Document and Entity Information
Document and Entity Information - shares | 9 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2018 | Nov. 02, 2018 | |
Document and Entity Information [Abstract] | ||
Entity Registrant Name | Altice USA, Inc. | |
Entity Central Index Key | 1,702,780 | |
Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | |
Entity Filer Category | Non-accelerated Filer | |
Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2,018 | |
Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q3 | |
Document Type | 10-Q | |
Amendment Flag | false | |
Document Period End Date | Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 715,100,411 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Current Assets: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 486,208 | $ 329,848 |
Restricted cash | 253 | 252 |
Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,259 and $13,420) | 436,550 | 370,765 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 167,836 | 130,425 |
Amounts due from affiliates | 18,387 | 19,764 |
Derivative contracts | 3,269 | 52,545 |
Total current assets | 1,112,503 | 903,599 |
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,708,770 and $2,599,579 | 5,760,479 | 6,023,826 |
Investment securities pledged as collateral | 1,521,045 | 1,720,357 |
Derivative contracts | 31,510 | 0 |
Other assets | 97,537 | 57,904 |
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | 4,400,996 | 5,066,454 |
Indefinite-lived cable television franchises | 13,020,081 | 13,020,081 |
Goodwill | 8,012,416 | 8,019,861 |
Total assets | 33,956,567 | 34,812,082 |
Current Liabilities: | ||
Accounts payable | 883,408 | 795,128 |
Interest | 321,327 | 397,422 |
Employee related costs | 123,387 | 147,727 |
Other accrued expenses | 329,122 | 411,988 |
Amounts due to affiliates | 23,424 | 10,998 |
Deferred revenue | 131,133 | 111,197 |
Liabilities under derivative contracts | 0 | 52,545 |
Credit facility debt | 57,650 | 42,650 |
Senior notes and debentures | 531,206 | 507,744 |
Capital lease obligations | 4,147 | 9,539 |
Notes payable | 71,873 | 33,424 |
Total current liabilities | 2,476,677 | 2,520,362 |
Defined benefit plan obligations | 84,755 | 103,163 |
Other liabilities | 169,473 | 144,289 |
Deferred tax liability | 4,809,745 | 4,769,286 |
Liabilities under derivative contracts | 153,850 | 187,406 |
Collateralized indebtedness | 1,400,398 | 1,349,474 |
Credit facility debt | 6,163,843 | 4,600,873 |
Senior notes and debentures | 14,824,532 | 15,352,688 |
Capital lease obligations | 17,304 | 12,441 |
Notes payable | 5,218 | 32,478 |
Deficit investment in affiliates | 0 | 3,579 |
Total liabilities | 30,105,795 | 29,076,039 |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) | ||
Redeemable equity | 179,799 | 231,290 |
Stockholders' Equity: | ||
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding | 0 | 0 |
Paid-in capital | 3,618,709 | 4,665,229 |
Retained earnings | 38,744 | 840,636 |
Total stockholders' equity before accumulated other comprehensive Income and non-controlling interest | 3,664,691 | 5,513,236 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (2,291) | (10,022) |
Total stockholders' equity | 3,662,400 | 5,503,214 |
Noncontrolling interest | 8,573 | 1,539 |
Total stockholders' equity | 3,670,973 | 5,504,753 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | 33,956,567 | 34,812,082 |
Common Class A | ||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||
Common stock | 5,107 | 2,470 |
Common Class B [Member] | ||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||
Common stock | 2,131 | 4,901 |
Common Class C | ||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||
Common stock | 0 | 0 |
Customer relationships | ||
Current Assets: | ||
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | 3,991,289 | 4,561,863 |
Trade names | ||
Current Assets: | ||
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | 388,835 | 478,509 |
Amortizable intangible assets | ||
Current Assets: | ||
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | $ 20,872 | $ 26,082 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Current Assets: | ||
Accounts receivable, trade allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 13,259 | $ 13,420 |
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation | 3,393,628 | 2,599,579 |
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization | $ 2,674,615 | $ 2,008,573 |
Stockholders' Equity: | ||
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 |
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) | 0 | 0 |
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | 0 | 0 |
Common Class A | ||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) | 4,000,000,000 | 4,000,000,000 |
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) | 510,702,726 | 246,982,292 |
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | 510,702,726 | |
Common Class B [Member] | ||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) | 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 |
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) | 490,086,674 | 490,086,674 |
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | 213,146,331 | 490,086,674 |
Common Class C | ||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) | 4,000,000,000 | 4,000,000,000 |
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) | 0 | 0 |
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | 0 | 0 |
Customer relationships | ||
Current Assets: | ||
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization | $ 1,979,595 | $ 1,409,021 |
Trade names | ||
Current Assets: | ||
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization | 678,248 | 588,574 |
Amortizable intangible assets | ||
Current Assets: | ||
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization | $ 16,772 | $ 10,978 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Income Statement [Abstract] | ||||
Revenue (including revenue from affiliates of $545, $426, $1,397 and $820, respectively) (See Note 14) | $ 2,417,801 | $ 2,322,521 | $ 7,111,668 | $ 6,947,142 |
Operating expenses: | ||||
Programming and other direct costs (including charges from affiliates of $1,671, $1,196, $6,690 and $3,026, respectively) (See Note 14) | 790,533 | 755,101 | 2,373,021 | 2,272,147 |
Other operating expenses (including charges from affiliates of $905, $8,302, $15,154 and $24,266, respectively) (See Note 14) | 569,070 | 570,111 | 1,727,842 | 1,769,477 |
Restructuring and other expense | 16,587 | 53,448 | 29,865 | 142,765 |
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) | 536,053 | 823,286 | 1,827,285 | 2,138,800 |
Total operating expenses | 1,912,243 | 2,201,946 | 5,958,013 | 6,323,189 |
Operating income | 505,558 | 120,575 | 1,153,655 | 623,953 |
Other income (expense): | ||||
Interest expense (including $90,405 related to affiliates and related parties in 2017) (See Note 9) | (389,594) | (379,066) | (1,157,395) | (1,232,730) |
Interest income | 1,427 | 961 | 9,843 | 1,373 |
Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net | 111,684 | (18,900) | (182,031) | 169,888 |
Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net | (111,684) | 199,312 | ||
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net | (79,628) | (16,763) | 130,883 | (154,270) |
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts | (19,554) | 1,051 | (64,405) | 12,539 |
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs (including $513,723 related to affiliates and related parties in 2017) (See Note 9) | 0 | (38,858) | (41,616) | (600,240) |
Other expense, net | (186) | (2,984) | (12,473) | (9,019) |
Total other income (expense) | (375,851) | (454,559) | (1,317,194) | (1,812,459) |
Income (loss) before income taxes | 129,707 | (333,984) | (163,539) | (1,188,506) |
Income tax benefit (expense) | (95,968) | 141,550 | (29,675) | 439,945 |
Net income (loss) | 33,739 | (192,434) | (193,214) | (748,561) |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,039) | (737) | ||
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | (1,186) | (135) | (1,039) | (737) |
Net income (loss) attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders | $ 32,553 | $ (192,569) | $ (194,253) | $ (749,298) |
Earnings Per Share, Basic | $ 0.04 | $ (0.26) | $ (0.26) | $ (1.10) |
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic | 732,963 | 737,069 | 735,685 | 682,234 |
Earnings Per Share, Diluted | $ 0.04 | $ (0.26) | $ (0.26) | $ (1.10) |
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted | 732,963 | 737,069 | 735,685 | 682,234 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Income Statement [Abstract] | ||||
Revenue from affiliates | $ 545 | $ 426 | $ 1,397 | $ 820 |
Programming and other direct costs from affiliates | 1,671 | 1,196 | 6,690 | 3,026 |
Other operating expenses, net | 905 | 8,302 | 15,154 | 24,266 |
Interest expense to related parties and affiliates | 0 | 0 | 0 | (90,405) |
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs (including $513,723 related to affiliates and related parties in 2017) (See Note 9) | 0 | (38,858) | (41,616) | (600,240) |
Related Party Transaction, Loss on Extinguishment of Debt of Deferred Financing Costs | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 513,723 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] | ||||
Net loss | $ 33,739 | $ (192,434) | $ (193,214) | $ (748,561) |
Defined benefit pension plans: | ||||
Unrecognized actuarial gain (loss) | 9,602 | (4,056) | 13,794 | (8,389) |
Applicable income taxes | 2,592 | (1,622) | 3,723 | (3,356) |
Unrecognized gain (loss) arising during period, net of income taxes | 7,010 | (2,434) | 10,071 | (5,033) |
Settlement loss included in other expense, net | 65 | 1,014 | 929 | 1,403 |
Applicable income taxes | (18) | (406) | (252) | (561) |
Settlement loss included in other expense, net, net of income taxes | 47 | 608 | 677 | 842 |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax | 437 | 0 | 1,351 | 0 |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax | (27) | 0 | (365) | 0 |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax | 410 | 0 | 986 | 0 |
Other comprehensive gain (loss) | 7,467 | (1,826) | 11,734 | (6,108) |
Comprehensive income (loss) | 41,206 | (194,260) | (181,480) | (754,669) |
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,186) | (135) | (1,039) | (737) |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders | 40,020 | (194,395) | (182,519) | (755,406) |
Customer Relationships [Member] | ||||
Defined benefit pension plans: | ||||
Settlement loss included in other expense, net | 0 | 0 | 0 | (3,195) |
Applicable income taxes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,278 |
Settlement loss included in other expense, net, net of income taxes | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ (1,917) |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Total | Total Stockholders' Equity | Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Non-controlling Interest | Common Class ACommon Stock | Common Class B [Member]Common Stock | ATS Acquisition | ATS AcquisitionTotal Stockholders' Equity | ATS AcquisitionPaid-in Capital | ATS AcquisitionRetained Earnings |
Dividends | $ (1,499,935) | $ (1,499,935) | $ (963,711) | $ (536,224) | ||||||||
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock | 240,799 | 240,799 | 240,666 | 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ (133) | $ 0 | ||||
Acquisitionofi24 | 14,369 | 14,369 | (61,049) | (73,578) | (1,840) | |||||||
Beginning balance (As Reported) at Dec. 31, 2017 | 5,495,840 | 5,494,301 | 4,642,128 | 854,824 | (10,022) | 1,539 | 2,470 | 4,901 | ||||
Beginning balance (Restatement Adjustment) | $ (3,753) | $ (3,753) | $ 23,101 | $ (26,854) | ||||||||
Beginning balance (Restatement Adjustment, Impact of ASC 606) | 12,666 | 12,666 | 12,666 | |||||||||
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017 | 5,504,753 | 5,503,214 | 4,665,229 | 840,636 | (10,022) | 1,539 | 2,470 | 4,901 | ||||
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to stockholders | (194,253) | (194,253) | (194,253) | |||||||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 1,039 | 1,039 | ||||||||||
Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests | 5,995 | 5,995 | ||||||||||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements, Net of Tax | 10,748 | |||||||||||
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes | 11,734 | |||||||||||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax | 986 | |||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 46,176 | 46,176 | 46,176 | |||||||||
Redeemable equity vested | (72,924) | (72,924) | (72,924) | |||||||||
Other changes to equity | (859) | (859) | (859) | 0 | ||||||||
Adoption of ASU No. 2018-02 | 2,163 | (2,163) | ||||||||||
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018 | 3,670,973 | 3,662,400 | 3,618,709 | $ 38,744 | $ (2,291) | $ 8,573 | 5,107 | 2,131 | ||||
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||||||||
Class B Shares Exchanged fro Class A | 0 | $ 2,770 | $ (2,770) | |||||||||
Redeemable Equity Vested | $ 124,415 | $ 124,415 | $ 124,415 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_5
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
Net loss | $ (193,214) | $ (748,561) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) | 1,827,285 | 2,138,800 |
Equity in net loss of affiliates | 10,849 | 5,697 |
Loss (gain) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net | 182,031 | (169,888) |
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net | (130,883) | 154,270 |
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs | 41,616 | 600,240 |
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts (premiums) on indebtedness | 60,526 | 18,517 |
Settlement loss included in other expense, net | 929 | 1,403 |
Share-based compensation expense | 46,176 | 40,932 |
Deferred income taxes | 14,399 | (470,841) |
Provision for doubtful accounts | 50,643 | 54,501 |
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions: | ||
Accounts receivable, trade | (111,446) | (45,493) |
Other receivables | (138) | (5,520) |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | (41,890) | (816) |
Amounts due from and due to affiliates | 7,203 | (40,355) |
Accounts payable | 85,497 | 53,433 |
Accrued liabilities | (198,196) | (303,717) |
Deferred revenue | 56,326 | 9,382 |
Liabilities related to interest rate swap contracts | 62,549 | (9,552) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,770,262 | 1,282,432 |
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||
Capital expenditures | (832,824) | (718,919) |
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (10,753) | (43,608) |
Sale of affiliate interests | (3,537) | 0 |
Payments for Derivative Instrument, Investing Activities | 0 | (24,039) |
Proceeds related to sale of equipment, including costs of disposal | 7,802 | 3,398 |
Increase in other investments | (2,500) | (4,800) |
Additions to other intangible assets | (584) | (1,700) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (842,396) | (789,668) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
Proceeds from credit facility debt, net of discounts | 2,217,500 | 5,602,425 |
Repayment of credit facility debt | (635,738) | (3,684,668) |
Issuance of senior notes and debentures | 2,050,000 | 0 |
Redemption of senior notes, including premiums and fees | (2,623,756) | (1,729,400) |
Proceeds from collateralized indebtedness, net | 516,513 | 662,724 |
Net Cash Receipt Payment on Collateralized Indebtedness Settlement | (516,513) | (654,989) |
Payments of Dividends | (1,499,935) | (919,317) |
Proceeds from notes payable | 15,955 | 24,649 |
Repayments of Notes Payable | (14,089) | |
Principal payments on capital lease obligations | (8,581) | (11,518) |
Cash Payments for the Repurchase of Common Shares | (226,803) | 0 |
Additions to deferred financing costs | (21,570) | (9,486) |
Other | (859) | 0 |
Payment for Contingent Consideration Liability, Financing Activities | (30,000) | 0 |
Proceeds from Partnership Contribution | 5,995 | |
Proceeds from Contributed Capital | 50,800 | |
Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering | 0 | 348,460 |
Net cash used in financing activities | (771,881) | (320,320) |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 155,985 | 172,444 |
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents | 376 | 0 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) | 156,361 | 172,444 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | 330,100 | 503,093 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | 486,461 | $ 675,537 |
Non-controlling Interest | ||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
Proceeds from Partnership Contribution | $ 5,995 |
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND REL
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND RELATED MATTERS | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND RELATED MATTERS | DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND RELATED MATTERS The Company and Related Matters Altice USA, Inc. ("Altice USA" or the "Company") was incorporated in Delaware on September 14, 2015 . Prior to the Altice N.V. distribution discussed below, Altice USA was majority-owned by Altice N.V., a public company with limited liability (naamloze vennootshcap) under Dutch law. Since the completion of the Altice N.V. distribution discussed below, the Company is no longer majority-owned by Altice N.V. Altice N.V. changed its name to Altice Europe N.V. ("Altice Europe") upon completion of the distribution. The Company provides broadband communications and video services in the United States. It delivers broadband, pay television, telephony services, proprietary content and advertising services to residential and business customers. Altice N.V., through a subsidiary, acquired Cequel Corporation ("Cequel" or "Suddenlink") on December 21, 2015 (the "Cequel Acquisition") and Cequel was contributed to Altice USA on June 9, 2016 . Altice USA acquired Cablevision Systems Corporation ("Cablevision" or "Optimum") on June 21, 2016 (the "Cablevision Acquisition"). The Company classifies its operations into two reportable segments: Cablevision, which operates in the New York metropolitan area, and Cequel, which principally operates in markets in the south-central United States. The accompanying condensed combined consolidated financial statements ("condensed consolidated financial statements") include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling interest and gives effect to the ATS Acquisition and the i24 Acquisition discussed below on a combined basis. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying condensed consolidated operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 reflect the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and ASU No. 2017-07 Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). See Note 3 for further details of the impact on the Company's historical financial statements. In June 2017, the Company completed its initial public offering ("IPO") of 71,724,139 shares of its Class A common stock. The Company’s Class A common stock began trading on June 22, 2017, on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ATUS". Acquisition of Altice Technical Services US Corp ATS was formed in 2017 to provide network construction and maintenance services and commercial and residential installations, disconnections, and maintenance. During the second quarter of 2017, a substantial portion of the Company's technical workforce at the Cablevision segment either accepted employment with ATS or became employees of ATS and ATS commenced operations and began to perform services for the Company. A substantial portion of the Cequel segment technical workforce became employees of ATS in December 2017. In January 2018, the Company acquired 70% of the equity interests in Altice Technical Services US Corp. ("ATS") for $1.00 (the "ATS Acquisition") and the Company became the owner of 100% of the equity interests in ATS in March 2018. ATS was previously owned by Altice N.V. and a member of ATS's management through a holding company. As the acquisition was a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities of ATS for all periods since its formation. See Note 3 for the impact of the ATS Acquisition on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and on the Company's statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Acquisition of i24NEWS In April 2018, Altice N.V. transferred its ownership of i24 US and i24 Europe ("i24NEWS"), Altice N.V.'s 24/7 international news and current affairs channels to the Company for minimal consideration (the "i24 Acquisition"). As the acquisition was a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities of i24NEWS as of April 1, 2018. Operating results for periods prior to April 1, 2018 and the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 have not been revised to reflect the i24 Acquisition as the impact was deemed immaterial. Altice N.V. Distribution On June 8, 2018, Altice N.V. distributed substantially all of its equity interest in the Company through a distribution in kind to holders of Altice N.V.'s common shares A and common shares B (the “Distribution”). The Distribution took place by way of a special distribution in kind by Altice N.V. of its 67.2% interest in the Company to Altice N.V. shareholders. Each shareholder of Altice N.V. on May 23, 2018, the Distribution record date, received 0.4163 shares of the Company's common stock for every share held by such shareholder in Altice N.V. Between May 24, 2018 and June 4, 2018, each Altice N.V. shareholder was given the opportunity to elect the percentage of shares of the Company's Class A common stock and shares of the Company's Class B common stock such shareholder would receive in the Distribution, whereby the number of shares of the Company's Class B common stock to be distributed was subject to a cap of 50% of the total shares of the Company's common stock being distributed (the “Class B Cap”). Because the Class B Cap had been exceeded, the shares of the Company's Class B common stock delivered to Altice N.V.’s shareholders of record who elected to receive them were subject to proration, and such shareholders received shares of the Company's Class A common stock. Immediately following the Distribution, there were 489,384,523 shares of Altice USA Class A common stock and 247,684,443 shares of Altice USA Class B common stock outstanding. Prior to Altice N.V.'s announcement of the Distribution, the Board of Directors of Altice USA, acting through its independent directors, approved the payment of a $2.035 dividend to all shareholders of record on May 22, 2018. The payment of the dividend, aggregating $1,499,935 , was made on June 6, 2018, and was funded with cash at CSC Holdings LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cablevision, from financings completed in January 2018, and cash generated from operations at Cequel. In connection with the payment of the dividend, the Company recorded a decrease in retained earnings of $536,224 , representing the cumulative earnings through the payment date, and a decrease in paid in capital of $963,711 . In connection with the Distribution, the Management Advisory and Consulting Services Agreement with Altice N.V. which provided certain consulting, advisory and other services was terminated. Compensation under the terms of the agreement was an annual fee of $30,000 paid by the Company. In addition, the Board of Directors of Altice USA also authorized a share repurchase program of $2.0 billion , effective June 8, 2018. Under the repurchase program, shares of Altice USA Class A common stock may be purchased from time to time in the open market and may include trading plans entered into with one or more brokerage firms in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Size and timing of these purchases will be determined based on market conditions and other factors. From inception through September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 13,219,909 shares for a total purchase price of approximately $240,799 . These acquired shares were retired and the cost for these shares was recorded in paid in capital in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had approximately $1,759,201 of availability remaining under its stock repurchase program and had 723,849,057 combined Class A and Class B shares outstanding. |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all the information and notes required for complete annual financial statements. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the Company's financial statements and notes thereto included on Form 8-K filed on May 21, 2018. The financial statements presented in this report are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for future interim periods or for the full year ending December 31, 2018 . The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The primary provision of ASU No. 2018-02 allows for the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. ASU No. 2018-02 also requires certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. ASU No. 2018-02 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted and will be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The Company elected to adopt ASU No. 2018-02 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption resulted in the reclassification of stranded tax amounts of $2,163 associated with net unrecognized losses from the Company's pension plans from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). ASU No. 2017-09 provides clarity and guidance on which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU No. 2017-09 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). ASU No. 2017-07 requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. It also provides guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and what component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization. ASU No. 2017‑07 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and was applied retrospectively. