
LEASES
LEASES	8. LEASES ​ We have entered into various leases for certain facilities, land, underground conduit, colocations, and equipment used in our operations. For leases with a term greater than 12 months, we recognize a right-to-use asset and a lease liability based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 90 years and may include one or more options to renew, which can extend the lease term from one to five years or more. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ​ As most of our leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when a rate is readily determinable. Our leases may also include scheduled rent increases and options to extend or terminate the lease which is included in the determination of lease payments when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. For all asset classes, we do not separate lease and nonlease components, as such we account for the components as a single lease component. ​ Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recognized on the balance sheet and the expense for these short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Short-term lease expense, which is recognized in cost of services and products, was not material to the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. ​ The following table summarizes the components of our lease right-of use assets and liabilities at June 30, 2019: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Balance Sheet Classification June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Operating leases ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating lease right-of-use assets ​ Other assets ​ $ 27,554 ​ ​ Current lease liabilities ​ Accrued expense ​ $ (6,095) ​ ​ Noncurrent lease liabilities ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ $ (21,508) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Finance leases ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Finance lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $42,050 ​ Property, plant and equipment, net ​ $ 24,340 ​ ​ Current lease liabilities ​ Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations ​ $ (10,653) ​ ​ Noncurrent lease liabilities ​ Long-term debt and finance lease obligations ​ $ (16,055) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-average remaining lease term ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating leases ​ ​ ​ ​ 5.4 years ​ ​ Finance leases ​ ​ ​ ​ 4.2 years ​ ​ Weighted-average discount rate ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating leases ​ ​ ​ ​ 7.20 % ​ Finance leases ​ ​ ​ ​ 7.18 % ​ ​ The components of lease expense for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2019 consisted of the following: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended (In thousands) ​ June 30, 2019 ​ June 30, 2019 Finance lease cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization of right-of-use assets ​ $ 3,497 ​ $ 7,030 Interest on lease liabilities ​ ​ 532 ​ ​ 1,060 Operating lease cost ​ ​ 2,195 ​ ​ 4,425 Variable lease cost ​ ​ 595 ​ ​ 1,376 Total lease cost ​ $ 6,819 ​ $ 13,891 ​ The following table presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended (In thousands) June 30, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: ​ ​ ​ Operating cash flows for operating leases ​ $ 4,376 Operating cash flows for finance leases ​ ​ 1,060 Financing cash flows for finance leases ​ ​ 6,811 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities ​ ​ 3,157 ​ At June 30, 2019, the aggregate maturities of our lease liabilities were as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Operating Leases ​ ​ Finance Leases ​ 2019 ​ $ 4,062 ​ $ 6,626 ​ 2020 ​ 7,519 ​ 9,626 ​ 2021 ​ 4,987 ​ 4,878 ​ 2022 ​ 4,284 ​ 2,917 ​ 2023 ​ 2,643 ​ 1,489 ​ Thereafter ​ 6,585 ​ 6,405 ​ Total lease payments ​ ​ 30,080 ​ ​ 31,941 ​ Less: Interest ​ (2,477) ​ (5,233) ​ ​ ​ $ 27,603 ​ $ 26,708 ​ ​ Lessor ​ We have various arrangements for use of our network assets including tower space, certain colocation and dark fiber arrangements for which we are the lessor. These leases meet the criteria for operating lease classification. Lease income associated with these types of leases is not material. Occasionally, we enter into dark fiber arrangements where the term may be for a major part of the asset’s remaining economic life, which meet the criteria for sales-type lease classification. During the quarter ended June 30, 2019, we entered into a dark fiber indefeasible right of use arrangement for exclusive access to and unrestricted use of specific dark fibers. The arrangement was classified as a sales-type lease as the term of the arrangement is for a major part of the assets’ remaining economic life. During the quarter ended June 30, 2019, we recognized revenue of $0.6 million and a gain of $0.4 million related to this arrangement. ​ As part of the adoption of ASU 2016-02, we elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components in our lessor arrangements. We have arrangements where the non-lease component associated with the lease component is the predominant component in the contract, such as in revenue contracts that involve the customer leasing equipment from us. In such cases, we account for the combined component in accordance with ASC 606 as the service component is the predominant component in the contract.

EQUITY

EQUITY	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
EQUITY
EQUITY	9. EQUITY ​ Dividends ​ Our Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends of approximately $0.38738 per share during 2018. On February 18, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of approximately $0.38738 per share, paid on May 1, 2019 to stockholders of record on April 15, 2019. ​ On April 25, 2019, we announced the elimination of the payment of quarterly dividends on our stock beginning in the second quarter of 2019. Future dividend payments, if any, are at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Changes in our dividend program will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, debt covenant compliance, expected cash needs and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. ​ Share-Based Compensation ​ Our Board of Directors may grant share-based awards from our shareholder approved Amended and Restated Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan permits the issuance of awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock grants, stock unit grants and other equity-based awards to eligible directors and employees at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. On April 30, 2018, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Plan to increase by 2,000,000 the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the Plan and extend the term of the Plan through April 30, 2028. With the amendment, approximately 4,650,000 shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance under the Plan, provided that no more than 300,000 shares may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights to any eligible employee or director in any calendar year. Unless terminated sooner, the Plan will continue in effect until April 30, 2028. ​ The following table summarizes total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments during the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Restricted stock ​ $ 1,057 ​ $ 979 ​ $ 1,983 ​ $ 1,414 ​ Performance shares ​ 757 ​ 559 ​ 1,329 ​ 802 ​ Total ​ $ 1,814 ​ $ 1,538 ​ $ 3,312 ​ $ 2,216 ​ ​ Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. ​ As of June 30, 2019, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”) was $14.6 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years. ​ The following table summarizes the RSA and PSA activity for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ RSAs PSAs ​ ​ Weighted ​ ​ Weighted ​ ​ ​ ​ Average Grant ​ ​ ​ Average Grant ​ ​ Shares ​ Date Fair Value ​ Shares ​ Date Fair Value Non-vested shares outstanding - December 31, 2018 338,771 ​ $ 14.31 35,626 ​ $ 21.97 ​ Shares granted 551,214 ​ $ 9.87 371,672 ​ $ 9.86 ​ Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired ​ (25,363) ​ $ 10.76 ​ (8,755) ​ $ 12.95 ​ Non-vested shares outstanding - June 30, 2019 864,622 ​ $ 11.58 398,543 ​ $ 13.29 ​ ​ Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss ​ The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pension and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Post-Retirement ​ Derivative ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Obligations ​ Instruments ​ Total Balance at December 31, 2018 ​ $ (55,514) ​ $ 2,302 ​ $ (53,212) ​ Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications ​ ​ — ​ ​ (18,835) ​ ​ (18,835) ​ Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2017-12 ​ ​ — ​ ​ (576) ​ ​ (576) ​ Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ​ ​ 2,052 ​ ​ (647) ​ ​ 1,405 ​ Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) ​ 2,052 ​ (20,058) ​ (18,006) ​ Balance at June 30, 2019 ​ $ (53,462) ​ $ (17,756) ​ $ (71,218) ​ ​ The following table summarizes reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended June 30, ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ Affected Line Item in the (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 ​ Statement of Income Amortization of pension and post-retirement items: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Prior service (cost) credit ​ $ (799) ​ $ 199 ​ $ (1,597) ​ $ 398 (a) ​ Actuarial loss ​ (596) ​ (1,452) ​ (1,191) ​ (2,903) (a) ​ Settlement loss ​ — ​ (46) ​ — ​ (46) (a) ​ ​ ​ (1,395) ​ (1,299) ​ (2,788) ​ (2,551) Total before tax ​ ​ ​ 369 ​ 345 ​ 736 ​ 675 Tax benefit ​ ​ ​ $ (1,026) ​ $ (954) ​ $ (2,052) ​ $ (1,876) Net of tax ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Gain (Loss) on cash flow hedges: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest rate derivatives ​ $ 596 ​ $ (1,446) ​ $ 876 ​ $ (1,802) Interest expense ​ ​ ​ (156) ​ 380 ​ (229) ​ 471 Tax (expense) benefit ​ ​ ​ $ 440 ​ $ (1,066) ​ $ 647 ​ $ (1,331) Net of tax ​ (a) These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. See Note 10 for further discussion regarding our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. ​

PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RET

PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	10. PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS ​ Defined Benefit Plans ​ We sponsor three qualified defined benefit pension plans that are non-contributory covering substantially all of our hourly employees under collective bargaining agreements who fulfill minimum age and service requirements and certain salaried employees. The defined benefit pension plans are closed to all new entrants. In November 2018, a defined benefit pension plan was amended to freeze benefit accruals under the cash balance benefit plan for certain participants under collective bargaining agreements effective as of March 31, 2019. Consequently, as of April 1, 2019 all of our defined benefit pension plans are now frozen to all current employees, and no additional monthly pension benefits will accrue under those plans. ​ We also have two non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (the “Supplemental Plans” and, together with the defined benefit pension plans, the “Pension Plans”). The Supplemental Plans provide supplemental retirement benefits to certain former employees by providing for incremental pension payments to partially offset the reduction of the amount that would have been payable under the qualified defined benefit pension plans if it were not for limitations imposed by federal income tax regulations. The Supplemental Plans are frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. These plans are unfunded and have no assets. The benefits paid under the Supplemental Plans are paid from the general operating funds of the Company. ​ The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost for our Pension Plans for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Service cost ​ $ 12 ​ $ 1,535 ​ $ 23 ​ $ 3,070 ​ Interest cost ​ 7,661 ​ 7,147 ​ 15,322 ​ 14,286 ​ Expected return on plan assets ​ (8,672) ​ (9,637) ​ (17,343) ​ (19,304) ​ Net amortization loss ​ 703 ​ 1,473 ​ 1,406 ​ 2,945 ​ Net prior service cost (credit) amortization ​ 31 ​ (61) ​ 61 ​ (122) ​ Settlement loss ​ — ​ 46 ​ — ​ 46 ​ Net periodic pension (benefit) cost ​ $ (265) ​ $ 503 ​ $ (531) ​ $ 921 ​ ​ The components of net periodic pension cost other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. ​ Other Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Agreements ​ We are also liable for deferred compensation agreements with former members of the board of directors and certain other former employees of acquired companies. Depending on the plan, benefits are payable in monthly or annual installments for a period of time based on the terms of the agreement, which range from five years up to the life of the participant or to the beneficiary upon the death of the participant, and may begin as early as age 55. Participants accrue no new benefits as these plans had previously been frozen. Payments related to the deferred compensation agreements totaled approximately $0.1 million for each of the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 and $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The net present value of the remaining obligations was approximately $1.4 million and $1.6 million as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and is included in pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. ​ We also maintain 25 life insurance policies on certain of the participating former directors and employees. We did not recognize any life insurance proceeds during the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018. The excess of the cash surrender value of the remaining life insurance policies over the notes payable balances related to these policies totaled $2.6 and $2.4 million as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. These amounts are included in investments in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Cash principal payments for the policies and any proceeds from the policies are classified as operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. ​ Post-retirement Benefit Obligations ​ We sponsor various healthcare and life insurance plans (“Post-retirement Plans”) that provide post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain groups of retired employees. Certain plans are frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. Retirees share in the cost of healthcare benefits, making contributions that are adjusted periodically—either based upon collective bargaining agreements or because total costs of the program have changed. Covered expenses for retiree health benefits are paid as they are incurred. Post-retirement life insurance benefits are fully insured. A majority of the healthcare plans are unfunded and have no assets, and benefits are paid from the general operating funds of the Company. However, a plan acquired in the purchase of another company is funded by assets that are separately designated within the Pension Plans for the sole purpose of providing payments of retiree medical benefits for this specific plan. ​ The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic cost for our Post-retirement Plans for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Service cost ​ $ 116 ​ $ 127 ​ $ 233 ​ $ 254 ​ Interest cost ​ 1,145 ​ 1,028 ​ 2,289 ​ 2,057 ​ Expected return on plan assets ​ (44) ​ (35) ​ (87) ​ (71) ​ Net amortization gain ​ (107) ​ (21) ​ (215) ​ (42) ​ Net prior service cost (credit) amortization ​ 768 ​ (138) ​ 1,536 ​ (276) ​ Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost ​ $ 1,878 ​ $ 961 ​ $ 3,756 ​ $ 1,922 ​ ​ The components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. ​ Contributions ​ We expect to contribute approximately $27.5 million to our Pension Plans and $9.5 million to our Post-retirement Plans in 2019. As of June 30, 2019, we have contributed $12.1 million and $3.7 million of the annual contribution to the Pension Plans and Post-retirement Plans, respectively.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	11. INCOME TAXES ​ Our unrecognized tax benefits as of each of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were $4.9 million. The net amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in an impact to the effective tax rate is $4.7 million as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. We do not expect any material change in our unrecognized tax benefits during the remainder of 2019. ​ Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, we did not have a material liability for interest or penalties and had no material interest or penalty expense. ​ The periods subject to examination for our federal return are years 2015 through 2017. The periods subject to examination for our state returns are years 2014 through 2017. We are currently under audit by state taxing authorities. We do not expect any settlement or payment that may result from the examination to have a material effect on our results or cash flows. ​ Our effective tax rate was 34.1% and 27.5% for the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively and 32.3% and 27.5% for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the effective tax rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates primarily due to various permanent income tax differences and differences in allocable income for the Company’s state tax filings.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES ​ Litigation, Regulatory Proceedings and Other Contingencies ​ Local Switching Support In 2015, our subsidiary, FairPoint Communications, Inc., which we acquired in July 2017 (“FairPoint”), filed a petition (the “Petition”) with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) asking the FCC to direct National Exchange Carrier Association (“NECA”) to stop subtracting frozen Local Switching Support (“LSS”) from FairPoint’s intercarrier compensation (“ICC”) Eligible Recovery for FairPoint’s rate of return Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (“ILECs”) that participate in the NECA pooling process. This issue is unique to rate of return affiliates of price cap carriers because such companies are considered price cap carriers for the FCC’s Connect America Fund (“CAF”) funding, but remain rate of return for ICC purposes. Effective January 1, 2012, FairPoint rate of return ILECs were placed under the price cap CAF Phase I interim support mechanism, whereby the ILECs continued to receive frozen Universal Service Fund (“USF”) support for all forms of USF support received during 2011, including LSS. The rate of return rules for ICC included LSS support in that mechanism as well; therefore, NECA subtracted the frozen LSS support from the ICC Eligible Recovery amounts in accordance with FCC rules prohibiting duplicate recovery. When FairPoint accepted CAF Phase II support effective January 1, 2015, there was no longer any duplicate support and FairPoint requested NECA to stop subtracting LSS from FairPoint’s ICC Eligible Recovery. NECA declined to make that change, which led to FairPoint filing the Petition with the FCC asking the FCC to direct NECA to comply with FCC rules on ICC Eligible Recovery for rate of return ILECs. This issue also applies to Consolidated’s operations in Minnesota, which are also rate of return ILECs associated with a price cap company. The combined LSS support for the period from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017 was approximately $12.3 million. Our ongoing ICC Eligible Recovery support for 2018 increased by approximately $3.6 million, and thereafter, is expected to decline by 5% per year through 2021. On March 31, 2018, we obtained the required votes necessary for an approved order and on April 19, 2018, the FCC issued its order approving our Petition. As a result, during the six months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized subsidies revenue of $5.4 million and a contingent asset of $8.7 million as a pre-acquisition gain contingency for the FairPoint LSS revenue prior to the acquisition date. Access Charges ​ In 2014, Sprint Communications Company L.P. (“Sprint”) along with MCI Communications Services, Inc. and Verizon Select Services Inc. (collectively, “Verizon”) filed lawsuits against certain subsidiaries of the Company including FairPoint, and many other Local Exchange Carriers (collectively, “LECs”) throughout the country challenging the switched access charges LECs assessed Sprint and Verizon, as interexchange carriers (“IXCs”), for certain calls originating from or terminating to mobile devices that are routed to or from these LECs through these IXCs. The plaintiffs’ position is based on their interpretation of federal law, among other things, and they are seeking refunds of past access charges paid for such calls. The disputed amounts total $4.8 million and cover periods dating back as far as 2006. CenturyLink, Inc. and its LEC subsidiaries (collectively “CenturyLink”), requested that the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the “Panel”), which has the authority to transfer the pretrial proceedings to a single court for multiple civil cases involving common questions of fact, transfer and consolidate these cases in one court. The Panel granted CenturyLink’s request and ordered that these cases be transferred to and centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “U.S. District Court”). ​ On November 17, 2015, the U.S. District Court dismissed these complaints based on its interpretation of federal law and held that LECs could assess switched access charges for the calls at issue (the “November 2015 Order”). The November 2015 Order also allowed the plaintiffs to amend their complaints to assert claims that arise under state laws independent of the dismissed claims asserted under federal law. While Verizon did not make such a filing, on May 16, 2016, Sprint filed amended complaints and on June 30, 2016, the LEC defendants named in such complaints filed, among other things, a Joint Motion to Dismiss them, which the U.S. District Court granted on May 3, 2017. Certain of our FairPoint LEC entities filed counterclaims against Sprint and Verizon. ​ Relatedly, in 2016, numerous LECs across the country, including a number of our legacy Consolidated and FairPoint LEC entities, filed complaints in various U.S. district courts against Level 3 Communications, LLC and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Level 3”) for its failure to pay access charges for certain calls that the November 2015 Order held could be assessed by LECs. The Company’s LEC entities, including FairPoint, sought from Level 3 a total amount of at least $2.3 million, excluding attorneys’ fees. These complaint cases were transferred to and included in the above-referenced consolidated proceeding before the U.S. District Court. Level 3 filed a Motion to Dismiss these complaints that, in part, repeated arguments, which the November 2015 Order rejected. On March 22, 2017, the U.S. District Court denied Level 3’s Motion to Dismiss. ​ On March 12, 2018, a motion for summary judgment was filed by various LECs with counterclaims against Verizon and Sprint. On March 26, 2018, a motion for summary judgment was filed by various LECs with claims against Level 3. On May 15, 2018, the U.S. District Court granted all pending motions for summary judgment against Sprint, Verizon, and Level 3, and directed the entry of formal judgments in these cases. ​ On July 17, 2018, the U.S. District Court entered a judgment of $0.7 million in favor of our legacy Consolidated LEC entities and against Level 3. Level 3 filed a notice of appeal of this judgment with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (the “Fifth Circuit”) on July 24, 2018. On August 15, 2018, the U.S. District Court entered a judgment of over $1.2 million in favor of our FairPoint LEC entities and against Level 3. Level 3 filed a notice of appeal of this judgment with the Fifth Circuit on August 20, 2018. On September 21, 2018, all of our LECs entered into a settlement agreement with Level 3 to resolve the dispute with respect to all past-due amounts at issue in the litigation. The settlement did not result in a material impact to our financial statements. As part of the settlement, the parties filed on October 18, 2018 joint stipulations to dismiss with prejudice the related complaints by our LECs against Level 3 with the U.S. District Court and a joint motion to voluntarily dismiss the Level 3 appeal against our LECs with the Fifth Circuit. The Fifth Circuit granted this motion on October 25, 2018 by dismissing the Level 3 appeal. ​ Formal judgments were entered in the Verizon and Sprint cases on June 7, 2018. Verizon and Sprint filed notices of appeal of these judgments with the Fifth Circuit on June 28 and June 29, 2018, respectively. Those appeals remain pending. Absent a decision by an appellate court that overturns these orders, it could be difficult for Sprint or Verizon to succeed on its claims against us. Therefore, we do not expect any potential settlement or judgment to have a material adverse impact on our financial results or cash flows. ​ Gross Receipts Tax ​ Two of our subsidiaries, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (“CCPA”) and Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (“CCES”), have, at various times, received Assessment Notices and/or Audit Assessment Notices from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (“DOR”) increasing the amounts owed for the Pennsylvania Gross Receipts Tax, and have had audits performed for the tax years 2008 through 2016. For our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries, the total additional tax liabilities calculated by the DOR auditors for the tax years 2008 through 2016, including interest, are approximately $6.1 million and $7.4 million, respectively. We filed Petitions for Reassessment with the DOR’s Board of Appeals for the tax years 2008 through 2016, contesting these audit assessments. These cases remain pending and are in various stages of appeal. ​ In May 2017, we entered into an agreement to guarantee any potential liabilities to the DOR up to $5.0 million. We believe that certain of the DOR’s findings regarding CCPA’s and CCES’s additional tax liabilities for the tax years 2008 through 2016, for which we have filed appeals, continue to lack merit. However, in January 2018, CCES and CCPA submitted initial settlement offers to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General proposing to settle the intrastate and interstate cases at reduced tax liabilities for the tax years 2008 through 2013. The settlement offers are currently under review and subject to negotiation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has imposed a deadline in September 2019 for the parties to reach an agreement and file stipulations for judgment. While we continue to believe a settlement of all disputed claims is possible, we cannot anticipate at this time what the ultimate resolution of these cases will be, nor can we evaluate the likelihood of a favorable or unfavorable outcome or the potential losses (or gains) should such an outcome occur. ​ Based on the initial settlement offers for the tax years 2008 through 2013 and the Company’s best estimate of the potential additional tax liabilities for the tax years 2014 through 2018, we have reserved $3.8 million and $1.8 million, including interest, for our CCES and CCPA subsidiaries, respectively. We do not believe that the outcome of these claims will have a material adverse impact on our financial results or cash flows. ​ From time to time we may be involved in litigation that we believe is of the type common to companies in our industry, including regulatory issues. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCI

