Cars.com (CARS) 10-K 6 Mar 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	CARS
Entity Registrant Name	Cars.com Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,683,606
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1,906,400,272
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		71,863,324

Consolidated and Combined Balan

Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,563	$ 8,896
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,616 and $3,527, respectively	100,857	98,303
Prepaid expenses	11,408	11,400
Other current assets	9,811	942
Total current assets	142,639	119,541
Property and equipment
Computer software and hardware	40,145	33,653
Leasehold improvements	17,322	2,260
Furniture and fixtures	3,879	1,277
Total property and equipment	61,346	37,190
Less accumulated depreciation	(21,606)	(16,729)
Net property and equipment	39,740	20,461
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill	788,107	788,107
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $243,520 and $165,651, respectively	1,529,500	1,607,369
Investments and other assets	11,053	11,788
Total assets	2,511,039	2,547,266
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	6,581	7,844
Accrued compensation	13,153	12,015
Accrued share appreciation rights plan	1,032	9,116
Current portion of long-term debt	21,158
Other liabilities	47,505	42,122
Deferred revenue	720	887
Total current liabilities	90,149	71,984
Noncurrent liabilities
Deferred incentive plans	1,973	3,913
Unfavorable contracts liability	18,885	44,085
Long-term debt	557,194
Deferred tax liability	146,482	8,325
Other noncurrent liabilities	17,228	1,674
Total noncurrent liabilities	741,762	57,997
Total liabilities	831,911	129,981
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
TEGNA's investment, net		2,417,285
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 71,627,611 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016	716
Preferred stock at par, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016
Additional paid-in capital	1,501,830
Retained earnings	176,582
Total stockholders' equity	1,679,128	2,417,285
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 2,511,039	$ 2,547,266

Consolidated and Combined Bala3

Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	$ 2,616	$ 3,527
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$ 243,520	$ 165,651
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	0
Common stock, shares issued	71,627,611	0
Common stock, shares outstanding	71,627,611	0
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	0
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Consolidated and Combined State

Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Retail		$ 463,280	$ 462,776	$ 424,632
Wholesale	[1]	162,982	170,330	171,878
Total revenues		626,262	633,106	596,510
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue and operations		65,541	56,794	46,462
Product and technology		74,162	73,070	70,228
Marketing and sales		209,813	211,032	211,779
General and administrative		44,903	23,925	22,764
Affiliate revenue share		8,948	8,529	6,726
Depreciation and amortization		88,639	83,106	80,818
Total operating expenses		492,006	456,456	438,777
Operating income		134,256	176,650	157,733
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest income (expense), net		(12,371)	94	4
Other income, net		277	214	101
Total nonoperating income (expense), net		(12,094)	308	105
Income before income taxes		122,162	176,958	157,838
Income tax expense (benefit)		(102,281)	588
Net income		$ 224,443	$ 176,370	$ 157,838
Earnings per share, basic		$ 3.13	$ 2.46	$ 2.20
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic		71,661	71,588	71,588
Earnings per share, diluted		$ 3.13	$ 2.46	$ 2.20
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted		71,727	71,588	71,588
[1]	Wholesale revenue includes revenues generated from TEGNA, Inc., through the Separation date of May 31, 2017, of $3.4 million, $8.5 million and $7.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The commercial agreement with TEGNA is still effective after the Separation.

Consolidated and Combined Stat5

Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Wholesale revenue from related party	$ 3.4	$ 8.5	$ 7.7

Consolidated and Combined Stat6

Consolidated and Combined Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid in Capital	Retained Earnings	TEGNA's Investment, net
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 2,335,677	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,335,677
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014		0	0
Net income	157,838	$ 0	$ 0	0	0	157,838
Transactions with TEGNA, net	(188,996)	0	0	0	0	(188,996)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	2,304,519	$ 0	$ 0	0	0	2,304,519
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015		0	0
Net income	176,370	$ 0	$ 0	0	0	176,370
Transactions with TEGNA, net	(63,604)	0	0	0	0	(63,604)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 2,417,285	$ 0	$ 0	0	0	2,417,285
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016	0	0	0
Net income	$ 224,443	$ 0	$ 0	0	176,582	47,861
Transactions with TEGNA, net	(69,030)	0	0	0	0	(69,030)
Cash distribution to TEGNA related to Separation	(650,000)	0	0	0	0	(650,000)
Deferred taxes related to Separation	(246,197)	0	0	0	0	(246,197)
Distribution by TEGNA	0	$ 0	$ 716	1,499,203	0	(1,499,919)
Distribution by TEGNA, Shares		0	71,588
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation	0	$ 0	$ 0	0	0	0
Issuance of common stock for stock-based compensation			40
Stock-based compensation expense	2,627	0	$ 0	2,627	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,679,128	$ 0	$ 716	$ 1,501,830	$ 176,582	$ 0
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017	71,627,611	0	71,628

Consolidated and Combined Stat7

Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 224,443	$ 176,370	$ 157,838
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flows:
Depreciation	10,770	8,276	8,160
Amortization	77,869	74,830	72,658
Amortization of unfavorable contracts liability	(25,200)	(25,200)	(25,200)
Write-off and loss on assets	1,894	128	61
Gain on trading securities related to deferred compensation	(276)	(214)	(117)
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,452	3,030	2,515
Deferred income taxes	(108,845)	(413)
Stock-based compensation expense	2,627
Amortization of debt issuance costs	810
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition
Increase in accounts receivable	(5,006)	(13,579)	(5,535)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets	(9,054)	(146)	(57)
Decrease in accounts payable	(432)	(1,548)	(3,395)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	6,645	(10,032)	(354)
Decrease in deferred compensation	(8,641)	(13,810)	(17,046)
Other, net	361	2,108	762
Cash received from lessor for lease incentives	15,788
Purchase of trading securities related to deferred compensation plan	(276)	(647)	(235)
Net cash provided by operating activities	185,929	199,153	190,055
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(32,774)	(9,701)	(9,108)
Purchase of investments		(2,216)
Payment for acquisition, net of cash acquired		(114,900)
Proceeds from sale of Apartments.com			7,900
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		64	62
Net cash used in investing activities	(32,774)	(126,753)	(1,146)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	675,000
Payments of debt issuance costs and other fees	(6,208)
Payments of long-term debt	(91,250)
Cash distribution to TEGNA related to Separation	(650,000)
Transactions with TEGNA, net	(69,030)	(63,604)	(188,996)
Net cash used in financing activities	(141,488)	(63,604)	(188,996)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	11,667	8,796	(87)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8,896	100	187
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	20,563	8,896	100
Supplemental non-cash information:
Purchases of property and equipment in other liabilities and accounts payable	49	$ 880	961
Proceeds from sale of Apartments.com paid by escrow agent directly to former owners			$ 21,400
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	11,531
Cash paid for interest	$ 11,761