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified the non-service cost components of the Company's pension expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 from other operating expenses to other income (expense), net. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient which allowed it to reclassify amounts disclosed previously in the benefits plan note as the basis for applying retrospective presentation for comparative periods, as the Company determined it was impracticable to disaggregate the cost components for amounts capitalized and amortized in those periods. See Note 3 for information on the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2017-07. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which amends Topic 805 to interpret the definition of a business by adding guidance to assist in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, in order to clarify the Codification and to correct any unintended application of the guidance. The amendments in this update affected the guidance in ASC 606. ASC 606 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 on a full retrospective basis, which required the Company to reflect the impact of the updated guidance for all periods presented. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. See Note 3 for information on the impact of the adoption of ASC 606. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires that the statement of cash flows disclose the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18 provides specific guidance on the presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and was applied retrospectively for all periods presented. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments which clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 also clarifies how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU No. 2016-01 modifies how entities measure certain equity investments and also modifies the recognition of changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the fair value option. Entities will be required to measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. For financial liabilities measured using the fair value option, entities will be required to record changes in fair value caused by a change in instrument-specific credit risk (own credit risk) separately in other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2016-01 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASC 606 replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP (See Note 3). Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which amends ASC 715 to clarify certain disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. ASU 2018-14 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2022, although early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-14 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Also in August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which requires upfront implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement (or hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to be amortized to hosting expense over the term of the arrangement, beginning when the module or component of the hosting arrangement is ready for its intended use. ASU No. 2018-14 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU No. 2018-15 will have on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). ASU No. 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two‑step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU No. 2017-04 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted and will be applied prospectively. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which increases transparency and comparability by recognizing a lessee’s rights and obligations resulting from leases by recording them on the balance sheet as lease assets and lease liabilities. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Although the Company has not yet completed its evaluation of the guidance, or quantified its impact, the Company believes the most significant impact will be the recognition of right of use assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet. The Company expects its lease obligations designated as operating leases will be reported on the consolidated balance sheets upon adoption. The Company is also evaluating other potential lease arrangements of the business, including arrangements that have been previously disclosed as a contractual commitment. The Company is currently in the process of collecting and validating lease data and implementing a software solution. In addition, the Company is assessing practical expedients and policy elections offered by the standard, and is evaluating its processes and internal controls to meet the accounting, reporting and disclosure requirements. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2017 financial statements to conform to the 2018 presentation. |
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES A
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ATS ACQUISITION | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] | |
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ATS ACQUISITION | CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ATS ACQUISITION Adoption of ASC 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance pursuant to ASC 606. The Company elected to apply the guidance on a full retrospective basis, which required the Company to reflect the impact of the updated guidance for all periods presented. The adoption of the guidance resulted in the deferral of certain installation revenue, the deferral of certain commission expenses, and a reduction of revenue due to the reclassification of certain third party giveaways and incentives from operating expense. Additionally, the Company made changes in the composition of revenue resulting from the allocation of value related to bundled services sold to residential customers at a discount. Installation Services Revenue Pursuant to ASC 606, the Company's installation services revenue is deferred and recognized over the benefit period. For residential customers, the benefit period is less than one year. For business and wholesale customers, the benefit period is the contract term. Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, the Company recognized installation services revenue for residential and small and medium-sized business ("SMB") customers when installations were completed. As a result of the deferral of installation services revenue for residential and SMB customers, the Company recognized contract liabilities of $6,978 and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $5,093 (net of tax of $1,885 ) to retained earnings. The accounting for installation services revenue related to business and wholesale customers has not changed. Commission Expenses Pursuant to ASC 606, the Company defers commission expenses related to obtaining a contract with a customer when the expected period of benefit is greater than one year and amortizes these costs over the average contract term. For commission expenses related to customer contracts with a term of one year or less, the Company is utilizing the practical expedient and is recognizing the costs when incurred. Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, the Company recognized commission expenses related to the sale of its services when incurred. As a result of the change in the timing of recognition of these commission expenses, the Company recognized contract assets of $24,329 and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $17,759 (net of tax of $6,570 ) to retained earnings. Third Party Product Giveaways and Incentives When the Company acts as the agent in providing certain product giveaways or incentives, revenue is recorded net of the costs of the giveaways and incentives. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, costs of $4,094 and $13,490 , respectively for the giveaways and incentives recorded in other operating expense have been reclassified to revenue. Bundled Services The Company provides bundled services at a discounted rate to its customers. Under ASC 606, revenue should be allocated to separate performance obligations within a bundled offering based on the relative stand-alone selling price of each service within the bundle. In connection with the adoption of ASC 606, the Company revised the amounts allocated to each performance obligation within its bundled offerings which reduced previously reported revenue for telephony services and increased previously reported revenue allocated to pay television and broadband services. Adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 - Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance pursuant to ASU No. 2017‑07. ASU No. 2017‑07 requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. In connection with the adoption of ASU No. 2017‑07, the Company retroactively reclassified certain pension costs from other operating expenses to other income (expense), net. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 had no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. Acquisition of ATS As discussed in Note 1, the Company completed the ATS Acquisition in the first quarter of 2018. ATS was previously owned by Altice N.V. and a member of ATS's management through a holding company. As the acquisition is a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities of ATS for all periods since the formation of ATS, including goodwill of $23,101 , representing the amount previously transferred to ATS. The following table summarizes the impact of adopting ASC 606 and the impact of the ATS Acquisition on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet: December 31, 2017 As Reported Impact of ASC 606 Impact of ATS Acquisition As Adjusted Cash and cash equivalents $ 273,329 $ — $ 56,519 $ 329,848 Other current assets 580,231 14,068 (20,548 ) 573,751 Property, plant and equipment, net 6,063,829 — (40,003 ) 6,023,826 Goodwill 7,996,760 — 23,101 8,019,861 Other assets, long-term 19,861,076 10,261 (6,541 ) 19,864,796 Total assets $ 34,775,225 $ 24,329 $ 12,528 $ 34,812,082 Current liabilities $ 2,492,983 $ 6,978 $ 20,401 $ 2,520,362 Deferred tax liability, long-term 4,775,115 4,685 (10,514 ) 4,769,286 Liabilities, long-term 21,779,997 — 6,394 21,786,391 Total liabilities 29,048,095 11,663 16,281 29,076,039 Redeemable equity 231,290 — — 231,290 Paid-in capital 4,642,128 — 23,101 4,665,229 Retained earnings 854,824 12,666 (26,854 ) 840,636 Total stockholders' equity 5,495,840 12,666 (3,753 ) 5,504,753 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 34,775,225 $ 24,329 $ 12,528 $ 34,812,082 The following table summarizes the impact of adopting ASC 606 and ASU No. 2017-07 and the impact of the ATS Acquisition on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations: Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 As Reported Impact of ASC 606 Impact of ASU No. 2017-07 Impact of ATS Acquisition As Adjusted Residential: Pay TV $ 1,054,392 $ 15,807 $ — $ (253 ) $ 1,069,946 Broadband 646,094 12,372 — (188 ) 658,278 Telephony 204,753 (32,155 ) — (119 ) 172,479 Business services and wholesale 324,760 (118 ) — — 324,642 Advertising 89,292 — — — 89,292 Other 7,884 — — — 7,884 Total revenue 2,327,175 (4,094 ) — (560 ) 2,322,521 Programming and other direct costs 755,101 — — — 755,101 Other operating expenses 560,497 (4,094 ) (2,921 ) 16,629 570,111 Restructuring and other expense 53,448 — — — 53,448 Depreciation and amortization 823,265 — — 21 823,286 Operating income 134,864 — 2,921 (17,210 ) 120,575 Other expense, net (451,638 ) — (2,921 ) — (454,559 ) Loss before income taxes (316,774 ) — — (17,210 ) (333,984 ) Income tax benefit 134,688 — — 6,862 141,550 Net loss $ (182,086 ) $ — $ — $ (10,348 ) $ (192,434 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 As Reported Impact of ASC 606 Impact of ASU No. 2017-07 Impact of ATS Acquisition As Adjusted Residential: Pay TV $ 3,185,610 $ 39,630 $ — $ (253 ) $ 3,224,987 Broadband 1,887,279 39,725 — (188 ) 1,926,816 Telephony 624,077 (92,257 ) — (119 ) 531,701 Business services and wholesale 968,291 (588 ) — — 967,703 Advertising 270,154 — — — 270,154 Other 25,781 — — — 25,781 Total revenue 6,961,192 (13,490 ) — (560 ) 6,947,142 Programming and other direct costs 2,272,147 — — — 2,272,147 Other operating expenses 1,767,624 (13,490 ) (9,852 ) 25,195 1,769,477 Restructuring and other expense 142,765 — — — 142,765 Depreciation and amortization 2,138,776 — — 24 2,138,800 Operating income 639,880 — 9,852 (25,779 ) 623,953 Other expense, net (1,802,608 ) — (9,852 ) 1 (1,812,459 ) Loss before income taxes (1,162,728 ) — — (25,778 ) (1,188,506 ) Income tax benefit 429,664 — — 10,281 439,945 Net loss $ (733,064 ) $ — $ — $ (15,497 ) $ (748,561 ) |
NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE
NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS | NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to Altice USA stockholders is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Altice USA stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per common share attributable to Altice USA stockholders reflects the dilutive effects of stock options. For such awards that are performance based, the diluted effect is reflected upon the achievement of the performance criteria. Diluted net loss per common share attributable to Altice USA excludes the effects of common stock equivalents as they are anti-dilutive. Anti-dilutive shares (options whose exercise price exceeds the average market price of the Company's common stock during the period) totaling approximately 5,841,000 shares, have been excluded from diluted weighted average shares outstanding when calculating diluted net income per share attributable to Altice USA stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2018. In addition, approximately 73,000 performance based options for the three months ended September 30, 2018, issued pursuant to the Company's employee stock plan have also been excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding as the performance criteria on these awards had not yet been satisfied for the respective period. The weighted average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 reflect the retroactive impact of certain organizational transactions that occurred prior to the Company's IPO. |
REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS
REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS | REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS Revenue Recognition Residential Services The Company derives revenue through monthly charges to residential customers of its pay television, broadband, and telephony services, including installation services. In addition, the Company derives revenue from digital video recorder ("DVR"), video-on-demand ("VOD"), pay-per-view, home shopping commissions and equipment fees which are reflected in "Residential pay TV" revenues. The Company recognizes pay television, broadband, and telephony revenues as the services are provided to a customer on a monthly basis. Revenue from the sale of bundled services at a discounted rate is allocated to each product based on the standalone selling price of each performance obligation within the bundled offer. The relative standalone selling price requires judgment and is typically determined based on the current prices at which the separate services are sold by the Company. Installation revenue for the Company's residential services is deferred and recognized over the benefit period, which is estimated to be less than one year. The estimated benefit period takes into account both quantitative and qualitative factors including the significance of average installation fees to total recurring revenue per customer. The Company is assessed non-income related taxes by governmental authorities, including franchising authorities (generally under multi-year agreements), and collects such taxes from its customers. In instances where the tax is being assessed directly on the Company, amounts paid to the governmental authorities are recorded as programming and other direct costs and amounts received from the customers are recorded as revenue. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 the amount of franchise fees and certain other taxes and fees included as a component of revenue aggregated $63,703 and $190,895 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 the amount of franchise fees and certain other taxes and fees included as a component of revenue aggregated $64,254 and $194,045 , respectively. Business and Wholesale Services The Company derives revenue from the sale of products and services to both large enterprise and SMB customers, including broadband, telephony, networking, and pay television services reflected in "Business services and wholesale" revenues. The Company's business services also include Ethernet, data transport, and IP-based virtual private networks. The Company also provides managed services to businesses, including hosted telephony services (cloud based SIP-based private branch exchange), managed Wi-Fi, managed desktop and server backup and managed collaboration services including audio and web conferencing. The Company also offers fiber-to-the-tower services to wireless carriers for cell tower backhaul and enable wireline communications service providers to connect to customers that their own networks do not reach. The Company recognizes revenues for these services as the services are provided to a customer on a monthly basis. Substantially all of our SMB customers are billed monthly and large enterprise customers are billed in accordance with the terms of their contracts which is typically also on a monthly basis. Contracts with large enterprise customers typically range from three to five years. Installation revenue related to our large enterprise customers is deferred and recognized over the average contract term. Installation revenue related to SMB customers is deferred and recognized over the benefit period, which is less than a year. The estimated benefit period for SMB customers takes into account both quantitative and qualitative factors including the significance of average installation fees to total recurring revenue per customer. Advertising As part of the agreements under which the Company acquires pay television programming, the Company typically receives an allocation of scheduled advertising time during such programming into which the Company's cable systems can insert commercials. In several of the markets in which the Company operates, it has entered into agreements commonly referred to as interconnects with other cable operators to jointly sell local advertising. In some of these markets, the Company represents the advertising sales efforts of other cable operators; in other markets, other cable operators represent the Company. Advertising revenues are recognized when commercials are aired. Arrangements in which the Company controls the sale of advertising and acts as the principal to the transaction, the Company recognizes revenue earned from the advertising customer on a gross basis and the amount remitted to the distributor as an operating expense. Arrangements in which the Company does not control the sale of advertising and acts as an agent to the transaction, the Company recognizes revenue net of any fee remitted to the distributor. The Company's advanced advertising businesses provide data-driven, audience-based advertising solutions using advanced analytics tools that provide granular measurement of consumer groups, accurate hyper-local ratings and other insights into target audience behavior not available through traditional sample-based measurement services. Revenue earned from the Company's advanced advertising businesses are recognized when services are provided. Other Revenues derived from other sources are recognized when services are provided or events occur. Contract Assets Incremental costs incurred in obtaining a contract with a customer are deferred and recorded as a contract asset if the period of benefit is expected to be greater than one year. Sales commissions for enterprise and certain SMB customers are deferred and amortized over the average contract term. For sales commission expenses related to residential and SMB customers with a term of one year or less, the Company is utilizing the practical expedient and is recognizing the costs when incurred. Cost of fulfilling a contract with a customer are deferred and recorded as a contract asset if they generate or enhance resources of the Company that will be used in satisfying future performance obligations and are expected to be recovered. Installation costs related to residential and SMB customers that are not capitalized as part of the initial deployment of new customer premise equipment are expensed as incurred pursuant to industry-specific guidance. The following table provides information about contracts assets and contract liabilities related to contracts with customers: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017, as adjusted Contract assets (a) $ 25,806 $ 24,329 Deferred revenue (b) 173,956 117,679 (a) Contract assets include primarily sales commissions for enterprise customers that are deferred and amortized over the average contract term. (b) Deferred revenue represents payments received from customers for services that have yet to be provided and installation revenue which is deferred and recognized over the benefit period. The majority of the Company's deferred revenue represents payments for services for up to one month in advance from residential and SMB customers which is realized within the following month as services are performed. A significant portion of our revenue is derived from residential and SMB customer contracts which are month-to month. As such, the amount of revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations is not necessarily indicative of the future revenue to be recognized from our existing customer base. Contracts with enterprise and wholesale customers generally range from three to five years, and services may only be terminated in accordance with the contractual terms. |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMAT
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] | |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION | SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION The Company considers the balance of its investment in funds that substantially hold securities that mature within three months or less from the date the fund purchases these securities to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents either approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments or are at fair value. The Company's non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental data were as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: Continuing Operations: Conversion of notes payable to affiliates and related parties of $1,750,000 (together with accrued and unpaid interest and applicable premium) to common stock (See Note 9) $ — $ 2,264,252 Property and equipment accrued but unpaid 166,800 84,847 Notes payable issued to vendor for the purchase of equipment 49,780 25,879 Capital lease obligations 8,162 — Leasehold improvements paid by landlord 350 3,998 Deferred financing costs accrued but unpaid 1,006 — Contingent consideration for acquisitions 6,733 30,000 Receivable related to the sale of an investment 11,954 — Unsettled purchases of shares of Altice USA, Inc. Class A common stock, pursuant to a share repurchase program 13,996 — Supplemental Data: Cash interest paid 1,174,154 1,481,363 Income taxes paid, net 12,148 26,396 The Company’s previously reported statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflected distributions to stockholders of $79,617 in cash flows from operating activities. These distributions should have been reflected in cash flows from financing activities. |
RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER E
RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSE | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] | |
RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSE | RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSE Restructuring Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, the Company commenced restructuring initiatives that were intended to simplify the Company's organizational structure. The following table summarizes the activity for these initiatives during 2018: Severance and Other Employee Related Costs Facility Realignment and Other Costs Total Accrual balance at December 31, 2017 $ 113,474 $ 9,626 $ 123,100 Restructuring charges 4,182 3,334 7,516 Payments and other (65,692 ) (5,853 ) (71,545 ) Accrual balance at June 30, 2018 51,964 7,107 59,071 Restructuring charges 5,841 8,826 14,667 Payments and other (24,991 ) (2,613 ) (27,604 ) Accrual balance at September 30, 2018 $ 32,814 $ 13,320 $ 46,134 The Company recorded restructuring charges of $52,081 and $141,078 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 relating to these restructuring initiatives. Cumulative costs to date relating to these initiatives amounted to $327,521 and $71,162 for our Cablevision and Cequel segments, respectively. Transaction Costs The Company incurred transaction costs of $1,920 and $7,682 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 relating to the Distribution discussed in Note 1 and $1,367 and $1,687 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to the acquisition of a business. |