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	13. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION ​ Consolidated Communications, Inc. is the primary obligor under the unsecured Senior Notes. We and substantially all of our subsidiaries, including our FairPoint subsidiaries, have jointly and severally guaranteed the Senior Notes. All of the subsidiary guarantors are 100% direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent, and all guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several with respect to principal, interest and liquidated damages, if any. As such, we present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, condensed consolidating statements of operations for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 for each of the Company (Parent), Consolidated Communications, Inc. (Subsidiary Issuer), guarantor subsidiaries and other non-guarantor subsidiaries with any consolidating adjustments. See Note 6 for more information regarding our Senior Notes. ​ Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ — ​ $ 9,089 ​ $ 1,360 ​ $ 1 ​ $ — ​ $ 10,450 ​ Accounts receivable, net ​ — ​ — ​ 121,936 ​ 11,681 ​ (82) ​ 133,535 ​ Income taxes receivable ​ 4,682 ​ 12,053 ​ — ​ — ​ (5,355) ​ 11,380 ​ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ — ​ 365 ​ 44,521 ​ 345 ​ — ​ 45,231 ​ Total current assets ​ 4,682 ​ 21,507 ​ 167,817 ​ 12,027 ​ (5,437) ​ 200,596 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Property, plant and equipment, net ​ — ​ — ​ 1,806,105 ​ 66,207 ​ — ​ 1,872,312 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Intangibles and other assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Investments ​ — ​ 8,863 ​ 103,291 ​ — ​ — ​ 112,154 ​ Investments in subsidiaries ​ 3,558,093 ​ 3,501,373 ​ 16,367 ​ — ​ (7,075,833) ​ — ​ Goodwill ​ — ​ — ​ 969,093 ​ 66,181 ​ — ​ 1,035,274 ​ Customer relationships, net ​ — ​ — ​ 196,754 ​ — ​ — ​ 196,754 ​ Other intangible assets ​ — ​ — ​ 1,840 ​ 9,087 ​ — ​ 10,927 ​ Advances due to/from affiliates, net ​ — ​ 2,370,341 ​ 822,190 ​ 100,808 ​ (3,293,339) ​ — ​ Deferred income taxes ​ 80,900 ​ 6,450 ​ — ​ — ​ (87,350) ​ ​ — ​ Other assets ​ 3,011 ​ — ​ 54,069 ​ 613 ​ — ​ 57,693 ​ Total assets ​ $ 3,646,686 ​ $ 5,908,534 ​ $ 4,137,526 ​ $ 254,923 ​ $ (10,461,959) ​ $ 3,485,710 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accounts payable ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 44,746 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 44,746 ​ Advance billings and customer deposits ​ — ​ — ​ 45,550 ​ 1,342 ​ — ​ 46,892 ​ Accrued compensation ​ — ​ — ​ 55,212 ​ 714 ​ — ​ 55,926 ​ Accrued interest ​ ​ — ​ ​ 8,884 ​ ​ 1,071 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 9,955 ​ Accrued expense ​ 246 ​ 108 ​ 76,152 ​ 1,165 ​ (82) ​ 77,589 ​ Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations ​ ​ — ​ ​ 18,350 ​ ​ 10,491 ​ ​ 162 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 29,003 ​ Income tax payable ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 3,045 ​ ​ 2,310 ​ ​ (5,355) ​ ​ — ​ Total current liabilities ​ 246 ​ 27,342 ​ 236,267 ​ 5,693 ​ (5,437) ​ 264,111 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Long-term debt and finance lease obligations ​ — ​ 2,293,062 ​ 15,883 ​ 172 ​ — ​ 2,309,117 ​ Advances due to/from affiliates, net ​ 3,293,339 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (3,293,339) ​ — ​ Deferred income taxes ​ — ​ — ​ 240,059 ​ 21,922 ​ (87,350) ​ ​ 174,631 ​ Pension and postretirement benefit obligations ​ — ​ — ​ 283,324 ​ 15,247 ​ — ​ 298,571 ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ — ​ 30,038 ​ 49,183 ​ 886 ​ — ​ 80,107 ​ Total liabilities ​ 3,293,585 ​ 2,350,442 ​ 824,716 ​ 43,920 ​ (3,386,126) ​ 3,126,537 ​ Shareholders’ equity: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Common Stock ​ 721 ​ — ​ 17,411 ​ 30,000 ​ (47,411) ​ 721 ​ Other shareholders’ equity ​ 352,380 ​ 3,558,092 ​ 3,289,327 ​ 181,003 ​ (7,028,422) ​ 352,380 ​ Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity ​ 353,101 ​ 3,558,092 ​ 3,306,738 ​ 211,003 ​ (7,075,833) ​ 353,101 ​ Noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 6,072 ​ — ​ — ​ 6,072 ​ Total shareholders’ equity ​ 353,101 ​ 3,558,092 ​ 3,312,810 ​ 211,003 ​ (7,075,833) ​ 359,173 ​ Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity ​ $ 3,646,686 ​ $ 5,908,534 ​ $ 4,137,526 ​ $ 254,923 ​ $ (10,461,959) ​ $ 3,485,710 ​ ​ ​ Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2018 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ — ​ $ 9,616 ​ $ — ​ $ 1 ​ $ (18) ​ $ 9,599 ​ Accounts receivable, net ​ — ​ — ​ 122,743 ​ 10,430 ​ (37) ​ 133,136 ​ Income taxes receivable ​ 10,272 ​ — ​ 790 ​ 10 ​ — ​ 11,072 ​ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ — ​ 2,465 ​ 41,547 ​ 324 ​ — ​ 44,336 ​ Total current assets ​ 10,272 ​ 12,081 ​ 165,080 ​ 10,765 ​ (55) ​ 198,143 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Property, plant and equipment, net ​ — ​ — ​ 1,861,009 ​ 66,117 ​ — ​ 1,927,126 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Intangibles and other assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Investments ​ — ​ 8,673 ​ 102,180 ​ — ​ — ​ 110,853 ​ Investments in subsidiaries ​ 3,587,612 ​ 3,505,477 ​ 15,949 ​ — ​ (7,109,038) ​ — ​ Goodwill ​ — ​ — ​ 969,093 ​ 66,181 ​ — ​ 1,035,274 ​ Customer relationships, net ​ — ​ — ​ 228,959 ​ — ​ — ​ 228,959 ​ Other intangible assets ​ — ​ — ​ 2,396 ​ 9,087 ​ — ​ 11,483 ​ Advances due to/from affiliates, net ​ — ​ 2,379,079 ​ 760,310 ​ 97,898 ​ (3,237,287) ​ — ​ Deferred income taxes ​ 76,758 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (76,758) ​ ​ — ​ Other assets ​ — ​ 1,524 ​ 18,237 ​ 651 ​ 3,011 ​ 23,423 ​ Total assets ​ $ 3,674,642 ​ $ 5,906,834 ​ $ 4,123,213 ​ $ 250,699 ​ $ (10,420,127) ​ $ 3,535,261 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accounts payable ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 32,502 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 32,502 ​ Advance billings and customer deposits ​ — ​ — ​ 46,316 ​ 1,408 ​ — ​ 47,724 ​ Dividends payable ​ 27,579 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 27,579 ​ Accrued compensation ​ — ​ — ​ 63,688 ​ 771 ​ — ​ 64,459 ​ Accrued interest ​ ​ — ​ ​ 8,430 ​ ​ 802 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 9,232 ​ Accrued expense ​ 40 ​ 37 ​ 70,365 ​ 1,263 ​ (55) ​ 71,650 ​ Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations ​ — ​ 18,350 ​ 11,968 ​ 150 ​ — ​ 30,468 ​ Total current liabilities ​ 27,619 ​ 26,817 ​ 225,641 ​ 3,592 ​ (55) ​ 283,614 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Long-term debt and finance lease obligations ​ — ​ 2,285,341 ​ 17,988 ​ 256 ​ — ​ 2,303,585 ​ Advances due to/from affiliates, net ​ 3,237,287 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (3,237,287) ​ — ​ Deferred income taxes ​ — ​ 122 ​ 239,880 ​ 21,874 ​ (73,747) ​ ​ 188,129 ​ Pension and postretirement benefit obligations ​ — ​ — ​ 295,815 ​ 18,319 ​ — ​ 314,134 ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ — ​ 6,942 ​ 22,305 ​ 898 ​ — ​ 30,145 ​ Total liabilities ​ 3,264,906 ​ 2,319,222 ​ 801,629 ​ 44,939 ​ (3,311,089) ​ 3,119,607 ​ Shareholders’ equity: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Common Stock ​ 712 ​ — ​ 17,411 ​ 30,000 ​ (47,411) ​ 712 ​ Other shareholders’ equity ​ 409,024 ​ 3,587,612 ​ 3,298,255 ​ 175,760 ​ (7,061,627) ​ 409,024 ​ Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity ​ 409,736 ​ 3,587,612 ​ 3,315,666 ​ 205,760 ​ (7,109,038) ​ 409,736 ​ Noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 5,918 ​ — ​ — ​ 5,918 ​ Total shareholders’ equity ​ 409,736 ​ 3,587,612 ​ 3,321,584 ​ 205,760 ​ (7,109,038) ​ 415,654 ​ Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity ​ $ 3,674,642 ​ $ 5,906,834 ​ $ 4,123,213 ​ $ 250,699 ​ $ (10,420,127) ​ $ 3,535,261 ​ ​ Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Net revenues ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 324,710 ​ $ 11,982 ​ $ (3,160) ​ $ 333,532 ​ Operating expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) ​ — ​ — ​ 143,283 ​ 3,541 ​ (3,044) ​ 143,780 ​ Selling, general and administrative expenses ​ 2,012 ​ — ​ 73,707 ​ 2,545 ​ (116) ​ 78,148 ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ — ​ — ​ 94,811 ​ 2,493 ​ — ​ 97,304 ​ Operating income (loss) ​ (2,012) ​ — ​ 12,909 ​ 3,403 ​ — ​ 14,300 ​ Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest expense, net of interest income ​ (27) ​ (34,628) ​ (90) ​ 8 ​ — ​ (34,737) ​ Intercompany interest income (expense) ​ — ​ 14,727 ​ (14,707) ​ (20) ​ — ​ — ​ Gain on extinguishment of debt ​ — ​ 249 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 249 ​ Investment income ​ — ​ — ​ 10,750 ​ — ​ — ​ 10,750 ​ Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net ​ (6,015) ​ 7,202 ​ 205 ​ — ​ (1,392) ​ — ​ Other, net ​ 4 ​ (14) ​ (1,625) ​ (17) ​ — ​ (1,652) ​ Income (loss) before income taxes ​ (8,050) ​ (12,464) ​ 7,442 ​ 3,374 ​ (1,392) ​ (11,090) ​ Income tax expense (benefit) ​ (663) ​ (6,449) ​ 2,215 ​ 1,119 ​ — ​ (3,778) ​ Net income (loss) ​ (7,387) ​ (6,015) ​ 5,227 ​ 2,255 ​ (1,392) ​ (7,312) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 75 ​ — ​ — ​ 75 ​ Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. ​ $ (7,387) ​ $ (6,015) ​ $ 5,152 ​ $ 2,255 ​ $ (1,392) ​ $ (7,387) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders ​ $ (18,947) ​ $ (17,575) ​ $ 6,110 ​ $ 2,323 ​ $ 9,142 ​ $ (18,947) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended June 30, 2018 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Net revenues ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 338,867 ​ $ 14,500 ​ $ (3,146) ​ $ 350,221 ​ Operating expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) ​ — ​ — ​ 150,337 ​ 4,054 ​ (3,033) ​ 151,358 ​ Selling, general and administrative expenses ​ 1,556 ​ — ​ 77,038 ​ 3,214 ​ (113) ​ 81,695 ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ — ​ — ​ 109,333 ​ 2,408 ​ — ​ 111,741 ​ Operating income (loss) ​ (1,556) ​ — ​ 2,159 ​ 4,824 ​ — ​ 5,427 ​ Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest expense, net of interest income ​ (27) ​ ​ (33,376) ​ 521 ​ 43 ​ — ​ (32,839) ​ Intercompany interest income (expense) ​ — ​ 14,727 ​ (14,706) ​ (21) ​ — ​ — ​ Investment income ​ — ​ — ​ 12,535 ​ — ​ — ​ 12,535 ​ Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net ​ (9,440) ​ 4,348 ​ 4,347 ​ — ​ 745 ​ — ​ Other, net ​ — ​ — ​ 287 ​ 21 ​ — ​ 308 ​ Income (loss) before income taxes ​ (11,023) ​ (14,301) ​ 5,143 ​ 4,867 ​ 745 ​ (14,569) ​ Income tax expense (benefit) ​ (380) ​ (4,861) ​ (37) ​ 1,269 ​ — ​ (4,009) ​ Net income (loss) ​ (10,643) ​ (9,440) ​ 5,180 ​ 3,598 ​ 745 ​ (10,560) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 83 ​ — ​ — ​ 83 ​ Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. ​ $ (10,643) ​ $ (9,440) ​ $ 5,097 ​ $ 3,598 ​ $ 745 ​ $ (10,643) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders ​ $ (4,739) ​ $ (3,536) ​ $ 5,881 ​ $ 3,768 ​ $ (6,113) ​ $ (4,739) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Net revenues ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 653,988 ​ $ 24,451 ​ $ (6,258) ​ $ 672,181 ​ Operating expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) ​ — ​ — ​ 291,084 ​ 7,047 ​ (6,032) ​ 292,099 ​ Selling, general and administrative expenses ​ 3,667 ​ (193) ​ 144,307 ​ 4,960 ​ (226) ​ 152,515 ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ — ​ — ​ 191,592 ​ 4,955 ​ — ​ 196,547 ​ Operating income (loss) ​ (3,667) ​ 193 ​ 27,005 ​ 7,489 ​ — ​ 31,020 ​ Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest expense, net of interest income ​ (55) ​ (68,716) ​ (257) ​ 8 ​ — ​ (69,020) ​ Intercompany interest income (expense) ​ — ​ 29,454 ​ (29,415) ​ (39) ​ — ​ — ​ Gain on extinguishment of debt ​ — ​ 249 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 249 ​ Investment income ​ — ​ 190 ​ 19,161 ​ — ​ — ​ 19,351 ​ Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net ​ (12,091) ​ 14,444 ​ 418 ​ — ​ (2,771) ​ — ​ Other, net ​ 1 ​ 42 ​ (3,033) ​ (31) ​ — ​ (3,021) ​ Income (loss) before income taxes ​ (15,812) ​ (24,144) ​ 13,879 ​ 7,427 ​ (2,771) ​ (21,421) ​ Income tax expense (benefit) ​ (1,160) ​ (12,053) ​ 3,971 ​ 2,319 ​ — ​ (6,923) ​ Net income (loss) ​ (14,652) ​ (12,091) ​ 9,908 ​ 5,108 ​ (2,771) ​ (14,498) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 154 ​ — ​ — ​ 154 ​ Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. ​ $ (14,652) ​ $ (12,091) ​ $ 9,754 ​ $ 5,108 ​ $ (2,771) ​ $ (14,652) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders ​ $ (32,658) ​ $ (30,097) ​ $ 11,670 ​ $ 5,244 ​ $ 13,183 ​ $ (32,658) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Net revenues ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 683,178 ​ $ 29,377 ​ $ (6,295) ​ $ 706,260 ​ Operating expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) ​ — ​ — ​ 302,099 ​ 8,255 ​ (6,080) ​ 304,274 ​ Selling, general and administrative expenses ​ 2,868 ​ — ​ 158,575 ​ 6,452 ​ (215) ​ 167,680 ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ — ​ — ​ 214,621 ​ 5,019 ​ — ​ 219,640 ​ Operating income (loss) ​ (2,868) ​ — ​ 7,883 ​ 9,651 ​ — ​ 14,666 ​ Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest expense, net of interest income ​ (53) ​ (66,308) ​ 713 ​ 93 ​ — ​ (65,555) ​ Intercompany interest income (expense) ​ — ​ 29,454 ​ (29,418) ​ (36) ​ — ​ — ​ Investment income ​ — ​ 178 ​ 20,146 ​ — ​ — ​ 20,324 ​ Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net ​ (19,751) ​ 7,323 ​ 4,770 ​ — ​ 7,658 ​ — ​ Other, net ​ — ​ — ​ 510 ​ 40 ​ — ​ 550 ​ Income (loss) before income taxes ​ (22,672) ​ (29,353) ​ 4,604 ​ 9,748 ​ 7,658 ​ (30,015) ​ Income tax expense (benefit) ​ (731) ​ (9,602) ​ (477) ​ 2,553 ​ — ​ (8,257) ​ Net income (loss) ​ (21,941) ​ (19,751) ​ 5,081 ​ 7,195 ​ 7,658 ​ (21,758) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 183 ​ — ​ — ​ 183 ​ Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. ​ $ (21,941) ​ $ (19,751) ​ $ 4,898 ​ $ 7,195 ​ $ 7,658 ​ $ (21,941) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders ​ $ (10,113) ​ $ (7,923) ​ $ 6,434 ​ $ 7,535 ​ $ (6,046) ​ $ (10,113) ​ ​ ​ ​ Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Consolidated Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities ​ $ (607) ​ $ (35,907) ​ $ 192,092 ​ $ 7,684 ​ $ 163,262 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from investing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Purchases of property, plant and equipment ​ — ​ — ​ (115,063) ​ (4,705) ​ (119,768) ​ Proceeds from sale of assets ​ — ​ — ​ 14,201 ​ 2 ​ 14,203 ​ Distributions from investments ​ — ​ — ​ 329 ​ — ​ 329 ​ Other ​ ​ — ​ — ​ ​ (450) ​ ​ — ​ ​ (450) ​ Net cash used in investing activities ​ — ​ — ​ (100,983) ​ (4,703) ​ (105,686) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from financing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt ​ — ​ 107,000 ​ — ​ — ​ 107,000 ​ Payment of finance lease obligation ​ — ​ — ​ (6,739) ​ (72) ​ (6,811) ​ Payment on long-term debt ​ — ​ (97,175) ​ — ​ — ​ (97,175) ​ Repurchase of senior notes ​ ​ — ​ ​ (4,294) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ (4,294) ​ Dividends on common stock ​ (55,445) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (55,445) ​ Transactions with affiliates, net ​ 56,052 ​ 29,849 ​ (82,992) ​ (2,909) ​ — ​ Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ​ 607 ​ 35,380 ​ ​ (89,731) ​ ​ (2,981) ​ ​ (56,725) ​ Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ​ — ​ (527) ​ ​ 1,378 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 851 ​ Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ​ — ​ ​ 9,616 ​ ​ (18) ​ ​ 1 ​ ​ 9,599 ​ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ​ $ — ​ $ 9,089 ​ $ 1,360 ​ $ 1 ​ $ 10,450 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Consolidated Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities ​ $ 8,765 ​ $ (32,503) ​ $ 207,850 ​ $ 10,259 ​ $ 194,371 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from investing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Purchases of property, plant and equipment ​ — ​ — ​ (118,623) ​ (6,217) ​ (124,840) ​ Proceeds from sale of assets ​ — ​ — ​ 1,439 ​ 4 ​ 1,443 ​ Distributions from investments ​ — ​ — ​ 233 ​ — ​ 233 ​ Net cash used in investing activities ​ — ​ — ​ (116,951) ​ (6,213) ​ (123,164) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from financing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt ​ — ​ 76,000 ​ — ​ — ​ 76,000 ​ Payment of finance lease obligation ​ — ​ — ​ (5,924) ​ (103) ​ (6,027) ​ Payment on long-term debt ​ — ​ (91,176) ​ — ​ — ​ (91,176) ​ Dividends on common stock ​ (55,019) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (55,019) ​ Transactions with affiliates, net ​ 46,254 ​ 48,986 ​ (91,298) ​ (3,942) ​ — ​ Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ​ (8,765) ​ 33,810 ​ (97,222) ​ (4,045) ​ (76,222) ​ Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ​ — ​ 1,307 ​ (6,323) ​ 1 ​ (5,015) ​ Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ​ — ​ 8,919 ​ 6,738 ​ — ​ 15,657 ​ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ​ $ — ​ $ 10,226 ​ $ 415 ​ $ 1 ​ $ 10,642 ​ ​