Disclosure - Description of bus

Disclosure - Description of business and basis of presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of business and basis of presentation	Note 1. Description of business and basis of presentation Description of Business Description of business . Cars.com is a leading two-sided digital automotive marketplace that creates meaningful connections between customers (car dealerships and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and consumers (individuals researching cars or looking to purchase a car). By connecting advertising partners with in-market car shoppers and providing data-driven intelligence to increase inventory turn and gain market share, the Company empowers consumers with resources and information to assist them in making better informed buying decisions around The 4Ps of Automotive Marketing TM Basis of Presentation . The consolidated and combined financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The consolidated and combined financial statements include the accounts of Cars.com and its 100% owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Cost of revenue and operations have been reclassified from the product support, technology and operations line item into a separate line item. Depreciation expense amounts have also been reclassified from the general and administrative line item into the amortization of intangible assets line item which has been renamed depreciation and amortization. There are no changes to total operating expenses, operating income, or net income. Since TEGNA Inc.’s (“TEGNA”), Cars.com’s former parent company, acquisition of Cars.com, LLC in 2014, Cars.com, LLC has primarily operated as a standalone entity within TEGNA’s broader corporate organization. On August 1, 2016, TEGNA purchased 100% of DMR Holdings, Inc. (“DealerRater”), a leading automotive dealer review website. On September 7, 2016, TEGNA announced a plan to separate its digital automotive marketplace business, including Cars.com, LLC, the principal entity through which TEGNA’s digital automotive marketplace business has historically been operated, and DealerRater, a leading automotive dealer review website, from its other digital businesses (the “Separation”). The Separation occurred on May 31, 2017 by means of a spin-off of a newly formed company named Cars.com Inc. (“Cars.com,” the “Company,”), which now owns the digital automotive marketplace business. The Company filed a Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to the Separation with the SEC on May 5, 2017, that was declared effective by the SEC on May 15, 2017 (the “Registration Statement on Form 10”). On May 31, 2017, the Company made a $650 million cash transfer to TEGNA, and TEGNA completed the Separation through a pro rata distribution to its stockholders of all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company’s common stock began trading “regular way” on the New York Stock Exchange on June 1, 2017. Each holder of TEGNA common stock received one share of the Company’s common stock for every three shares of TEGNA common stock held on May 18, 2017, the record date for the distribution. TEGNA structured the distribution to be tax-free to its U.S. stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. DealerRater was included in the distribution to Cars.com as part of the Separation and is presented on a consolidated basis going forward. The accompanying consolidated and combined financial statements reflect the activity for the acquired business from the date of acquisition through the Separation date and the application of push down accounting. Prior to the Separation, the Company’s financial statements were derived from the historical accounting records of TEGNA and reflects the Company’s financial results as if the Company was a separate entity. The historical financial statements include allocations of certain TEGNA corporate expenses. Such costs primarily include insurance and other general corporate overhead expenses and were allocated based on either the actual costs incurred, or Cars.com, LLC’s headcount relative to TEGNA’s consolidated headcount. The historical allocated corporate costs, through the Separation, were $2.5 million, $2.2 million and $1.4 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These allocated expenses relate to the various services that have historically been provided to Cars.com, LLC by TEGNA. However, such expenses may not be indicative of the actual level of expense that would have been incurred by Cars.com, LLC if it had operated as an independent, publicly-traded company prior to the Separation or the costs expected to be incurred in the future. All significant intercompany transactions between either (i) the Company and TEGNA or (ii) the Company and TEGNA affiliates have been included within the financial statements and are considered to be effectively settled through equity contributions or distributions at the time the transactions were recorded. The accumulated net effect of intercompany transactions between either (i) the Company and TEGNA or (ii) the Company and TEGNA affiliates are included in “TEGNA’s investment, net.” The total net effect of these intercompany transactions is reflected in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows as financing activities.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Revenue Recognition . Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, performance under the contract has begun, the contract price is fixed or determinable and collectability of the related fee is reasonably assured. Revenue is generated through the Company’s direct sales force (retail revenue) or affiliate sales channels (wholesale revenue). The Company’s primary source of retail and wholesale revenue is through the sale of online subscription advertising products to car dealerships. The Company’s base subscription package provides the car dealership’s available inventory on the Cars.com website. The base subscription contract is generally a fixed price arrangement with a one-year term and is automatically renewed unless cancelled by the dealership. The Company also offers customers several add-on products to the base subscription package. These add-on products are not sold separately from the base subscription package and, therefore, are not separate units of accounting as they do not have value on a standalone basis. Accordingly, the base subscription package and any purchased add-on products are combined as a single unit of accounting and revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term as the service is provided to the Company’s customers. Wholesale revenue is earned through affiliation agreements with affiliate owners that sell the Company’s subscription advertising products to car dealerships. Affiliate owners are assigned certain sales territories to sell the Company’s products, and the Company charges its affiliate owners a wholesale fee. In situations where the Company’s direct sales force sells the Company’s products to car dealerships in an affiliate’s territory, the Company pays its affiliate owners a revenue share which is classified as “affiliate revenue share” on the Company’s Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. In addition, the Company also earns retail revenue though the sale of display advertising on the Company’s websites to national advertisers, pursuant to fixed fee or transaction-based contracts, which are billed for impressions delivered or click-throughs on their advertisements. An impression is the display of an advertisement to an end-user on the website and is a measure of volume. A click-through occurs when an end-user clicks on an impression. Revenue is recognized straight-line over the contract term (generally three to six months) for fixed fee contracts where a minimum number of impressions or click-throughs is not guaranteed. Revenue is recognized as the impressions or click-throughs are delivered for transaction-based contracts. If the impressions or click-throughs delivered are less than the amount billed, the difference is recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as earned. The Company also sells leads, which are connections from consumers to dealers in the form of phone calls, emails and text messages, and mobile walk-ins, to dealerships, OEMs and third-party resellers. Revenue for leads is recognized straight-line over the contract term or on a per-lead basis depending on the contract. Use of Estimates . The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. The most significant areas of the consolidated and combined financial statements that require management judgment include goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, amortizable intangible assets and other long-lived assets, the allowance for doubtful accounts and commitments and contingencies. The accounting policies for these areas are discussed elsewhere in these consolidated and combined financial statements. Cash and Cash Equivalents. All cash balances and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less on their acquisition date are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts . Accounts receivable are primarily derived from the sales to local automotive dealers and OEMs and recorded at invoiced amounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s estimate of credit exposure, determined principally on the basis of its collection experience, aging of its receivables and any specific reserves needed for certain customers based on their credit risk. Bad debt expense, which is included in marketing and sales in its Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income, in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $2.5 million, $4.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Concentrations of Credit Risk. The Company’s financial instruments, consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents and customer receivables, are exposed to concentrations of credit risk. The Company invests its cash and cash equivalents with highly-rated financial institutions. Marketable Securities Held in Trust . The Company’s marketable securities held in trust relate to the long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) (see Note 7 of this report for more information) and are classified as trading securities, with unrealized gains and losses included in other income, net on the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, such marketable securities totaled approximately $2.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Marketable securities that are expected to be sold within the next twelve months are recorded in other current assets, with the remainder recorded in investments and other assets on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets. Gains on trading securities in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Investments . Investments in non-marketable equity securities are recorded using the cost method or the equity method of accounting, depending on the facts and circumstances of each investment. Non-marketable investments in preferred shares that do not meet criteria of in-substance common stock are accounted for at cost. The non-marketable investments recorded within investments and other assets on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $9.4 million and $9.3 million, respectively. See Note 4 of this report for additional information. On at least an annual basis, the Company assesses its investments to determine whether any events have occurred, or circumstances have changed, which might have a significant adverse effect on their fair value and which may be indicative of impairment. There were no impairments recorded for the periods presented in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. Property and Equipment . Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: Computer software 18 months - 7 years Computer hardware 3-5 years Furniture and fixtures 5-10 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of useful life or lease term Depreciation expense for the years ended 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $10.8 million, $8.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively. Normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. The costs and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or disposed of are removed from the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets and any resulting gain or loss is included in general and administrative on the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets . Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, net of liabilities assumed. At both December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had $788 million of goodwill which resulted from TEGNA’s acquisition of Cars.com in 2014 and the acquisition of DealerRater.com in 2016. For purposes of evaluating goodwill, the Company is required to determine how many reporting units exist. The Company has identified that it operates as one reporting unit. A reporting unit constitutes a business or group of businesses for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management. The Company’s goodwill is assigned to its one reporting unit. In 2017, Cars.com performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of November 1 and whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Events or circumstances which could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, a loss of key management or other personnel, significant changes in the manner of its use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the acquired business or its overall business, significant negative industry or economic trends or significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future results of operations. Previously, Cars.com performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1. The process of estimating the fair value of goodwill is subjective and requires the Company to make estimates that may significantly impact the outcome of the analyses. Before performing the annual two-step goodwill impairment test, the Company first has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the two-step quantitative test must be completed. The qualitative assessment considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors and overall financial performance, as well as company specifications. If after performing this assessment, the Company concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company is required to perform the two-step quantitative test. Otherwise, the two-step quantitative test is not required. The Company elected to not perform the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill; instead, the Company performed the quantitative impairment test. When performing the first step of the quantitative test, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit and compares it to the carrying amount, including goodwill. Historically, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company performs the second step of the impairment test, as this is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired. In the second step of the impairment test, the Company determines the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment of goodwill has occurred and the Company must recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the implied fair value of goodwill. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment The Company estimates reporting unit fair value using an income approach using the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis and also considered the market-based valuation methodology using comparable public company trading values. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgments, including the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, long-term growth rates, discount rates and relevant comparable public company earnings multiples. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis are based on the Company’s best estimate of future sales, earnings and cash flows after considering factors such as general market conditions and recent operating performance. The discount rates utilized in the DCF analysis are based on the reporting unit’s weighted average cost of capital, which takes into account the relative weights of each component of capital structure (equity and debt) and represents the expected cost of new capital, adjusted as appropriate to consider the risk inherent in future cash flows of the Company’s reporting unit. The results of the tests indicated that the estimated fair values of its reporting unit exceeded the carrying value and thus no impairment existed for all periods presented. In connection with the acquisition by the Company’s former parent, the Company has an intangible asset with an indefinite life associated with its Cars.com trade name. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested annually, or more often if circumstances dictate, for impairment and written down to fair value as required. The estimates of fair value are determined using the “relief from royalty” methodology, which is a variation of the income approach. The discount rate assumption is based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the projected future cash flows generated by the trade name intangible asset. The results of its 2017 annual impairment test of the indefinite lived intangible asset indicated the fair value exceeded its carrying value, and therefore, no impairment charge was recorded. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: Customer relationships 5-14 years Acquired software 2-7 years Trade name—DealerRater 12 years Non-compete agreements 5 years Content library 2 years Valuation of Long-Lived Assets . The Company reviews the carrying amount of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Once an indicator of potential impairment has occurred, the impairment test is based on whether the intent is to hold the asset for continued use or to hold the asset for sale. If the intent is to hold the asset for continued use, the impairment test first requires a comparison of projected undiscounted future cash flows against the carrying amount of the asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the asset group would be deemed to be potentially impaired. The impairment, if any, would be measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily using the projected future cash flows, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost to dispose. No impairment losses were recognized for the periods presented in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. Internally Developed Technology . The Company capitalizes costs associated with customized internal-use software systems that have reached the application development stage. Such capitalized costs include external direct costs utilized in developing or obtaining the applications and payroll and payroll-related expenses for employees who are directly associated with the applications. Capitalization of such costs begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and ceases at the point in which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. The Company reviews the carrying amount of internally developed technology for impairment and useful lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Capitalized software costs in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $6.9 million, $5.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Capitalized costs are included in property and equipment on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets. Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Advertising Costs . The Company expenses all advertising costs as they are incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $104.6 million, $97.1 million and $96.0 million, respectively. Advertising costs are included in marketing and sales in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. Cost of Revenue and Operations. Cost of revenue and operations consist of expenses related to the pay-per-lead products, third-party costs such as processing of dealer vehicle inventory and product fulfillment and customer service. Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Forfeitures are recorded at the time the forfeiture event occurs. See Note 12 of this report for additional information on the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. Income Taxes . Income taxes are presented on the consolidated and combined financial statements using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences that exist between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as from operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred income taxes reflect expected future tax benefits (i.e. assets) and future tax costs (i.e. liabilities). The tax effect of net operating loss, capital loss and general business credit carryovers result in deferred tax assets. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recoverable or settled. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established if, based upon the weight of available evidence, management determines it is “more likely than not” that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company has not recorded reserves for income taxes and associated interest that may become payable in future years. The Company’s uncertain tax position reserves are reviewed periodically and are adjusted as events occur that affect its estimates, such as the availability of new information, the lapsing of applicable statutes of limitation, the conclusion of tax audits, the measurement of additional estimated liability, the identification of new tax matters, the release of administrative tax guidance affecting its estimates of tax liabilities, or the rendering of relevant court decisions. The Company records penalties and interest relating to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. The Company has not recorded any material expense or liabilities related to interest or penalties in its consolidated and combined financial statements. Fair Value of Financial Instruments . The Company’s financial instruments include marketable securities held at fair value. Financial instruments also include accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt and other liabilities. The carrying values of these instruments approximate their fair values. Recent Accounting Pronouncements . The FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under the amendment, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The Company’s primary source of revenue is through the sale of online subscription advertising products to car dealerships which will continue to be recognized primarily on a straight-line basis over the contract term as the service is provided to the Company’s customers. Thus, the adoption of Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated and combined financial statements as of the adoption date. In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall In February 2016, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 842, Leases In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718).

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Note 3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The following table displays goodwill, indefinite-lived intangibles and amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Gross Accumulated Amortization Net December 31, 2017 Goodwill $ 788,107 $ — $ 788,107 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Trade name 872,320 — 872,320 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 814,240 (205,190 ) 609,050 Acquired software 71,700 (33,826 ) 37,874 Trade name-DealerRater 9,800 (1,157 ) 8,643 Non-compete agreements 2,860 (1,859 ) 1,001 Content library 2,100 (1,488 ) 612 Total amortizable intangible assets 900,700 (243,520 ) 657,180 Total $ 2,561,127 $ (243,520 ) $ 2,317,607 December 31, 2016 Goodwill $ 788,107 $ — $ 788,107 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Trade name 872,320 — 872,320 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 814,240 (140,788 ) 673,452 Acquired software 71,700 (22,798 ) 48,902 Trade name-DealerRater 9,800 (340 ) 9,460 Non-compete agreements 2,860 (1,287 ) 1,573 Content library 2,100 (438 ) 1,662 Total amortizable intangible assets 900,700 (165,651 ) 735,049 Total $ 2,561,127 $ (165,651 ) $ 2,395,476 Amortization expense was $77.9 million, $74.8 million and $72.7 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Projected amortization expense in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 is $77 million, $76.4 million, $78.3 million, $75.9 million and $68.4 million, respectively. In connection with the acquisition of DealerRater, the Company recorded customer relationships of $24.7 million and other intangible assets of $14.1 million, related to trade name, acquired software and content library.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Note 4. Investments The Company has a 20% ownership interest in RepairPal, Inc. (“RepairPal”), an online marketplace offering consumers a price estimator for car repairs and an ability to research repair shop reviews. While the Company believes that it has the ability to exercise significant influence, it has been determined that its investment is not substantially similar to common stock on the acquisition date because it has a substantive liquidation preference over RepairPal’s common stock. This factor precludes the Company from accounting for the investment under the equity method, therefore the Company accounts for its investment under the cost method. In May 2016, the Company purchased $2.2 million of convertible debt issued by RepairPal. The debt accrues interest at an annual rate of 7% and matures in May 2018. Under the agreement with RepairPal, the debt converted into 18.2 million shares of preferred stock of RepairPal, since RepairPal completed a sale of at least $5 million of its preferred stock to other investors in November 2017. $1.1 million of the debt converted at 100% and the remaining $1.1 million of debt converted at 80% of the price in which the shares were sold to investors. The aggregate carrying amount of the investment at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $9.4 million and $9.3 million, respectively. The Company records these amounts in investments and other assets on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets. No events or circumstances have occurred in 2017 that required the Company to estimate the fair value of the investment.