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
INTANGIBLE ASSETS | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | |
INTANGIBLE ASSETS | INTANGIBLE ASSETS The following table summarizes information relating to the Company's acquired amortizable intangible assets: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Estimated Useful Lives Customer relationships $ 5,970,884 $ (1,979,595 ) $ 3,991,289 $ 5,970,884 $ (1,409,021 ) $ 4,561,863 8 to 18 years Trade names 1,067,083 (678,248 ) 388,835 1,067,083 (588,574 ) 478,509 2 to 5 years Other amortizable intangibles 37,644 (16,772 ) 20,872 37,060 (10,978 ) 26,082 1 to 15 years $ 7,075,611 $ (2,674,615 ) $ 4,400,996 $ 7,075,027 $ (2,008,573 ) $ 5,066,454 Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 aggregated $208,172 and $666,041 , respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 aggregated $426,419 and $981,657 , respectively. The following table summarizes information relating to the Company's acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Cablevision Cequel Total Cablevision Cequel Total Cable television franchises $ 8,113,575 $ 4,906,506 $ 13,020,081 $ 8,113,575 $ 4,906,506 $ 13,020,081 Goodwill 5,873,716 2,138,700 8,012,416 5,866,120 2,153,741 8,019,861 Total $ 13,987,291 $ 7,045,206 $ 21,032,497 $ 13,979,695 $ 7,060,247 $ 21,039,942 The carrying amount of goodwill is presented below: Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2017, as reported $ 7,996,760 ATS goodwill included in Cablevision segment (See Note 3 for further details) 23,101 Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2017, as adjusted 8,019,861 Goodwill recorded in Cablevision segment in connection with an acquisition during the third quarter of 2018 7,608 Adjustment to Cablevision segment purchase accounting relating to business acquired in fourth quarter of 2017 (12 ) Reclassification of Cequel segment goodwill to property, plant and equipment (15,041 ) Net goodwill as of September 30, 2018 $ 8,012,416 |
DEBT
DEBT | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
DEBT | DEBT The following table provides details of the Company's outstanding credit facility debt: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Maturity Date Interest Rate Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a) Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a) CSC Holdings Restricted Group: Revolving Credit Facility (b) $20,000 on October 9, 2020, remaining balance on November 30, 2021 5.40 % $ 575,000 $ 554,908 $ 450,000 $ 425,488 Term Loan Facility July 17, 2025 4.41 % 2,962,500 2,946,318 2,985,000 2,967,818 Incremental Term Loan Facility January 25, 2026 4.66 % 1,496,250 1,478,995 — — Cequel: Revolving Credit Facility (c) $65,000 on November 30, 2021, and remaining balance on April 5, 2023 — % — — — — Term Loan Facility July 28, 2025 4.49 % 1,249,188 1,241,272 1,258,675 1,250,217 $ 6,282,938 6,221,493 $ 4,693,675 4,643,523 Less: Current portion 57,650 42,650 Long-term debt $ 6,163,843 $ 4,600,873 (a) The carrying amount is net of the unamortized deferred financing costs and/or discounts/premiums. (b) At September 30, 2018 , $139,929 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $1,585,071 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations. (c) At September 30, 2018 , $7,636 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $342,364 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations. In January 2018, CSC Holdings borrowed $150,000 under its revolving credit facility and entered into a new $1,500,000 incremental term loan facility (the "Incremental Term Loan") under its existing credit facilities agreement. The Incremental Term Loan was priced at 99.5% and will mature on January 25, 2026. The Incremental Term Loan is comprised of eurodollar borrowings or alternate base rate borrowings, and bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the adjusted LIBO rate or the alternate base rate, as applicable, plus the applicable margin, where the applicable margin is (i) with respect to any alternate base rate loan, 1.50% per annum and (ii) with respect to any eurodollar loan, 2.50% per annum. The Company made a voluntary repayment of $600,000 under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility in January 2018. On March 22, 2018, Altice US Finance I Corporation, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Fourth Amendment to the Cequel Credit Agreement (Extension Amendment), by and among the borrower, the Revolving Consent Lenders (as defined in the Fourth Amendment) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (the “Fourth Amendment”). The Fourth Amendment amends and supplements the Borrower’s credit agreement, dated as of June 12, 2015, as amended by the first amendment (refinancing amendment), dated as of October 25, 2016, the second amendment (extension amendment), dated as of December 9, 2016, and the third amendment (incremental loan assumption agreement and refinancing amendment), dated as of March 15, 2017, as so amended and as may be further amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time and as further amended by the Fourth Amendment among, inter alios, the borrower, the lenders party thereto and the administrative agent. The Fourth Amendment extends the maturity date of the revolving loans and/or commitments of the Revolving Consent Lenders to April 5, 2023. The Fourth Amendment and the extended maturity date will not apply to the revolving loans and/or commitments of revolving lenders under the Cequel Credit Agreement that are not Revolving Consent Lenders. In July 2018, the Company borrowed $575,000 under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility agreement and used a portion of the proceeds to repay the $500,000 principal amount of senior notes due July 15, 2018. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the CSC Holdings credit facilities agreement and the Cequel credit facilities agreement. Senior Guaranteed Notes, Senior Secured Notes and Senior Notes and Debentures The following table summarizes the Company's senior guaranteed notes, senior secured notes and senior notes and debentures: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Date Issued Maturity Date Interest Rate Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a) Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a) CSC Holdings Senior Notes: February 6, 1998 February 15, 2018 7.875 % (b) (f) (o) $ — $ — $ 300,000 $ 301,184 July 21, 1998 July 15, 2018 7.625 % (b) (f) (q) — — 500,000 507,744 February 12, 2009 February 15, 2019 8.625 % (c) (f) 526,000 531,206 526,000 541,165 November 15, 2011 November 15, 2021 6.750 % (c) (f) 1,000,000 966,913 1,000,000 960,146 May 23, 2014 June 1, 2024 5.250 % (c) (f) 750,000 668,918 750,000 660,601 October 9, 2015 January 15, 2023 10.125 % (e) 1,800,000 1,780,504 1,800,000 1,777,914 October 9, 2015 October 15, 2025 10.875 % (e) 1,684,221 1,662,507 1,684,221 1,661,135 CSC Holdings Senior Guaranteed Notes: October 9, 2015 October 15, 2025 6.625 % (e) 1,000,000 987,707 1,000,000 986,717 September 23, 2016 April 15, 2027 5.500 % (g) 1,310,000 1,304,816 1,310,000 1,304,468 January 29, 2018 February 1, 2028 5.375 % (n) 1,000,000 991,896 — — Cablevision Senior Notes (k): April 15, 2010 April 15, 2018 7.750 % (c) (f) (o) — — 750,000 754,035 April 15, 2010 April 15, 2020 8.000 % (c) (f) 500,000 494,445 500,000 492,009 September 27, 2012 September 15, 2022 5.875 % (c) (f) 649,024 582,236 649,024 572,071 Cequel and Cequel Capital Senior Notes (l): Oct. 25, 2012 Dec. 28, 2012 September 15, 2020 6.375 % (d) (m) — — 1,050,000 1,027,493 May 16, 2013 Sept. 9, 2014 December 15, 2021 5.125 % (d) 1,250,000 1,157,405 1,250,000 1,138,870 June 12, 2015 July 15, 2025 7.750 % (i) 620,000 605,540 620,000 604,374 April 5, 2018 April 1, 2028 7.500 % (p) 1,050,000 1,048,222 — — Altice US Finance I Corporation Senior Secured Notes (l): June 12, 2015 July 15, 2023 5.375 % (h) 1,100,000 1,084,542 1,100,000 1,082,482 April 26, 2016 May 15, 2026 5.500 % (j) 1,500,000 1,488,881 1,500,000 1,488,024 $ 15,739,245 15,355,738 $ 16,289,245 15,860,432 Less: current portion 531,206 507,744 Long-term debt $ 14,824,532 $ 15,352,688 (a) The carrying amount is net of the unamortized deferred financing costs and/or discounts/premiums. (b) The debentures are not redeemable by CSC Holdings prior to maturity. (c) Notes are redeemable at any time at a specified "make-whole" price plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. (d) The Company may redeem some or more of all the notes at the redemption price set forth in the relevant indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest. (e) The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time on or after January 15, 2019, and some or all of the 2025 Notes and 2025 Guaranteed Notes at any time on or after October 15, 2020, at the redemption prices set forth in the relevant indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The Company may also redeem up to 40% of each series of the notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before October 15, 2018, at a redemption price equal to 110.125% for the 2023 Notes, 110.875% for the 2025 Notes and 106.625% for the 2025 Guaranteed Notes, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, at any time prior to January 15, 2019, CSC Holdings may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes, and at any time prior to October 15, 2020, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes and the 2025 Guaranteed Notes, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a “make whole” premium specified in the relevant indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest. (f) The carrying value of the notes was adjusted to reflect their fair value on the date of the Cablevision Acquisition (aggregate reduction of $52,788 at the date of the acquisition). (g) The 2027 Guaranteed Notes are redeemable at any time on or after April 15, 2022 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, up to 40% may be redeemed for each series of the 2027 Guaranteed Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before October 15, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 105.500% , plus accrued and unpaid interest. (h) Some or all of these notes may be redeemed at any time on or after July 15, 2018, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. (i) Some or all of these notes may be redeemed at any time on or after July 15, 2020, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. (j) Some or all of these notes may be redeemed at any time on or after May 15, 2021, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. Up to 40% of the notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before May 15, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 105.500% . (k) The issuers of these notes have no ability to service interest or principal on the notes, other than through any dividends or distributions received from CSC Holdings. CSC Holdings is restricted, in certain circumstances, from paying dividends or distributions to the issuers by the terms of the CSC Holdings credit facilities agreement. (l) The issuers of these notes have no ability to service interest or principal on the notes, other than through any contributions/distributions from Cequel Communications, LLC (an indirect subsidiary of Cequel and the parent of Altice US Finance I). Cequel Communications, LLC is restricted in certain circumstances, from paying dividends or distributions to the issuers by the terms of the Cequel credit facilities agreement. (m) These notes were repaid in April 2018 with the proceeds from the issuance of new senior notes. (n) The 2028 Guaranteed Notes are redeemable at any time on or after February 1, 2023 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before February 1, 2021, at a redemption price equal to 105.375% , plus accrued and unpaid interest. (o) These notes were repaid in February 2018 with the proceeds from the 2028 Guaranteed Notes (defined below) and with the proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan. (p) The 2028 Senior Notes are redeemable at any time prior to April 1, 2023 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable premium plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. Up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Senior Notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before April 1, 2021, at a redemption price equal to 107.50% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, the 2028 Senior Notes are redeemable at any time on or after April 1, 2023 at the redemption prices set forth in indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest. (q) These notes were repaid in July 2018 with borrowings under CSC Holdings revolving credit facility agreement. In January 2018, CSC Holdings issued $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior guaranteed notes due February 1, 2028 (the "2028 Guaranteed Notes"). The 2028 Guaranteed Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the existing and future senior indebtedness, including the existing senior notes and the CVC Credit Facilities and rank senior in right of payment to all of existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The proceeds from the 2028 Guaranteed Notes, together with proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan (discussed above), borrowings under the CVC revolving credit facility and cash on hand, were used in February 2018 to repay $300,000 principal amount of CSC Holdings' senior notes due in February 2018 and $750,000 principal amount of Cablevision senior notes due in April 2018 and a portion was used to fund the dividend of $1,499,935 to the Company's stockholders immediately prior to and in connection with the Distribution discussed in Note 1. In connection with the redemption of Cablevision senior notes, the Company paid a call premium of approximately $7,019 , which was recorded as a loss on extinguishment of debt and also recorded a write-off of the unamortized premium of $2,314 . In April 2018, Cequel Communications Holdings I, LLC and Cequel Capital Corporation each an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $1,050,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.50% senior notes due April 1, 2028 (the "2028 Senior Notes"). The proceeds of these notes were used in April 2018 to redeem the $1,050,000 aggregate principal amount 6 3/8% senior notes due September 15, 2020. In connection with the redemption of these notes, the Company paid a call premium of approximately $16,737 , which was recorded as a loss on extinguishment of debt and also recorded a write-off of deferred financings costs aggregating $20,173 . The indentures under which the senior notes and debentures were issued contain various covenants. The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under these indentures as of September 30, 2018 . Notes Payable to Affiliates and Related Parties On June 21, 2016, in connection with the Cablevision acquisition, the Company issued notes payable to affiliates and related parties aggregating $1,750,000 , of which $875,000 bore interest at 10.75% and matured on December 20, 2023 and $875,000 bore interest at 11% and matured on December 20, 2024. In connection with the Company's IPO in June 2017, the Company converted the notes payable to affiliates and related parties (together with accrued and unpaid interest of $529 and applicable premium of $513,723 ) into shares of the Company’s common stock at the IPO price. The premium was recorded as a loss on extinguishment of debt on the Company's statement of operations in the second quarter of 2017. In connection with the conversion of the notes, the Company recorded a credit to paid in capital of $2,264,252 in the second quarter of 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized $90,405 of interest expense related to these notes prior to their conversion. Summary of Debt Maturities The future maturities of debt payable by the Company under its various debt obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2018 , including notes payable, collateralized indebtedness (see Note 10), and capital leases, are as follows: Years Ending December 31, Cablevision Cequel Total 2018 $ 30,678 $ 6,446 $ 37,124 2019 598,210 43,999 642,209 2020 550,396 12,720 563,116 2021 3,083,892 1,262,729 4,346,621 2022 697,147 12,739 709,886 Thereafter 11,815,174 5,466,230 17,281,404 |
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLLAT
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLLATERALIZED INDEBTEDNESS | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] | |
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLLATERALIZED INDEBTEDNESS | DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLLATERALIZED INDEBTEDNESS Prepaid Forward Contracts The Company has entered into various transactions to limit the exposure against equity price risk on its shares of Comcast Corporation ("Comcast") common stock. The Company has monetized all of its stock holdings in Comcast through the execution of prepaid forward contracts, collateralized by an equivalent amount of the respective underlying stock. At maturity, the contracts provide for the option to deliver cash or shares of Comcast stock with a value determined by reference to the applicable stock price at maturity. These contracts, at maturity, are expected to offset declines in the fair value of these securities below the hedge price per share while allowing the Company to retain upside appreciation from the hedge price per share to the relevant cap price. The Company received cash proceeds upon execution of the prepaid forward contracts discussed above which has been reflected as collateralized indebtedness in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the Company separately accounts for the equity derivative component of the prepaid forward contracts. These equity derivatives have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Therefore, the net fair values of the equity derivatives have been reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as an asset or liability and the net increases or decreases in the fair value of the equity derivative component of the prepaid forward contracts are included in gain (loss) on derivative contracts in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. All of the Company's monetization transactions are obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiaries that are not part of the Restricted Group; however, CSC Holdings has provided guarantees of the subsidiaries' ongoing contract payment expense obligations and potential payments that could be due as a result of an early termination event (as defined in the agreements). If any one of these contracts were terminated prior to its scheduled maturity date, the Company would be obligated to repay the fair value of the collateralized indebtedness less the sum of the fair values of the underlying stock and equity collar, calculated at the termination date. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company did not have an early termination shortfall relating to any of these contracts. The Company monitors the financial institutions that are counterparties to its equity derivative contracts. All of the counterparties to such transactions carry investment grade credit ratings as of September 30, 2018 . Interest Rate Swap Contracts In May 2018, the Company entered into two interest rate swap contracts that mature in April 2019 whereby one contract converts the interest rate on $2,970,000 of the CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility from a one-month LIBO rate to a three-month LIBO rate minus 0.226% and the second contract converts the interest rate on $ 1,496,250 of the CSC Holdings Incremental Term Loan from a one-month LIBO rate to a three-month LIBO rate minus 0.226% . The objective of these swaps is to potentially pay a lower interest rate than what the Company can elect under the terms of the CSC Holdings credit facilities agreement. In April 2018, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract that matures in May 2019 which converts the interest rate on $1,255,513 of the Cequel Term Loan B from a one-month LIBO rate to a three-month LIBO rate minus 0.225% . The objective of this swap is to potentially pay a lower interest rate than what the Company can elect under the terms of the Cequel credit facilities agreement. In June 2016, the Company entered into two fixed to floating interest rate swap contracts that mature in May 2026. One fixed to floating interest rate swap is converting $750,000 from a fixed rate of 1.6655% to a six-month LIBO rate and a second tranche of $750,000 from a fixed rate of 1.68% to a six-month LIBO rate. The objective of these swaps is to adjust the proportion of total debt that is subject to fixed and variable interest rates . These swap contracts were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the changes in the fair value of these interest rate swap contracts are recorded through the statements of operations. The Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The following represents the location of the assets and liabilities associated with the Company's derivative instruments within the condensed consolidated balance sheets: Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Balance Sheet Location Fair Value at September 30, 2018 Fair Value at December 31, 2017 Fair Value at September 30, 2018 Fair Value at December 31, 2017 Interest rate swap contracts Derivative contracts, current $ 3,269 $ — $ — $ — Prepaid forward contracts Derivative contracts, current — 52,545 — (52,545 ) Prepaid forward contracts Derivative contracts, long-term 31,510 — (10,131 ) (109,504 ) Interest rate swap contracts Liabilities under derivative contracts, long-term — — (143,719 ) (77,902 ) $ 34,779 $ 52,545 $ (153,850 ) $ (239,951 ) Gains (losses) from the Company's derivative contracts related to the Comcast common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $(79,628) and $130,883 , respectively, are reflected in gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company recorded a gain (loss) on investments of $111,684 and $(199,312) , respectively, representing the net increase (decrease) in the fair values of the investment securities pledged as collateral. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company recorded a loss on interest rate swap contracts of $19,554 and $64,405 , respectively. Settlements of Collateralized Indebtedness The following table summarizes the settlement of the Company's collateralized indebtedness relating to Comcast shares that were settled by delivering cash equal to the collateralized loan value, net of the value of the related equity derivative contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: Number of shares 16,139,868 Collateralized indebtedness settled $ (516,537 ) Derivatives contracts settled 24 (516,513 ) Proceeds from new monetization contracts 516,513 Net cash proceeds $ — The cash to settle the collateralized indebtedness was obtained from the proceeds of new monetization contracts covering an equivalent number of Comcast shares. The terms of the new contracts allow the Company to retain upside participation in Comcast shares up to each respective contract's upside appreciation limit with downside exposure limited to the respective hedge price. |
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] | |