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business and Basis of Accounting	Business and Basis of Accounting ​ Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a 23-state service area. ​ Leveraging our advanced fiber network spanning more than 37,000 fiber route miles, we offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as multi-service residential and small business bundles. Our business product suite includes data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services. As of June 30, 2019, we had approximately 873,000 voice connections, 783,000 data connections and 90,000 video connections. ​ In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods. Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
Divestitures	Divestitures ​ On July 31, 2018, we completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding stock of our subsidiaries Peoples Mutual Telephone Company and Peoples Mutual Long Distance Company (collectively, “Peoples”) for total cash proceeds of approximately $21.0 million, net of certain contractual and customary working capital adjustments. Peoples operates as a local exchange carrier in Virginia and provides telecommunications services to residential and business customers. The sale of Peoples has not been reported as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as the annual revenue of these operations is less than 1% of the consolidated operating revenues.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements ​ Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases ​ As part of the adoption, we elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the new lease standard, which among other things, allows us to carry forward the historical lease classification. As a result, there was no impact to opening retained earnings. We elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components, as well as the practical expedient related to land easements, which allows us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements in existing agreements. We also made an accounting policy election to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with a term of 12 months or less and will recognize lease payments as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ​ The adoption of the new lease standard resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $30.9 million for historical operating leases, while our accounting for historical finance leases remained substantially unchanged. The adoption of the new lease standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of cash flows or our debt-covenant compliance under our current agreements. For additional information on leases and the impact of the new lease standard, refer to Note 8. ​ Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2018-07 (“ASU 2018-07”), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting ​ Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2018-02 (“ASU 2018-02”), Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ​ Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2017-12 (“ASU 2017-12”), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities ​ In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2018-15 (“ASU 2018-15”), Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract ​ In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14 (“ASU 2018-14”), Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans ​ In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
Reclassifications	Reclassifications ​ Certain amounts in our 2018 condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

REVENUE (Tables)

REVENUE (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
REVENUE
Schedule of disaggregation of revenue	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Operating Revenues ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Commercial and carrier: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Data and transport services (includes VoIP) ​ $ 88,538 ​ $ 87,603 ​ $ 176,664 ​ $ 173,628 ​ Voice services ​ 47,136 ​ 51,322 ​ 95,206 ​ 103,483 ​ Other ​ ​ 13,390 ​ ​ 14,237 ​ ​ 28,566 ​ ​ 26,100 ​ ​ ​ ​ 149,064 ​ ​ 153,162 ​ ​ 300,436 ​ ​ 303,211 ​ Consumer: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Broadband (VoIP and Data) ​ ​ 64,068 ​ ​ 62,545 ​ ​ 127,153 ​ ​ 125,656 ​ Video services ​ ​ 20,341 ​ ​ 22,065 ​ ​ 41,077 ​ ​ 44,899 ​ Voice services ​ ​ 45,235 ​ ​ 51,616 ​ ​ 91,114 ​ ​ 103,678 ​ ​ ​ ​ 129,644 ​ ​ 136,226 ​ ​ 259,344 ​ ​ 274,233 ​ Subsidies ​ ​ 18,134 ​ ​ 20,979 ​ ​ 36,293 ​ ​ 46,234 ​ Network access ​ ​ 34,198 ​ ​ 37,338 ​ ​ 70,789 ​ ​ 77,053 ​ Other products and services ​ ​ 2,492 ​ ​ 2,516 ​ ​ 5,319 ​ ​ 5,529 ​ Total operating revenues ​ $ 333,532 ​ $ 350,221 ​ $ 672,181 ​ $ 706,260 ​
Schedule of receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ ​ June 30, (In thousands) ​ 2019 ​ 2018 Accounts receivable, net ​ $ 133,535 ​ $ 122,411 Contract assets ​ 15,991 ​ 7,408 Contract liabilities ​ 51,406 ​ 49,039

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tabl

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Schedule of basic and diluted EPS	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands, except per share amounts) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Net loss ​ $ (7,312) ​ $ (10,560) ​ $ (14,498) ​ $ (21,758) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ 75 ​ 83 ​ 154 ​ 183 ​ Loss attributable to common shareholders before allocation of earnings to participating securities ​ (7,387) ​ (10,643) ​ (14,652) ​ (21,941) ​ Less: earnings allocated to participating securities ​ — ​ 221 ​ 457 ​ 442 ​ Net loss attributable to common shareholders, after earnings allocated to participating securities ​ $ (7,387) ​ $ (10,864) ​ $ (15,109) ​ $ (22,383) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding ​ 70,813 ​ 70,598 ​ 70,813 ​ 70,598 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted ​ $ (0.10) ​ $ (0.15) ​ $ (0.21) ​ $ (0.32) ​

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
INVESTMENTS
Schedule of investments	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ December 31, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 Cash surrender value of life insurance policies ​ $ 2,600 ​ $ 2,371 ​ Investments at cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (2.34% interest) ​ 21,450 ​ 21,450 ​ Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (3.60% interest) ​ 22,950 ​ 22,950 ​ CoBank, ACB Stock ​ 8,910 ​ 9,051 ​ Other ​ 298 ​ 298 ​ Equity method investments: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (20.51% interest) ​ 18,754 ​ 17,800 ​ Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (16.67% interest) ​ 7,790 ​ 7,786 ​ Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (23.67% interest) ​ 29,402 ​ 29,147 ​ Totals ​ $ 112,154 ​ $ 110,853 ​

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Schedule of interest rate swap assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As of June 30, 2019 ​ ​ ​ Quoted Prices Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ In Active ​ Other ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Markets for ​ Observable ​ Unobservable ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Identical Assets ​ Inputs ​ Inputs (In thousands) ​ Total ​ (Level 1) ​ (Level 2) ​ (Level 3) Current interest rate swap assets ​ $ 365 $ — ​ $ 365 $ — ​ Long-term interest rate swap liabilities ​ ​ (29,743) ​ — ​ ​ (29,743) ​ — ​ Total ​ $ (29,378) ​ $ — ​ $ (29,378) ​ $ — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As of December 31, 2018 ​ ​ ​ Quoted Prices Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ In Active ​ Other ​ Significant ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Markets for ​ Observable ​ Unobservable ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Identical Assets ​ Inputs ​ Inputs (In thousands) ​ Total ​ (Level 1) ​ (Level 2) ​ (Level 3) Current interest rate swap assets ​ $ 2,465 $ — ​ $ 2,465 $ — ​ Long-term interest rate swap assets ​ ​ 1,524 ​ — ​ ​ 1,524 ​ — ​ Long-term interest rate swap liabilities ​ (6,647) ​ — ​ (6,647) ​ — ​ Total ​ $ (2,658) ​ $ — ​ $ (2,658) ​ $ — ​
Schedule of other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ As of June 30, 2019 ​ As of December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Investments, equity basis ​ $ 55,946 ​ n/a ​ $ 54,733 ​ n/a ​ Investments, at cost ​ $ 53,608 ​ n/a ​ $ 53,749 ​ n/a ​ Long-term debt, excluding finance leases ​ $ 2,321,368 ​ $ 2,217,834 ​ $ 2,315,077 ​ $ 2,155,127 ​

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
LONG-TERM DEBT
Schedule of components of long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ December 31, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 Senior secured credit facility: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Term loans, net of discounts of $6,304 and $6,994 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively ​ $ 1,787,584 ​ $ 1,796,068 ​ Revolving loan ​ 41,000 ​ 22,000 ​ 6.50% Senior notes due 2022, net of discount of $2,611 and $2,991 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively ​ ​ 492,784 ​ ​ 497,009 ​ ​ ​ 2,321,368 ​ 2,315,077 ​ Less: current portion of long-term debt ​ (18,350) ​ (18,350) ​ Less: deferred debt issuance costs ​ ​ (9,956) ​ ​ (11,386) ​ Total long-term debt ​ $ 2,293,062 ​ $ 2,285,341 ​

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUME_2

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Schedule of outstanding interest rate swaps	​ The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of June 30, 2019: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Notional ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Amount ​ 2019 Balance Sheet Location ​ Fair Value Cash Flow Hedges: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 650,000 ​ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ $ 365 ​ Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 500,000 ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ ​ (19,786) ​ Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 1,410,000 ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ ​ (9,957) ​ Total Fair Values ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ (29,378) ​ ​ Our interest rate swap agreements mature on various dates between September 2019 and July 2023. The forward-starting interest rate swap agreements, each with a term of one year and a notional value of $705.0 million, become effective in July 2019 and July 2020. ​ The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of December 31, 2018: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Notional ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Amount ​ 2018 Balance Sheet Location ​ Fair Value Cash Flow Hedges: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 650,000 ​ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ $ 2,465 ​ Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 705,000 Other assets ​ 1,524 ​ Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 500,000 Other long-term liabilities ​ (5,698) ​ Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor) ​ $ 705,000 Other long-term liabilities ​ (949) ​ Total Fair Values ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ $ (2,658) ​ ​
Schedule of gains and losses on cash flow hedge transactions	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 ​ 2019 Unrealized loss recognized in AOCI, pretax ​ $ (16,440) ​ $ (25,493) ​ Deferred gains reclassified from AOCI to interest expense ​ $ 596 ​ $ 876 ​ ​

LEASES (Tables)

LEASES (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
LEASES
Summary of components of lease right-of-use assets and liabilities	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Balance Sheet Classification June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Operating leases ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating lease right-of-use assets ​ Other assets ​ $ 27,554 ​ ​ Current lease liabilities ​ Accrued expense ​ $ (6,095) ​ ​ Noncurrent lease liabilities ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ $ (21,508) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Finance leases ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Finance lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $42,050 ​ Property, plant and equipment, net ​ $ 24,340 ​ ​ Current lease liabilities ​ Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations ​ $ (10,653) ​ ​ Noncurrent lease liabilities ​ Long-term debt and finance lease obligations ​ $ (16,055) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-average remaining lease term ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating leases ​ ​ ​ ​ 5.4 years ​ ​ Finance leases ​ ​ ​ ​ 4.2 years ​ ​ Weighted-average discount rate ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating leases ​ ​ ​ ​ 7.20 % ​ Finance leases ​ ​ ​ ​ 7.18 % ​
Summary of components of lease expense	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended (In thousands) ​ June 30, 2019 ​ June 30, 2019 Finance lease cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization of right-of-use assets ​ $ 3,497 ​ $ 7,030 Interest on lease liabilities ​ ​ 532 ​ ​ 1,060 Operating lease cost ​ ​ 2,195 ​ ​ 4,425 Variable lease cost ​ ​ 595 ​ ​ 1,376 Total lease cost ​ $ 6,819 ​ $ 13,891
Schedule of supplemental cash flow information related to leases	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended (In thousands) June 30, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: ​ ​ ​ Operating cash flows for operating leases ​ $ 4,376 Operating cash flows for finance leases ​ ​ 1,060 Financing cash flows for finance leases ​ ​ 6,811 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities ​ ​ 3,157
Schedule of maturities for operating leases	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Operating Leases ​ ​ Finance Leases ​ 2019 ​ $ 4,062 ​ $ 6,626 ​ 2020 ​ 7,519 ​ 9,626 ​ 2021 ​ 4,987 ​ 4,878 ​ 2022 ​ 4,284 ​ 2,917 ​ 2023 ​ 2,643 ​ 1,489 ​ Thereafter ​ 6,585 ​ 6,405 ​ Total lease payments ​ ​ 30,080 ​ ​ 31,941 ​ Less: Interest ​ (2,477) ​ (5,233) ​ ​ ​ $ 27,603 ​ $ 26,708 ​
Schedule of maturities for finance leases	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Operating Leases ​ ​ Finance Leases ​ 2019 ​ $ 4,062 ​ $ 6,626 ​ 2020 ​ 7,519 ​ 9,626 ​ 2021 ​ 4,987 ​ 4,878 ​ 2022 ​ 4,284 ​ 2,917 ​ 2023 ​ 2,643 ​ 1,489 ​ Thereafter ​ 6,585 ​ 6,405 ​ Total lease payments ​ ​ 30,080 ​ ​ 31,941 ​ Less: Interest ​ (2,477) ​ (5,233) ​ ​ ​ $ 27,603 ​ $ 26,708 ​

EQUITY (Tables)