Unfavorable Contracts Liability

Unfavorable Contracts Liability	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Unfavorable Contracts Liability [Abstract]
Unfavorable Contracts Liability	Note 5. Unfavorable Contracts Liability Cars.com generated $163 million (or 26% of revenues) and $170 million (or 27% of revenues) through its wholesale channel in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The wholesale channel is where Cars.com products are sold by affiliate sales teams under six affiliate agreements covering nearly 100 markets. These affiliates are previous owners of Cars.com and have the exclusive right to sell and price Cars.com’s products and services in their local territories, paying Cars.com a wholesale rate for each Cars.com product sold. Under these agreements, Cars.com charges the affiliates 60% of the corresponding Cars.com retail rate for products sold to affiliate dealers. Four of the affiliate agreements expire in the fourth quarter of 2019 and two expire in June 2020. The unfavorable contracts liability relates to unfavorable wholesale contracts that Cars.com, LLC entered into as part of the acquisition by TEGNA in October 2014. Related to these affiliate agreements are current liabilities that are recorded in other liabilities on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets, with the remainder recorded in unfavorable contracts liability on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets, which historically was amortized into revenue at an annual amount of $25 million until October 1, 2019. In November 2017, the Company announced an amendment to the agreement with The McClatchy Company (“McClatchy”), one of the Company’s affiliates, to convert five markets into the Cars.com direct sales channel prior to the October 2019 affiliate agreement expiration date. As a result, the Company amortized $0.4 million in 2017 as a reduction of affiliate revenue share instead of wholesale revenue. In January 2018, the Company announced an amendment to the agreement with McClatchy to convert the remaining 17 affiliate markets into the Cars.com direct sales channel by October 2018, prior to the October 2019 affiliate agreement expiration date. The agreement follows the earlier November 2017 initial agreement to convert five markets. The Company also announced an amendment to the agreement with tronc, Inc. (“tronc”), one of the Company’s affiliates, to convert tronc’s eight affiliate markets into Cars.com’s direct retail channel, effective February 1, 2018. Upon conversion, tronc’s sales and support teams joined the Cars.com direct sales team. The unfavorable contracts liability at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $44.1 million and $69.3 million, respectively. The deferred consideration is recognized as wholesale revenue over the remaining term of the affiliate agreement on the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income and was $24.8 million, $25.2 million and $25.2 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Defined Contribution Plan

Defined Contribution Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan	Note 6. Defined Contribution Plan Cars.com employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s principal defined contribution plan. Participants are eligible on the first day of the quarter following the date of hire after one month of service and are allowed to make tax-deferred contributions up to 100% of annual compensation, subject to limitations specified by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Employer contributions consist of matching contributions and/or non-elective employer contributions. The Company match is 100% of the employee’s contribution up to 3% of the employee’s salary, and thereafter 50% of the employee’s contribution, until the employee’s contributions reach 5% of the employee’s salary. All contributions are immediately fully vested. Cars.com recorded contributions to its defined contribution plans of $4.1 million, $4.0 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Fair value measurement

Fair value measurement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurement	Note 7. Fair Value Measurement The Company measures and records certain assets at fair value in the accompanying consolidated and combined financial statements. U.S. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and its own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels: Level 1— Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2— Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3— Unobservable inputs developed using its own estimates and assumptions, which reflect those that a market participant would use. Financial assets that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis in other current assets and investments and other assets on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets consist of marketable securities held as LTIP investments. The Company maintains an LTIP. Management has not made any new contributions to the LTIP subsequent to the Separation. The following table presents the LTIP investments carried at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, by category on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets in accordance with the valuation hierarchy defined above (in thousands): Fair value measurement as of December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Mutual funds $ 1,765 $ — $ — $ 1,765 Fixed income fund 581 Total investments at fair value $ 2,346 Fair value measurement as of December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Mutual funds $ 2,228 $ — $ — $ 2,228 Fixed income fund 1,031 Total investments at fair value $ 3,259 Fair value for mutual funds is measured using Level 1 inputs and quoted market prices at the reporting date multiplied by the quantity held. The fixed income fund investment consists of a commingled fund for which quoted market prices are not available. The fair value of the investment represents the net asset value as provided by the trustee. Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, and therefore, not included in the tables above. These assets include goodwill and intangible assets and result as acquisitions occur. The amounts assigned to intangible assets and goodwill as they relate to acquisitions are based on best estimate of the fair value. The Company uses an independent valuation specialist to assist in determining the fair value of the identified intangible assets at acquisition. The fair value of the significant identified intangible assets is generally estimated using a combination of an income approach using the discounted cash flow analysis and market approach using the guideline public company analysis, which represents a Level 3 fair value measurement. The income approach includes a forecast of direct revenues and costs associated with the respective intangible assets and charges for economic returns on tangible and intangible assets utilized in cash flow generation. The market approach also uses forecasted revenue and earnings, as well as comparable public company trading values. Net cash flows attributable to the identified intangible assets are discounted to their present value at a rate commensurate with the perceived risk. As the debt was recently issued in May 2017, the Company’s carrying amount for debt approximated fair value as of December 31, 2017. The fair value of the debt is measured using Level 2 inputs and are based on comparable trading prices, ratings, sectors, coupons and maturities of similar instruments. Fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is determined as follows: Description Fair Value Methodology Cash and cash equivalents and The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these assets. Short-term investments Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments, (b) an income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts into a single present amount based on current market expectations about those future amounts when observable trading prices are not available. Debt Fair values were based on comparable trading prices, ratings, sectors, coupons and maturities of similar instruments.

Share Appreciation Rights Plan

Share Appreciation Rights Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Share Appreciation Rights Plan	Note 8. Share Appreciation Rights Plan Effective as of January 1, 2012, the Company established a Share Appreciation Rights Plan (the "SAR Plan"). Eligible participants received a number of share appreciation rights annually that entitle the employee to receive the appreciation in the fair market value of a share from the date of grant up to a specified date or dates plus an amount equal to the distributions per share. Awards granted in a given year vest to the participant over a three-year period. Benefits paid under the SAR Plan are made in cash, not common stock, at the end of the three-year vesting period from the original grant date. Expense related to the SAR Plan is recorded in accordance with the accounting standards for stock-based payments. Due to the cash settlement at the end of the performance period, the awards were classified as a liability and remeasured each reporting period at fair value. A summary of share appreciation rights activity is presented below (amounts in thousands except for average price and remaining term): Rights/Units Weighted Average Grant Price Remaining Average Contract Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2016 2,119 $ 8.16 Granted (1) - - Settled (1,387 ) 5.84 Canceled (153 ) 12.76 Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2017 579 $ 12.50 0.4 $ 1,541 Rights vested as of December 31, 2017 511 $ 12.41 0.4 $ 1,402 (1) No share appreciation rights were granted to employees during 2017. Management does not expect to issue any new grants subsequent to the Separation. Rights/Units Weighted Average Grant Price Remaining Average Contract Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2015 3,792 $ 5.74 Granted (1) 406 13.12 Settled (2,019 ) 4.47 Canceled (60 ) 12.84 Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2016 2,119 $ 8.16 0.5 $ 11,718 Rights vested as of December 31, 2016 1,755 $ 7.21 0.3 $ 10,427 (1) The grant date fair value of share appreciation rights granted in 2016 was $3.83. Rights/Units Weighted Average Grant Price Remaining Average Contract Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2014 5,522 $ 4.71 Granted (1) 386 12.00 Settled (2,116 ) 4.19 Canceled - - Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2015 3,792 $ 5.74 0.2 $ 25,868 Rights vested as of December 31, 2015 3,534 $ 5.28 0.1 $ 25,580 (1) The grant date fair value of share appreciation rights granted in 2015 was $3.59. The Company measures the fair value of awards issued under the SAR Plan using the Black-Scholes pricing model. Significant estimates used in the Black-Scholes pricing model include the: risk free interest rate, dividend yield, volatility and expected life. Each assumption is discussed below. Risk-free interest rate —The Company bases the risk-free interest rate on the yield to maturity at the time of the award on corresponding U.S. government bonds having a remaining life that approximate the award’s expected life. Expected dividend —The dividend assumption is based on its expectations about its dividend policy on the date of grant. Expected volatility —The fair value of stock-based awards reflects volatility factors calculated using historical market data of comparable companies. Expected life —The expected term represents the period that our stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the share appreciation right awards issued in 2016: Assumption Values 2016 awards Risk-free interest rate 1.8 % Expected dividend 0 % Expected volatility 28.7 % Expected life 1.0 Share appreciation rights (gain) expense in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $(0.1) million, $1.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Share appreciation rights expense is recorded within general and administrative on the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. No share appreciation rights expense was capitalized as part of an asset. Deferred compensation liability related to the SAR Plan as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $1.6 million and $10.8 million, respectively, including $1.0 million and $9.1 million in primarily accrued share appreciation rights plans. The aggregate intrinsic value, which includes a dividend component, related to share appreciation rights settled through cash payments in 2017 and 2016 was $9.1 million and $16.7 million, respectively. The aggregate fair value of share appreciation rights vested during 2017 and 2016 was $0.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested rights as of December 31, 2017 was $0.2 million and will be recognized in 2018. As of December 31, 2017, the remaining share appreciation rights obligation was $1.6 million, of which $1.0 million was paid in the first quarter of 2018 and $0.6 million will be paid in 2019.