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity's pricing based upon their own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels: • Level I - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. • Level II - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. • Level III - Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable. The following table presents for each of these hierarchy levels, the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis: Fair Value Hierarchy September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Assets: Money market funds Level I $ 296,123 $ 5,949 Investment securities pledged as collateral Level I 1,521,045 1,720,357 Prepaid forward contracts Level II 31,510 52,545 Interest rate swap contracts Level II 3,269 — Liabilities: Prepaid forward contracts Level II 10,131 162,049 Interest rate swap contracts Level II 143,719 77,902 Contingent consideration related to 2017 and 2018 acquisitions Level III 6,733 32,233 The Company's cash equivalents, investment securities and investment securities pledged as collateral are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. The Company's derivative contracts and liabilities under derivative contracts on the Company's balance sheets are valued using market-based inputs to valuation models. These valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, and measures of volatility. When appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads and credit risk considerations. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. Since model inputs can generally be verified and do not involve significant management judgment, the Company has concluded that these instruments should be classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the contingent consideration as of September 30, 2018 related to the acquisitions in the third quarter of 2018 and fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to approximately $4,500 and $2,233 , respectively. The estimated amount recorded as of September 30, 2018 is 100% of the contractual amount related to the acquisition in the third quarter 2018 and 51% of the contractual amount related to the acquisition in the fourth quarter 2017. The fair value of the consideration was estimated based on a probability assessment of attaining the targets as of September 30, 2018. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate: Credit Facility Debt, Collateralized Indebtedness, Senior Notes and Debentures, Senior Secured Notes, Senior Guaranteed Notes, and Notes Payable The fair values of each of the Company's debt instruments are based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for instruments of the same remaining maturities. The fair value of notes payable is based primarily on the present value of the remaining payments discounted at the borrowing cost. The carrying values, estimated fair values, and classification under the fair value hierarchy of the Company's financial instruments, excluding those that are carried at fair value in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, are summarized as follows: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Fair Value Hierarchy Carrying Amount (a) Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount (a) Estimated Fair Value CSC Holdings debt instruments: Credit facility debt Level II $ 4,980,221 $ 5,033,750 $ 3,393,306 $ 3,435,000 Collateralized indebtedness Level II 1,400,398 1,352,771 1,349,474 1,305,932 Senior guaranteed notes Level II 3,284,419 3,293,125 2,291,185 2,420,000 Senior notes and debentures Level II 5,610,048 6,245,760 6,409,889 7,221,846 Notes payable Level II 42,810 42,653 56,956 55,289 Cablevision senior notes: Senior notes and debentures Level II 1,076,681 1,189,098 1,818,115 1,931,239 Cequel debt instruments: Cequel credit facility debt Level II 1,241,272 1,249,188 1,250,217 1,258,675 Senior secured notes Level II 2,573,423 2,604,930 2,570,506 2,658,930 Senior notes Level II 2,811,167 3,013,615 2,770,737 2,983,615 Notes payable Level II 34,281 34,281 8,946 8,946 $ 23,054,720 $ 24,059,171 $ 21,919,331 $ 23,279,472 (a) Amounts are net of unamortized deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts. The fair value estimates related to the Company's debt instruments presented above are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgments and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. Fair Value of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities The Company’s non-financial assets such as cable-television franchises, property, plant, and equipment, other intangible assets and cost-method investments, are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, however, they are subject to fair value adjustments whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. No material impairments were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. |
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
INCOME TAXES | INCOME TAXES In general, the Company is required to use an estimated annual effective tax rate ("AETR") to measure the income tax expense or benefit recognized on a year to date basis in an interim period. In addition, certain items included in income tax expense as well as the tax impact of certain items included in pretax income must be treated as discrete items. The income tax expense or benefit associated with these discrete items is fully recognized in the interim period in which the items occur. The Company recorded income tax expense of $95,968 and $29,675 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively. Included in the income tax expense for each period was tax expense of $49,052 as a result of the revaluation of the Company's deferred tax liability in connection with tax law changes in the State of New Jersey. Absent this item, the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 would have been 36%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the tax benefit was more than offset by the $49,052 expense recorded in the period. The tax expense was calculated based upon the actual effective tax rate for the year-to-date period. The Company determined this to represent the best estimate of the annual effective tax rate in light of the magnitude of the expected income and the significant permanent differences. Pursuant to the enactment of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act ("Tax Reform"), effective on January 1, 2018, the corporate federal income tax rate was reduced to 21% from 35%. The Company is subject to Tax Reform’s limitation on interest deductibility which is based on a limit calculated without regard to depreciation or amortization through 2021. The resulting interest deduction that is deferred can be carried forward indefinitely. Nevertheless, as is the case with any future deductible temporary difference, management will continue to evaluate realizability to determine whether a valuation allowance is required as a result of these limitations. Therefore a valuation allowance may need to be recorded in the future subject to the relative levels of future interest expense versus taxable income. The Company recorded income tax benefit of $141,550 and $439,945 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, reflecting the AETR of approximately 42% and 37% , respectively. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company's federal net operating losses (“NOLs”) were approximately $2,419,000 . The utilization of certain pre-merger NOLs of Cablevision and Cequel are limited pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The Company does not expect such limitations to impact the ability to utilize the NOLs prior to their expiration. |
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] | |
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION | SHARE BASED COMPENSATION Certain employees of the Company and its affiliates received awards of units in a carry unit plan of Neptune Management LP, an entity which has an ownership interest in the Company. The awards generally vest as follows: 50% on the second anniversary of June 21, 2016 for Cablevision employees or December 21, 2015 for Cequel employees ("Base Date"), 25% on the third anniversary of the Base Date, and 25% on the fourth anniversary of the Base Date. Neptune Holding US GP LLC, the general partner of Neptune Management LP, has the right to repurchase (or to assign to an affiliate, including the Company, the right to repurchase) vested awards held by employees for sixty days following their termination. For performance-based awards under the plan, vesting occurs upon achievement or satisfaction of a specified performance condition. The Company considered the probability of achieving the established performance targets in determining the share-based compensation with respect to these awards at the end of each reporting period. Beginning on the fourth anniversary of the Base Date, the holders of carry units have an annual opportunity (a sixty day period determined by the administrator of the plan) to sell their units back to Neptune Holding US GP LLC (or affiliate, including the Company, designated by Neptune Holding US GP LLC). Accordingly, the carry units are presented as temporary equity on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Adjustments to fair value at each reporting period are recorded in paid-in capital. The right of Neptune Holding US GP LLC to assign to an affiliate, including the Company, the right to repurchase an employee’s vested units during the sixty-day period following termination, or to satisfy its obligation to repurchase an employee’s vested units during annual 60 day periods following the fourth anniversary of the Base Date, may be exercised by Neptune Holding US GP LLC in its discretion at the time a repurchase right or obligation arises. The carry unit plan requires the purchase price payable to the employee or former employee, as the case may be, to be paid in cash, a promissory note (with a term of not more than 3 years and bearing interest at the long-term applicable federal rate under Section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code) or combination thereof, in each case as determined by Neptune Holding US GP LLC in its discretion at the time of the repurchase. Neptune Holding US GP LLC expects that vested units will be redeemed for shares of the Company's Class A common stock upon vesting. The following table summarizes activity relating to carry units: Number of Time Vesting Awards Number of Performance Based Vesting Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Balance, December 31, 2017 168,550,001 10,000,000 $ 0.71 Vested (48,337,500 ) — 0.37 Forfeited (15,500,001 ) — 0.56 Balance, September 30, 2018 104,712,500 10,000,000 1.01 The weighted average fair value per unit was $2.28 and $2.50 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company recognized an expense of $7,510 and $33,004 related to the push down of share-based compensation expense related to the carry unit plan. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized an expense of $15,005 and $40,932 related to the push down of share-based compensation related to the carry unit plan. Stock Option Plan The following table summarizes activity related to employee stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2018: Shares Under Option Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Time Vesting Performance Based Vesting Aggregate Intrinsic Value (a) Balance at December 31, 2017 5,110,747 — $ 17.45 9.97 $ 8,944 Granted 2,332,540 95,953 17.76 Forfeited (496,491 ) (22,314 ) 17.76 Balance at September 30, 2018 6,946,796 73,639 17.51 9.43 4,417 Options exercisable at September 30, 2018 — — — — — (a) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of the Company's Class A common stock at the respective date. The Company recognized share based compensation expense related to employee stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $4,817 and $13,172 , respectively. The following weighted-average assumptions were used to calculate the fair values of stock option awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: Risk-free interest rate 2.77% Expected life (in years) 6.48 Dividend yield —% Volatility 35.23% Grant date fair value $7.12 |
AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY TRA
AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Related Party Transactions [Abstract] | |
AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Equity Method Investments In April 2018, Altice N.V. transferred its ownership of i24 US and i24 Europe ('i24NEWS"), Altice N.V.'s 24/7 international news and current affairs channels to the Company for minimal consideration (the "i24NEWS Acquisition"). As the acquisition was a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities of i24NEWS as of April 1, 2018. Operating results for periods prior to April 1, 2018 and the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 have not been revised to reflect the combination of i24NEWS as the impact was deemed immaterial. The Company's equity in the net losses of i24NEWS prior to April 1, 2018 of $1,130 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $541 and $3,126 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were recorded using the equity method and reflected in other expense, net in the Company's statements of operations. The Company's investment in i24NEWS as of December 31, 2017 of $930 is included in investment in affiliates on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. In April 2018, the Company redeemed a 24% interest in Newsday LLC ("Newsday") and recognized a gain of $13,298 , reflected in gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net in the Company's statements of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company recorded equity in the net loss of Newsday of $9,719 . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded equity in net loss of Newsday of $1,034 and $2,571 , respectively, reflected in other expense, net in the Company's statements of operations. The Company's deficit investment in Newsday as of December 31, 2017 of $3,579 is included in deficit investment in affiliates on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. Affiliate and Related Party Transactions Altice USA is controlled by Patrick Drahi who is also the controlling stockholder of Altice Europe (formerly Altice N.V.) and its subsidiaries. As the transactions discussed below were conducted between entities under common control by Mr. Drahi and equity method investees, amounts charged for certain services may not have represented amounts that might have been received or incurred if the transactions were based upon arm's length negotiations. The following table summarizes the revenue and charges related to services provided to or received from subsidiaries of Altice Europe and Newsday: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Revenue $ 545 $ 426 $ 1,397 $ 820 Operating expenses: Programming and other direct costs (1,671 ) (1,196 ) (6,690 ) $ (3,026 ) Other operating expenses, net (905 ) (8,302 ) (15,154 ) (24,266 ) Operating expenses, net (2,576 ) (9,498 ) (21,844 ) (27,292 ) Interest expense (a) — — — (90,405 ) Other income, net — — 149 — Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — — — (513,723 ) Net charges $ (2,031 ) $ (9,072 ) $ (20,298 ) $ (630,600 ) Capital expenditures $ 3,945 $ 3,549 $ 6,679 $ 12,914 (a) In connection with the Company's IPO in June 2017, the Company converted the notes payable to affiliates and related parties into shares of the Company’s common stock at the IPO price. Revenue The Company recognized revenue primarily in connection with the sale of advertising to Newsday. Programming and other direct costs Programming and other direct costs include costs incurred by the Company for the transport and termination of voice and data services provided by a subsidiary of Altice Europe. Other operating expenses A subsidiary of Altice Europe provided certain executive services, as well as consulting, advisory and other services, including, prior to the IPO, CEO, CFO and COO services, to the Company. Compensation under the terms of the agreement was an annual fee of $30,000 to be paid by the Company. Fees associated with this agreement recorded by the Company amounted to approximately $13,250 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $7,500 and $22,500 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. As of June 20, 2017, the CEO, CFO and COO became employees of the Company and the agreement was assigned to Altice Europe. by a subsidiary of Altice Europe. This agreement was terminated upon the completion of the Distribution discussed in Note 1. Other operating expenses also include charges for services provided by other subsidiaries of Altice Europe aggregating $905 and $1,904 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $802 and $1,766 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, net of credits of $76 and $917 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, for transition services provided to Newsday. Capital Expenditures Capital expenditures include $3,945 and $6,679 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $3,549 and $12,914 , for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, for equipment purchases and software development services provided by subsidiaries of Altice Europe. Aggregate amounts that were due from and due to related parties are summarized below: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Due from: Altice US Finance S.A. (a) $ 13,100 $ 12,951 Newsday (b) 541 2,713 Altice Management Americas (b) 1,271 33 Altice Dominican Republic (b) 2,551 — i24 News (b) — 4,036 Other Altice Europe subsidiaries (b) 924 31 $ 18,387 $ 19,764 Due to: Altice Europe (c) $ 13,250 $ — Newsday (b) 32 33 Altice Labs S.A. (d) 1,463 7,354 Other Altice Europe subsidiaries (d) 8,679 3,611 $ 23,424 $ 10,998 (a) Represents interest on senior notes paid by the Company on behalf of the affiliate. (b) Represents amounts paid by the Company on behalf of the respective related party, and for Newsday the net amounts due from the related party also include charges for certain transition services provided. (c) Represents amounts due to Altice Europe pursuant to the agreement discussed above. (d) Represents amounts due to affiliates for the purchase of equipment and advertising services, as well as reimbursement for payments made on our behalf. |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Legal Matters Following expiration of the affiliation agreements for carriage of certain Fox broadcast stations and cable networks on October 16, 2010, News Corporation terminated delivery of the programming feeds to Cablevision, and as a result, those stations and networks were unavailable on Cablevision's cable television systems. On October 30, 2010, Cablevision and Fox reached an agreement on new affiliation agreements for these stations and networks, and carriage was restored. Several purported class action lawsuits alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and consumer fraud and seeking unspecified compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorneys' fees were subsequently filed on behalf of Cablevision's customers seeking recovery for the lack of Fox programming. Those lawsuits were consolidated in an action before the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and a consolidated complaint was filed in that court on February 22, 2011. On March 28, 2012, in ruling on Cablevision's motion to dismiss, the Court dismissed all of plaintiffs’ claims, except for breach of contract. On March 30, 2014, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The parties have entered into a settlement agreement, which was granted final approval by the Court on May 17, 2018. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had an estimated liability associated with a potential settlement totaling $6,000 . The amount ultimately paid in connection with the proposed settlement could exceed the amount recorded. In October 2015, the New York Attorney General began an investigation into whether the major Internet Service Providers in New York State deliver advertised Internet speeds. The Company is cooperating with this investigation and is currently in discussions with the New York Attorney General about resolving the investigation as to the Company, which resolution may involve operational and or financial components. While the Company is unable to predict the outcome of the investigation or these discussions, at this time it does not expect that the outcome will have a material adverse effect on its operations, financial conditions or cash flows. The Company receives notices from third parties and, in some cases, is named as a defendant in certain lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of the Company's businesses. In certain of these cases other industry participants are also defendants. In certain of these cases the Company expects that any potential liability would be the responsibility of the Company's equipment vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification provisions. In the event that the Company is found to infringe on any patent rights, the Company may be subject to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require the Company or its vendors to modify certain products and services the Company offers to its subscribers, as well as enter into royalty or license agreements with respect to the patents at issue. The Company believes that the claims are without merit, but is unable to predict the outcome of these matters or reasonably estimate a range of possible loss. In addition to the matters discussed above, the Company is party to various lawsuits, disputes and investigations, some of which may involve claims for substantial damages, fines or penalties. Although the outcome of these other matters cannot be predicted and the impact of the final resolution of these other matters on the Company's results of operations in a particular subsequent reporting period is not known, management does not believe that the resolution of these other lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company or the ability of the Company to meet its financial obligations as they become due. |
SEGMENT INFORMATION
SEGMENT INFORMATION | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] | |
SEGMENT INFORMATION | SEGMENT INFORMATION The Company classifies its operations into two reportable segments: Cablevision and Cequel. The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units that are managed separately. The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is business segment Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) excluding income taxes, income (loss) from discontinued operations, non-operating other income or expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs, gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, gain (loss) on derivative contracts, gain (loss) on investments, interest expense (including cash interest expense), interest income, depreciation and amortization (including impairments), share-based compensation expense or benefit, restructuring expense or credits and transaction expenses. The Company has presented the components that reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to operating income, an accepted GAAP measure: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Cablevision Cequel Total Cablevision Cequel Total Operating income (loss) $ 340,455 $ 165,103 $ 505,558 $ (3,103 ) $ 123,678 $ 120,575 Share-based compensation 9,038 3,289 12,327 11,555 3,450 15,005 Restructuring and other expense 14,122 2,465 16,587 35,364 18,084 53,448 Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) 378,549 157,504 536,053 656,122 167,164 823,286 Adjusted EBITDA $ 742,164 $ 328,361 $ 1,070,525 $ 699,938 $ 312,376 $ 1,012,314 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Cablevision Cequel Total Cablevision Cequel Total Operating income $ 714,413 $ 439,242 $ 1,153,655 $ 228,740 $ 395,213 $ 623,953 Share-based compensation 35,567 10,609 46,176 28,597 12,335 40,932 Restructuring and other expense 25,720 4,145 29,865 105,182 37,583 142,765 Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) 1,337,051 490,234 1,827,285 1,641,501 497,299 2,138,800 Adjusted EBITDA $ 2,112,751 $ 944,230 $ 3,056,981 $ 2,004,020 $ 942,430 $ 2,946,450 A reconciliation of reportable segment amounts to the Company's condensed consolidated balances are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Operating income for reportable segments $ 505,558 $ 120,575 $ 1,153,655 $ 623,953 Items excluded from operating income: Interest expense (389,594 ) (379,066 ) (1,157,395 ) (1,232,730 ) Interest income 1,427 961 9,843 1,373 Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net 111,684 (18,900 ) (182,031 ) 169,888 Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net (79,628 ) (16,763 ) 130,883 (154,270 ) Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts (19,554 ) 1,051 (64,405 ) 12,539 Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — (38,858 ) (41,616 ) (600,240 ) Other expense, net (186 ) (2,984 ) (12,473 ) (9,019 ) Income (loss) before income taxes $ 129,707 $ (333,984 ) $ (163,539 ) $ (1,188,506 ) The following tables present the composition of revenue by reportable segment: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Cablevision Cequel Eliminations (a) Total Cablevision Cequel Eliminations (a) Total Residential: Pay TV $ 783,252 $ 271,415 $ — $ 1,054,667 $ 798,583 $ 271,363 $ — $ 1,069,946 Broadband 457,709 272,198 — 729,907 416,972 241,306 — 658,278 Telephony 130,494 30,857 — 161,351 140,830 31,649 — 172,479 Business services and wholesale 242,305 101,888 — 344,193 230,200 94,442 — 324,642 Advertising 105,719 18,107 (760 ) 123,066 72,316 17,456 (480 ) 89,292 Other 2,209 2,408 — 4,617 2,458 5,426 — 7,884 Total Revenue $ 1,721,688 $ 696,873 $ (760 ) $ 2,417,801 $ 1,661,359 $ 661,642 $ (480 ) $ 2,322,521 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Cablevision Cequel Eliminations (a) Total Cablevision Cequel Eliminations (a) Total Residential: Pay TV $ 2,313,229 $ 809,550 $ — $ 3,122,779 $ 2,397,233 $ 827,754 $ — $ 3,224,987 Broadband 1,347,486 796,244 — 2,143,730 1,218,504 708,312 — 1,926,816 Telephony 399,714 91,174 — 490,888 432,710 98,991 — 531,701 Business services and wholesale 713,240 301,431 — 1,014,671 689,708 277,995 — 967,703 Advertising 276,343 53,541 (9,338 ) 320,546 216,250 54,384 (480 ) 270,154 Other 8,697 10,357 — 19,054 8,467 17,314 — 25,781 Total Revenue $ 5,058,709 $ 2,062,297 $ (9,338 ) $ 7,111,668 $ 4,962,872 $ 1,984,750 $ (480 ) $ 6,947,142 (a) Reflects revenue recognized by Cablevision from the sale of services to Cequel. Capital expenditures (cash basis) by reportable segment are presented below: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Cablevision $ 217,326 $ 180,287 $ 554,483 $ 505,852 Cequel 117,201 75,042 278,341 213,067 $ 334,527 $ 255,329 $ 832,824 $ 718,919 Primarily all revenues and assets of the Company's reportable segments are attributed to or located in the United States. Total assets by segment are not provided as such amounts are not regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision makers for purposes of decision making regarding resource allocations. |
SUBSEQUENT EVENT
SUBSEQUENT EVENT | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Subsequent Events [Abstract] | |