EQUITY (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
EQUITY
Summary of total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Restricted stock ​ $ 1,057 ​ $ 979 ​ $ 1,983 ​ $ 1,414 ​ Performance shares ​ 757 ​ 559 ​ 1,329 ​ 802 ​ Total ​ $ 1,814 ​ $ 1,538 ​ $ 3,312 ​ $ 2,216 ​
Summary of RSA and PSA activity	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ RSAs PSAs ​ ​ Weighted ​ ​ Weighted ​ ​ ​ ​ Average Grant ​ ​ ​ Average Grant ​ ​ Shares ​ Date Fair Value ​ Shares ​ Date Fair Value Non-vested shares outstanding - December 31, 2018 338,771 ​ $ 14.31 35,626 ​ $ 21.97 ​ Shares granted 551,214 ​ $ 9.87 371,672 ​ $ 9.86 ​ Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired ​ (25,363) ​ $ 10.76 ​ (8,755) ​ $ 12.95 ​ Non-vested shares outstanding - June 30, 2019 864,622 ​ $ 11.58 398,543 ​ $ 13.29 ​
Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pension and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Post-Retirement ​ Derivative ​ ​ ​ (In thousands) ​ Obligations ​ Instruments ​ Total Balance at December 31, 2018 ​ $ (55,514) ​ $ 2,302 ​ $ (53,212) ​ Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications ​ ​ — ​ ​ (18,835) ​ ​ (18,835) ​ Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2017-12 ​ ​ — ​ ​ (576) ​ ​ (576) ​ Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss ​ ​ 2,052 ​ ​ (647) ​ ​ 1,405 ​ Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) ​ 2,052 ​ (20,058) ​ (18,006) ​ Balance at June 30, 2019 ​ $ (53,462) ​ $ (17,756) ​ $ (71,218) ​
Summary of reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended June 30, ​ Six Months Ended June 30, ​ Affected Line Item in the (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 ​ Statement of Income Amortization of pension and post-retirement items: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Prior service (cost) credit ​ $ (799) ​ $ 199 ​ $ (1,597) ​ $ 398 (a) ​ Actuarial loss ​ (596) ​ (1,452) ​ (1,191) ​ (2,903) (a) ​ Settlement loss ​ — ​ (46) ​ — ​ (46) (a) ​ ​ ​ (1,395) ​ (1,299) ​ (2,788) ​ (2,551) Total before tax ​ ​ ​ 369 ​ 345 ​ 736 ​ 675 Tax benefit ​ ​ ​ $ (1,026) ​ $ (954) ​ $ (2,052) ​ $ (1,876) Net of tax ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Gain (Loss) on cash flow hedges: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest rate derivatives ​ $ 596 ​ $ (1,446) ​ $ 876 ​ $ (1,802) Interest expense ​ ​ ​ (156) ​ 380 ​ (229) ​ 471 Tax (expense) benefit ​ ​ ​ $ 440 ​ $ (1,066) ​ $ 647 ​ $ (1,331) Net of tax ​ (a) These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. See Note 10 for further discussion regarding our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. ​

PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-R_2

PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Defined Benefit Plans
Post-retirement benefit obligation
Schedule of the components of net periodic pension cost	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Service cost ​ $ 12 ​ $ 1,535 ​ $ 23 ​ $ 3,070 ​ Interest cost ​ 7,661 ​ 7,147 ​ 15,322 ​ 14,286 ​ Expected return on plan assets ​ (8,672) ​ (9,637) ​ (17,343) ​ (19,304) ​ Net amortization loss ​ 703 ​ 1,473 ​ 1,406 ​ 2,945 ​ Net prior service cost (credit) amortization ​ 31 ​ (61) ​ 61 ​ (122) ​ Settlement loss ​ — ​ 46 ​ — ​ 46 ​ Net periodic pension (benefit) cost ​ $ (265) ​ $ 503 ​ $ (531) ​ $ 921 ​
Post-retirement Benefit Obligations
Post-retirement benefit obligation
Schedule of the components of net periodic pension cost	​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended ​ Six Months Ended ​ ​ ​ June 30, ​ June 30, ​ (In thousands) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Service cost ​ $ 116 ​ $ 127 ​ $ 233 ​ $ 254 ​ Interest cost ​ 1,145 ​ 1,028 ​ 2,289 ​ 2,057 ​ Expected return on plan assets ​ (44) ​ (35) ​ (87) ​ (71) ​ Net amortization gain ​ (107) ​ (21) ​ (215) ​ (42) ​ Net prior service cost (credit) amortization ​ 768 ​ (138) ​ 1,536 ​ (276) ​ Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost ​ $ 1,878 ​ $ 961 ​ $ 3,756 ​ $ 1,922 ​

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINAN_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheets	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ — ​ $ 9,089 ​ $ 1,360 ​ $ 1 ​ $ — ​ $ 10,450 ​ Accounts receivable, net ​ — ​ — ​ 121,936 ​ 11,681 ​ (82) ​ 133,535 ​ Income taxes receivable ​ 4,682 ​ 12,053 ​ — ​ — ​ (5,355) ​ 11,380 ​ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ — ​ 365 ​ 44,521 ​ 345 ​ — ​ 45,231 ​ Total current assets ​ 4,682 ​ 21,507 ​ 167,817 ​ 12,027 ​ (5,437) ​ 200,596 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Property, plant and equipment, net ​ — ​ — ​ 1,806,105 ​ 66,207 ​ — ​ 1,872,312 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Intangibles and other assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Investments ​ — ​ 8,863 ​ 103,291 ​ — ​ — ​ 112,154 ​ Investments in subsidiaries ​ 3,558,093 ​ 3,501,373 ​ 16,367 ​ — ​ (7,075,833) ​ — ​ Goodwill ​ — ​ — ​ 969,093 ​ 66,181 ​ — ​ 1,035,274 ​ Customer relationships, net ​ — ​ — ​ 196,754 ​ — ​ — ​ 196,754 ​ Other intangible assets ​ — ​ — ​ 1,840 ​ 9,087 ​ — ​ 10,927 ​ Advances due to/from affiliates, net ​ — ​ 2,370,341 ​ 822,190 ​ 100,808 ​ (3,293,339) ​ — ​ Deferred income taxes ​ 80,900 ​ 6,450 ​ — ​ — ​ (87,350) ​ ​ — ​ Other assets ​ 3,011 ​ — ​ 54,069 ​ 613 ​ — ​ 57,693 ​ Total assets ​ $ 3,646,686 ​ $ 5,908,534 ​ $ 4,137,526 ​ $ 254,923 ​ $ (10,461,959) ​ $ 3,485,710 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accounts payable ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 44,746 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 44,746 ​ Advance billings and customer deposits ​ — ​ — ​ 45,550 ​ 1,342 ​ — ​ 46,892 ​ Accrued compensation ​ — ​ — ​ 55,212 ​ 714 ​ — ​ 55,926 ​ Accrued interest ​ ​ — ​ ​ 8,884 ​ ​ 1,071 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 9,955 ​ Accrued expense ​ 246 ​ 108 ​ 76,152 ​ 1,165 ​ (82) ​ 77,589 ​ Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations ​ ​ — ​ ​ 18,350 ​ ​ 10,491 ​ ​ 162 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 29,003 ​ Income tax payable ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 3,045 ​ ​ 2,310 ​ ​ (5,355) ​ ​ — ​ Total current liabilities ​ 246 ​ 27,342 ​ 236,267 ​ 5,693 ​ (5,437) ​ 264,111 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Long-term debt and finance lease obligations ​ — ​ 2,293,062 ​ 15,883 ​ 172 ​ — ​ 2,309,117 ​ Advances due to/from affiliates, net ​ 3,293,339 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (3,293,339) ​ — ​ Deferred income taxes ​ — ​ — ​ 240,059 ​ 21,922 ​ (87,350) ​ ​ 174,631 ​ Pension and postretirement benefit obligations ​ — ​ — ​ 283,324 ​ 15,247 ​ — ​ 298,571 ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ — ​ 30,038 ​ 49,183 ​ 886 ​ — ​ 80,107 ​ Total liabilities ​ 3,293,585 ​ 2,350,442 ​ 824,716 ​ 43,920 ​ (3,386,126) ​ 3,126,537 ​ Shareholders’ equity: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Common Stock ​ 721 ​ — ​ 17,411 ​ 30,000 ​ (47,411) ​ 721 ​ Other shareholders’ equity ​ 352,380 ​ 3,558,092 ​ 3,289,327 ​ 181,003 ​ (7,028,422) ​ 352,380 ​ Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity ​ 353,101 ​ 3,558,092 ​ 3,306,738 ​ 211,003 ​ (7,075,833) ​ 353,101 ​ Noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 6,072 ​ — ​ — ​ 6,072 ​ Total shareholders’ equity ​ 353,101 ​ 3,558,092 ​ 3,312,810 ​ 211,003 ​ (7,075,833) ​ 359,173 ​ Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity ​ $ 3,646,686 ​ $ 5,908,534 ​ $ 4,137,526 ​ $ 254,923 ​ $ (10,461,959) ​ $ 3,485,710 ​ ​ ​ Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2018 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ — ​ $ 9,616 ​ $ — ​ $ 1 ​ $ (18) ​ $ 9,599 ​ Accounts receivable, net ​ — ​ — ​ 122,743 ​ 10,430 ​ (37) ​ 133,136 ​ Income taxes receivable ​ 10,272 ​ — ​ 790 ​ 10 ​ — ​ 11,072 ​ Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ — ​ 2,465 ​ 41,547 ​ 324 ​ — ​ 44,336 ​ Total current assets ​ 10,272 ​ 12,081 ​ 165,080 ​ 10,765 ​ (55) ​ 198,143 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Property, plant and equipment, net ​ — ​ — ​ 1,861,009 ​ 66,117 ​ — ​ 1,927,126 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Intangibles and other assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Investments ​ — ​ 8,673 ​ 102,180 ​ — ​ — ​ 110,853 ​ Investments in subsidiaries ​ 3,587,612 ​ 3,505,477 ​ 15,949 ​ — ​ (7,109,038) ​ — ​ Goodwill ​ — ​ — ​ 969,093 ​ 66,181 ​ — ​ 1,035,274 ​ Customer relationships, net ​ — ​ — ​ 228,959 ​ — ​ — ​ 228,959 ​ Other intangible assets ​ — ​ — ​ 2,396 ​ 9,087 ​ — ​ 11,483 ​ Advances due to/from affiliates, net ​ — ​ 2,379,079 ​ 760,310 ​ 97,898 ​ (3,237,287) ​ — ​ Deferred income taxes ​ 76,758 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (76,758) ​ ​ — ​ Other assets ​ — ​ 1,524 ​ 18,237 ​ 651 ​ 3,011 ​ 23,423 ​ Total assets ​ $ 3,674,642 ​ $ 5,906,834 ​ $ 4,123,213 ​ $ 250,699 ​ $ (10,420,127) ​ $ 3,535,261 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accounts payable ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 32,502 ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 32,502 ​ Advance billings and customer deposits ​ — ​ — ​ 46,316 ​ 1,408 ​ — ​ 47,724 ​ Dividends payable ​ 27,579 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 27,579 ​ Accrued compensation ​ — ​ — ​ 63,688 ​ 771 ​ — ​ 64,459 ​ Accrued interest ​ ​ — ​ ​ 8,430 ​ ​ 802 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 9,232 ​ Accrued expense ​ 40 ​ 37 ​ 70,365 ​ 1,263 ​ (55) ​ 71,650 ​ Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations ​ — ​ 18,350 ​ 11,968 ​ 150 ​ — ​ 30,468 ​ Total current liabilities ​ 27,619 ​ 26,817 ​ 225,641 ​ 3,592 ​ (55) ​ 283,614 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Long-term debt and finance lease obligations ​ — ​ 2,285,341 ​ 17,988 ​ 256 ​ — ​ 2,303,585 ​ Advances due to/from affiliates, net ​ 3,237,287 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (3,237,287) ​ — ​ Deferred income taxes ​ — ​ 122 ​ 239,880 ​ 21,874 ​ (73,747) ​ ​ 188,129 ​ Pension and postretirement benefit obligations ​ — ​ — ​ 295,815 ​ 18,319 ​ — ​ 314,134 ​ Other long-term liabilities ​ — ​ 6,942 ​ 22,305 ​ 898 ​ — ​ 30,145 ​ Total liabilities ​ 3,264,906 ​ 2,319,222 ​ 801,629 ​ 44,939 ​ (3,311,089) ​ 3,119,607 ​ Shareholders’ equity: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Common Stock ​ 712 ​ — ​ 17,411 ​ 30,000 ​ (47,411) ​ 712 ​ Other shareholders’ equity ​ 409,024 ​ 3,587,612 ​ 3,298,255 ​ 175,760 ​ (7,061,627) ​ 409,024 ​ Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity ​ 409,736 ​ 3,587,612 ​ 3,315,666 ​ 205,760 ​ (7,109,038) ​ 409,736 ​ Noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 5,918 ​ — ​ — ​ 5,918 ​ Total shareholders’ equity ​ 409,736 ​ 3,587,612 ​ 3,321,584 ​ 205,760 ​ (7,109,038) ​ 415,654 ​ Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity ​ $ 3,674,642 ​ $ 5,906,834 ​ $ 4,123,213 ​ $ 250,699 ​ $ (10,420,127) ​ $ 3,535,261 ​
Schedule of condensed consolidating statements of operations	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Net revenues ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 324,710 ​ $ 11,982 ​ $ (3,160) ​ $ 333,532 ​ Operating expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) ​ — ​ — ​ 143,283 ​ 3,541 ​ (3,044) ​ 143,780 ​ Selling, general and administrative expenses ​ 2,012 ​ — ​ 73,707 ​ 2,545 ​ (116) ​ 78,148 ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ — ​ — ​ 94,811 ​ 2,493 ​ — ​ 97,304 ​ Operating income (loss) ​ (2,012) ​ — ​ 12,909 ​ 3,403 ​ — ​ 14,300 ​ Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest expense, net of interest income ​ (27) ​ (34,628) ​ (90) ​ 8 ​ — ​ (34,737) ​ Intercompany interest income (expense) ​ — ​ 14,727 ​ (14,707) ​ (20) ​ — ​ — ​ Gain on extinguishment of debt ​ — ​ 249 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 249 ​ Investment income ​ — ​ — ​ 10,750 ​ — ​ — ​ 10,750 ​ Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net ​ (6,015) ​ 7,202 ​ 205 ​ — ​ (1,392) ​ — ​ Other, net ​ 4 ​ (14) ​ (1,625) ​ (17) ​ — ​ (1,652) ​ Income (loss) before income taxes ​ (8,050) ​ (12,464) ​ 7,442 ​ 3,374 ​ (1,392) ​ (11,090) ​ Income tax expense (benefit) ​ (663) ​ (6,449) ​ 2,215 ​ 1,119 ​ — ​ (3,778) ​ Net income (loss) ​ (7,387) ​ (6,015) ​ 5,227 ​ 2,255 ​ (1,392) ​ (7,312) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 75 ​ — ​ — ​ 75 ​ Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. ​ $ (7,387) ​ $ (6,015) ​ $ 5,152 ​ $ 2,255 ​ $ (1,392) ​ $ (7,387) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders ​ $ (18,947) ​ $ (17,575) ​ $ 6,110 ​ $ 2,323 ​ $ 9,142 ​ $ (18,947) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Quarter Ended June 30, 2018 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Net revenues ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 338,867 ​ $ 14,500 ​ $ (3,146) ​ $ 350,221 ​ Operating expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) ​ — ​ — ​ 150,337 ​ 4,054 ​ (3,033) ​ 151,358 ​ Selling, general and administrative expenses ​ 1,556 ​ — ​ 77,038 ​ 3,214 ​ (113) ​ 81,695 ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ — ​ — ​ 109,333 ​ 2,408 ​ — ​ 111,741 ​ Operating income (loss) ​ (1,556) ​ — ​ 2,159 ​ 4,824 ​ — ​ 5,427 ​ Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest expense, net of interest income ​ (27) ​ ​ (33,376) ​ 521 ​ 43 ​ — ​ (32,839) ​ Intercompany interest income (expense) ​ — ​ 14,727 ​ (14,706) ​ (21) ​ — ​ — ​ Investment income ​ — ​ — ​ 12,535 ​ — ​ — ​ 12,535 ​ Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net ​ (9,440) ​ 4,348 ​ 4,347 ​ — ​ 745 ​ — ​ Other, net ​ — ​ — ​ 287 ​ 21 ​ — ​ 308 ​ Income (loss) before income taxes ​ (11,023) ​ (14,301) ​ 5,143 ​ 4,867 ​ 745 ​ (14,569) ​ Income tax expense (benefit) ​ (380) ​ (4,861) ​ (37) ​ 1,269 ​ — ​ (4,009) ​ Net income (loss) ​ (10,643) ​ (9,440) ​ 5,180 ​ 3,598 ​ 745 ​ (10,560) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 83 ​ — ​ — ​ 83 ​ Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. ​ $ (10,643) ​ $ (9,440) ​ $ 5,097 ​ $ 3,598 ​ $ 745 ​ $ (10,643) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders ​ $ (4,739) ​ $ (3,536) ​ $ 5,881 ​ $ 3,768 ​ $ (6,113) ​ $ (4,739) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Net revenues ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 653,988 ​ $ 24,451 ​ $ (6,258) ​ $ 672,181 ​ Operating expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) ​ — ​ — ​ 291,084 ​ 7,047 ​ (6,032) ​ 292,099 ​ Selling, general and administrative expenses ​ 3,667 ​ (193) ​ 144,307 ​ 4,960 ​ (226) ​ 152,515 ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ — ​ — ​ 191,592 ​ 4,955 ​ — ​ 196,547 ​ Operating income (loss) ​ (3,667) ​ 193 ​ 27,005 ​ 7,489 ​ — ​ 31,020 ​ Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest expense, net of interest income ​ (55) ​ (68,716) ​ (257) ​ 8 ​ — ​ (69,020) ​ Intercompany interest income (expense) ​ — ​ 29,454 ​ (29,415) ​ (39) ​ — ​ — ​ Gain on extinguishment of debt ​ — ​ 249 ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 249 ​ Investment income ​ — ​ 190 ​ 19,161 ​ — ​ — ​ 19,351 ​ Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net ​ (12,091) ​ 14,444 ​ 418 ​ — ​ (2,771) ​ — ​ Other, net ​ 1 ​ 42 ​ (3,033) ​ (31) ​ — ​ (3,021) ​ Income (loss) before income taxes ​ (15,812) ​ (24,144) ​ 13,879 ​ 7,427 ​ (2,771) ​ (21,421) ​ Income tax expense (benefit) ​ (1,160) ​ (12,053) ​ 3,971 ​ 2,319 ​ — ​ (6,923) ​ Net income (loss) ​ (14,652) ​ (12,091) ​ 9,908 ​ 5,108 ​ (2,771) ​ (14,498) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 154 ​ — ​ — ​ 154 ​ Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. ​ $ (14,652) ​ $ (12,091) ​ $ 9,754 ​ $ 5,108 ​ $ (2,771) ​ $ (14,652) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders ​ $ (32,658) ​ $ (30,097) ​ $ 11,670 ​ $ 5,244 ​ $ 13,183 ​ $ (32,658) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Net revenues ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ 683,178 ​ $ 29,377 ​ $ (6,295) ​ $ 706,260 ​ Operating expenses: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) ​ — ​ — ​ 302,099 ​ 8,255 ​ (6,080) ​ 304,274 ​ Selling, general and administrative expenses ​ 2,868 ​ — ​ 158,575 ​ 6,452 ​ (215) ​ 167,680 ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ — ​ — ​ 214,621 ​ 5,019 ​ — ​ 219,640 ​ Operating income (loss) ​ (2,868) ​ — ​ 7,883 ​ 9,651 ​ — ​ 14,666 ​ Other income (expense): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Interest expense, net of interest income ​ (53) ​ (66,308) ​ 713 ​ 93 ​ — ​ (65,555) ​ Intercompany interest income (expense) ​ — ​ 29,454 ​ (29,418) ​ (36) ​ — ​ — ​ Investment income ​ — ​ 178 ​ 20,146 ​ — ​ — ​ 20,324 ​ Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net ​ (19,751) ​ 7,323 ​ 4,770 ​ — ​ 7,658 ​ — ​ Other, net ​ — ​ — ​ 510 ​ 40 ​ — ​ 550 ​ Income (loss) before income taxes ​ (22,672) ​ (29,353) ​ 4,604 ​ 9,748 ​ 7,658 ​ (30,015) ​ Income tax expense (benefit) ​ (731) ​ (9,602) ​ (477) ​ 2,553 ​ — ​ (8,257) ​ Net income (loss) ​ (21,941) ​ (19,751) ​ 5,081 ​ 7,195 ​ 7,658 ​ (21,758) ​ Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest ​ — ​ — ​ 183 ​ — ​ — ​ 183 ​ Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. ​ $ (21,941) ​ $ (19,751) ​ $ 4,898 ​ $ 7,195 ​ $ 7,658 ​ $ (21,941) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders ​ $ (10,113) ​ $ (7,923) ​ $ 6,434 ​ $ 7,535 ​ $ (6,046) ​ $ (10,113) ​ ​
Schedule of condensed consolidating statements of cash flows	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Consolidated Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities ​ $ (607) ​ $ (35,907) ​ $ 192,092 ​ $ 7,684 ​ $ 163,262 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from investing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Purchases of property, plant and equipment ​ — ​ — ​ (115,063) ​ (4,705) ​ (119,768) ​ Proceeds from sale of assets ​ — ​ — ​ 14,201 ​ 2 ​ 14,203 ​ Distributions from investments ​ — ​ — ​ 329 ​ — ​ 329 ​ Other ​ ​ — ​ — ​ ​ (450) ​ ​ — ​ ​ (450) ​ Net cash used in investing activities ​ — ​ — ​ (100,983) ​ (4,703) ​ (105,686) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from financing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt ​ — ​ 107,000 ​ — ​ — ​ 107,000 ​ Payment of finance lease obligation ​ — ​ — ​ (6,739) ​ (72) ​ (6,811) ​ Payment on long-term debt ​ — ​ (97,175) ​ — ​ — ​ (97,175) ​ Repurchase of senior notes ​ ​ — ​ ​ (4,294) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ (4,294) ​ Dividends on common stock ​ (55,445) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (55,445) ​ Transactions with affiliates, net ​ 56,052 ​ 29,849 ​ (82,992) ​ (2,909) ​ — ​ Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ​ 607 ​ 35,380 ​ ​ (89,731) ​ ​ (2,981) ​ ​ (56,725) ​ Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ​ — ​ (527) ​ ​ 1,378 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 851 ​ Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ​ — ​ ​ 9,616 ​ ​ (18) ​ ​ 1 ​ ​ 9,599 ​ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ​ $ — ​ $ 9,089 ​ $ 1,360 ​ $ 1 ​ $ 10,450 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 ​ ​ Parent Subsidiary Issuer Guarantors Non-Guarantors Consolidated Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities ​ $ 8,765 ​ $ (32,503) ​ $ 207,850 ​ $ 10,259 ​ $ 194,371 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from investing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Purchases of property, plant and equipment ​ — ​ — ​ (118,623) ​ (6,217) ​ (124,840) ​ Proceeds from sale of assets ​ — ​ — ​ 1,439 ​ 4 ​ 1,443 ​ Distributions from investments ​ — ​ — ​ 233 ​ — ​ 233 ​ Net cash used in investing activities ​ — ​ — ​ (116,951) ​ (6,213) ​ (123,164) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash flows from financing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt ​ — ​ 76,000 ​ — ​ — ​ 76,000 ​ Payment of finance lease obligation ​ — ​ — ​ (5,924) ​ (103) ​ (6,027) ​ Payment on long-term debt ​ — ​ (91,176) ​ — ​ — ​ (91,176) ​ Dividends on common stock ​ (55,019) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ (55,019) ​ Transactions with affiliates, net ​ 46,254 ​ 48,986 ​ (91,298) ​ (3,942) ​ — ​ Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ​ (8,765) ​ 33,810 ​ (97,222) ​ (4,045) ​ (76,222) ​ Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ​ — ​ 1,307 ​ (6,323) ​ 1 ​ (5,015) ​ Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ​ — ​ 8,919 ​ 6,738 ​ — ​ 15,657 ​ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ​ $ — ​ $ 10,226 ​ $ 415 ​ $ 1 ​ $ 10,642 ​ ​