Debt - Term Loan and Revolving

Debt - Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt - Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility	Note 9. Debt – Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility Credit Agreement On May 31, 2017, the Company and certain of its domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”) entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with the lenders named therein. The Credit Agreement matures on May 31, 2022 and includes (a) revolving loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount of up to $450 million (of which up to $25 million may be in the form of letters of credit at its request) and (b) term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $450 million. Interest on the borrowings under the Credit Agreement is payable based on either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or (ii) the Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”), as defined in the Credit Agreement, in either case plus an applicable margin and fees which, after the second full fiscal quarter following the closing date, is based upon its total net leverage ratio. The ABR is the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the New York Fed Bank Rate plus 50 basis points or (c) adjusted LIBOR, On May 31, 2017, the Company borrowed $675 million to fund a $650 million cash payment to TEGNA immediately prior to the distribution, to pay fees and expenses related to the Separation and to fund working capital. The term loan requires quarterly amortization payments which commenced on September 30, 2017. Debt issuance costs were $5.4 million at December 31, 2017. These debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction of debt and the debt is accreted using the effective interest method with the amortization recorded in interest expense on the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. Term Loan As of December 31, 2017, the outstanding principal amount under the term loan was $438.8 million and the interest rate in effect was 3.13%. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company made $11.3 million in quarterly term loan payments. Revolving Loan As of December 31, 2017, the outstanding borrowings under the revolving loan was $145 million and the interest rate in effect was 3.13%. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company made $80.0 million in revolving loan payments. As of December 31, 2017, the Company was permitted to borrow an aggregate amount of $305 million under the revolving loan. The Company’s borrowings are limited by its net leverage ratio, which was 2.4 to 1 as of December 31, 2017. From January 1, 2018 through March 6, 2018, the Company voluntarily paid down an additional $25 million on the revolving loan and borrowed $165 million to fund the acquisitions of DI and LDM. Debt Guarantors, Collateral, Covenants and Restrictions The obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Guarantors and the Company. The Guarantors secured their respective obligations under the Credit Agreement by granting liens in favor of the agent on substantially all of their assets. The terms of the Credit Agreement include representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants (including certain financial covenants) and events of default that are customary for credit facilities of this nature. The negative covenants place restrictions and limitations on the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make distributions or other restricted payments, create liens, make certain equity or debt investments, engage in mergers or consolidations and engage in certain transactions with affiliates. As of December 31, 2017, the Company remained in compliance with the covenants under its various credit agreements. Long-term Debt Maturities The table below presents the Company’s contractual payments at December 31, 2017 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements in each of the next five calendar years: Contractual obligations Payments due by period In thousands of dollars Total 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Long-term debt (a) $ 583,750 $ 22,500 $ 28,125 $ 33,750 $ 39,375 $ 460,000 (a) The long-term debt includes future principal payments on long-term borrowings through scheduled maturity dates. Excluded from these amounts are the amortization of debt.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies Commitments The Company is obligated as lessee under certain non-cancelable operating leases for office space, and is also obligated to pay insurance, maintenance and other executory costs associated with the leases. In May 2016, the Company entered into a new lease of office space in Chicago, Illinois. The lease extends through June 2031 and monthly rental payments under the lease escalate by 2.5% each year throughout the lease. Total minimum payments throughout the remaining life of the lease are $55.8 million. Rental expense in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $7.3 million, $6.8 million and $6.4 million, respectively. At December 31, 2017, Cars.com’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year, were as follows: Contractual obligations Payments due by period In thousands of dollars Total 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Operating leases $ 59,853 $ 6,104 $ 4,337 $ 3,686 $ 3,496 $ 3,536 $ 38,694 Legal contingencies The Company and its subsidiaries are parties from time to time in legal and administrative proceedings involving matters incidental to its business. These matters, whether pending, threatened or unasserted, if decided adversely to Cars.com or settled, may result in liabilities material to its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company records a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, at least quarterly, developments in its legal matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued, and make adjustments as appropriate. Significant judgment is required to determine both the probability and the estimated amount.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 11. Income Taxes On February 3, 2017, the Company entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with TEGNA, which governs the tax relationship between the Company and TEGNA for the tax periods through the May 31, 2017 separation of the Company from TEGNA. Under this agreement, TEGNA is responsible for all payments of federal and state income tax due with respect to pre-closing tax liabilities. Accordingly, TEGNA prepared all federal, state and local income tax returns for the pre-closing period. Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, TEGNA agreed to indemnify the Company for all pre-closing taxes, including any pre-closing taxes resulting from any audit, amendment, other change or adjustment, (ii) any taxes resulting from a breach by TEGNA of any covenant in the Tax Matters Agreement and (iii) any stamp, sales and use, gross receipts, value-added or other transfer taxes imposed on TEGNA on the separation of the Company from TEGNA. Any refund of pre-closing taxes, or other taxes for which TEGNA is responsible are for the benefit of, and will be paid to, TEGNA. The Company agreed to indemnify TEGNA for (i) all post-closing taxes, (ii) any taxes resulting from a breach by the Company of any covenant in the Tax Matters Agreement, (iii) any tax arising from the failure or breach of any representation or covenant made by the Company which failure or breach results in the intended tax consequences of the separation transaction not being achieved, and (iv) any stamp, sales and use, gross receipts, value-added or other transfer tax imposed on the Company on the separation of the Company from TEGNA. The significant components of the income tax expense (benefit) are as follows (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 (a) Current U.S. federal $ 5,966 $ 1,001 $ - U.S. state & local 598 - - Total current income tax expense 6,564 1,001 - Deferred U.S. federal (110,361 ) (538 ) - U.S. state & local 1,516 125 - Total deferred income tax expense (108,845 ) (413 ) - Income tax expense (benefit) $ (102,281 ) $ 588 $ - (a) As a partnership, the Company generally was not subject to federal and state income tax. Therefore, the Company did not record income tax expense (benefit). The income tax provision differed from amounts computed at the statutory federal income tax rate, as follows (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 (a) Income tax provision at statutory rate $ 42,757 $ 521 $ - Tax effect of pre-Separation earnings (16,210 ) - - State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 2,294 67 - Write-off of permanent outside basis difference (50,687 ) - - Effect of U.S. federal tax rate change (80,298 ) - - Other, net (137 ) - - $ (102,281 ) $ 588 $ - (a) As a partnership, the Company generally was not subject to federal and state income tax. Therefore, the Company did not record income tax expense (benefit). The Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 differed from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the non-cash income tax benefits of $16 million, $51 million and $80 million related to pre-Separation earnings, the write-off of the permanent outside basis difference resulting from the change in the tax status of the Cars.com, LLC flow-through entity and the reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate, respectively. With the implementation of the post-Separation legal entity structure, the Company was required to record deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary difference between financial accounting and tax reporting. Accordingly, the Company recorded $246 million of net deferred tax liabilities associated with the outside basis difference in the Cars.com, LLC flow-through entity, with the offset recorded in TEGNA’s investment net. In October 2017, Cars.com, LLC prospectively changed its corporate structure to convert from being taxed as a partnership to being taxed as a C corporation. As a result of the change in corporate structure, Cars.com, LLC was also required to change its reporting of deferred tax assets and liabilities. During the period, the Company recorded a $51 million non-cash write-off of the permanent outside basis difference resulting from this reporting change. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted into law. The new legislation contains several key tax provisions that will impact the Company, including the reduction of the corporate income tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The lower corporate income tax rate requires the Company to remeasure its U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities as well as reassess the realizability of its deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company recognized a provisional tax benefit of $80 million during the period related to the revaluation of its net deferred tax liabilities, in accordance with ASC 740. The Company continues to evaluate the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and will consider additional guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service or other standard-setting bodies. Further adjustments, if any, will be recorded by the Company during the measurement period in 2018 as permitted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2017 2016 Deferred income tax asset (liability): Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards $ 18 $ 18 Accrued compensation 2,374 336 Unfavorable contracts liability 10,794 - Other 3,740 40 Less: Valuation allowance - - Total deferred tax assets $ 16,926 $ 394 Depreciation $ (4,667 ) $ (98 ) Intangibles (156,968 ) (8,621 ) Other (1,773 ) - Total deferred tax liabilities $ (163,408 ) $ (8,719 ) Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ (146,482 ) $ (8,325 ) Cars.com files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return as well as income tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions. The Company's tax returns are routinely audited by federal and state tax authorities and these tax audits are at various stages of completion at any given time. Generally, the Company’s tax returns open to examination by a federal or state taxing authority are for years beginning on or after December 31, 2013. The Company periodically assesses whether it is more likely than not that it will generate sufficient taxable income to realize its deferred income tax assets. The Company establishes valuation allowances if it is not likely it will realize its deferred income tax assets. In making this determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence and makes certain assumptions. The Company considers, among other things, projected future taxable income, scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, the overall business environment, the Company’s historical financial results and tax planning strategies. In evaluating the likelihood of utilizing the Company’s net deferred income tax assets, the significant factors that the Company considers include (1) the Company’s recent history and forecasted profitability; (2) growth in the U.S. and global economies; and (3) future impact of taxable temporary differences. During 2017, after considering all positive and negative evidence and the four sources of taxable income, the Company concluded that its deferred income tax assets were more likely than not to be realized. The Company has no unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 or 2015. The Company does not expect significant increases or decreases in their unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months. There are no material amounts included in the balance at December 31, 2017 for tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility.

Stock-based Compensation Plans

Stock-based Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation Plans	Note 12. Stock-based Compensation Plans Omnibus Plan In May 2017, the Cars.com Board of Directors approved the Cars.com Inc. Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), which provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance shares and other stock-based and cash-based awards. A maximum of 18 million common stock shares may be issued under the Omnibus Plan. As of December 31, 2017, there were 16.9 million common stock shares available for future grants. The Company issues new shares of Cars.com common stock for shares delivered under the Omnibus Plan. Prior to the Separation and distribution from TEGNA, certain Cars.com current and former employees received TEGNA RSUs based on TEGNA common stock. Due to the spin-off from TEGNA, all outstanding TEGNA RSUs held by certain Cars.com current and former employees following the Separation were converted into an award denominated in shares of Cars.com common stock, with the number of shares subject to the award adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original TEGNA RSUs award as measured immediately before and after the Separation. Stock-based compensation expense, relates to awards issued in connection with and after the Separation, is recorded in general and administrative in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Operations and the related income tax benefit was as follows (in thousands): 2017 Stock-based compensation expense $ 2,627 Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income 643 The table below summarizes Cars.com’s unearned compensation and weighted-average remaining period to recognize costs for all outstanding stock-based awards that are probable of vested as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except as noted): Unearned Compensation Weighted- Average Remaining Period (in years) RSUs $ 10,129 3.0 Other 72 0.3 Total $ 10,201 2.9 RSUs The table below summarizes RSU activity related to RSUs held by the Company’s current and former employees for the year ended December 31, 2017 (shares in thousands): RSUs Weighted- Average Grant Price Outstanding at December 31, 2016 - $ - Shares converted at Separation 306 25.17 Granted 286 25.84 Vested (4 ) 26.68 Forfeited (62 ) 25.57 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 526 $ 25.48 The weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2017 was $25.25. The total grant-date fair value of Cars.com RSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2017 was $1.8 million. As of December 31, 2017, there were 72,000 RSUs vested but not yet delivered. Employee Stock Purchase Plan On September 19, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the Cars.com Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Eligible employees may authorize payroll deductions of up to 10% of their base earnings with a maximum of $10,000 per every six-month offering period to purchase Cars.com common stock at a purchase price per share equal to 85% of the lower of (i) the closing market price per share of Cars.com at the beginning of the offering period or (ii) the closing market price per share at the end of the offering period. The ESPP offering period began in October 2017 and the Company will issue the first shares of common stock related to the ESPP in March 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized $0.1 million of stock-based compensation expense related to the ESPP. There are three million shares available for issuance under the ESPP and are valued under the Black-Scholes pricing model.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Note 13. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is similarly calculated, except that the calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed issuance of shares under stock-based compensation plans unless the inclusion of such shares would have an anti-dilutive impact. The total shares outstanding on May 31, 2017, the date of Separation, was 71.6 million and is being utilized for the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, as no shared-based awards were outstanding prior to the Separation date. The computations of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share are set forth below (in thousands, except per share amounts): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Net income (a) $ 224,443 $ 176,370 $ 157,838 Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic 71,661 71,588 71,588 Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation awards 66 — — Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted 71,727 71,588 71,588 Earnings per share, basic $ 3.13 $ 2.46 $ 2.20 Earnings per share, diluted $ 3.13 $ 2.46 $ 2.20 (a) 2017 includes the tax benefit from the write-off of the permanent outside basis difference and the reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 2016 only includes DealerRater tax expense for the post-acquisition period. There was no tax expense recorded for 2015. See Note 11 of this report for additional information. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has two classes of stock which consist of common stock and preferred stock. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has only issued common stock at a par value of $0.01.