SUBSEQUENT EVENT | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Revolver Repayment On October 15, 2018, CSC Holdings made a voluntary repayment under its revolving credit facility of $125,000 . Incremental CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility In October 2018, in connection with its intention to combine the Cequel and Cablevision businesses under a single credit silo, the Company commenced an exchange of senior and senior secured notes (see below) and successfully entered into a new $1,275,000 7-year senior secured term loan maturing January 2026 (the “Senior Secured Term Loan B”), providing for the refinancing of the entire principal amount of loans under Cequel’s existing Term Loan Facility and other transaction costs related to the credit silo combination. The new Senior Secured Term Loan B will have a margin of 2.25% over LIBOR and was issued with an original issue discount of 25 basis points. Senior Notes Exchange On October 2, 2018, Cequel, Cequel Capital and Altice US Finance I Corporation (the "Issuers"), commenced offers to exchange (the "Exchange Offers") any and all outstanding senior notes and senior secured notes issued by them (the "Original Notes") for up to $5,520,000 aggregate principal amount of new notes (the "New Notes") and, in the case of the 5.375% secured notes due 2023 and 5.500% secured notes due 2026, cash. These New Notes will be automatically converted into new CSC Holdings notes upon satisfaction (or waiver) of certain conditions set forth in the Exchange Offers. Additionally, in connection with the Exchange Offers, the Issuers solicited consents to amend each of the Original Notes, except the 5.125% Notes due 2021, and the indentures governing such notes. The proposed amendments, which require the consent of a majority in outstanding aggregate principal amount of each series of relevant Original Notes, respectively, will eliminate or waive substantially all of the restrictive covenants, eliminate certain events of default, and modify or eliminate certain other provisions. Each of the Exchange Offers is subject to the condition that there have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn a majority of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of each of the 5.375% Secured Notes due 2023 and 5.500% Secured Notes due 2026 (the “Minimum Tender Condition”). Eligible holders who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw Original Notes on October 16, 2018 (the "Early Tender Time") received for each $1,000 principal amount of Original Notes tendered and accepted by the applicable Issuer, $1,000 principal amount of New Notes, plus, in the case of the 5.375% secured notes due 2023 and 5.500% secured notes due 2026, at least $2.50 in cash. Eligible holders who didn't validly tender Original Notes after the Early Tender Time, but prior to October 30, 2018 received for each $1,000 principal amount of Original Notes tendered and accepted by the applicable Issuer, $950 principal amount of New Notes. In connection with the Early Tender Time described above, the Issuers exchanged $1,232,328 aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, $610,698 aggregate principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2025, $1,045,443 aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028, $1,095,493 aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and $1,495,642 aggregate principal amount of the 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026. For the period subsequent to the Early Tender Time through October 30, 2018, the Issuers exchanged $8,786 aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, $7,562 aggregate principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2025, $439 aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028, $350 aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and $3,309 aggregate principal amount of the 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026. The principal amount of the unexchanged Original Notes include $8,886 aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, $1,740 aggregate principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2025, $4,118 aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028, $4,157 aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and $1,049 aggregate principal amount of the 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026. Deferred financing costs and unamortized discounts related to the Cequel term loan, senior notes and secured senior notes aggregated $143,326 at September 30, 2018. The Company is evaluating whether the term loan refinancing and the exchange of notes is deemed an extinguishment of debt and whether any of these costs will be written off in the fourth quarter of 2018. |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements | Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The primary provision of ASU No. 2018-02 allows for the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. ASU No. 2018-02 also requires certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. ASU No. 2018-02 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted and will be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The Company elected to adopt ASU No. 2018-02 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption resulted in the reclassification of stranded tax amounts of $2,163 associated with net unrecognized losses from the Company's pension plans from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). ASU No. 2017-09 provides clarity and guidance on which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU No. 2017-09 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). ASU No. 2017-07 requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. It also provides guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and what component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization. ASU No. 2017‑07 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and was applied retrospectively. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified the non-service cost components of the Company's pension expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 from other operating expenses to other income (expense), net. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient which allowed it to reclassify amounts disclosed previously in the benefits plan note as the basis for applying retrospective presentation for comparative periods, as the Company determined it was impracticable to disaggregate the cost components for amounts capitalized and amortized in those periods. See Note 3 for information on the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2017-07. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which amends Topic 805 to interpret the definition of a business by adding guidance to assist in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, in order to clarify the Codification and to correct any unintended application of the guidance. The amendments in this update affected the guidance in ASC 606. ASC 606 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 on a full retrospective basis, which required the Company to reflect the impact of the updated guidance for all periods presented. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. See Note 3 for information on the impact of the adoption of ASC 606. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires that the statement of cash flows disclose the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18 provides specific guidance on the presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and was applied retrospectively for all periods presented. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments which clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 also clarifies how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU No. 2016-01 modifies how entities measure certain equity investments and also modifies the recognition of changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the fair value option. Entities will be required to measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. For financial liabilities measured using the fair value option, entities will be required to record changes in fair value caused by a change in instrument-specific credit risk (own credit risk) separately in other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2016-01 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASC 606 replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP (See Note 3). Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which amends ASC 715 to clarify certain disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. ASU 2018-14 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2022, although early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-14 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Also in August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which requires upfront implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement (or hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to be amortized to hosting expense over the term of the arrangement, beginning when the module or component of the hosting arrangement is ready for its intended use. ASU No. 2018-14 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU No. 2018-15 will have on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). ASU No. 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two‑step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU No. 2017-04 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted and will be applied prospectively. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which increases transparency and comparability by recognizing a lessee’s rights and obligations resulting from leases by recording them on the balance sheet as lease assets and lease liabilities. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Although the Company has not yet completed its evaluation of the guidance, or quantified its impact, the Company believes the most significant impact will be the recognition of right of use assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet. The Company expects its lease obligations designated as operating leases will be reported on the consolidated balance sheets upon adoption. The Company is also evaluating other potential lease arrangements of the business, including arrangements that have been previously disclosed as a contractual commitment. The Company is currently in the process of collecting and validating lease data and implementing a software solution. In addition, the Company is assessing practical expedients and policy elections offered by the standard, and is evaluating its processes and internal controls to meet the accounting, reporting and disclosure requirements. |
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES_2
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ATS ACQUISITION (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] | |
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements | The following table summarizes the impact of adopting ASC 606 and the impact of the ATS Acquisition on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet: December 31, 2017 As Reported Impact of ASC 606 Impact of ATS Acquisition As Adjusted Cash and cash equivalents $ 273,329 $ — $ 56,519 $ 329,848 Other current assets 580,231 14,068 (20,548 ) 573,751 Property, plant and equipment, net 6,063,829 — (40,003 ) 6,023,826 Goodwill 7,996,760 — 23,101 8,019,861 Other assets, long-term 19,861,076 10,261 (6,541 ) 19,864,796 Total assets $ 34,775,225 $ 24,329 $ 12,528 $ 34,812,082 Current liabilities $ 2,492,983 $ 6,978 $ 20,401 $ 2,520,362 Deferred tax liability, long-term 4,775,115 4,685 (10,514 ) 4,769,286 Liabilities, long-term 21,779,997 — 6,394 21,786,391 Total liabilities 29,048,095 11,663 16,281 29,076,039 Redeemable equity 231,290 — — 231,290 Paid-in capital 4,642,128 — 23,101 4,665,229 Retained earnings 854,824 12,666 (26,854 ) 840,636 Total stockholders' equity 5,495,840 12,666 (3,753 ) 5,504,753 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 34,775,225 $ 24,329 $ 12,528 $ 34,812,082 The following table summarizes the impact of adopting ASC 606 and ASU No. 2017-07 and the impact of the ATS Acquisition on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations: Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 As Reported Impact of ASC 606 Impact of ASU No. 2017-07 Impact of ATS Acquisition As Adjusted Residential: Pay TV $ 1,054,392 $ 15,807 $ — $ (253 ) $ 1,069,946 Broadband 646,094 12,372 — (188 ) 658,278 Telephony 204,753 (32,155 ) — (119 ) 172,479 Business services and wholesale 324,760 (118 ) — — 324,642 Advertising 89,292 — — — 89,292 Other 7,884 — — — 7,884 Total revenue 2,327,175 (4,094 ) — (560 ) 2,322,521 Programming and other direct costs 755,101 — — — 755,101 Other operating expenses 560,497 (4,094 ) (2,921 ) 16,629 570,111 Restructuring and other expense 53,448 — — — 53,448 Depreciation and amortization 823,265 — — 21 823,286 Operating income 134,864 — 2,921 (17,210 ) 120,575 Other expense, net (451,638 ) — (2,921 ) — (454,559 ) Loss before income taxes (316,774 ) — — (17,210 ) (333,984 ) Income tax benefit 134,688 — — 6,862 141,550 Net loss $ (182,086 ) $ — $ — $ (10,348 ) $ (192,434 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 As Reported Impact of ASC 606 Impact of ASU No. 2017-07 Impact of ATS Acquisition As Adjusted Residential: Pay TV $ 3,185,610 $ 39,630 $ — $ (253 ) $ 3,224,987 Broadband 1,887,279 39,725 — (188 ) 1,926,816 Telephony 624,077 (92,257 ) — (119 ) 531,701 Business services and wholesale 968,291 (588 ) — — 967,703 Advertising 270,154 — — — 270,154 Other 25,781 — — — 25,781 Total revenue 6,961,192 (13,490 ) — (560 ) 6,947,142 Programming and other direct costs 2,272,147 — — — 2,272,147 Other operating expenses 1,767,624 (13,490 ) (9,852 ) 25,195 1,769,477 Restructuring and other expense 142,765 — — — 142,765 Depreciation and amortization 2,138,776 — — 24 2,138,800 Operating income 639,880 — 9,852 (25,779 ) 623,953 Other expense, net (1,802,608 ) — (9,852 ) 1 (1,812,459 ) Loss before income taxes (1,162,728 ) — — (25,778 ) (1,188,506 ) Income tax benefit 429,664 — — 10,281 439,945 Net loss $ (733,064 ) $ — $ — $ (15,497 ) $ (748,561 ) |
REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS (Ta
REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | |
Receivables, Contracts Assets and Contract Liabilities Related To Contracts With Customers | The following table provides information about contracts assets and contract liabilities related to contracts with customers: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017, as adjusted Contract assets (a) $ 25,806 $ 24,329 Deferred revenue (b) 173,956 117,679 (a) Contract assets include primarily sales commissions for enterprise customers that are deferred and amortized over the average contract term. (b) Deferred revenue represents payments received from customers for services that have yet to be provided and installation revenue which is deferred and recognized over the benefit period. The majority of the Company's deferred revenue represents payments for services for up to one month in advance from residential and SMB customers which is realized within the following month as services are performed. |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_2
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] | |
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities and Other Supplemental Data | The Company's non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental data were as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: Continuing Operations: Conversion of notes payable to affiliates and related parties of $1,750,000 (together with accrued and unpaid interest and applicable premium) to common stock (See Note 9) $ — $ 2,264,252 Property and equipment accrued but unpaid 166,800 84,847 Notes payable issued to vendor for the purchase of equipment 49,780 25,879 Capital lease obligations 8,162 — Leasehold improvements paid by landlord 350 3,998 Deferred financing costs accrued but unpaid 1,006 — Contingent consideration for acquisitions 6,733 30,000 Receivable related to the sale of an investment 11,954 — Unsettled purchases of shares of Altice USA, Inc. Class A common stock, pursuant to a share repurchase program 13,996 — Supplemental Data: Cash interest paid 1,174,154 1,481,363 Income taxes paid, net 12,148 26,396 |
RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER_2
RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSE (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] | |
Restructuring Cost Activity | The following table summarizes the activity for these initiatives during 2018: Severance and Other Employee Related Costs Facility Realignment and Other Costs Total Accrual balance at December 31, 2017 $ 113,474 $ 9,626 $ 123,100 Restructuring charges 4,182 3,334 7,516 Payments and other (65,692 ) (5,853 ) (71,545 ) Accrual balance at June 30, 2018 51,964 7,107 59,071 Restructuring charges 5,841 8,826 14,667 Payments and other (24,991 ) (2,613 ) (27,604 ) Accrual balance at September 30, 2018 $ 32,814 $ 13,320 $ 46,134 |
INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)
INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class | The following table summarizes information relating to the Company's acquired amortizable intangible assets: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Estimated Useful Lives Customer relationships $ 5,970,884 $ (1,979,595 ) $ 3,991,289 $ 5,970,884 $ (1,409,021 ) $ 4,561,863 8 to 18 years Trade names 1,067,083 (678,248 ) 388,835 1,067,083 (588,574 ) 478,509 2 to 5 years Other amortizable intangibles 37,644 (16,772 ) 20,872 37,060 (10,978 ) 26,082 1 to 15 years $ 7,075,611 $ (2,674,615 ) $ 4,400,996 $ 7,075,027 $ (2,008,573 ) $ 5,066,454 |
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets | The following table summarizes information relating to the Company's acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Cablevision Cequel Total Cablevision Cequel Total Cable television franchises $ 8,113,575 $ 4,906,506 $ 13,020,081 $ 8,113,575 $ 4,906,506 $ 13,020,081 Goodwill 5,873,716 2,138,700 8,012,416 5,866,120 2,153,741 8,019,861 Total $ 13,987,291 $ 7,045,206 $ 21,032,497 $ 13,979,695 $ 7,060,247 $ 21,039,942 |
Schedule of Goodwill | The carrying amount of goodwill is presented below: Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2017, as reported $ 7,996,760 ATS goodwill included in Cablevision segment (See Note 3 for further details) 23,101 Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2017, as adjusted 8,019,861 Goodwill recorded in Cablevision segment in connection with an acquisition during the third quarter of 2018 7,608 Adjustment to Cablevision segment purchase accounting relating to business acquired in fourth quarter of 2017 (12 ) Reclassification of Cequel segment goodwill to property, plant and equipment (15,041 ) Net goodwill as of September 30, 2018 $ 8,012,416 |
DEBT (Tables)
DEBT (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities | The following table provides details of the Company's outstanding credit facility debt: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Maturity Date Interest Rate Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a) Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a) CSC Holdings Restricted Group: Revolving Credit Facility (b) $20,000 on October 9, 2020, remaining balance on November 30, 2021 5.40 % $ 575,000 $ 554,908 $ 450,000 $ 425,488 Term Loan Facility July 17, 2025 4.41 % 2,962,500 2,946,318 2,985,000 2,967,818 Incremental Term Loan Facility January 25, 2026 4.66 % 1,496,250 1,478,995 — — Cequel: Revolving Credit Facility (c) $65,000 on November 30, 2021, and remaining balance on April 5, 2023 — % — — — — Term Loan Facility July 28, 2025 4.49 % 1,249,188 1,241,272 1,258,675 1,250,217 $ 6,282,938 6,221,493 $ 4,693,675 4,643,523 Less: Current portion 57,650 42,650 Long-term debt $ 6,163,843 $ 4,600,873 (a) The carrying amount is net of the unamortized deferred financing costs and/or discounts/premiums. (b) At September 30, 2018 , $139,929 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $1,585,071 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations. (c) At September 30, 2018 , $7,636 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $342,364 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations. |
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments | The following table summarizes the Company's senior guaranteed notes, senior secured notes and senior notes and debentures: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Date Issued Maturity Date Interest Rate Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a) Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a) CSC Holdings Senior Notes: February 6, 1998 February 15, 2018 7.875 % (b) (f) (o) $ — $ — $ 300,000 $ 301,184 July 21, 1998 July 15, 2018 7.625 % (b) (f) (q) — — 500,000 507,744 February 12, 2009 February 15, 2019 8.625 % (c) (f) 526,000 531,206 526,000 541,165 November 15, 2011 November 15, 2021 6.750 % (c) (f) 1,000,000 966,913 1,000,000 960,146 May 23, 2014 June 1, 2024 5.250 % (c) (f) 750,000 668,918 750,000 660,601 October 9, 2015 January 15, 2023 10.125 % (e) 1,800,000 1,780,504 1,800,000 1,777,914 October 9, 2015 October 15, 2025 10.875 % (e) 1,684,221 1,662,507 1,684,221 1,661,135 CSC Holdings Senior Guaranteed Notes: October 9, 2015 October 15, 2025 6.625 % (e) 1,000,000 987,707 1,000,000 986,717 September 23, 2016 April 15, 2027 5.500 % (g) 1,310,000 1,304,816 1,310,000 1,304,468 January 29, 2018 February 1, 2028 5.375 % (n) 1,000,000 991,896 — — Cablevision Senior Notes (k): April 15, 2010 April 15, 2018 7.750 % (c) (f) (o) — — 750,000 754,035 April 15, 2010 April 15, 2020 8.000 % (c) (f) 500,000 494,445 500,000 492,009 September 27, 2012 September 15, 2022 5.875 % (c) (f) 649,024 582,236 649,024 572,071 Cequel and Cequel Capital Senior Notes (l): Oct. 25, 2012 Dec. 28, 2012 September 15, 2020 6.375 % (d) (m) — — 1,050,000 1,027,493 May 16, 2013 Sept. 9, 2014 December 15, 2021 5.125 % (d) 1,250,000 1,157,405 1,250,000 1,138,870 June 12, 2015 July 15, 2025 7.750 % (i) 620,000 605,540 620,000 604,374 April 5, 2018 April 1, 2028 7.500 % (p) 1,050,000 1,048,222 — — Altice US Finance I Corporation Senior Secured Notes (l): June 12, 2015 July 15, 2023 5.375 % (h) 1,100,000 1,084,542 1,100,000 1,082,482 April 26, 2016 May 15, 2026 5.500 % (j) 1,500,000 1,488,881 1,500,000 1,488,024 $ 15,739,245 15,355,738 $ 16,289,245 15,860,432 Less: current portion 531,206 507,744 Long-term debt $ 14,824,532 $ 15,352,688 (a) The carrying amount is net of the unamortized deferred financing costs and/or discounts/premiums. (b) The debentures are not redeemable by CSC Holdings prior to maturity. (c) Notes are redeemable at any time at a specified "make-whole" price plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. (d) The Company may redeem some or more of all the notes at the redemption price set forth in the relevant indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest. (e) The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time on or after January 15, 2019, and some or all of the 2025 Notes and 2025 Guaranteed Notes at any time on or after October 15, 2020, at the redemption prices set forth in the relevant indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The Company may also redeem up to 40% of each series of the notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before October 15, 2018, at a redemption price equal to 110.125% for the 2023 Notes, 110.875% for the 2025 Notes and 106.625% for the 2025 Guaranteed Notes, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, at any time prior to January 15, 2019, CSC Holdings may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes, and at any time prior to October 15, 2020, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes and the 2025 Guaranteed Notes, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a “make whole” premium specified in the relevant indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest. (f) The carrying value of the notes was adjusted to reflect their fair value on the date of the Cablevision Acquisition (aggregate reduction of $52,788 at the date of the acquisition). (g) The 2027 Guaranteed Notes are redeemable at any time on or after April 15, 2022 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, up to 40% may be redeemed for each series of the 2027 Guaranteed Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before October 15, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 105.500% , plus accrued and unpaid interest. (h) Some or all of these notes may be redeemed at any time on or after July 15, 2018, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. (i) Some or all of these notes may be redeemed at any time on or after July 15, 2020, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. (j) Some or all of these notes may be redeemed at any time on or after May 15, 2021, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. Up to 40% of the notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before May 15, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 105.500% . (k) The issuers of these notes have no ability to service interest or principal on the notes, other than through any dividends or distributions received from CSC Holdings. CSC Holdings is restricted, in certain circumstances, from paying dividends or distributions to the issuers by the terms of the CSC Holdings credit facilities agreement. (l) The issuers of these notes have no ability to service interest or principal on the notes, other than through any contributions/distributions from Cequel Communications, LLC (an indirect subsidiary of Cequel and the parent of Altice US Finance I). Cequel Communications, LLC is restricted in certain circumstances, from paying dividends or distributions to the issuers by the terms of the Cequel credit facilities agreement. (m) These notes were repaid in April 2018 with the proceeds from the issuance of new senior notes. (n) The 2028 Guaranteed Notes are redeemable at any time on or after February 1, 2023 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before February 1, 2021, at a redemption price equal to 105.375% , plus accrued and unpaid interest. (o) These notes were repaid in February 2018 with the proceeds from the 2028 Guaranteed Notes (defined below) and with the proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan. (p) The 2028 Senior Notes are redeemable at any time prior to April 1, 2023 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable premium plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. Up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Senior Notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before April 1, 2021, at a redemption price equal to 107.50% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, the 2028 Senior Notes are redeemable at any time on or after April 1, 2023 at the redemption prices set forth in indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest. (q) These notes were repaid in July 2018 with borrowings under CSC Holdings revolving credit facility agreement. |