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Business (Details)	Jun. 30, 2019stateitemmi
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Number of states | state	23
Number of fiber route miles | mi	37,000
Number of voice connections	873,000
Number of data connections	783,000
Number of video connections	90,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES- Divestiture (Details) - Peoples - Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2018USD ($)
Divestitures
Annual revenue from divestitures (as a percentage)	1.00%
Proceeds from business dispositions	$ 21,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_5

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 01, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative adjustment to retained earnings		$ (576)
Lease liabilities		27,603
ROU assets		$ 27,554
ASU 2017-12 | Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative adjustment to retained earnings	$ (600)
ASU 2016-02 | Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Lease liabilities	30,900
ROU assets	$ 30,900

REVENUE (Details)

REVENUE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 333,532	$ 350,221	$ 672,181	$ 706,260
Receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities
Accounts receivable, net	133,535	122,411	133,535	122,411
Contract assets	15,991	7,408	15,991	7,408
Contract liabilities	51,406	49,039	51,406	49,039
Recognized expenses related to deferred contract acquisition costs.	1,500	600	2,700	1,000
Recognized revenue related to deferred revenue	92,700	83,800	$ 186,700	171,100
Revenue, Practical Expedient, Remaining Performance Obligation			true
Minimum
Receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities
Payment term			30 days
Maximum
Receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities
Payment term			60 days
Commercial and carrier
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	149,064	153,162	$ 300,436	303,211
Commercial and carrier - Data and transport services (including VoIP)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	88,538	87,603	176,664	173,628
Commercial and carrier - Voice services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	47,136	51,322	95,206	103,483
Commercial and carrier - Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	13,390	14,237	28,566	26,100
Subsidies
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	18,134	20,979	36,293	46,234
Consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	129,644	136,226	259,344	274,233
Consumer - Broadband (VoIP and Data)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	64,068	62,545	127,153	125,656
Consumer - Video services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	20,341	22,065	41,077	44,899
Consumer - Voice services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	45,235	51,616	91,114	103,678
Network access
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	34,198	37,338	70,789	77,053
Other products and services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 2,492	$ 2,516	$ 5,319	$ 5,529

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Deta

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders
Net loss	$ (7,312)	$ (7,186)	$ (10,560)	$ (11,198)	$ (14,498)	$ (21,758)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	75		83		154	183
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	(7,387)		(10,643)		(14,652)	(21,941)
Less: earnings allocated to participating securities			221		457	442
Net loss attributable to common shareholders, after earnings allocated to participating securities	$ (7,387)		$ (10,864)		$ (15,109)	$ (22,383)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	70,813		70,598		70,813	70,598
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.10)		$ (0.15)		$ (0.21)	$ (0.32)
Common shares excluded from computation of potentially dilutive shares because of anti-dilutive effect	1,300		700		1,000	500

INVESTMENTS - Schedule of Inves

INVESTMENTS - Schedule of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments
Cash distributions received from partnerships treated as investments at cost	$ 5,000	$ 6,100	$ 8,300	$ 9,100
Investments
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	2,600		2,600		$ 2,371
Total	$ 112,154		$ 112,154		$ 110,853
GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership
Investments
Ownership percentage of investments at cost	2.34%		2.34%		2.34%
Investments
Investments at cost	$ 21,450		$ 21,450		$ 21,450
Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership
Investments
Ownership percentage of investments at cost	3.60%		3.60%		3.60%
Investments
Investments at cost	$ 22,950		$ 22,950		$ 22,950
CoBank, ACB Stock
Investments
Investments at cost	8,910		8,910		9,051
Other
Investments
Investments at cost	$ 298		$ 298		$ 298
GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership
Investments
Ownership percentage of equity method investee	20.51%		20.51%		20.51%
Investments
Equity method investments	$ 18,754		$ 18,754		$ 17,800
Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership
Investments
Ownership percentage of equity method investee	16.67%		16.67%		16.67%
Investments
Equity method investments	$ 7,790		$ 7,790		$ 7,786
Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership
Investments
Ownership percentage of equity method investee	23.67%		23.67%		23.67%
Investments
Equity method investments	$ 29,402		$ 29,402		$ 29,147

INVESTMENTS - Equity Method (De

INVESTMENTS - Equity Method (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)item	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)item	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018item
Investments
Number of entity's investments which is accounted for using equity method | item	3		3		3
Cash distributions received from partnerships treated as equity method investees	$ 5.6	$ 5.1	$ 9.6	$ 11.6
ASC 606 Adjustments | ASU 2014-09
Investments
Adjustment of partnership interests		$ 1.8		$ 1.8