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Text Block [Abstract]
Segment Information	Note 14. Segment Information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise with separate financial information, which are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) and are used in resource allocation and performance assessments. The Company’s CODM is the Cars.com President and Chief Executive Officer. The CODM makes resource allocation decisions to maximize the Company’s consolidated and combined financial results. The Company has one operating and reportable segment that generates revenue through two sales channels which include: (i) Retail and (ii) Wholesale, and are presented on the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. The Company did not have any one customer that generated greater than 10% of total revenues in 2017, 2016 or 2015. Substantially all revenues were generated within the U.S. and all long-lived assets are located in the U.S.

Related Party

Related Party	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party	Note 15. Related Party The Company is party to a commercial agreement with TEGNA, who was considered a related party through the Separation date of May 31, 2017. Related party revenue earned from this agreement was $3.4 million, $8.5 million and $7.7 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The commercial agreement with TEGNA is still effective after the Separation until 2020. Prior to the Separation and distribution, TEGNA utilized a centralized approach to cash management and the financing of its operations, providing funds to its subsidiaries as needed. These transactions were recorded in “TEGNA’s investment, net” when advanced. Accordingly, none of TEGNA’s cash and cash equivalents were assigned to the Company in TEGNA’s financial statements. Cash and cash equivalents in the Company’s Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets represent cash held locally by Cars.com. Equity in the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets represents the accumulated balance of transactions between the Company and TEGNA, the Company’s paid-in-capital and TEGNA’s interest in the Company’s cumulative retained earnings, and are presented within “TEGNA’s investment, net.” The amounts comprising the accumulated balance of transactions between the Company and TEGNA and TEGNA affiliates include (i) the cumulative net assets attributed to the Company by TEGNA and TEGNA affiliates and (ii) the cumulative net advances to TEGNA representing the Company’s cumulative funds swept (net of funding provided by TEGNA and TEGNA affiliates to the Company) as part of the centralized cash management program. See Note 1 of this report for additional information.

Selected Quarterly Financial Da

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Note 16. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Cars.com Quarter Ended (In thousands, except per share amounts) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 2017 Revenues $ 153,174 $ 156,624 $ 159,899 $ 156,565 Cost of revenue and operations 15,902 15,540 18,176 15,923 Operating income 27,181 28,873 39,374 38,828 Net income 26,888 24,809 20,988 151,758 Earnings per share, basic 0.38 0.35 0.29 2.12 Earnings per share, diluted 0.38 0.35 0.29 2.11 2016 Revenues $ 152,489 $ 156,650 $ 162,295 $ 161,672 Cost of revenue and operations 13,559 13,628 15,033 14,574 Operating income 33,778 41,875 52,168 48,829 Net income 33,699 42,020 51,845 48,806 Earnings per share, basic 0.47 0.59 0.72 0.68 Earnings per share, diluted 0.47 0.59 0.72 0.68

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 17. Subsequent Events In January 2018, the Company announced certain amendments to its affiliate agreements with McClatchy and tronc. See Note 5 of this report for additional information. In February 2018, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Dealer Inspire Inc., an innovative technology leader providing progressive dealer websites, digital retailing and messaging platform products, and certain assets of Launch Digital Marketing LLC, a provider of digital automotive marketing services, including paid, organic, social and creative services (collectively, “the Acquisition”). The Acquisition consists of proprietary solutions that are complementary extensions of the Company’s online marketplace platform and current suite of dealer solutions. The Company paid $165 million in cash at closing before transaction fees and expenses. In addition to consideration already paid, the Company may pay additional consideration of up to $40 million based on future performance over a three-year period.

Schedule II Valuation and Quali

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts For the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (In thousands) Description Balance at Beginning of Period Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses Write-offs Recoveries Balance at End of Period Allowance for doubtful accounts: 2017 $ 3,527 $ 2,452 $ 4,037 $ 674 $ 2,616 2016 2,310 4,632 3,935 520 3,527 2015 2,135 2,515 3,024 684 2,310

Significant Accounting Polici26

Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition . Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, performance under the contract has begun, the contract price is fixed or determinable and collectability of the related fee is reasonably assured. Revenue is generated through the Company’s direct sales force (retail revenue) or affiliate sales channels (wholesale revenue). The Company’s primary source of retail and wholesale revenue is through the sale of online subscription advertising products to car dealerships. The Company’s base subscription package provides the car dealership’s available inventory on the Cars.com website. The base subscription contract is generally a fixed price arrangement with a one-year term and is automatically renewed unless cancelled by the dealership. The Company also offers customers several add-on products to the base subscription package. These add-on products are not sold separately from the base subscription package and, therefore, are not separate units of accounting as they do not have value on a standalone basis. Accordingly, the base subscription package and any purchased add-on products are combined as a single unit of accounting and revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term as the service is provided to the Company’s customers. Wholesale revenue is earned through affiliation agreements with affiliate owners that sell the Company’s subscription advertising products to car dealerships. Affiliate owners are assigned certain sales territories to sell the Company’s products, and the Company charges its affiliate owners a wholesale fee. In situations where the Company’s direct sales force sells the Company’s products to car dealerships in an affiliate’s territory, the Company pays its affiliate owners a revenue share which is classified as “affiliate revenue share” on the Company’s Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. In addition, the Company also earns retail revenue though the sale of display advertising on the Company’s websites to national advertisers, pursuant to fixed fee or transaction-based contracts, which are billed for impressions delivered or click-throughs on their advertisements. An impression is the display of an advertisement to an end-user on the website and is a measure of volume. A click-through occurs when an end-user clicks on an impression. Revenue is recognized straight-line over the contract term (generally three to six months) for fixed fee contracts where a minimum number of impressions or click-throughs is not guaranteed. Revenue is recognized as the impressions or click-throughs are delivered for transaction-based contracts. If the impressions or click-throughs delivered are less than the amount billed, the difference is recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as earned. The Company also sells leads, which are connections from consumers to dealers in the form of phone calls, emails and text messages, and mobile walk-ins, to dealerships, OEMs and third-party resellers. Revenue for leads is recognized straight-line over the contract term or on a per-lead basis depending on the contract.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates . The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. The most significant areas of the consolidated and combined financial statements that require management judgment include goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, amortizable intangible assets and other long-lived assets, the allowance for doubtful accounts and commitments and contingencies. The accounting policies for these areas are discussed elsewhere in these consolidated and combined financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents. All cash balances and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less on their acquisition date are classified as cash and cash equivalents.
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts	Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts . Accounts receivable are primarily derived from the sales to local automotive dealers and OEMs and recorded at invoiced amounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s estimate of credit exposure, determined principally on the basis of its collection experience, aging of its receivables and any specific reserves needed for certain customers based on their credit risk. Bad debt expense, which is included in marketing and sales in its Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income, in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $2.5 million, $4.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively.
Concentrations of Credit Risk	Concentrations of Credit Risk. The Company’s financial instruments, consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents and customer receivables, are exposed to concentrations of credit risk. The Company invests its cash and cash equivalents with highly-rated financial institutions.
Marketable Securities Held in Trust	Marketable Securities Held in Trust . The Company’s marketable securities held in trust relate to the long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) (see Note 7 of this report for more information) and are classified as trading securities, with unrealized gains and losses included in other income, net on the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, such marketable securities totaled approximately $2.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Marketable securities that are expected to be sold within the next twelve months are recorded in other current assets, with the remainder recorded in investments and other assets on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets. Gains on trading securities in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
Investments	Investments . Investments in non-marketable equity securities are recorded using the cost method or the equity method of accounting, depending on the facts and circumstances of each investment. Non-marketable investments in preferred shares that do not meet criteria of in-substance common stock are accounted for at cost. The non-marketable investments recorded within investments and other assets on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $9.4 million and $9.3 million, respectively. See Note 4 of this report for additional information. On at least an annual basis, the Company assesses its investments to determine whether any events have occurred, or circumstances have changed, which might have a significant adverse effect on their fair value and which may be indicative of impairment. There were no impairments recorded for the periods presented in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment . Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: Computer software 18 months - 7 years Computer hardware 3-5 years Furniture and fixtures 5-10 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of useful life or lease term Depreciation expense for the years ended 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $10.8 million, $8.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively. Normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. The costs and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or disposed of are removed from the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets and any resulting gain or loss is included in general and administrative on the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets . Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, net of liabilities assumed. At both December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had $788 million of goodwill which resulted from TEGNA’s acquisition of Cars.com in 2014 and the acquisition of DealerRater.com in 2016. For purposes of evaluating goodwill, the Company is required to determine how many reporting units exist. The Company has identified that it operates as one reporting unit. A reporting unit constitutes a business or group of businesses for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management. The Company’s goodwill is assigned to its one reporting unit. In 2017, Cars.com performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of November 1 and whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Events or circumstances which could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, a loss of key management or other personnel, significant changes in the manner of its use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the acquired business or its overall business, significant negative industry or economic trends or significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future results of operations. Previously, Cars.com performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1. The process of estimating the fair value of goodwill is subjective and requires the Company to make estimates that may significantly impact the outcome of the analyses. Before performing the annual two-step goodwill impairment test, the Company first has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the two-step quantitative test must be completed. The qualitative assessment considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors and overall financial performance, as well as company specifications. If after performing this assessment, the Company concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company is required to perform the two-step quantitative test. Otherwise, the two-step quantitative test is not required. The Company elected to not perform the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill; instead, the Company performed the quantitative impairment test. When performing the first step of the quantitative test, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit and compares it to the carrying amount, including goodwill. Historically, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company performs the second step of the impairment test, as this is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired. In the second step of the impairment test, the Company determines the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment of goodwill has occurred and the Company must recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the implied fair value of goodwill. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment The Company estimates reporting unit fair value using an income approach using the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis and also considered the market-based valuation methodology using comparable public company trading values. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgments, including the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, long-term growth rates, discount rates and relevant comparable public company earnings multiples. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis are based on the Company’s best estimate of future sales, earnings and cash flows after considering factors such as general market conditions and recent operating performance. The discount rates utilized in the DCF analysis are based on the reporting unit’s weighted average cost of capital, which takes into account the relative weights of each component of capital structure (equity and debt) and represents the expected cost of new capital, adjusted as appropriate to consider the risk inherent in future cash flows of the Company’s reporting unit. The results of the tests indicated that the estimated fair values of its reporting unit exceeded the carrying value and thus no impairment existed for all periods presented. In connection with the acquisition by the Company’s former parent, the Company has an intangible asset with an indefinite life associated with its Cars.com trade name. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested annually, or more often if circumstances dictate, for impairment and written down to fair value as required. The estimates of fair value are determined using the “relief from royalty” methodology, which is a variation of the income approach. The discount rate assumption is based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the projected future cash flows generated by the trade name intangible asset. The results of its 2017 annual impairment test of the indefinite lived intangible asset indicated the fair value exceeded its carrying value, and therefore, no impairment charge was recorded. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: Customer relationships 5-14 years Acquired software 2-7 years Trade name—DealerRater 12 years Non-compete agreements 5 years Content library 2 years
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets	Valuation of Long-Lived Assets . The Company reviews the carrying amount of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Once an indicator of potential impairment has occurred, the impairment test is based on whether the intent is to hold the asset for continued use or to hold the asset for sale. If the intent is to hold the asset for continued use, the impairment test first requires a comparison of projected undiscounted future cash flows against the carrying amount of the asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the asset group would be deemed to be potentially impaired. The impairment, if any, would be measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily using the projected future cash flows, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost to dispose. No impairment losses were recognized for the periods presented in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income.
Internally Developed Technology	Internally Developed Technology . The Company capitalizes costs associated with customized internal-use software systems that have reached the application development stage. Such capitalized costs include external direct costs utilized in developing or obtaining the applications and payroll and payroll-related expenses for employees who are directly associated with the applications. Capitalization of such costs begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and ceases at the point in which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. The Company reviews the carrying amount of internally developed technology for impairment and useful lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Capitalized software costs in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $6.9 million, $5.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Capitalized costs are included in property and equipment on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets. Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs . The Company expenses all advertising costs as they are incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $104.6 million, $97.1 million and $96.0 million, respectively. Advertising costs are included in marketing and sales in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income.
Cost of Revenue and Operations	Cost of Revenue and Operations. Cost of revenue and operations consist of expenses related to the pay-per-lead products, third-party costs such as processing of dealer vehicle inventory and product fulfillment and customer service.
Share-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Forfeitures are recorded at the time the forfeiture event occurs. See Note 12 of this report for additional information on the Company’s stock-based compensation plans.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes . Income taxes are presented on the consolidated and combined financial statements using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences that exist between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as from operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred income taxes reflect expected future tax benefits (i.e. assets) and future tax costs (i.e. liabilities). The tax effect of net operating loss, capital loss and general business credit carryovers result in deferred tax assets. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recoverable or settled. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established if, based upon the weight of available evidence, management determines it is “more likely than not” that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company has not recorded reserves for income taxes and associated interest that may become payable in future years. The Company’s uncertain tax position reserves are reviewed periodically and are adjusted as events occur that affect its estimates, such as the availability of new information, the lapsing of applicable statutes of limitation, the conclusion of tax audits, the measurement of additional estimated liability, the identification of new tax matters, the release of administrative tax guidance affecting its estimates of tax liabilities, or the rendering of relevant court decisions. The Company records penalties and interest relating to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Income. The Company has not recorded any material expense or liabilities related to interest or penalties in its consolidated and combined financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments . The Company’s financial instruments include marketable securities held at fair value. Financial instruments also include accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt and other liabilities. The carrying values of these instruments approximate their fair values.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements . The FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under the amendment, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. The Company’s primary source of revenue is through the sale of online subscription advertising products to car dealerships which will continue to be recognized primarily on a straight-line basis over the contract term as the service is provided to the Company’s customers. Thus, the adoption of Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated and combined financial statements as of the adoption date. In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall In February 2016, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 842, Leases In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718).