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt | The future maturities of debt payable by the Company under its various debt obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2018 , including notes payable, collateralized indebtedness (see Note 10), and capital leases, are as follows: Years Ending December 31, Cablevision Cequel Total 2018 $ 30,678 $ 6,446 $ 37,124 2019 598,210 43,999 642,209 2020 550,396 12,720 563,116 2021 3,083,892 1,262,729 4,346,621 2022 697,147 12,739 709,886 Thereafter 11,815,174 5,466,230 17,281,404 |
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLL_2
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLLATERALIZED INDEBTEDNESS (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Settlement of Collateralized Indebtedness [Table Text Block] | The following table summarizes the settlement of the Company's collateralized indebtedness relating to Comcast shares that were settled by delivering cash equal to the collateralized loan value, net of the value of the related equity derivative contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: Number of shares 16,139,868 Collateralized indebtedness settled $ (516,537 ) Derivatives contracts settled 24 (516,513 ) Proceeds from new monetization contracts 516,513 Net cash proceeds $ — |
Location of Assets and Liabilities Associated With Derivative Instruments Within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | The following represents the location of the assets and liabilities associated with the Company's derivative instruments within the condensed consolidated balance sheets: Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Balance Sheet Location Fair Value at September 30, 2018 Fair Value at December 31, 2017 Fair Value at September 30, 2018 Fair Value at December 31, 2017 Interest rate swap contracts Derivative contracts, current $ 3,269 $ — $ — $ — Prepaid forward contracts Derivative contracts, current — 52,545 — (52,545 ) Prepaid forward contracts Derivative contracts, long-term 31,510 — (10,131 ) (109,504 ) Interest rate swap contracts Liabilities under derivative contracts, long-term — — (143,719 ) (77,902 ) $ 34,779 $ 52,545 $ (153,850 ) $ (239,951 ) |
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Tables)
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] | |
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis | The following table presents for each of these hierarchy levels, the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis: Fair Value Hierarchy September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Assets: Money market funds Level I $ 296,123 $ 5,949 Investment securities pledged as collateral Level I 1,521,045 1,720,357 Prepaid forward contracts Level II 31,510 52,545 Interest rate swap contracts Level II 3,269 — Liabilities: Prepaid forward contracts Level II 10,131 162,049 Interest rate swap contracts Level II 143,719 77,902 Contingent consideration related to 2017 and 2018 acquisitions Level III 6,733 32,233 |
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments | September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Fair Value Hierarchy Carrying Amount (a) Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount (a) Estimated Fair Value CSC Holdings debt instruments: Credit facility debt Level II $ 4,980,221 $ 5,033,750 $ 3,393,306 $ 3,435,000 Collateralized indebtedness Level II 1,400,398 1,352,771 1,349,474 1,305,932 Senior guaranteed notes Level II 3,284,419 3,293,125 2,291,185 2,420,000 Senior notes and debentures Level II 5,610,048 6,245,760 6,409,889 7,221,846 Notes payable Level II 42,810 42,653 56,956 55,289 Cablevision senior notes: Senior notes and debentures Level II 1,076,681 1,189,098 1,818,115 1,931,239 Cequel debt instruments: Cequel credit facility debt Level II 1,241,272 1,249,188 1,250,217 1,258,675 Senior secured notes Level II 2,573,423 2,604,930 2,570,506 2,658,930 Senior notes Level II 2,811,167 3,013,615 2,770,737 2,983,615 Notes payable Level II 34,281 34,281 8,946 8,946 $ 23,054,720 $ 24,059,171 $ 21,919,331 $ 23,279,472 (a) Amounts are net of unamortized deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts. |
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Table
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] | |
Activity for Shares | The following table summarizes activity relating to carry units: Number of Time Vesting Awards Number of Performance Based Vesting Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Balance, December 31, 2017 168,550,001 10,000,000 $ 0.71 Vested (48,337,500 ) — 0.37 Forfeited (15,500,001 ) — 0.56 Balance, September 30, 2018 104,712,500 10,000,000 1.01 |
Stock Option Activity | The following table summarizes activity related to employee stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2018: Shares Under Option Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Time Vesting Performance Based Vesting Aggregate Intrinsic Value (a) Balance at December 31, 2017 5,110,747 — $ 17.45 9.97 $ 8,944 Granted 2,332,540 95,953 17.76 Forfeited (496,491 ) (22,314 ) 17.76 Balance at September 30, 2018 6,946,796 73,639 17.51 9.43 4,417 Options exercisable at September 30, 2018 — — — — — (a) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of the Company's Class A common stock at the respective date. |
Aggregate Assumptions Used to Calculated the Fair Values of Stock Options | The following weighted-average assumptions were used to calculate the fair values of stock option awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: Risk-free interest rate 2.77% Expected life (in years) 6.48 Dividend yield —% Volatility 35.23% Grant date fair value $7.12 |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tab
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Related Party Transactions [Abstract] | |
Summary of related party transactions | Aggregate amounts that were due from and due to related parties are summarized below: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Due from: Altice US Finance S.A. (a) $ 13,100 $ 12,951 Newsday (b) 541 2,713 Altice Management Americas (b) 1,271 33 Altice Dominican Republic (b) 2,551 — i24 News (b) — 4,036 Other Altice Europe subsidiaries (b) 924 31 $ 18,387 $ 19,764 Due to: Altice Europe (c) $ 13,250 $ — Newsday (b) 32 33 Altice Labs S.A. (d) 1,463 7,354 Other Altice Europe subsidiaries (d) 8,679 3,611 $ 23,424 $ 10,998 (a) Represents interest on senior notes paid by the Company on behalf of the affiliate. (b) Represents amounts paid by the Company on behalf of the respective related party, and for Newsday the net amounts due from the related party also include charges for certain transition services provided. (c) Represents amounts due to The following table summarizes the revenue and charges related to services provided to or received from subsidiaries of Altice Europe and Newsday: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Revenue $ 545 $ 426 $ 1,397 $ 820 Operating expenses: Programming and other direct costs (1,671 ) (1,196 ) (6,690 ) $ (3,026 ) Other operating expenses, net (905 ) (8,302 ) (15,154 ) (24,266 ) Operating expenses, net (2,576 ) (9,498 ) (21,844 ) (27,292 ) Interest expense (a) — — — (90,405 ) Other income, net — — 149 — Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — — — (513,723 ) Net charges $ (2,031 ) $ (9,072 ) $ (20,298 ) $ (630,600 ) Capital expenditures $ 3,945 $ 3,549 $ 6,679 $ 12,914 (a) In connection with the Company's IPO in June 2017, the Company converted the notes payable to affiliates and related parties into shares of the Company’s common stock at the IPO price. |
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Operating Income (Loss) | The Company has presented the components that reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to operating income, an accepted GAAP measure: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Cablevision Cequel Total Cablevision Cequel Total Operating income (loss) $ 340,455 $ 165,103 $ 505,558 $ (3,103 ) $ 123,678 $ 120,575 Share-based compensation 9,038 3,289 12,327 11,555 3,450 15,005 Restructuring and other expense 14,122 2,465 16,587 35,364 18,084 53,448 Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) 378,549 157,504 536,053 656,122 167,164 823,286 Adjusted EBITDA $ 742,164 $ 328,361 $ 1,070,525 $ 699,938 $ 312,376 $ 1,012,314 |
Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Amounts to Cablevision's and CSC Holdings' Consolidated Balances | A reconciliation of reportable segment amounts to the Company's condensed consolidated balances are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Operating income for reportable segments $ 505,558 $ 120,575 $ 1,153,655 $ 623,953 Items excluded from operating income: Interest expense (389,594 ) (379,066 ) (1,157,395 ) (1,232,730 ) Interest income 1,427 961 9,843 1,373 Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net 111,684 (18,900 ) (182,031 ) 169,888 Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net (79,628 ) (16,763 ) 130,883 (154,270 ) Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts (19,554 ) 1,051 (64,405 ) 12,539 Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — (38,858 ) (41,616 ) (600,240 ) Other expense, net (186 ) (2,984 ) (12,473 ) (9,019 ) Income (loss) before income taxes $ 129,707 $ (333,984 ) $ (163,539 ) $ (1,188,506 ) |
Schedule of Revenue by Products and Services and Segments | The following tables present the composition of revenue by reportable segment: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Cablevision Cequel Eliminations (a) Total Cablevision Cequel Eliminations (a) Total Residential: Pay TV $ 783,252 $ 271,415 $ — $ 1,054,667 $ 798,583 $ 271,363 $ — $ 1,069,946 Broadband 457,709 272,198 — 729,907 416,972 241,306 — 658,278 Telephony 130,494 30,857 — 161,351 140,830 31,649 — 172,479 Business services and wholesale 242,305 101,888 — 344,193 230,200 94,442 — 324,642 Advertising 105,719 18,107 (760 ) 123,066 72,316 17,456 (480 ) 89,292 Other 2,209 2,408 — 4,617 2,458 5,426 — 7,884 Total Revenue $ 1,721,688 $ 696,873 $ (760 ) $ 2,417,801 $ 1,661,359 $ 661,642 $ (480 ) $ 2,322,521 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Cablevision Cequel Eliminations (a) Total Cablevision Cequel Eliminations (a) Total Residential: Pay TV $ 2,313,229 $ 809,550 $ — $ 3,122,779 $ 2,397,233 $ 827,754 $ — $ 3,224,987 Broadband 1,347,486 796,244 — 2,143,730 1,218,504 708,312 — 1,926,816 Telephony 399,714 91,174 — 490,888 432,710 98,991 — 531,701 Business services and wholesale 713,240 301,431 — 1,014,671 689,708 277,995 — 967,703 Advertising 276,343 53,541 (9,338 ) 320,546 216,250 54,384 (480 ) 270,154 Other 8,697 10,357 — 19,054 8,467 17,314 — 25,781 Total Revenue $ 5,058,709 $ 2,062,297 $ (9,338 ) $ 7,111,668 $ 4,962,872 $ 1,984,750 $ (480 ) $ 6,947,142 (a) Reflects revenue recognized by Cablevision from the sale of services to Cequel. |
Capital Expenditures by Reportable Segment | Capital expenditures (cash basis) by reportable segment are presented below: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Cablevision $ 217,326 $ 180,287 $ 554,483 $ 505,852 Cequel 117,201 75,042 278,341 213,067 $ 334,527 $ 255,329 $ 832,824 $ 718,919 |
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND R_2
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND RELATED MATTERS (Details) | Jun. 08, 2018USD ($)shares | May 24, 2018USD ($) | May 23, 2018USD ($) | Jan. 08, 2018USD ($) | Jan. 31, 2018USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)segmentshares | Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)segmentshares | Dec. 31, 2017shares |
Description Of Business [Line Items] | ||||||||
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount | $ 1,759,201,000 | |||||||
Number of reportable business segments | segment | 2 | 2 | ||||||
Dividends | $ (2.035) | $ (1,499,935,000) | $ (1,499,935,000) | |||||
Stock repurchase program authorized amount | $ 2,000,000,000 | |||||||
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock | shares | 13,219,909 | |||||||
Dividends, Paid-in-kind | $ 0.672 | |||||||
Dividends Payable, Date of Record | $ 0.4163 | |||||||
Shares, Outstanding | shares | 723,849,057 | |||||||
Common Class A | ||||||||
Description Of Business [Line Items] | ||||||||
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | shares | 489,384,523 | 510,702,726 | ||||||
Common Class B [Member] | ||||||||
Description Of Business [Line Items] | ||||||||
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | shares | 247,684,443 | 213,146,331 | 490,086,674 | |||||
Fees for Executive Services | Affiliates | ||||||||
Description Of Business [Line Items] | ||||||||
Related party transaction, annual fee | $ 30,000,000 | |||||||
ATS Acquisition | ||||||||
Description Of Business [Line Items] | ||||||||
Entities under common control, percentage of voting interst acquired | 70.00% | |||||||
Entities under common control, consideration transferred | $ 1 | |||||||
Total Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
Description Of Business [Line Items] | ||||||||
Dividends | (1,499,935,000) | |||||||
Paid-in Capital | ||||||||
Description Of Business [Line Items] | ||||||||
Dividends | (963,711,000) | |||||||
Retained Earnings | ||||||||
Description Of Business [Line Items] | ||||||||
Dividends | $ (536,224,000) |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Retained Earnings | |||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | |||
Adoption of ASU No. 2018-02 | $ 2,163 | $ 2,163 | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | |||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | |||
Adoption of ASU No. 2018-02 | $ (2,163) | $ (2,163) |
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES_3
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ATS ACQUISITION - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Jan. 01, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||||
Contract liability | $ 173,956 | $ 173,956 | $ 117,679 | |||
Other operating expenses | 569,070 | $ 570,111 | 1,727,842 | $ 1,769,477 | ||
Contract asset | 25,806 | 25,806 | 24,329 | |||
Goodwill | $ 8,012,416 | $ 8,012,416 | 8,019,861 | |||
Impact of ASC 606 | Restatement Adjustment | ||||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||||
Contract liability | 6,978 | |||||
Other operating expenses | (4,094) | (13,490) | ||||
Contract asset | 24,329 | |||||
Goodwill | 0 | |||||
ATS Acquisition | Restatement Adjustment | ||||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||||
Other operating expenses | $ 16,629 | $ 25,195 | ||||
Goodwill | $ 23,101 | |||||
Installation Services | Impact of ASC 606 | ||||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||||
Cumulative effect on retained earnings, net of tax | $ 5,093 | |||||
Cumulative effect on retained earnings, tax | 1,885 | |||||
Commissions | Impact of ASC 606 | ||||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||||
Cumulative effect on retained earnings, net of tax | 17,759 | |||||
Cumulative effect on retained earnings, tax | $ 6,570 |
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES_4
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ATS ACQUISITION - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 486,208 | $ 329,848 |
Other current assets | 573,751 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 5,760,479 | 6,023,826 |
Goodwill | 8,012,416 | 8,019,861 |
Other assets, long-term | 19,864,796 | |
Total assets | 33,956,567 | 34,812,082 |
Current liabilities | 2,476,677 | 2,520,362 |
Deferred tax liability | 4,809,745 | 4,769,286 |
Liabilities, long-term | 21,786,391 | |
Total liabilities | 30,105,795 | 29,076,039 |
Redeemable equity | 179,799 | 231,290 |
Paid-in capital | 3,618,709 | 4,665,229 |
Retained earnings | 38,744 | 840,636 |
Total stockholders' equity | 3,670,973 | 5,504,753 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 33,956,567 | 34,812,082 |
As Reported | ||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 273,329 | |
Other current assets | 580,231 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 6,063,829 | |
Goodwill | 7,996,760 | |
Other assets, long-term | 19,861,076 | |
Total assets | 34,775,225 | |
Current liabilities | 2,492,983 | |
Deferred tax liability | 4,775,115 | |
Liabilities, long-term | 21,779,997 | |
Total liabilities | 29,048,095 | |
Redeemable equity | 231,290 | |
Paid-in capital | 4,642,128 | |
Retained earnings | 854,824 | |
Total stockholders' equity | 5,495,840 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | 34,775,225 | |
Impact of ASC 606 | Restatement Adjustment | ||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 0 | |
Other current assets | 14,068 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 0 | |
Goodwill | 0 | |
Other assets, long-term | 10,261 | |
Total assets | 24,329 | |
Current liabilities | 6,978 | |
Deferred tax liability | 4,685 | |
Liabilities, long-term | 0 | |
Total liabilities | 11,663 | |
Redeemable equity | 0 | |
Paid-in capital | 0 | |
Retained earnings | 12,666 | |
Total stockholders' equity | 12,666 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | 24,329 | |
ATS Acquisition | Restatement Adjustment | ||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 56,519 | |
Other current assets | (20,548) | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | (40,003) | |
Goodwill | 23,101 | |
Other assets, long-term | (6,541) | |
Total assets | 12,528 | |
Current liabilities | 20,401 | |
Deferred tax liability | (10,514) | |
Liabilities, long-term | 6,394 | |
Total liabilities | 16,281 | |
Redeemable equity | 0 | |
Paid-in capital | 23,101 | |
Retained earnings | (26,854) | |
Total stockholders' equity | (3,753) | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 12,528 |
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES_5
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ATS ACQUISITION - Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Nonoperating Income (Expense) | $ (375,851) | $ (454,559) | $ (1,317,194) | $ (1,812,459) |
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest | 129,707 | (333,984) | (163,539) | (1,188,506) |
Revenue | 2,417,801 | 2,322,521 | 7,111,668 | 6,947,142 |
Programming and other direct costs | 790,533 | 755,101 | 2,373,021 | 2,272,147 |
Other operating expenses | 569,070 | 570,111 | 1,727,842 | 1,769,477 |
Restructuring and other expense | 16,587 | 53,448 | 29,865 | 142,765 |
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) | 536,053 | 823,286 | 1,827,285 | 2,138,800 |
Operating income | 505,558 | 120,575 | 1,153,655 | 623,953 |
Income tax benefit (expense) | (95,968) | 141,550 | (29,675) | 439,945 |
Net income (loss) | $ 33,739 | (192,434) | $ (193,214) | (748,561) |
As Reported | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Nonoperating Income (Expense) | (451,638) | (1,802,608) | ||
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest | (316,774) | (1,162,728) | ||
Revenue | 2,327,175 | 6,961,192 | ||
Programming and other direct costs | 755,101 | 2,272,147 | ||
Other operating expenses | 560,497 | 1,767,624 | ||
Restructuring and other expense | 53,448 | 142,765 | ||
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) | 823,265 | 2,138,776 | ||
Operating income | 134,864 | 639,880 | ||
Income tax benefit (expense) | 134,688 | 429,664 | ||
Net income (loss) | (182,086) | (733,064) | ||
Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest | 0 | |||
Impact of ASC 606 | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Nonoperating Income (Expense) | 0 | 0 | ||
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest | 0 | |||
Revenue | (4,094) | (13,490) | ||
Programming and other direct costs | 0 | 0 | ||
Other operating expenses | (4,094) | (13,490) | ||
Restructuring and other expense | 0 | 0 | ||
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) | 0 | 0 | ||
Operating income | 0 | 0 | ||
Income tax benefit (expense) | 0 | 0 | ||
Net income (loss) | 0 | 0 | ||
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Nonoperating Income (Expense) | (2,921) | (9,852) | ||
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest | 0 | 0 | ||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
Programming and other direct costs | 0 | 0 | ||
Other operating expenses | (2,921) | (9,852) | ||
Restructuring and other expense | 0 | 0 | ||
Operating income | 2,921 | 9,852 | ||
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization, Including Asset Impairment Charges | 0 | 0 | ||
Income tax benefit (expense) | 0 | 0 | ||
Net income (loss) | 0 | 0 | ||
Pay TV | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 1,069,946 | 3,224,987 | ||
Pay TV | As Reported | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 1,054,392 | 3,185,610 | ||
Pay TV | Impact of ASC 606 | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 15,807 | 39,630 | ||
Pay TV | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
Broadband | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 658,278 | 1,926,816 | ||
Broadband | As Reported | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 646,094 | 1,887,279 | ||
Broadband | Impact of ASC 606 | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 12,372 | 39,725 | ||
Broadband | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
Telephony | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 172,479 | 531,701 | ||
Telephony | As Reported | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 204,753 | 624,077 | ||
Telephony | Impact of ASC 606 | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | (32,155) | (92,257) | ||
Telephony | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
Business services and wholesale | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 324,642 | 967,703 | ||
Business services and wholesale | As Reported | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 324,760 | 968,291 | ||
Business services and wholesale | Impact of ASC 606 | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | (118) | (588) | ||
Business services and wholesale | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
Advertising | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 89,292 | 270,154 | ||
Advertising | As Reported | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 89,292 | 270,154 | ||
Advertising | Impact of ASC 606 | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
Advertising | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
Other | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 7,884 | 25,781 | ||
Other | As Reported | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 7,884 | 25,781 | ||
Other | Impact of ASC 606 | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
Other | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
ATS Acquisition | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Nonoperating Income (Expense) | 0 | 1 | ||
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest | (17,210) | (25,778) | ||
Revenue | (560) | (560) | ||
Programming and other direct costs | 0 | 0 | ||
Other operating expenses | 16,629 | 25,195 | ||
Restructuring and other expense | 0 | 0 | ||
Operating income | (17,210) | (25,779) | ||
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization, Including Asset Impairment Charges | 21 | 24 | ||
Income tax benefit (expense) | 6,862 | 10,281 | ||
Net income (loss) | (10,348) | (15,497) | ||
ATS Acquisition | Pay TV | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | (253) | (253) | ||
ATS Acquisition | Broadband | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | (188) | (188) | ||
ATS Acquisition | Telephony | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | (119) | (119) | ||
ATS Acquisition | Business services and wholesale | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
ATS Acquisition | Advertising | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | 0 | 0 | ||
ATS Acquisition | Other | Restatement Adjustment | ||||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||||
Revenue | $ 0 | $ 0 |
NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTAB_2
NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS Dilutive shares (Details) | 3 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018shares | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount | 5,841,000 |
Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Restricted Stock Awards | 73,000 |
REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS - N
REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Franchise fees and other taxes and fees | $ 63,703 | $ 64,254 | $ 190,895 | $ 194,045 |
Minimum | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Contract term | 3 years | |||
Maximum | ||||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | ||||
Contract term | 5 years |
REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS - C
REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS - Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] | ||