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Finan

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Measurements
Total		$ (2,658)
Recurring
Fair Value Measurements
Current interest rate swap assets	$ 365	2,465
Long-term interest rate swap assets		1,524
Long-term interest rate swap liabilities	(29,743)	(6,647)
Total	(29,378)	(2,658)
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value Measurements
Current interest rate swap assets	365	2,465
Long-term interest rate swap assets		1,524
Long-term interest rate swap liabilities	(29,743)	(6,647)
Total	$ (29,378)	$ (2,658)

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fin_2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Financial Instruments Not Carried at FV (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Carrying Value
Fair Value Measurements
Investments, equity basis	$ 55,946	$ 54,733
Investments at cost	53,608	53,749
Long-term debt	2,321,368	2,315,077
Fair Value
Fair Value Measurements
Long-term debt	$ 2,217,834	$ 2,155,127

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 21, 2016	Jun. 08, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Debt
Total long-term debt							$ 2,321,368				$ 2,321,368	$ 2,315,077
Less: current portion of long-term debt							(18,350)				(18,350)	(18,350)
Less: deferred debt issuance costs							(9,956)				(9,956)	(11,386)
Total long-term debt							$ 2,293,062				$ 2,293,062	2,285,341
Leverage ratio				3			4.47				4.47
Deferred debt issuance costs							$ 9,956				$ 9,956	11,386
Dividend declared								$ 27,932	$ 27,602	$ 27,602
Interest coverage ratio							3.75				3.75
Repayments of senior notes											$ 4,294
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt							$ 249				$ 249
Minimum
Debt
Interest coverage ratio							2.25				2.25
Maximum
Debt
Leverage ratio for an event of default							5.25				5.25
Senior Notes 6.50 Percent Due 2022
Debt
Total long-term debt							$ 492,784				$ 492,784	497,009
Unamortized discount							$ 2,611				$ 2,611	$ 2,991
Aggregate principal amount		$ 300,000			$ 200,000
Interest rate (as a percent)		6.50%			6.50%		6.50%				6.50%
Issue price as a percentage of par		98.26%
Yield to maturity (as a percent)		6.80%
Gross proceeds		$ 294,800			$ 200,000
Debt amount repurchased							$ 4,600				$ 4,600
Repayments of senior notes							4,300
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt							249
Senior Secured Credit Facility | Weighted average
Debt
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)											5.44%	5.54%
Term Loan
Debt
Total long-term debt							1,787,584				$ 1,787,584	$ 1,796,068
Unamortized discount				$ 2,300			6,304				6,304	6,994
Aggregate principal amount				$ 900,000
Quarterly principal payments required											$ 2,250
Issue discount (as a percentage)				0.25%
Term Loan | LIBOR
Debt
Margin (as a percent)											3.00%
Term Loan | LIBOR | Minimum
Debt
Margin (as a percent)											1.00%
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan
Debt
Total long-term debt							41,000				$ 41,000	22,000
Maximum borrowing capacity of credit facility				$ 110,000
Amounts outstanding							41,000				41,000	22,000
Stand-by letter of credit outstanding							16,000				16,000
Available borrowing capacity							53,000				53,000
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | LIBOR
Debt
Amounts outstanding							38,000				$ 38,000	10,000
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | LIBOR | Minimum
Debt
Margin (as a percent)											2.50%
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | LIBOR | Maximum
Debt
Margin (as a percent)											3.25%
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | LIBOR | Weighted average | Forecast
Debt
Margin (as a percent)						3.00%
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Alternate base rate
Debt
Amounts outstanding							$ 3,000				$ 3,000	$ 12,000
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Alternate base rate | Minimum
Debt
Margin (as a percent)											1.50%
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Alternate base rate | Maximum
Debt
Margin (as a percent)											2.25%
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Alternate base rate | Weighted average | Forecast
Debt
Margin (as a percent)						2.00%
Incremental Term Loan Facility
Debt
Aggregate principal amount				935,000
Quarterly principal payments required			$ 2,340
Issue discount (as a percentage)	0.50%
Incremental Term Loan Facility | Maximum
Debt
Additional borrowing capacity				$ 300,000

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUME_3

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Interest Rate Swaps (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)item	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 12, 2018USD ($)
Derivatives
Total fair value, derivative asset (liability)						$ (2,658)
Number of swap agreements that provide for the entity or the counterparties to post collateral | item					0
Interest rate swaps
Derivatives
Total fair value, derivative asset (liability)					$ (29,378)
Cash flow hedges | Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)
Derivatives
Notional amount					705,000	705,000
Cash flow hedges | Interest rate swaps
Derivatives
Notional amount		$ 500,000					$ 500,000
Term of derivative contract		5 years
Number of new counterparties | item		5
De-designated Hedges | Interest rate swaps
Derivatives
Loss recognized as an increase to interest expense			$ 2,500
Gain recognized as a reduction to interest expense	$ 400
Prepaid expense and other current assets | Cash flow hedges | Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)
Derivatives
Notional amount					650,000	650,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets					365	2,465
Other Assets. | Cash flow hedges | Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)
Derivatives
Notional amount						705,000
Other assets						1,524
Other long-term liabilities | Cash flow hedges | Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)
Derivatives
Notional amount					500,000	500,000
Other long-term liabilities					(19,786)	(5,698)
Other long-term liabilities | Cash flow hedges | Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)
Derivatives
Notional amount					1,410,000	705,000
Other long-term liabilities					$ (9,957)	$ (949)
Forecast | Cash flow hedges | Forward starting fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)
Derivatives
Term of derivative contract				1 year

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUME_4

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Effect of Interest Rate Derivatives (Details) - Interest rate swaps - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments
Derivatives
Deferred gain (losses) included in AOCI (pretax)	$ (24,000)	$ (24,000)	$ 3,200
Loss included in AOCI to be recognized in the next 12 months		(3,500)
Cash flow hedges
Derivatives
Unrealized loss recognized in AOCI, pretax	(16,440)	(25,493)
Deferred gains reclassified from AOCI to interest expense	$ 596	$ 876

LEASES (Details)

LEASES (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 27,554
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Other Assets [Member]
Current lease liabilities	$ (6,095)
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
Noncurrent lease liabilities	$ (21,508)
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	cnsl:OtherLongTermLiabilitiesMember
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $42,050	$ 24,340
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Accumulated Depreciation	$ 42,050
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
Current lease liabilities	$ (10,653)
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	cnsl:CurrentPortionOfLlongTermDebtAndFinanceLeaseObligationsMember
Noncurrent lease liabilities	$ (16,055)
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	cnsl:LongTermDebtAndFinanceleaseObligations
Operating leases, Weighted-average remaining lease term	5 years 4 months 24 days
Finance leases, Weighted-average remaining lease term	4 years 2 months 12 days
Operating leases, Weighted-average discount rate	7.20%
Finance leases, Weighted-average discount rate	7.18%
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Remaining Term of Contract	1 year
Operating Lease, Renewal Term	1 year
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Remaining Term of Contract	90 years
Operating Lease, Renewal Term	5 years

LEASES - Components of lease ex

LEASES - Components of lease expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
LEASES
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$ 3,497	$ 7,030
Interest on lease liabilities	532	1,060
Operating lease cost	2,195	4,425
Variable lease cost	595	1,376
Total lease cost	$ 6,819	$ 13,891

LEASES - Supplemental cash info

LEASES - Supplemental cash information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
LEASES
Operating cash flows for operating leases	$ 4,376
Operating cash flows for finance leases	1,060
Financing cash flows for finance leases	6,811	$ 6,027
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	$ 3,157

LEASES - Maturities of lease li

LEASES - Maturities of lease liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)
Operating Leases
2019	$ 4,062
2020	7,519
2021	4,987
2022	4,284
2023	2,643
Thereafter	6,585
Total lease payments	30,080
Less: Interest	(2,477)
Operating lease liabilities	27,603
Finance Leases
2019	6,626
2020	9,626
2021	4,878
2022	2,917
2023	1,489
Thereafter	6,405
Total lease payments	31,941
Less: Interest	(5,233)
Finance lease liabilities	$ 26,708

LEASES - Lessor (Details)

LEASES - Lessor (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)
Sales-type Lease, Lease Income [Abstract]
Lessor, revenue recognized	$ 0.6
Lessor gain	$ 0.4

EQUITY (Details)

EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Feb. 18, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Stock-based compensation plans
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38738		$ 0.38	$ 0.39	$ 0.77	$ 0.38738
Additional shares of common stock authorized		2,000,000
Shares of common stock authorized for issuance				4,650,000
Unrecognized share-based compensation
Unrecognized compensation cost				$ 14.6
Weighted-average period of recognition				1 year 8 months 12 days
Maximum
Stock-based compensation plans
Shares that may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights to any eligible employee or director in any calendar year				300,000
Restricted stock
Shares
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period				338,771
Shares granted				551,214
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired				(25,363)
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period				864,622		338,771
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)				$ 14.31
Shares granted (in dollars per share)				9.87
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired (in dollars per share)				10.76
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)				$ 11.58		$ 14.31
Performance shares
Shares
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period				35,626
Shares granted				371,672
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired				(8,755)
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period				398,543		35,626
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)				$ 21.97
Shares granted (in dollars per share)				9.86
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired (in dollars per share)				12.95
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)				$ 13.29		$ 21.97

EQUITY - Compensation costs (De

EQUITY - Compensation costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Stock-based compensation plans
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,814	$ 1,538	$ 3,312	$ 2,216
Restricted stock
Stock-based compensation plans
Stock-based compensation expense	1,057	979	1,983	1,414
Performance shares
Stock-based compensation plans
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 757	$ 559	$ 1,329	$ 802

EQUITY - Changes in AOCI (Detai

EQUITY - Changes in AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component
Balance at the beginning of the period		$ (53,212)			$ (53,212)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications					(18,835)
Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2017-12					(576)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss					1,405
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (11,560)	(6,446)	$ 5,904	$ 5,924	(18,006)
Balance at the end of the period	(71,218)				(71,218)
Pension and Post-Retirement Obligations
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component
Balance at the beginning of the period		(55,514)			(55,514)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss					2,052
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)					2,052
Balance at the end of the period	(53,462)				(53,462)
Derivative Instruments
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component
Balance at the beginning of the period		$ 2,302			2,302
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications					(18,835)
Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2017-12					(576)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss					(647)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)					(20,058)
Balance at the end of the period	$ (17,756)				$ (17,756)

EQUITY - Reclassification from

EQUITY - Reclassification from AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
EQUITY
Loss before income taxes	$ (11,090)		$ (14,569)		$ (21,421)	$ (30,015)
Interest expense	(34,737)		(32,839)		(69,020)	(65,555)
Tax benefit	3,778		4,009		6,923	8,257
Net loss	(7,312)	$ (7,186)	(10,560)	$ (11,198)	(14,498)	(21,758)
Pension and Post-Retirement Obligations
EQUITY
Prior service (cost) credit	(799)		199		(1,597)	398
Actuarial loss	(596)		(1,452)		(1,191)	(2,903)
Settlement loss			(46)			(46)
Loss before income taxes	(1,395)		(1,299)		(2,788)	(2,551)
Tax benefit	369		345		736	675
Net loss	(1,026)		(954)		(2,052)	(1,876)
Derivative Instruments
EQUITY
Interest expense	596		(1,446)		876	(1,802)
Tax benefit	(156)		380		(229)	471
Net loss	$ 440		$ (1,066)		$ 647	$ (1,331)

PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RE

PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Components of net periodic pension cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plans
Components of net periodic pension costs
Service cost	$ 12	$ 1,535	$ 23	$ 3,070
Interest cost	7,661	7,147	15,322	14,286
Expected return on plan assets	(8,672)	(9,637)	(17,343)	(19,304)
Net amortization loss (gain)	703	1,473	1,406	2,945
Net prior service cost (credit) amortization	31	(61)	61	(122)
Settlement loss		46		46
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	(265)	503	(531)	921
Post-retirement Benefit Obligations
Components of net periodic pension costs
Service cost	116	127	233	254
Interest cost	1,145	1,028	2,289	2,057
Expected return on plan assets	(44)	(35)	(87)	(71)
Net amortization loss (gain)	(107)	(21)	(215)	(42)
Net prior service cost (credit) amortization	768	(138)	1,536	(276)
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$ 1,878	$ 961	$ 3,756	$ 1,922

PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-_2

PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Other Non-qualified Deferred Comp Agreements (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)item	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Other Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Agreements
Minimum number of years benefits are payable			5 years
Minimum age at which payments under deferred compensation agreements may begin			55 years
Payment related to deferred compensation agreements	$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 300,000	$ 200,000
Net present value of the remaining obligations	1,400,000		$ 1,400,000		$ 1,600,000
Number of life insurance policies | item			25
Excess of cash surrender value of remaining life insurance policies over notes payable	2,600,000		$ 2,600,000		$ 2,400,000
Proceeds from life insurance policies	0	$ 0	0	$ 0
New benefits accrued	$ 0		$ 0

PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-_3

PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Contributions (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)itememployee
Defined benefit plans
Number of non-contributory qualified defined benefit pension plans | item	3
New benefits accrued	$ 0
Defined Benefit Plans
Defined benefit plans
New benefits accrued	0
Expected contribution to pension plan	27,500,000
Employer contributions	$ 12,100,000
Post-retirement Benefit Obligations
Defined benefit plans
Number of persons eligible to become a new participant | employee	0
Assets in unfunded plans	$ 0
Expected contribution to pension plan	9,500,000
Employer contributions	$ 3,700,000
Supplemental Plans
Defined benefit plans
Number of non-qualified plans | item	2
Number of persons eligible to become a new participant | item	0
Assets in unfunded plans	$ 0

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
INCOME TAXES
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 4.9		$ 4.9		$ 4.9
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	$ 4.7		$ 4.7		$ 4.7
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	34.10%	27.50%	32.30%	27.50%