Significant Accounting Polici27

Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: Computer software 18 months - 7 years Computer hardware 3-5 years Furniture and fixtures 5-10 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of useful life or lease term
Schedule of Amortizable Intangible Assets Amortized on Straight-line Basis over Estimated Useful Lives	Amortizable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: Customer relationships 5-14 years Acquired software 2-7 years Trade name—DealerRater 12 years Non-compete agreements 5 years Content library 2 years

Goodwill and Other Intangible28

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangibles and Amortizable Intangible Assets	The following table displays goodwill, indefinite-lived intangibles and amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Gross Accumulated Amortization Net December 31, 2017 Goodwill $ 788,107 $ — $ 788,107 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Trade name 872,320 — 872,320 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 814,240 (205,190 ) 609,050 Acquired software 71,700 (33,826 ) 37,874 Trade name-DealerRater 9,800 (1,157 ) 8,643 Non-compete agreements 2,860 (1,859 ) 1,001 Content library 2,100 (1,488 ) 612 Total amortizable intangible assets 900,700 (243,520 ) 657,180 Total $ 2,561,127 $ (243,520 ) $ 2,317,607 December 31, 2016 Goodwill $ 788,107 $ — $ 788,107 Indefinite-lived intangibles: Trade name 872,320 — 872,320 Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships 814,240 (140,788 ) 673,452 Acquired software 71,700 (22,798 ) 48,902 Trade name-DealerRater 9,800 (340 ) 9,460 Non-compete agreements 2,860 (1,287 ) 1,573 Content library 2,100 (438 ) 1,662 Total amortizable intangible assets 900,700 (165,651 ) 735,049 Total $ 2,561,127 $ (165,651 ) $ 2,395,476

Fair value measurement (Tables)

Fair value measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
LTIP Investments Carried at Fair Value by Category on Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets in Accordance with Valuation Hierarchy	The Company maintains an LTIP. Management has not made any new contributions to the LTIP subsequent to the Separation. The following table presents the LTIP investments carried at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, by category on the Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets in accordance with the valuation hierarchy defined above (in thousands): Fair value measurement as of December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Mutual funds $ 1,765 $ — $ — $ 1,765 Fixed income fund 581 Total investments at fair value $ 2,346 Fair value measurement as of December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Mutual funds $ 2,228 $ — $ — $ 2,228 Fixed income fund 1,031 Total investments at fair value $ 3,259

Share Appreciation Rights Plan

Share Appreciation Rights Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Share Appreciation Rights Activity	A summary of share appreciation rights activity is presented below (amounts in thousands except for average price and remaining term): Rights/Units Weighted Average Grant Price Remaining Average Contract Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2016 2,119 $ 8.16 Granted (1) - - Settled (1,387 ) 5.84 Canceled (153 ) 12.76 Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2017 579 $ 12.50 0.4 $ 1,541 Rights vested as of December 31, 2017 511 $ 12.41 0.4 $ 1,402 (1) No share appreciation rights were granted to employees during 2017. Management does not expect to issue any new grants subsequent to the Separation. Rights/Units Weighted Average Grant Price Remaining Average Contract Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2015 3,792 $ 5.74 Granted (1) 406 13.12 Settled (2,019 ) 4.47 Canceled (60 ) 12.84 Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2016 2,119 $ 8.16 0.5 $ 11,718 Rights vested as of December 31, 2016 1,755 $ 7.21 0.3 $ 10,427 (1) The grant date fair value of share appreciation rights granted in 2016 was $3.83. Rights/Units Weighted Average Grant Price Remaining Average Contract Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2014 5,522 $ 4.71 Granted (1) 386 12.00 Settled (2,116 ) 4.19 Canceled - - Rights outstanding as of December 31, 2015 3,792 $ 5.74 0.2 $ 25,868 Rights vested as of December 31, 2015 3,534 $ 5.28 0.1 $ 25,580 (1) The grant date fair value of share appreciation rights granted in 2015 was $3.59.
Schedule of Assumptions used to Estimate Fair Value of Share Appreciation Right	The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the share appreciation right awards issued in 2016: Assumption Values 2016 awards Risk-free interest rate 1.8 % Expected dividend 0 % Expected volatility 28.7 % Expected life 1.0

Debt - Term Loan and Revolvin31

Debt - Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Company's Contractual Payments	The table below presents the Company’s contractual payments at December 31, 2017 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements in each of the next five calendar years: Contractual obligations Payments due by period In thousands of dollars Total 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Long-term debt (a) $ 583,750 $ 22,500 $ 28,125 $ 33,750 $ 39,375 $ 460,000 (a) The long-term debt includes future principal payments on long-term borrowings through scheduled maturity dates. Excluded from these amounts are the amortization of debt.

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments under Noncancelable Operating Leases	At December 31, 2017, Cars.com’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year, were as follows: Contractual obligations Payments due by period In thousands of dollars Total 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Operating leases $ 59,853 $ 6,104 $ 4,337 $ 3,686 $ 3,496 $ 3,536 $ 38,694

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Significant Components of the Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The significant components of the income tax expense (benefit) are as follows (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 (a) Current U.S. federal $ 5,966 $ 1,001 $ - U.S. state & local 598 - - Total current income tax expense 6,564 1,001 - Deferred U.S. federal (110,361 ) (538 ) - U.S. state & local 1,516 125 - Total deferred income tax expense (108,845 ) (413 ) - Income tax expense (benefit) $ (102,281 ) $ 588 $ - (a) As a partnership, the Company generally was not subject to federal and state income tax. Therefore, the Company did not record income tax expense (benefit).
Schedule of Income Tax Provision Differed from Amounts Computed at the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate	The income tax provision differed from amounts computed at the statutory federal income tax rate, as follows (in thousands): 2017 2016 2015 (a) Income tax provision at statutory rate $ 42,757 $ 521 $ - Tax effect of pre-Separation earnings (16,210 ) - - State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 2,294 67 - Write-off of permanent outside basis difference (50,687 ) - - Effect of U.S. federal tax rate change (80,298 ) - - Other, net (137 ) - - $ (102,281 ) $ 588 $ - (a) As a partnership, the Company generally was not subject to federal and state income tax. Therefore, the Company did not record income tax expense (benefit).
Schedule of Temporary Differences and Carryforwards of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2017 2016 Deferred income tax asset (liability): Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards $ 18 $ 18 Accrued compensation 2,374 336 Unfavorable contracts liability 10,794 - Other 3,740 40 Less: Valuation allowance - - Total deferred tax assets $ 16,926 $ 394 Depreciation $ (4,667 ) $ (98 ) Intangibles (156,968 ) (8,621 ) Other (1,773 ) - Total deferred tax liabilities $ (163,408 ) $ (8,719 ) Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ (146,482 ) $ (8,325 )

Stock-based Compensation Plans

Stock-based Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense	Stock-based compensation expense, relates to awards issued in connection with and after the Separation, is recorded in general and administrative in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of Operations and the related income tax benefit was as follows (in thousands): 2017 Stock-based compensation expense $ 2,627 Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income 643
Schedule of Unearned Compensation and Weighted-Average Remaining Period to Recognize Costs for All Outstanding Stock-based Awards	The table below summarizes Cars.com’s unearned compensation and weighted-average remaining period to recognize costs for all outstanding stock-based awards that are probable of vested as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands, except as noted): Unearned Compensation Weighted- Average Remaining Period (in years) RSUs $ 10,129 3.0 Other 72 0.3 Total $ 10,201 2.9
Summary of RSU Activity	The table below summarizes RSU activity related to RSUs held by the Company’s current and former employees for the year ended December 31, 2017 (shares in thousands): RSUs Weighted- Average Grant Price Outstanding at December 31, 2016 - $ - Shares converted at Separation 306 25.17 Granted 286 25.84 Vested (4 ) 26.68 Forfeited (62 ) 25.57 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 526 $ 25.48

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The computations of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share are set forth below (in thousands, except per share amounts): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Net income (a) $ 224,443 $ 176,370 $ 157,838 Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic 71,661 71,588 71,588 Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation awards 66 — — Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted 71,727 71,588 71,588 Earnings per share, basic $ 3.13 $ 2.46 $ 2.20 Earnings per share, diluted $ 3.13 $ 2.46 $ 2.20 (a) 2017 includes the tax benefit from the write-off of the permanent outside basis difference and the reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 2016 only includes DealerRater tax expense for the post-acquisition period. There was no tax expense recorded for 2015. See Note 11 of this report for additional information.