Contract assets | $ 25,806 | $ 24,329 |
Deferred revenue | $ 173,956 | $ 117,679 |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_3
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |
Mar. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] | |||
Payments of Dividends | $ 79,617 | $ 1,499,935 | $ 919,317 |
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Amount | 0 | 2,264,252 | |
Continuing Operations: | |||
Property and equipment accrued but unpaid | 166,800 | 84,847 | |
Notes payable issued to vendor for the purchase of equipment | 49,780 | 25,879 | |
Capital lease obligations | 8,162 | 0 | |
Leasehold improvements paid by landlord | 350 | 3,998 | |
Repurchase of shares that were not settled | 13,996 | ||
Supplemental Data: | |||
Cash interest paid | 1,174,154 | 1,481,363 | |
Income taxes paid, net | $ 12,148 | $ 26,396 |
RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER_3
RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] | |||||||
Accrual, beginning balance | $ 59,071 | $ 123,100 | |||||
Restructuring charges | 14,667 | $ 52,081 | 7,516 | $ 141,078 | |||
Payments and other | (27,604) | (71,545) | |||||
Accrual, ending balance | 46,134 | $ 59,071 | 59,071 | ||||
Transaction costs | 1,920 | $ 1,367 | 7,682 | $ 1,687 | |||
Severance and Other Employee Related Costs | |||||||
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] | |||||||
Accrual, beginning balance | 51,964 | 113,474 | |||||
Restructuring charges | 5,841 | 4,182 | |||||
Payments and other | (24,991) | (65,692) | |||||
Accrual, ending balance | 32,814 | 51,964 | 51,964 | ||||
Facility Realignment and Other Costs | |||||||
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] | |||||||
Accrual, beginning balance | 7,107 | 9,626 | |||||
Restructuring charges | 8,826 | 3,334 | |||||
Payments and other | (2,613) | (5,853) | |||||
Accrual, ending balance | 13,320 | 7,107 | 7,107 | ||||
Cablevision | |||||||
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] | |||||||
Cumulative restructuring costs | $ 327,521 | ||||||
Cequel | |||||||
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] | |||||||
Cumulative restructuring costs | $ 71,162 | $ 71,162 |
INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of
INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Gross Carrying Amount | $ 7,075,611 | $ 7,075,611 | $ 7,075,027 | |||
Accumulated Amortization | (2,674,615) | (2,674,615) | (2,008,573) | |||
Net Carrying Amount | 4,400,996 | 4,400,996 | 5,066,454 | |||
Amortization of Intangible Assets | 208,172 | $ 426,419 | 666,041 | $ 981,657 | ||
Customer relationships | ||||||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Gross Carrying Amount | 5,970,884 | 5,970,884 | 5,970,884 | |||
Accumulated Amortization | (1,979,595) | (1,979,595) | (1,409,021) | |||
Net Carrying Amount | 3,991,289 | 3,991,289 | 4,561,863 | |||
Trade names | ||||||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Gross Carrying Amount | 1,067,083 | 1,067,083 | 1,067,083 | |||
Accumulated Amortization | (678,248) | (678,248) | (588,574) | |||
Net Carrying Amount | 388,835 | 388,835 | 478,509 | |||
Other amortizable intangible assets | ||||||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Gross Carrying Amount | 37,644 | 37,644 | 37,060 | |||
Accumulated Amortization | (16,772) | (16,772) | (10,978) | |||
Net Carrying Amount | $ 20,872 | $ 20,872 | $ 26,082 | |||
Minimum | Customer relationships | ||||||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life | 8 years | |||||
Minimum | Trade names | ||||||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life | 2 years | |||||
Minimum | Other amortizable intangible assets | ||||||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life | 1 year | |||||
Maximum | Customer relationships | ||||||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life | 18 years | |||||
Maximum | Trade names | ||||||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life | 5 years | |||||
Maximum | Other amortizable intangible assets | ||||||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life | 15 years |
INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary o_2
INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Acquired Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | |||||
Amortization of Intangible Assets | $ 208,172 | $ 426,419 | $ 666,041 | $ 981,657 | |
Cable television franchises | 13,020,081 | 13,020,081 | $ 13,020,081 | ||
Goodwill | 8,012,416 | 8,012,416 | 8,019,861 | ||
Total | 21,032,497 | 21,032,497 | 21,039,942 | ||
Cablevision | |||||
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | |||||
Cable television franchises | 8,113,575 | 8,113,575 | 8,113,575 | ||
Goodwill | 5,873,716 | 5,873,716 | 5,866,120 | ||
Total | 13,987,291 | 13,987,291 | 13,979,695 | ||
Cequel | |||||
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | |||||
Cable television franchises | 4,906,506 | 4,906,506 | 4,906,506 | ||
Goodwill | 2,138,700 | 2,138,700 | 2,153,741 | ||
Total | $ 7,045,206 | $ 7,045,206 | $ 7,060,247 |
INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill (D
INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018USD ($) | |
Goodwill [Line Items] | |
Goodwill, Acquired During Period | $ 7,608 |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
Goodwill, beginning balance | 8,019,861 |
Adjustments to purchase accounting relating to Cablevision Acquisition | (12) |
Goodwill, ending balance | 8,012,416 |
As Reported | |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
Goodwill, beginning balance | 7,996,760 |
ATS Acquisition | Restatement Adjustment | |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
Goodwill, beginning balance | 23,101 |
Suddenlink [Member] | |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | |
Adjustments to purchase accounting relating to Cablevision Acquisition | $ (15,041) |
DEBT - Credit Facilities Outsta
DEBT - Credit Facilities Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2018 | Jan. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Principal Amount | $ 6,282,938,000 | $ 4,693,675,000 | |
Credit facility, Carrying Value | 6,221,493,000 | 4,643,523,000 | |
Less: Current portion | 57,650,000 | 42,650,000 | |
Credit facility, noncurrent | $ 6,163,843,000 | 4,600,873,000 | |
CSC Holdings Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Stated interest rate | 5.40% | ||
Principal Amount | $ 575,000,000 | 450,000,000 | |
Credit facility, Carrying Value | 554,908,000 | 425,488,000 | |
Letters of credit outstanding | 139,929,000 | ||
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity | $ 1,585,071,000 | ||
CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility | Term Loan | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Stated interest rate | 4.41% | ||
Principal Amount | $ 2,962,500,000 | $ 1,500,000,000 | 2,985,000,000 |
Credit facility, Carrying Value | $ 2,946,318,000 | 2,967,818,000 | |
CSC Holdings Incremental Term Loan Facility | Term Loan | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Stated interest rate | 4.66% | ||
Principal Amount | $ 1,496,250,000 | 0 | |
Credit facility, Carrying Value | $ 1,478,995,000 | 0 | |
Cequel Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Stated interest rate | 0.00% | ||
Principal Amount | $ 0 | 0 | |
Credit facility, Carrying Value | 0 | 0 | |
Letters of credit outstanding | 7,636,000 | ||
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity | $ 342,364,000 | ||
Cequel Term Loan Facility | Term Loan | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Stated interest rate | 4.49% | ||
Principal Amount | $ 1,249,188,000 | 1,258,675,000 | |
Credit facility, Carrying Value | $ 1,241,272,000 | $ 1,250,217,000 |
DEBT - Credit Facilities Narrat
DEBT - Credit Facilities Narrative (Details) - USD ($) | 1 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Jul. 31, 2018 | Jan. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] | |||||
Proceeds from credit facility debt, net of discounts | $ 2,217,500,000 | $ 5,602,425,000 | |||
Principal Amount | 6,282,938,000 | $ 4,693,675,000 | |||
Repayment of credit facility debt | 635,738,000 | 3,684,668,000 | |||
Repayments of Senior Debt | 2,623,756,000 | $ 1,729,400,000 | |||
CSC Holdings Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | |||||
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] | |||||
Proceeds from credit facility debt, net of discounts | $ 575,000,000 | $ 150,000,000 | |||
Principal Amount | 575,000,000 | 450,000,000 | |||
Repayment of credit facility debt | 600,000,000 | ||||
CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility | Term Loan | |||||
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,500,000,000 | 2,962,500,000 | 2,985,000,000 | ||
Debt issued percentage of par | 99.50% | ||||
CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility | Term Loan | Base Rate | |||||
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] | |||||
basis spread on variable rate | 1.50% | ||||
CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility | Term Loan | Eurodollar | |||||
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] | |||||
basis spread on variable rate | 2.50% | ||||
Senior Notes | |||||
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | 15,739,245,000 | 16,289,245,000 | |||
Senior Notes | CSC Holdings 7.625% Notes due July 15, 2018 [Member] | |||||
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 0 | $ 500,000,000 | |||
Repayments of Senior Debt | $ 500,000,000 |
DEBT - Senior Guaranteed Notes
DEBT - Senior Guaranteed Notes and Senior Notes and Debentures (Details) - USD ($) | Jun. 21, 2016 | Apr. 30, 2018 | Feb. 28, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 6,282,938,000 | $ 4,693,675,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | 15,355,738,000 | 15,860,432,000 | |||
Less: current portion | 531,206,000 | 507,744,000 | |||
Long-term debt | 14,824,532,000 | 15,352,688,000 | |||
Senior Notes | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 15,739,245,000 | 16,289,245,000 | |||
Senior Notes | 7.875% Notes due February 15, 2018 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 7.875% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 0 | 300,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 0 | 301,184,000 | |||
Senior Notes | CSC Holdings 7.625% Notes due July 15, 2018 [Member] | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 7.625% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 0 | 500,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 0 | 507,744,000 | |||
Senior Notes | 8.625% Notes due February 15, 2019 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 8.625% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 526,000,000 | 526,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 531,206,000 | 541,165,000 | |||
Senior Notes | 6.75% Notes due November 15, 2021 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 6.75% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 966,913,000 | 960,146,000 | |||
Senior Notes | 5.25% Notes due June 1, 2024 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 5.25% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 750,000,000 | 750,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 668,918,000 | 660,601,000 | |||
Senior Notes | 10.125% Notes due January 15, 2023 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 10.125% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,800,000,000 | 1,800,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 1,780,504,000 | 1,777,914,000 | |||
Senior Notes | Senior Notes due in 2025 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 100.00% | ||||
Senior Notes | 10.875% Notes due October 15, 2025 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 10.875% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,684,221,000 | 1,684,221,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 1,662,507,000 | 1,661,135,000 | |||
Senior Notes | 6.625% Notes due October 15, 2025 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 6.625% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 987,707,000 | 986,717,000 | |||
Senior Notes | 5.5% Notes due April 15, 2027 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 5.50% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,310,000,000 | 1,310,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 1,304,816,000 | 1,304,468,000 | |||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 105.50% | ||||
Senior Notes | 5.375% Notes Due February 1, 2028 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 5.375% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,000,000,000 | 0 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 991,896,000 | 0 | |||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 105.375% | ||||
Senior Notes | 7.75% Notes due April 15, 2018 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 7.75% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 0 | 750,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 0 | 754,035,000 | |||
Extinguishment of debt | $ 7,019,000 | ||||
Senior Notes | 8.0% Notes due April 15, 2020 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 8.00% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 500,000,000 | 500,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 494,445,000 | 492,009,000 | |||
Senior Notes | 5.875% Notes due September 15, 2022 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 5.875% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 649,024,000 | 649,024,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 582,236,000 | 572,071,000 | |||
Senior Notes | Cequel and Cequel Capital 6.375% Senior Notes due September 15, 2020 [Member] | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 6.375% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 0 | 1,050,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 0 | 1,027,493,000 | |||
Extinguishment of debt | $ 16,737,000 | ||||
Senior Notes | Cequel and Cequel Capital 5.125% Senior Notes due December 15, 2021 [Member] | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 5.125% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,250,000,000 | 1,250,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 1,157,405,000 | 1,138,870,000 | |||
Senior Notes | Cequel and Cequel Capital 7.75% Senior Notes due July 15, 2025 [Member] | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 7.75% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 620,000,000 | 620,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 605,540,000 | 604,374,000 | |||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed | 40.00% | ||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 107.75% | ||||
Senior Notes | Cequel and Cequel Capital 7.5% Senior Notes due April 1, 2028 [Member] [Domain] | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 7.50% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,050,000,000 | 0 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 1,048,222,000 | 0 | |||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed | 40.00% | ||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 107.50% | ||||
Senior Notes | Altice US Finance I Corporation Senior Secured Notes 5.375% Senior Notes due July 15, 2023 [Member] | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 5.375% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,100,000,000 | 1,100,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 1,084,542,000 | 1,082,482,000 | |||
Senior Notes | Cequel and Cequel Capital 5.5% Senior Notes due May 15, 2026 [Member] | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Interest Rate | 5.50% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,500,000,000 | 1,500,000,000 | |||
Carrying Amount | $ 1,488,881,000 | $ 1,488,024,000 | |||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed | 40.00% | ||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 105.50% | ||||
Cablevision | Senior Notes | CSC Holdings Senior Notes | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed | 40.00% | ||||
Adjustment to fair value | $ 52,788,000 | ||||
Cablevision | Senior Notes | 10.125% Notes due January 15, 2023 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 110.125% | ||||
Cablevision | Senior Notes | 10.875% Notes due October 15, 2025 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 110.875% | ||||
Cablevision | Senior Notes | 6.625% Notes due October 15, 2025 | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 106.625% |
DEBT - Senior Guaranteed Note_2
DEBT - Senior Guaranteed Notes and Senior Notes and Debentures Narrative (Details) - USD ($) | May 24, 2018 | Jan. 08, 2018 | Apr. 30, 2018 | Feb. 28, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Principal Amount | $ 6,282,938,000 | $ 4,693,675,000 | ||||
Dividends | $ 2.035 | $ 1,499,935,000 | 1,499,935,000 | |||
Senior Notes | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Principal Amount | $ 15,739,245,000 | 16,289,245,000 | ||||
Senior Notes | Cequel and Cequel Capital 7.5% Senior Notes due April 1, 2028 [Member] [Domain] | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed | 40.00% | |||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 107.50% | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,050,000,000 | 0 | ||||
Interest Rate | 7.50% | |||||
Senior Notes | 5.375% Notes Due February 1, 2028 | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 105.375% | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,000,000,000 | 0 | ||||
Interest Rate | 5.375% | |||||
Senior Notes | 7.875% Notes due February 15, 2018 | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Principal Amount | $ 0 | 300,000,000 | ||||
Interest Rate | 7.875% | |||||
Senior Notes | 7.75% Notes due April 15, 2018 | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Principal Amount | $ 0 | 750,000,000 | ||||
Interest Rate | 7.75% | |||||
Extinguishment of debt | $ 7,019,000 | |||||
Write Off Of Deferred Debt Issuance Cots and Unamortized Discount | $ 2,314,000 | |||||
Senior Notes | Cequel and Cequel Capital 6.375% Senior Notes due September 15, 2020 [Member] | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Principal Amount | $ 0 | $ 1,050,000,000 | ||||
Interest Rate | 6.375% | |||||
Extinguishment of debt | $ 16,737,000 | |||||
Write Off Of Deferred Debt Issuance Cots and Unamortized Discount | $ 20,173,000 |
DEBT - Notes Payable to Affilia
DEBT - Notes Payable to Affiliates and Related Perties (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Jun. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Jun. 21, 2016 | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 6,282,938,000 | $ 4,693,675,000 | |||
Senior Notes | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 15,739,245,000 | 16,289,245,000 | |||
Cablevision | Affiliates | Notes payable | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,750,000,000 | ||||
Interest payable | 529,000 | ||||
Debt premium | 513,723,000 | ||||
Interest expense | $ 90,405,000 | ||||
Cequel and Cequel Capital 7.5% Senior Notes due April 1, 2028 [Member] [Domain] | Senior Notes | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | 107.50% | ||||
Principal Amount | $ 1,050,000,000 | $ 0 | |||
Stated interest rate | 7.50% | ||||
Notes Payable at 10.75% | Cablevision | Affiliates | Notes payable | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 875,000,000 | ||||
Stated interest rate | 10.75% | ||||
Notes Payable at 11% | Cablevision | Affiliates | Notes payable | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Principal Amount | $ 875,000,000 | ||||
Stated interest rate | 11.00% | ||||
Organizational Transactions Prior to IPO | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Stock issued | $ 2,264,252,000 |
DEBT - Summary of Debt Maturiti
DEBT - Summary of Debt Maturities (Details) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2018USD ($) |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |
2,018 | $ 37,124 |
2,020 | 642,209 |
2,021 | 563,116 |
2,022 | 4,346,621 |
2,021 | 709,886 |
Thereafter | 17,281,404 |
Cablevision | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |
2,018 | 30,678 |
2,020 | 598,210 |
2,021 | 550,396 |
2,022 | 3,083,892 |
2,021 | 697,147 |
Thereafter | 11,815,174 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |
2,018 | 6,446 |
2,020 | 43,999 |
2,021 | 12,720 |
2,022 | 1,262,729 |
2,021 | 12,739 |
Thereafter | $ 5,466,230 |
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLL_3
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLLATERALIZED INDEBTEDNESS - Location of Assets and Liabilities Within the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Apr. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||||
Number Of Shares Monetized | 16,139,868 | |||
Derivative Instruments, Fair Value [Abstract] | ||||
Collateralized Indebtedness Settled | $ (516,537) | |||
Payments for (Proceeds from) Derivative Instrument, Financing Activities | (24) | |||
Derivative Contracts Settled | 0 | |||
Net Cash Receipt Payment on Collateralized Indebtedness Settlement | (516,513) | $ (654,989) | ||
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt | 516,513 | $ 662,724 | ||
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | ||||
Derivative Instruments, Fair Value [Abstract] | ||||
Asset Derivatives | 34,779 | $ 52,545 | ||
Liability Derivatives | (153,850) | (239,951) | ||
Interest Rate Swap, Conversion, Incremental Term Loan Facility [Member] [Domain] [Domain] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | ||||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||||
Derivative, fixed interest rate | 0.226% | |||
Prepaid forward contracts | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Current derivative contracts | ||||
Derivative Instruments, Fair Value [Abstract] | ||||
Asset Derivatives | 0 | 52,545 | ||
Liability Derivatives | 0 | (52,545) | ||
Prepaid forward contracts | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Long-term derivative contracts | ||||
Derivative Instruments, Fair Value [Abstract] | ||||
Asset Derivatives | 31,510 | 0 | ||
Liability Derivatives | (10,131) | (109,504) | ||
Interest Rate Swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Current derivative contracts | ||||
Derivative Instruments, Fair Value [Abstract] | ||||
Asset Derivatives | 3,269 | 0 | ||
Interest Rate Swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Long-term liabilities under derivative contracts | ||||
Derivative Instruments, Fair Value [Abstract] | ||||
Liability Derivatives | $ (143,719) | $ (77,902) |
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLL_4
DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLLATERALIZED INDEBTEDNESS - Narrative (Details) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2018USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2018USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2018USD ($) | Apr. 30, 2018USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)instrument | |
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net | $ 111,684,000 | $ (199,312,000) | |||
Interest Rate Swap, Conversion, Term Loan Facility [Member] [Domain] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Derivative notional amount | $ 2,970,000,000 | ||||
Interest Rate Swap, Conversion, Incremental Term Loan Facility [Member] [Domain] [Domain] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Derivative notional amount | $ 1,496,250 | ||||
Derivative, fixed interest rate | 0.226% | ||||
Interest Rate Swap, Conversion, Term Loan Facility Cequel [Member] [Domain] [Domain] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Derivative notional amount | $ 1,255,513,000 | ||||
Derivative, fixed interest rate | 0.225% | ||||
Interest Rate Swap | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Amount of gain (loss) recognized | $ (19,554,000) | (64,405,000) | |||
Interest Rate Swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Number of derivative instruments held | instrument | 2 | ||||
Interest Rate Swap, Conversion, Tranche One | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Derivative notional amount | $ 750,000,000 | ||||
Derivative, fixed interest rate | 1.6655% | ||||
Interest Rate Swap, Conversion, Tranche Two | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Derivative notional amount | $ 750,000,000 | ||||
Derivative, fixed interest rate | 1.68% | ||||
Prepaid forward contracts | |||||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||||
Amount of gain (loss) recognized | $ (79,628,000) | $ 130,883,000 |
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Assets
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value Measured on a Recurring Basis - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Level III | ||
Liabilities: | ||
Contingent consideration related to 2017 and 2018 acquisitions | $ 6,733 | $ 32,233 |
Prepaid forward contracts | Level II | ||
Assets: | ||
Derivative asset | 31,510 | 52,545 |
Liabilities: | ||
Derivative liability | 10,131 | 162,049 |
Interest rate swap contracts | Level II | ||
Assets: | ||
Derivative asset | 3,269 | 0 |
Liabilities: | ||
Derivative liability | 143,719 | 77,902 |
Investment securities pledged as collateral | Level I | ||
Assets: | ||
Investment securities | 1,521,045 | 1,720,357 |
Money market funds | Level I | ||
Assets: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 296,123 | $ 5,949 |
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Fair V
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Carrying Amount | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | $ 23,054,720 | $ 21,919,331 |
Estimated Fair Value | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 24,059,171 | 23,279,472 |
CSC Holdings | Credit facility debt | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 4,980,221 | 3,393,306 |