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Litigation (Details) $ in Thousands

Aug. 15, 2018USD ($)

Jul. 17, 2018USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)itemsubsidiary

Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)

May 31, 2017USD ($)

Litigation and Contingencies

Revenue recorded

$ 333,532

$ 350,221

$ 672,181

$ 706,260

Revenue, Product and Service [Extensible List]

Subsidies

Number of subsidiaries that received assessment notice | subsidiary

2

Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (CCES)

Litigation and Contingencies

Litigation amount accrued

3,800

$ 3,800

$ 3,800

Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (CCPA)

Litigation and Contingencies

Litigation amount accrued

1,800

$ 1,800

1,800

Sprint, MCI Communication Services, and Verizon

Litigation and Contingencies

Disputed amount

$ 4,800

Number of courts | item

1

Level 3 Communications

Litigation and Contingencies

Disputed amount

$ 2,300

Amount awarded

$ 700

Local Switching Support

Litigation and Contingencies

Combined LSS support and settlement of revenues

$ 12,300

Increase in ICC Eligible Recovery support

$ 3,600

Revenue recorded

$ 5,400

Contingent asset

8,700

8,700

FairPoint Communications, Inc | Level 3 Communications

Litigation and Contingencies

Amount awarded

$ 1,200

Subsidies

Litigation and Contingencies

Revenue recorded

$ 18,134

$ 20,979

$ 36,293

$ 46,234

Forecast | Local Switching Support

Litigation and Contingencies

Decline in ICC support (as a percent)

5.00%

Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | Maximum

Litigation and Contingencies

Potential liability amount guaranteed

$ 5,000

Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (CCES)

Litigation and Contingencies

Total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors

$ 6,100

Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (CCPA)

Litigation and Contingencies

Total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors

$ 7,400

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINAN_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 10,450		$ 9,599
Accounts receivable, net	133,535		133,136
Income taxes receivable	11,380		11,072
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	45,231		44,336
Total current assets	200,596		198,143
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,872,312		1,927,126
Intangibles and other assets:
Investments	112,154		110,853
Goodwill	1,035,274		1,035,274
Customer relationships, net	196,754		228,959
Other intangible assets	10,927		11,483
Other assets	57,693		23,423
Total assets	3,485,710		3,535,261
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	44,746		32,502
Advance billings and customer deposits	46,892		47,724
Dividends payable			27,579
Accrued compensation	55,926		64,459
Accrued interest	9,955		9,232
Accrued expense	77,589		71,650
Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations	29,003		30,468
Total current liabilities	264,111		283,614
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	2,309,117		2,303,585
Deferred income taxes	174,631		188,129
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	298,571		314,134
Other long-term liabilities	80,107		30,145
Total liabilities	3,126,537		3,119,607
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock	721		712
Other shareholders' equity	352,380		409,024
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	353,101		409,736
Noncontrolling interest	6,072		5,918
Total shareholders' equity	359,173	$ 376,164	415,654	$ 514,316	$ 544,103	$ 573,942
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	3,485,710		3,535,261
Eliminations
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			(18)
Accounts receivable, net	(82)		(37)
Income taxes receivable	(5,355)
Total current assets	(5,437)		(55)
Intangibles and other assets:
Investments in subsidiaries	(7,075,833)		(7,109,038)
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	(3,293,339)		(3,237,287)
Deferred income taxes	(87,350)		(76,758)
Other assets			3,011
Total assets	(10,461,959)		(10,420,127)
Current liabilities:
Accrued expense	(82)		(55)
Income tax payable	(5,355)
Total current liabilities	(5,437)		(55)
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	(3,293,339)		(3,237,287)
Deferred income taxes	(87,350)		(73,747)
Total liabilities	(3,386,126)		(3,311,089)
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock	(47,411)		(47,411)
Other shareholders' equity	(7,028,422)		(7,061,627)
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	(7,075,833)		(7,109,038)
Total shareholders' equity	(7,075,833)		(7,109,038)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	(10,461,959)		(10,420,127)
Parent | Reportable legal entity
Current assets:
Income taxes receivable	4,682		10,272
Total current assets	4,682		10,272
Intangibles and other assets:
Investments in subsidiaries	3,558,093		3,587,612
Deferred income taxes	80,900		76,758
Other assets	3,011
Total assets	3,646,686		3,674,642
Current liabilities:
Dividends payable			27,579
Accrued expense	246		40
Total current liabilities	246		27,619
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	3,293,339		3,237,287
Total liabilities	3,293,585		3,264,906
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock	721		712
Other shareholders' equity	352,380		409,024
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	353,101		409,736
Total shareholders' equity	353,101		409,736
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	3,646,686		3,674,642
Subsidiary Issuer | Reportable legal entity
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	9,089		9,616
Income taxes receivable	12,053
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	365		2,465
Total current assets	21,507		12,081
Intangibles and other assets:
Investments	8,863		8,673
Investments in subsidiaries	3,501,373		3,505,477
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	2,370,341		2,379,079
Deferred income taxes	6,450
Other assets			1,524
Total assets	5,908,534		5,906,834
Current liabilities:
Accrued interest	8,884		8,430
Accrued expense	108		37
Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations	18,350		18,350
Total current liabilities	27,342		26,817
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	2,293,062		2,285,341
Deferred income taxes			122
Other long-term liabilities	30,038		6,942
Total liabilities	2,350,442		2,319,222
Shareholders' equity:
Other shareholders' equity	3,558,092		3,587,612
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	3,558,092		3,587,612
Total shareholders' equity	3,558,092		3,587,612
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 5,908,534		5,906,834
Guarantors
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
Ownership interest (as a percent)	100.00%
Guarantors | Reportable legal entity
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,360
Accounts receivable, net	121,936		122,743
Income taxes receivable			790
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	44,521		41,547
Total current assets	167,817		165,080
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,806,105		1,861,009
Intangibles and other assets:
Investments	103,291		102,180
Investments in subsidiaries	16,367		15,949
Goodwill	969,093		969,093
Customer relationships, net	196,754		228,959
Other intangible assets	1,840		2,396
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	822,190		760,310
Other assets	54,069		18,237
Total assets	4,137,526		4,123,213
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	44,746		32,502
Advance billings and customer deposits	45,550		46,316
Accrued compensation	55,212		63,688
Accrued interest	1,071		802
Accrued expense	76,152		70,365
Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations	10,491		11,968
Income tax payable	3,045
Total current liabilities	236,267		225,641
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	15,883		17,988
Deferred income taxes	240,059		239,880
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	283,324		295,815
Other long-term liabilities	49,183		22,305
Total liabilities	824,716		801,629
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock	17,411		17,411
Other shareholders' equity	3,289,327		3,298,255
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	3,306,738		3,315,666
Noncontrolling interest	6,072		5,918
Total shareholders' equity	3,312,810		3,321,584
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	4,137,526		4,123,213
Non-Guarantors | Reportable legal entity
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1		1
Accounts receivable, net	11,681		10,430
Income taxes receivable			10
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	345		324
Total current assets	12,027		10,765
Property, plant and equipment, net	66,207		66,117
Intangibles and other assets:
Goodwill	66,181		66,181
Other intangible assets	9,087		9,087
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	100,808		97,898
Other assets	613		651
Total assets	254,923		250,699
Current liabilities:
Advance billings and customer deposits	1,342		1,408
Accrued compensation	714		771
Accrued expense	1,165		1,263
Current portion of long term debt and finance lease obligations	162		150
Income tax payable	2,310
Total current liabilities	5,693		3,592
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations	172		256
Deferred income taxes	21,922		21,874
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	15,247		18,319
Other long-term liabilities	886		898
Total liabilities	43,920		44,939
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock	30,000		30,000
Other shareholders' equity	181,003		175,760
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	211,003		205,760
Total shareholders' equity	211,003		205,760
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 254,923		$ 250,699

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINAN_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Net revenues	$ 333,532		$ 350,221		$ 672,181	$ 706,260
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	143,780		151,358		292,099	304,274
Selling, general and administrative expenses	78,148		81,695		152,515	167,680
Depreciation and amortization	97,304		111,741		196,547	219,640
Income from operations	14,300		5,427		31,020	14,666
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	(34,737)		(32,839)		(69,020)	(65,555)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	249				249
Investment income	10,750		12,535		19,351	20,324
Other, net	(1,652)		308		(3,021)	550
Loss before income taxes	(11,090)		(14,569)		(21,421)	(30,015)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(3,778)		(4,009)		(6,923)	(8,257)
Net loss	(7,312)	$ (7,186)	(10,560)	$ (11,198)	(14,498)	(21,758)
Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	75		83		154	183
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	(7,387)		(10,643)		(14,652)	(21,941)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders	(18,947)		(4,739)		(32,658)	(10,113)
Eliminations
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Net revenues	(3,160)		(3,146)		(6,258)	(6,295)
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	(3,044)		(3,033)		(6,032)	(6,080)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(116)		(113)		(226)	(215)
Other income (expense):
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	(1,392)		745		(2,771)	7,658
Loss before income taxes	(1,392)		745		(2,771)	7,658
Net loss	(1,392)		745		(2,771)	7,658
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	(1,392)		745		(2,771)	7,658
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders	9,142		(6,113)		13,183	(6,046)
Parent | Reportable legal entity
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,012		1,556		3,667	2,868
Income from operations	(2,012)		(1,556)		(3,667)	(2,868)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	(27)		(27)		(55)	(53)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	(6,015)		(9,440)		(12,091)	(19,751)
Other, net	4				1
Loss before income taxes	(8,050)		(11,023)		(15,812)	(22,672)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(663)		(380)		(1,160)	(731)
Net loss	(7,387)		(10,643)		(14,652)	(21,941)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	(7,387)		(10,643)		(14,652)	(21,941)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders	(18,947)		(4,739)		(32,658)	(10,113)
Subsidiary Issuer | Reportable legal entity
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses					(193)
Income from operations					193
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	(34,628)		(33,376)		(68,716)	(66,308)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	14,727		14,727		29,454	29,454
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	249				249
Investment income					190	178
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	7,202		4,348		14,444	7,323
Other, net	(14)				42
Loss before income taxes	(12,464)		(14,301)		(24,144)	(29,353)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(6,449)		(4,861)		(12,053)	(9,602)
Net loss	(6,015)		(9,440)		(12,091)	(19,751)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	(6,015)		(9,440)		(12,091)	(19,751)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders	(17,575)		(3,536)		(30,097)	(7,923)
Guarantors | Reportable legal entity
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Net revenues	324,710		338,867		653,988	683,178
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	143,283		150,337		291,084	302,099
Selling, general and administrative expenses	73,707		77,038		144,307	158,575
Depreciation and amortization	94,811		109,333		191,592	214,621
Income from operations	12,909		2,159		27,005	7,883
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	(90)		521		(257)	713
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(14,707)		(14,706)		(29,415)	(29,418)
Investment income	10,750		12,535		19,161	20,146
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	205		4,347		418	4,770
Other, net	(1,625)		287		(3,033)	510
Loss before income taxes	7,442		5,143		13,879	4,604
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,215		(37)		3,971	(477)
Net loss	5,227		5,180		9,908	5,081
Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	75		83		154	183
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	5,152		5,097		9,754	4,898
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders	6,110		5,881		11,670	6,434
Non-Guarantors | Reportable legal entity
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Net revenues	11,982		14,500		24,451	29,377
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	3,541		4,054		7,047	8,255
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,545		3,214		4,960	6,452
Depreciation and amortization	2,493		2,408		4,955	5,019
Income from operations	3,403		4,824		7,489	9,651
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	8		43		8	93
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(20)		(21)		(39)	(36)
Other, net	(17)		21		(31)	40
Loss before income taxes	3,374		4,867		7,427	9,748
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,119		1,269		2,319	2,553
Net loss	2,255		3,598		5,108	7,195
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	2,255		3,598		5,108	7,195
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders	$ 2,323		$ 3,768		$ 5,244	$ 7,535

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINAN_5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 163,262	$ 194,371
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(119,768)	(124,840)
Proceeds from sale of assets	14,203	1,443
Distributions from investments	329	233
Other	(450)
Net cash used in investing activities	(105,686)	(123,164)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	107,000	76,000
Payment of finance lease obligations	(6,811)	(6,027)
Payment on long-term debt	(97,175)	(91,176)
Repurchase of senior notes	(4,294)
Dividends on common stock	(55,445)	(55,019)
Net cash used in financing activities	(56,725)	(76,222)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	851	(5,015)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,599	15,657
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	10,450	10,642
Parent
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(607)	8,765
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends on common stock	(55,445)	(55,019)
Transactions with affiliates, net	56,052	46,254
Net cash used in financing activities	607	(8,765)
Subsidiary Issuer
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(35,907)	(32,503)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	107,000	76,000
Payment on long-term debt	(97,175)	(91,176)
Repurchase of senior notes	(4,294)
Transactions with affiliates, net	29,849	48,986
Net cash used in financing activities	35,380	33,810
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(527)	1,307
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,616	8,919
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	9,089	10,226
Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	192,092	207,850
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(115,063)	(118,623)
Proceeds from sale of assets	14,201	1,439
Distributions from investments	329	233
Other	(450)
Net cash used in investing activities	(100,983)	(116,951)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of finance lease obligations	(6,739)	(5,924)
Transactions with affiliates, net	(82,992)	(91,298)
Net cash used in financing activities	(89,731)	(97,222)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	1,378	(6,323)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	(18)	6,738
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,360	415
Non-Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	7,684	10,259
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(4,705)	(6,217)
Proceeds from sale of assets	2	4
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,703)	(6,213)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of finance lease obligations	(72)	(103)
Transactions with affiliates, net	(2,909)	(3,942)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,981)	(4,045)
Change in cash and cash equivalents		1
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1	$ 1