Selected Quarterly Financial 36

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Cars.com Quarter Ended (In thousands, except per share amounts) March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 2017 Revenues $ 153,174 $ 156,624 $ 159,899 $ 156,565 Cost of revenue and operations 15,902 15,540 18,176 15,923 Operating income 27,181 28,873 39,374 38,828 Net income 26,888 24,809 20,988 151,758 Earnings per share, basic 0.38 0.35 0.29 2.12 Earnings per share, diluted 0.38 0.35 0.29 2.11 2016 Revenues $ 152,489 $ 156,650 $ 162,295 $ 161,672 Cost of revenue and operations 13,559 13,628 15,033 14,574 Operating income 33,778 41,875 52,168 48,829 Net income 33,699 42,020 51,845 48,806 Earnings per share, basic 0.47 0.59 0.72 0.68 Earnings per share, diluted 0.47 0.59 0.72 0.68

Description of business and bas

Description of business and basis of presentation - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	May 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Aug. 01, 2016
Description of business and basis of presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership by the company		100.00%
Historical allocated corporate costs		$ 2.5	$ 2.2	$ 1.4
Spinoff
Description of business and basis of presentation [Line Items]
Cash transfer made to parent company	$ 650
TEGNA Inc | DealerRater
Description of business and basis of presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest acquired					100.00%
TEGNA Inc | Spinoff
Description of business and basis of presentation [Line Items]
Date of separation	May 31, 2017
Stock holder of Parent common stock received ratio	0.3333

Significant Accounting Polici38

Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Business	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Guidance [Line Items]
Base subscription contract term	1 year
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 2,452,000	$ 3,030,000	$ 2,515,000
Marketable securities held in trust	2,300,000	3,300,000
Gains on trading securities	300,000	200,000	100,000
Non-marketable investments	9,400,000	9,300,000
Impairments on non-marketable investments	0
Depreciation expense	10,770,000	8,276,000	8,160,000
Goodwill	$ 788,107,000	788,107,000
Number of reporting units | Business	1
Impairment of goodwill	$ 0	0	0
Impairment charge of indefinite lived intangible asset	0
Impairment of long-lived assets hold for continued use	0
Impairment of long-lived assets hold for sale	0
Capitalized software costs	6,900,000	5,200,000	1,300,000
Advertising expense	104,600,000	97,100,000	96,000,000
TEGNA Inc
Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Guidance [Line Items]
Goodwill	788,000,000	788,000,000
Marketing and Sales
Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Guidance [Line Items]
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 2,500,000	$ 4,600,000	$ 2,500,000
Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Guidance [Line Items]
Revenue recognition contract term for fixed fee contracts	3 months
Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Guidance [Line Items]
Revenue recognition contract term for fixed fee contracts	6 months

Significant Accounting Polici39

Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Computer Software | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	18 months
Computer Software | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	7 years
Computer Hardware | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Computer Hardware | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures | Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures | Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Leasehold Improvements
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	Lesser of useful life or lease term

Significant Accounting Polici40

Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Schedule of Amortizable Intangible Assets Amortized on Straight-line Basis over Estimated Useful Lives (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Customer Relationships | Minimum
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangible assets estimated useful lives	5 years
Customer Relationships | Maximum
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangible assets estimated useful lives	14 years
Acquired Software | Minimum
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangible assets estimated useful lives	2 years
Acquired Software | Maximum
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangible assets estimated useful lives	7 years
Trade Name | DealerRater
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangible assets estimated useful lives	12 years
Non-compete Agreements
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangible assets estimated useful lives	5 years
Content Library
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizing intangible assets estimated useful lives	2 years

Goodwill and Other Intangible41

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangibles and Amortizable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	$ 788,107	$ 788,107
Goodwill, Net	788,107	788,107
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Gross	900,700	900,700
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(243,520)	(165,651)
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Net	657,180	735,049
Intangible assets including goodwill, Gross	2,561,127	2,561,127
Intangible assets including goodwill, Accumulated Amortization	(243,520)	(165,651)
Intangible assets including goodwill, Net	2,317,607	2,395,476
Customer Relationships
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Gross	814,240	814,240
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(205,190)	(140,788)
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Net	609,050	673,452
Acquired Software
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Gross	71,700	71,700
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(33,826)	(22,798)
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Net	37,874	48,902
Trade Name | DealerRater
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Gross	9,800	9,800
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,157)	(340)
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Net	8,643	9,460
Non-compete Agreements
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Gross	2,860	2,860
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,859)	(1,287)
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Net	1,001	1,573
Content Library
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Gross	2,100	2,100
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,488)	(438)
Total Amortizable intangible assets, Net	612	1,662
Trade Name
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangibles, Gross	872,320	872,320
Indefinite-lived intangibles, Net	$ 872,320	$ 872,320

Goodwill and Other Intangible42

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 77.9	$ 74.8	$ 72.7
Projected amortization expense 2018	77
Projected amortization expense 2019	76.4
Projected amortization expense 2020	78.3
Projected amortization expense 2021	75.9
Projected amortization expense 2022	68.4
Customer Relationships | DealerRater
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Acquisition related to intangible assets	24.7
Trade Name, Acquired Software and Content Library | DealerRater
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Acquisition related to intangible assets	$ 14.1

Investments - Additional Inform

Investments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2017	May 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule Of Gain Loss On Investments Including Marketable Securities And Investments Held At Cost Income Statement Reported Amounts Summary [Line Items]
Purchase of debt			$ 2,216
Non-marketable investments			$ 9,300	$ 9,400
RepairPal, Inc.
Schedule Of Gain Loss On Investments Including Marketable Securities And Investments Held At Cost Income Statement Reported Amounts Summary [Line Items]
Ownership percentage				20.00%
RepairPal, Inc. | 100% of the Price of Shares Sold
Schedule Of Gain Loss On Investments Including Marketable Securities And Investments Held At Cost Income Statement Reported Amounts Summary [Line Items]
Debt converted amount	$ 1,100
Debt conversion percentage of share issued price	100.00%
RepairPal, Inc. | 80% of the Price of Shares Sold
Schedule Of Gain Loss On Investments Including Marketable Securities And Investments Held At Cost Income Statement Reported Amounts Summary [Line Items]
Debt converted amount	$ 1,100
Debt conversion percentage of share issued price	80.00%
RepairPal, Inc. | Preferred Stock
Schedule Of Gain Loss On Investments Including Marketable Securities And Investments Held At Cost Income Statement Reported Amounts Summary [Line Items]
Debt converted to shares	18.2
RepairPal, Inc. | Preferred Stock | Minimum
Schedule Of Gain Loss On Investments Including Marketable Securities And Investments Held At Cost Income Statement Reported Amounts Summary [Line Items]
Sale of stock to investors	$ 5,000
RepairPal, Inc. | Convertible Debt
Schedule Of Gain Loss On Investments Including Marketable Securities And Investments Held At Cost Income Statement Reported Amounts Summary [Line Items]
Purchase of debt		$ 2,200
Percentage of annual interest rate		7.00%
Maturity date of debt		2018-05

Unfavorable Contracts Liabili44

Unfavorable Contracts Liability - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)AgreementMarket	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Unfavorable Contracts Liability [Line Items]
Wholesale revenue	[1]	$ 162,982	$ 170,330	$ 171,878
Wholesale revenue percentage		26.00%	27.00%
Number of affiliates in agreement | Agreement			6
Number of markets covering by affiliate agreements | Market			100
Percentage of retail rate charges to affiliates		60.00%
Affiliate agreement expiration date description		fourth quarter of 2019
Affiliate agreement expiration month and year		2020-06
Annual amount of amortization into revenue		$ 25,000
Affiliate revenue share		8,948	$ 8,529	6,726
Unfavorable contracts liability		18,885	44,085
TEGNA Inc
Unfavorable Contracts Liability [Line Items]
Unfavorable contracts liability		44,100	69,300
TEGNA Inc | Wholesale Revenue
Unfavorable Contracts Liability [Line Items]
Deferred consideration		$ 24,800	$ 25,200	$ 25,200
Direct Sales Channel
Unfavorable Contracts Liability [Line Items]
Affiliate agreement expiration month and year		2019-10
Affiliate revenue share		$ 400
[1]	Wholesale revenue includes revenues generated from TEGNA, Inc., through the Separation date of May 31, 2017, of $3.4 million, $8.5 million and $7.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The commercial agreement with TEGNA is still effective after the Separation.

Defined Contribution Plan - Add

Defined Contribution Plan - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation Related Costs [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan maximum annual compensation	100.00%
Percentage of employee contribution of the salary	5.00%
Defined contribution plan	$ 4.1	$ 4	$ 3.8
Maximum
Compensation Related Costs [Line Items]
Percentage of employee contribution of the salary	3.00%
3% of Employee Contribution
Compensation Related Costs [Line Items]
Percentage of employers matching contribution with employee contribution	100.00%
5% of Employee Contribution
Compensation Related Costs [Line Items]
Percentage of employers matching contribution with employee contribution	50.00%

Fair Value Measurement - LTIP I

Fair Value Measurement - LTIP Investments Carried at Fair Value by Category on Consolidated and Combined Balance Sheets in Accordance with Valuation Hierarchy (Details) - Fair Value Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Total investments at fair value	$ 2,346	$ 3,259
Mutual Funds
Assets:
Fair value measurements, Assets	1,765	2,228
Mutual Funds | Level 1
Assets:
Fair value measurements, Assets	1,765	2,228
Fixed Income Fund
Assets:
Fair value measurements, Assets	$ 581	$ 1,031

Share Appreciation Rights Pla47

Share Appreciation Rights Plan - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Deferred incentive plans			$ 1,973,000	$ 3,913,000
Share Appreciation Rights Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			3 years
Share appreciation rights expense			$ (100,000)	1,500,000	$ 100,000
Share appreciation rights capitalized as part of asset			0
Deferred incentive plans			1,600,000	10,800,000
Deferred compensation liability related to accrued share appreciation rights			1,000,000	9,100,000
Aggregate intrinsic value related to share appreciation rights settled through cash payments			9,100,000	16,700,000
Aggregate fair value of share appreciation rights vested			400,000	$ 1,200,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested rights			200,000
Remaining share appreciation rights obligation			$ 1,600,000
Share Appreciation Rights Plan | Scenario Forecast
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payments for share appreciation rights obligation	$ 600,000	$ 1,000,000

Share Appreciation Rights Pla48

Share Appreciation Rights Plan - Summary of Share Appreciation Rights Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Rights/Units
Rights/Units, Granted	286,000
Rights/Units, Canceled	(62,000)
Rights/Units outstanding, Ending Balance	526,000
Weighted Average Grant Price
Weighted Average Grant Price, Granted	$ 25.84
Weighted Average Grant Price, Canceled	25.57
Weighted Average Grant Price Outstanding, Ending Balance	$ 25.48
Share Appreciation Rights Plan
Rights/Units
Rights/Units Outstanding, Beginning Balance	2,119,000	3,792,000		5,522,000
Rights/Units, Granted	0	406,000	[1]	386,000	[2]
Rights/Units, Settled	(1,387,000)	(2,019,000)		(2,116,000)
Rights/Units, Canceled	(153,000)	(60,000)
Rights/Units outstanding, Ending Balance	579,000	2,119,000		3,792,000
Rights/ Units Vested, Ending Balance	511,000	1,755,000		3,534,000
Weighted Average Grant Price
Weighted Average Grant Price Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$ 8.16	$ 5.74		$ 4.71
Weighted Average Grant Price, Granted		13.12	[1]	12	[2]
Weighted Average Grant Price, Settled	5.84	4.47		4.19
Weighted Average Grant Price, Canceled	12.76	12.84
Weighted Average Grant Price Outstanding, Ending Balance	12.50	8.16		5.74
Weighted Average Grant Price Vested Ending Balance	$ 12.41	$ 7.21		$ 5.28
Remaining Average Contract Terms
Remaining Average Contract Terms Outstanding, Ending Balance	4 months 24 days	6 months		2 months 12 days
Remaining Average Contract Terms, Vested Ending Balance	4 months 24 days	3 months 18 days		1 month 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding, Ending Balance	$ 1,541	$ 11,718		$ 25,868
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Vested, Ending Balance	$ 1,402	$ 10,427		$ 25,580
[1]	The grant date fair value of share appreciation rights granted in 2016 was $3.83.
[2]	The grant date fair value of share appreciation rights granted in 2015 was $3.59.