CSC Holdings | Credit facility debt | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 5,033,750 | 3,435,000 |
CSC Holdings | Collateralized indebtedness | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 1,400,398 | 1,349,474 |
CSC Holdings | Collateralized indebtedness | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 1,352,771 | 1,305,932 |
CSC Holdings | Senior guaranteed notes | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 3,284,419 | 2,291,185 |
CSC Holdings | Senior guaranteed notes | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 3,293,125 | 2,420,000 |
CSC Holdings | Senior notes and debentures | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 5,610,048 | 6,409,889 |
CSC Holdings | Senior notes and debentures | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 6,245,760 | 7,221,846 |
CSC Holdings | Notes payable | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 42,810 | 56,956 |
CSC Holdings | Notes payable | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 42,653 | 55,289 |
Cablevision | Senior notes and debentures | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 1,076,681 | 1,818,115 |
Cablevision | Senior notes and debentures | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 1,189,098 | 1,931,239 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | Credit facility debt | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 1,241,272 | 1,250,217 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | Credit facility debt | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 1,249,188 | 1,258,675 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | Senior notes and debentures | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 2,811,167 | 2,770,737 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | Senior notes and debentures | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 3,013,615 | 2,983,615 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | Notes payable | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 34,281 | 8,946 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | Notes payable | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 34,281 | 8,946 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | Senior secured notes | Carrying Amount | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | 2,573,423 | 2,570,506 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | Senior secured notes | Estimated Fair Value | Level II | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Debt, fair value | $ 2,604,930 | $ 2,658,930 |
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Narrat
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018USD ($) | |
Fourth Quarter Acquisitions, 2017 | |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |
Contingent consideration related to 2017 and 2018 acquisitions | $ 2,233 |
Contingent consideration, percent of contractual amount of acquisitions recognized | 51.00% |
Third Quarter Acquisitions, 2018 [Member] | |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | |
Contingent consideration related to 2017 and 2018 acquisitions | $ 4,500 |
Contingent consideration, percent of contractual amount of acquisitions recognized | 100.00% |
INCOME TAXES (Details)
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | ||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | $ 95,968 | $ (141,550) | $ 29,675 | $ (439,945) |
Change in Tax Law | 49,052 | |||
Effective tax rate (percent) | 42.00% | 37.00% | ||
Federal | ||||
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] | ||||
Operating loss carryforwards | $ 2,419,000 | $ 2,419,000 |
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION - Narr
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Carry Unit Awards [Member] | ||||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||||||
Repurchase period following termination | 60 days | |||||
Repurchase period following fourth anniversary | 60 days | |||||
Carry unit plan, written promissory note period | 3 years | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Weighted Average Fair Value Per Unit | $ 2.28 | $ 2.28 | $ 2.50 | |||
Employee and Non-employee Share-based Compensation Expense | $ 7,510 | $ 15,005 | $ 33,004 | $ 40,932 | ||
Carry Unit Awards [Member] | Second Anniversary | ||||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||||||
Award vesting percentage | 50.00% | |||||
Carry Unit Awards [Member] | Third Anniversary | ||||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||||||
Award vesting percentage | 25.00% | |||||
Carry Unit Awards [Member] | Fourth Anniversary | ||||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||||||
Award vesting percentage | 25.00% | |||||
Employee Stock Option [Member] | ||||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||||||
Employee and Non-employee Share-based Compensation Expense | $ 4,817 | $ 13,172 |
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION - Carr
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION - Carrying Unit Award Activity (Details) - $ / shares | 9 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Carry Unit Awards [Member] | ||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ 0.37 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement, Weighted Average Fair Value Per Unit | 2.28 | $ 2.50 |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] | ||
Balance at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | 0.71 | |
Forfeited weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | 0.56 | |
Balance at End of period, weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ 1.01 | |
Time Vesting Awards | ||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period | (48,337,500) | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] | ||
Beginning balance (in shares) | 168,550,001 | |
Forfeited (in shares) | (15,500,001) | |
Ending balance (in shares) | 104,712,500 | |
Performance Based Vesting Awards | ||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period | 0 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] | ||
Beginning balance (in shares) | 10,000,000 | |
Forfeited (in shares) | 0 | |
Ending balance (in shares) | 10,000,000 |
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION - Stoc
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share: | |||||
Beginning balance, weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share | $ 17.45 | ||||
Granted, weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share) | 17.76 | ||||
Forfeited, weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share | 17.76 | ||||
Ending balance, weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share | $ 17.51 | 17.51 | $ 17.45 | ||
Options exercisable, weighted average exercise price per share (in dollars per share) | $ 0 | $ 0 | |||
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) | 9 years 5 months 6 days | 9 years 11 months 19 days | |||
Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $ 4,417 | $ 4,417 | $ 8,944 | ||
Carry Unit Awards [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Employee and Non-employee Share-based Compensation Expense | 7,510 | $ 15,005 | 33,004 | $ 40,932 | |
Employee Stock Option [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Employee and Non-employee Share-based Compensation Expense | $ 4,817 | $ 13,172 | |||
Time Vesting | |||||
Shares Under Option (in shares): | |||||
Outstanding balance, beginning of period (in shares) | 5,110,747 | ||||
Granted (in shares) | 2,332,540 | ||||
Forfeited (in shares) | (496,491) | ||||
Outstanding balance, end of period (in shares) | 6,946,796 | 6,946,796 | 5,110,747 | ||
Options exercisable (in shares) | 0 | 0 | |||
Performance Based Vesting | |||||
Shares Under Option (in shares): | |||||
Outstanding balance, beginning of period (in shares) | 0 | ||||
Granted (in shares) | 95,953 | ||||
Forfeited (in shares) | (22,314) | ||||
Outstanding balance, end of period (in shares) | 73,639 | 73,639 | 0 | ||
Options exercisable (in shares) | 0 | 0 |
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION - St_2
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Options Valuation Assumptions (Details) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2018$ / shares | |
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] | |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.77% |
Expected life (in years) | 6 years 5 months 22 days |
Dividend yield | 0.00% |
Volatility | 35.23% |
Grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ 7.12 |
AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY T_2
AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Equity in net income (loss) from investment in related party | $ (10,849) | $ (5,697) | |||
Related party expense | $ 2,031 | $ 9,072 | 20,298 | 630,600 | |
Payments to Acquire Other Investments | 2,500 | 4,800 | |||
Fees for Executive Services | Affiliates | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Related party transaction, annual fee | 30,000 | 30,000 | |||
Related party expense | 7,500 | 13,250 | 22,500 | ||
Equipment and Software Development Costs [Member] | Affiliates | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Payments to Acquire Other Investments | 3,945 | 3,549 | 6,679 | 12,914 | |
I24News and Altice NV 24/7 | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Investment in affiliates and related parties | $ 930 | ||||
Equity in net income (loss) from investment in related party | 541 | 1,130 | 3,126 | ||
Newsday | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Investment in affiliates and related parties | $ 3,579 | ||||
Equity in net income (loss) from investment in related party | 1,034 | 9,719 | 2,571 | ||
Gainonsaleofequityinvestment | 13,298 | ||||
Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member] | Transition Services [Member] | Affiliates | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Related Party Transaction, Other Expenses from Transactions with Related Party | $ 905 | 802 | $ 1,904 | 1,766 | |
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party | $ 76 | $ 917 |
AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY T_3
AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Revenue and Related Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Related Party Transactions [Abstract] | ||||
Revenue | $ 545 | $ 426 | $ 1,397 | $ 820 |
Operating expenses: | ||||
Programming and other direct costs | (1,671) | (1,196) | (6,690) | (3,026) |
Other operating expenses, net | (905) | (8,302) | (15,154) | (24,266) |
Operating expenses, net | (2,576) | (9,498) | (21,844) | (27,292) |
Related Party Transaction, Loss on Extinguishment of Debt of Deferred Financing Costs | 0 | 0 | 0 | (513,723) |
Interest expense | 0 | 0 | 0 | (90,405) |
RelatedPartyTransaction,MiscExpense | 0 | 149 | ||
Net charges | (2,031) | (9,072) | (20,298) | (630,600) |
Capital expenditures | $ 3,945 | $ 3,549 | $ 6,679 | $ 12,914 |
AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY T_4
AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - Amounts Due From and Due to Related Parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Payments to Acquire Other Investments | $ 2,500 | $ 4,800 | |||
Affiliates | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Due from related parties and affiliates | $ 18,387 | 18,387 | $ 19,764 | ||
Due to related parties and affiliates | 23,424 | 23,424 | 10,998 | ||
Affiliates | Altice Dominican Republic [Member] | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Due from related parties and affiliates | 2,551 | 2,551 | 0 | ||
Affiliates | Altice US Finance S.A. | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Due from related parties and affiliates | 13,100 | 13,100 | 12,951 | ||
Affiliates | Newsday | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Due from related parties and affiliates | 541 | 541 | 2,713 | ||
Due to related parties and affiliates | 32 | 32 | 33 | ||
Affiliates | Altice Management Americas | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Due from related parties and affiliates | 1,271 | 1,271 | 33 | ||
Affiliates | I24 | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Due from related parties and affiliates | 0 | 0 | 4,036 | ||
Affiliates | Altice Labs S.A. | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Due to related parties and affiliates | 1,463 | 1,463 | 7,354 | ||
Affiliates | Other Altice N.V. subsidiaries | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Due from related parties and affiliates | 924 | 924 | 31 | ||
Due to related parties and affiliates | 8,679 | 8,679 | 3,611 | ||
Affiliates | Altice Management International | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Due to related parties and affiliates | 13,250 | 13,250 | $ 0 | ||
Equipment and Software Development Costs [Member] | Affiliates | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Payments to Acquire Other Investments | 3,945 | $ 3,549 | 6,679 | 12,914 | |
Other Operating Income (Expense) [Member] | Transition Services [Member] | Affiliates | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Related Party Transaction, Other Expenses from Transactions with Related Party | $ 905 | 802 | $ 1,904 | 1,766 | |
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party | $ 76 | $ 917 |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2017USD ($) |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Estimated litigation liability | $ 6,000 |
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Narrative
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Narrative (Details) - segment | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
Jun. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] | ||
Number of reportable business segments | 2 | 2 |
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconcili
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Operating Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Operating Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes [Abstract] | ||||
Operating income | $ 505,558 | $ 120,575 | $ 1,153,655 | $ 623,953 |
Share-based compensation expense | 12,327 | 15,005 | 46,176 | 40,932 |
Restructuring and other expense | 16,587 | 53,448 | 29,865 | 142,765 |
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) | 536,053 | 823,286 | 1,827,285 | 2,138,800 |
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,070,525 | 1,012,314 | 3,056,981 | 2,946,450 |
Cablevision | ||||
Operating Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes [Abstract] | ||||
Operating income | 340,455 | (3,103) | 714,413 | 228,740 |
Share-based compensation expense | 9,038 | 11,555 | 35,567 | 28,597 |
Restructuring and other expense | 14,122 | 35,364 | 25,720 | 105,182 |
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) | 378,549 | 656,122 | 1,337,051 | 1,641,501 |
Adjusted EBITDA | 742,164 | 699,938 | 2,112,751 | 2,004,020 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | ||||
Operating Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes [Abstract] | ||||
Operating income | 165,103 | 123,678 | 439,242 | 395,213 |
Share-based compensation expense | 3,289 | 3,450 | 10,609 | 12,335 |
Restructuring and other expense | 2,465 | 18,084 | 4,145 | 37,583 |
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) | 157,504 | 167,164 | 490,234 | 497,299 |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 328,361 | $ 312,376 | $ 944,230 | $ 942,430 |
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconci_2
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconciliation of Reportable Segments to Consolidated Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] | ||||
Operating income for reportable segments | $ 505,558 | $ 120,575 | $ 1,153,655 | $ 623,953 |
Items excluded from operating income: | ||||
Interest expense | (389,594) | (379,066) | (1,157,395) | (1,232,730) |
Interest income | 1,427 | 961 | 9,843 | 1,373 |
Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net | 111,684 | (18,900) | (182,031) | 169,888 |
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net | (79,628) | (16,763) | 130,883 | (154,270) |
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts | (19,554) | 1,051 | (64,405) | 12,539 |
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs (including $513,723 related to affiliates and related parties in 2017) (See Note 9) | 0 | (38,858) | (41,616) | (600,240) |
Other expense, net | (186) | (2,984) | (12,473) | (9,019) |
Income (loss) before income taxes | $ 129,707 | $ (333,984) | $ (163,539) | $ (1,188,506) |
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summary o
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summary of Revenue by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | $ 2,417,801 | $ 2,322,521 | $ 7,111,668 | $ 6,947,142 |
Pay TV | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 1,054,667 | 1,069,946 | 3,122,779 | 3,224,987 |
Broadband | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 729,907 | 658,278 | 2,143,730 | 1,926,816 |
Telephony | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 161,351 | 172,479 | 490,888 | 531,701 |
Business services and wholesale | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 344,193 | 324,642 | 1,014,671 | 967,703 |
Advertising | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 123,066 | 89,292 | 320,546 | 270,154 |
Other | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 4,617 | 7,884 | 19,054 | 25,781 |
Operating Segments | Cablevision | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 1,721,688 | 1,661,359 | 5,058,709 | 4,962,872 |
Operating Segments | Cablevision | Pay TV | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 783,252 | 798,583 | 2,313,229 | 2,397,233 |
Operating Segments | Cablevision | Broadband | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 457,709 | 416,972 | 1,347,486 | 1,218,504 |
Operating Segments | Cablevision | Telephony | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 130,494 | 140,830 | 399,714 | 432,710 |
Operating Segments | Cablevision | Business services and wholesale | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 242,305 | 230,200 | 713,240 | 689,708 |
Operating Segments | Cablevision | Advertising | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 105,719 | 72,316 | 276,343 | 216,250 |
Operating Segments | Cablevision | Other | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 2,209 | 2,458 | 8,697 | 8,467 |
Operating Segments | Cequel Corp. [Member] | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 696,873 | 661,642 | 2,062,297 | 1,984,750 |
Operating Segments | Cequel Corp. [Member] | Pay TV | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 271,415 | 271,363 | 809,550 | 827,754 |
Operating Segments | Cequel Corp. [Member] | Broadband | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 272,198 | 241,306 | 796,244 | 708,312 |
Operating Segments | Cequel Corp. [Member] | Telephony | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 30,857 | 31,649 | 91,174 | 98,991 |
Operating Segments | Cequel Corp. [Member] | Business services and wholesale | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 101,888 | 94,442 | 301,431 | 277,995 |
Operating Segments | Cequel Corp. [Member] | Advertising | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 18,107 | 17,456 | 53,541 | 54,384 |
Operating Segments | Cequel Corp. [Member] | Other | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 2,408 | 5,426 | 10,357 | 17,314 |
Eliminations | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | (760) | (480) | (9,338) | (480) |
Eliminations | Pay TV | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Eliminations | Broadband | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Eliminations | Telephony | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Eliminations | Business services and wholesale | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Eliminations | Advertising | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | (760) | (480) | (9,338) | (480) |
Eliminations | Other | ||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | ||||
Revenues | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Capital E
SEGMENT INFORMATION - Capital Expenditures by Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | |
Segment Reporting Information, Capital Expenditures [Abstract] | ||||
Capital expenditures | $ 334,527 | $ 255,329 | $ 832,824 | $ 718,919 |
Cablevision | ||||
Segment Reporting Information, Capital Expenditures [Abstract] | ||||
Capital expenditures | 217,326 | 180,287 | 554,483 | 505,852 |
Cequel Corp. [Member] | ||||
Segment Reporting Information, Capital Expenditures [Abstract] | ||||
Capital expenditures | $ 117,201 | $ 75,042 | $ 278,341 | $ 213,067 |
SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details)
SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details) - USD ($) | Oct. 15, 2018 | Apr. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Oct. 16, 2018 | Oct. 02, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Repayments of Senior Debt | $ 635,738,000 | $ 3,684,668,000 | |||||
Debt face amount | 6,282,938,000 | $ 4,693,675,000 | |||||
Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt face amount | 15,739,245,000 | 16,289,245,000 | |||||
Cequel and Cequel Capital 5.5% Senior Notes due May 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt face amount | $ 1,500,000,000 | 1,500,000,000 | |||||
Stated interest rate | 5.50% | ||||||
Cequel and Cequel Capital 7.75% Senior Notes due July 15, 2025 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt face amount | $ 620,000,000 | 620,000,000 | |||||
Stated interest rate | 7.75% | ||||||
Cequel and Cequel Capital 5.125% Senior Notes due December 15, 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt face amount | $ 1,250,000,000 | 1,250,000,000 | |||||
Stated interest rate | 5.125% | ||||||
CSC Holdings 7.625% Notes due July 15, 2018 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt face amount | $ 0 | 500,000,000 | |||||
Stated interest rate | 7.625% | ||||||
Cequel and Cequel Capital 6.375% Senior Notes due September 15, 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt face amount | $ 0 | 1,050,000,000 | |||||
Stated interest rate | 6.375% | ||||||
Extinguishment of debt | $ 16,737,000 | ||||||
Cequel and Cequel Capital 7.5% Senior Notes due April 1, 2028 [Member] [Domain] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt face amount | $ 1,050,000,000 | 0 | |||||
Stated interest rate | 7.50% | ||||||
Altice US Finance I Corporation Senior Secured Notes 5.375% Senior Notes due July 15, 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt face amount | $ 1,100,000,000 | $ 1,100,000,000 | |||||
Stated interest rate | 5.375% | ||||||
Subsequent Event | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Repayments of Senior Debt | $ 125,000,000 | ||||||
Maximum amount of senior notes exchanged | $ 5,520,000,000 | ||||||
Par value of senior notes | $ 1,000 | ||||||
Cash Consideration for Senior Notes Exchanged | 2.50 | ||||||
Discounted Par Value After Early Tender | 950 | ||||||
Deferred Financing Costs Netted Against Debt | $ 143,326,000 | ||||||
Subsequent Event | Cequel and Cequel Capital 5.5% Senior Notes due May 15, 2026 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Amount of Notes Early Tendered | 1,495,642,000 | ||||||
Amount of Notes Tendered After Early Tender | 3,309,000 | ||||||
Unexchanged Original Notes | 1,049,000 | ||||||
Subsequent Event | Cequel and Cequel Capital 7.75% Senior Notes due July 15, 2025 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Amount of Notes Early Tendered | 610,698,000 | ||||||
Amount of Notes Tendered After Early Tender | 7,562,000 | ||||||
Unexchanged Original Notes | 1,740,000 | ||||||
Subsequent Event | CSC Holdings Senior Secured Incremental Term Loan B Facility [Member] | Term Loan | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt face amount | $ 1,275,000,000 | ||||||
Subsequent Event | Cequel and Cequel Capital 5.125% Senior Notes due December 15, 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Amount of Notes Early Tendered | 1,232,328,000 | ||||||
Amount of Notes Tendered After Early Tender | 8,786,000 | ||||||
Unexchanged Original Notes | 8,886,000 | ||||||
Subsequent Event | Cequel and Cequel Capital 7.5% Senior Notes due April 1, 2028 [Member] [Domain] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Amount of Notes Early Tendered | 1,045,443,000 | ||||||
Amount of Notes Tendered After Early Tender | 439,000 | ||||||
Unexchanged Original Notes | 4,118,000 | ||||||
Subsequent Event | Altice US Finance I Corporation Senior Secured Notes 5.375% Senior Notes due July 15, 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes | |||||||
Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
Amount of Notes Early Tendered | 1,095,493,000 | ||||||
Amount of Notes Tendered After Early Tender | 350,000 | ||||||
Unexchanged Original Notes | $ 4,157,000 |
Uncategorized Items - atus-2018
Label | Element | Value |
Parent [Member] | ||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax | us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax | $ 986,000 |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements, Net of Tax | atus_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentfromAOCIPensionandOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansforNetGainLossDuetoSettlementsNetofTax | 10,748,000 |
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] | ||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax | us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax | 986,000 |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements, Net of Tax | atus_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentfromAOCIPensionandOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansforNetGainLossDuetoSettlementsNetofTax | $ 10,748,000 |