Share Appreciation Rights Pla49

Share Appreciation Rights Plan - Summary of Share Appreciation Rights Activity (Parenthetical) (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Rights/Units, Granted	286,000
Share Appreciation Rights Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Rights/Units, Granted	0	406,000	[1]	386,000	[2]
Grant date fair value of share appreciation rights		$ 3.83		$ 3.59
[1]	The grant date fair value of share appreciation rights granted in 2016 was $3.83.
[2]	The grant date fair value of share appreciation rights granted in 2015 was $3.59.

Share Appreciation Rights Pla50

Share Appreciation Rights Plan - Schedule of Assumptions used to Estimate Fair Value of Share Appreciation Right (Details) - Share Appreciation Rights Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	1.80%
Expected dividend	0.00%
Expected volatility	28.70%
Expected life	1 year

Debt - Term Loan and Revolvin51

Debt - Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility - Additional Information (Details)	May 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 06, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowings	$ 675,000,000		$ 583,750,000	[1]
Cash payment to TEGNA	$ 650,000,000		650,000,000
Debt issuance costs			$ 5,400,000
New York Fed Bank Rate
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Minimum | LIBOR
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.25%
Minimum | ABR
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.25%
Maximum | LIBOR
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Maximum | ABR
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Term Loan And Revolving Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit agreement maturity date			May 31, 2022
Line of credit facility description	the Credit Agreement is payable based on either (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or (ii) the Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”), as defined in the Credit Agreement, in either case plus an applicable margin and fees which, after the second full fiscal quarter following the closing date, is based upon its total net leverage ratio. The ABR is the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the New York Fed Bank Rate plus 50 basis points or (c) adjusted LIBOR, which is computed as the LIBOR Screen Rate at 11:00 AM on such day. The applicable margin varies between 1.25% to 2.0% for LIBOR borrowings and 0.25% to 1.0% for ABR borrowings, depending on the Company’s net leverage ratio.
Revolving Credit Facility
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 450,000,000
Outstanding principal amount			$ 145,000
Effective interest rate			3.13%
Repayment of loan			$ 80,000
Aggregate permitted amount to borrow			$ 305,000
Net leverage ratio			2.4
Revolving Credit Facility | Subsequent Event
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Repayment of loan		$ 25,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Subsequent Event | Acquisition of DI and LDM
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowings		$ 165,000,000
Letter Of Credit
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	25,000,000
Term Loan
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 450,000,000
Mode of payment			Quarterly
Outstanding principal amount			$ 438,800,000
Effective interest rate			3.13%
Repayment of loan			$ 11,300,000
[1]	The long-term debt includes future principal payments on long-term borrowings through scheduled maturity dates. Excluded from these amounts are the amortization of debt.

Debt - Term Loan and Revolvin52

Debt - Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility - Schedule of Company's Contractual Payments (Details) - USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2017		May 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long term debt, Total		$ 583,750,000	[1]	$ 675,000,000
Long term debt, 2018	[1]	22,500,000
Long term debt, 2019	[1]	28,125,000
Long term debt, 2020	[1]	33,750,000
Long term debt, 2021	[1]	39,375,000
Long term debt, 2022	[1]	$ 460,000,000
[1]	The long-term debt includes future principal payments on long-term borrowings through scheduled maturity dates. Excluded from these amounts are the amortization of debt.

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Lease expiration date	Jun. 30, 2031
Lease escalate percentage per year	2.50%
Total minimum payments throughout the remaining life of lease	$ 55,800	$ 59,853
Rent expense		$ 7,300	$ 6,800	$ 6,400

Commitments and Contingencies54

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments under Noncancelable Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating leases, Total	$ 59,853	$ 55,800
Operating leases, 2018	6,104
Operating leases, 2019	4,337
Operating leases, 2020	3,686
Operating leases, 2021	3,496
Operating leases, 2022	3,536
Operating leases, Thereafter	$ 38,694

Income Taxes - Schedule of Sign

Income Taxes - Schedule of Significant Components of the Income Tax Expense (benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current
U.S. federal	$ 5,966	$ 1,001
U.S. state & local	598
Total current income tax expense	6,564	1,001
Deferred
U.S. federal	(110,361)	(538)
U.S. state & local	1,516	125
Total deferred income tax expense	(108,845)	(413)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (102,281)	$ 588

Income Taxes - Schedule of Inco

Income Taxes - Schedule of Income Tax Provision Differed from Amounts Computed at the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax provision at statutory rate	$ 42,757	$ 521
Tax effect of pre-Separation earnings	(16,210)
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	2,294	67
Write-off of permanent outside basis difference	(50,687)
Effect of U.S. federal tax rate change	(80,298)
Other, net	(137)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (102,281)	$ 588

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Federal statutory rate		35.00%
Tax effect of pre-Separation earnings		$ (16,210,000)
Write-off of permanent outside basis difference resulting from change in tax status		50,687,000
Effect of U.S. federal tax rate change		80,298,000
Deferred income tax liabilities, Net		246,000,000
Tax cuts and jobs act of 2017 change in tax rate provisional income tax expense (benefit)		80,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain income tax positions		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Scenario Forecast
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Federal statutory rate	21.00%

Income Taxes - Schedule of Temp

Income Taxes - Schedule of Temporary Differences and Carryforwards of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred income tax asset (liability):
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	$ 18	$ 18
Accrued compensation	2,374	336
Unfavorable contracts liability	10,794
Other	3,740	40
Total deferred tax assets	16,926	394
Depreciation	(4,667)	(98)
Intangibles	(156,968)	(8,621)
Other	(1,773)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(163,408)	(8,719)
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$ (146,482)	$ (8,325)

Stock-based Compensation Plan59

Stock-based Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
RSUs vested but not yet delivered			4,000
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 2,627,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Description of terms of award			Eligible employees
Purchase price of common stock as percentage of market value	85.00%
Stock-based compensation expense			$ 100,000
Shares available for issuance under ESPP			3,000,000
RSUs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs vested			$ 25.25
Aggregate fair value of share appreciation rights vested			$ 1,800,000
RSUs vested but not yet delivered			72,000
Maximum | Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Eligible employees payroll deductions percentage	10.00%
Purchase price of common stock	$ 10,000
Maximum | RSUs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			4 years
Minimum | RSUs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			1 year
Omnibus Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock shares available for future grants			16,900,000
Omnibus Plan | Maximum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock shares issued		18,000,000

Stock-based Compensation Plan60

Stock-based Compensation Plans - Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2,627
Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation included in net income	$ 643

Stock-based Compensation Plan61

Stock-based Compensation Plans - Schedule of Unearned Compensation and Weighted-Average Remaining Period to Recognize Costs for All Outstanding Stock-based Awards (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unearned Compensation	$ 10,201
Weighted- Average Remaining Period (in years)	2 years 10 months 24 days
RSUs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unearned Compensation	$ 10,129
Weighted- Average Remaining Period (in years)	3 years
Other
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unearned Compensation	$ 72
Weighted- Average Remaining Period (in years)	3 months 18 days

Stock-based Compensation Plan62

Stock-based Compensation Plans - Summary of RSU Activity (Details) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
RSUs
RSUs, Shares converted at Separation | shares	306
RSUs, Granted | shares	286
RSUs, Vested | shares	(4)
RSUs, Forfeited | shares	(62)
Rights/Units outstanding, Ending Balance | shares	526
Weighted Average Grant Price
Weighted-Average Grant Price, Shares converted at Separation | $ / shares	$ 25.17
Weighted-Average Grant Price, Granted | $ / shares	25.84
Weighted-Average Grant Price, Vested | $ / shares	26.68
Weighted-Average Grant Price, Forfeited | $ / shares	25.57
Weighted Average Grant Price Outstanding, Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 25.48

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Details) - $ / shares	May 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted	71,600,000
Equity-based awards outstanding	0
Common stock, par value		$ 0.01	$ 0.01

Earnings Per Share - Computatio

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 151,758	$ 20,988	$ 24,809	$ 26,888	$ 48,806	$ 51,845	$ 42,020	$ 33,699	$ 224,443	$ 176,370	$ 157,838
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic									71,661	71,588	71,588
Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation awards									66
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted									71,727	71,588	71,588
Earnings per share, basic	$ 2.12	$ 0.29	$ 0.35	$ 0.38	$ 0.68	$ 0.72	$ 0.59	$ 0.47	$ 3.13	$ 2.46	$ 2.20
Earnings per share, diluted	$ 2.11	$ 0.29	$ 0.35	$ 0.38	$ 0.68	$ 0.72	$ 0.59	$ 0.47	$ 3.13	$ 2.46	$ 2.20

Segment Information - Additiona

Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	1
Number of reportable segments	1

Related Party - Additional Info

Related Party - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related party revenue earned from commercial agreement with TEGNA	$ 3.4	$ 8.5	$ 7.7
Commercial agreement with TEGNA effective year	2,020

Selected Quarterly Financial 67

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Schedule of Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 156,565	$ 159,899	$ 156,624	$ 153,174	$ 161,672	$ 162,295	$ 156,650	$ 152,489	$ 626,262	$ 633,106	$ 596,510
Cost of revenue and operations	15,923	18,176	15,540	15,902	14,574	15,033	13,628	13,559	65,541	56,794	46,462
Operating income	38,828	39,374	28,873	27,181	48,829	52,168	41,875	33,778	134,256	176,650	157,733
Net income	$ 151,758	$ 20,988	$ 24,809	$ 26,888	$ 48,806	$ 51,845	$ 42,020	$ 33,699	$ 224,443	$ 176,370	$ 157,838
Earnings per share, basic	$ 2.12	$ 0.29	$ 0.35	$ 0.38	$ 0.68	$ 0.72	$ 0.59	$ 0.47	$ 3.13	$ 2.46	$ 2.20
Earnings per share, diluted	$ 2.11	$ 0.29	$ 0.35	$ 0.38	$ 0.68	$ 0.72	$ 0.59	$ 0.47	$ 3.13	$ 2.46	$ 2.20

Subsequent Events - Additional

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Details) - Dealer Inspire and Launch Digital Marketing (“LDM”) - Subsequent Event $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2018USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business acquisition, cash consideration	$ 165
Additional consideration based on performance	$ 40
Future performance period to pay additional consideration	3 years

Schedule II Valuation and Qua69

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 3,527	$ 2,310	$ 2,135
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	2,452	4,632	2,515
Write-offs	4,037	3,935	3,024
Recoveries	674	520	684
Balance at End of Period	$ 2,616	$ 3,527	$ 2,310