| Description of business, basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies | Description of business, basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies Description of business : We are an innovative media company serving the greater good of our communities. Our business includes 49 television stations operating and two radio stations in 41 markets, offering high-quality television programming and digital content. Each television station also has a robust digital presence across online, mobile and social platforms. Use of estimates: The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In doing so, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, evaluation of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, fair value measurements, post-retirement benefit plans, income taxes including deferred tax assets, and contingencies. Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries we control and variable interest entities if we are the primary beneficiary. We eliminate all intercompany balances, transactions, and profits in consolidation. Investments in entities for which we have significant influence, but do not have control, are accounted for under the equity method. Our share of net earnings and losses from these ventures is included in Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. On May 31, 2017, we completed the spin-off of our digital automotive marketplace business, Cars.com. In addition, on July 31, 2017, we completed the sale of our majority ownership stake in CareerBuilder. Our digital marketing services (DMS) business is now reported within our Media business. As a result of these strategic actions, we have disposed of substantially all of our Digital Segment business and have therefore classified its historical financial results as discontinued operations. See Note 14, for further details regarding the spin-off of Cars.com and the sale of CareerBuilder and the impact of each transaction on our consolidated financial statements. Segment presentation: After the spin-off of Cars.com and the sale of our majority stake in CareerBuilder, we began classifying our operations as one operating and reportable segment, Media, which consists of our 49 television stations, as well as our Premion and DMS product lines. Our reportable segment structure has been determined based on management and internal reporting structure, the nature of products and services offered by our businesses, and the financial information that is evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision maker. As a result of classifying the former Digital Segment’s historical financial results as discontinued operations there is no remaining activity in 2018 or 2017. The 2016 activity for our Digital Segment relates to our former Cofactor business which did not meet the criteria for discontinued operation reporting when the business was sold in December 2016. Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Trade receivables and allowances for doubtful accounts: Trade receivables are recorded at invoiced amounts and generally do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects our estimate of credit exposure, determined principally on the basis of our collection experience, aging of our receivables and any specific reserves needed for certain customers based on their credit risk. Bad debt expense, which is included in cost of revenues on our Consolidated Statements of Income, was $3.9 million in 2018, $2.6 million in 2017 and $5.2 million in 2016. Write-offs of trade receivables (net of recoveries) were $3.9 million in 2018, $1.9 million in 2017 and $3.6 million in 2016. Property and equipment: Property and equipment are recorded at cost, and depreciation is provided generally on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are generally: buildings and improvements, 10 to 40 years; and machinery, equipment and fixtures, 3 to 25 years. Changes in the estimated useful life of an asset, which, for example, could happen as a result of facility consolidations, can affect depreciation expense and net income. Major building and leasehold improvements and interest incurred during the construction period of major additions are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. During 2018, we had expenditures related to the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) repack project (see Note 13), our new corporate headquarters facility, and our new facility for our Houston station. As of December 31, 2018, approximately $40.8 million of expenditures were recorded within construction in progress on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, largely as a result of these. Valuation of long-lived assets: We review the carrying amount of long-lived assets (mostly property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Once an indicator of potential impairment has occurred, the impairment test is based on whether the intent is to hold the asset for continued use or to hold the asset for sale. If the intent is to hold the asset for continued use, the impairment test first requires a comparison of projected undiscounted future cash flows against the carrying amount of the asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the asset group would be deemed to be potentially impaired. The impairment, if any, would be measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily using the projected future cash flows, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost to dispose. We recognized impairment charges in 2017 and 2016 related to long-lived assets. See Note 11 for further discussion. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets: Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis (first day of our fourth quarter) or between annual tests if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of our reporting unit may be below its carrying amount. Before performing the annual goodwill impairment test quantitatively, we first have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the quantitative test must be completed. The qualitative assessment considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors and overall financial performance, as well as company and specific reporting unit specifications. If after performing this assessment, we conclude it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we are required to perform the quantitative test. Otherwise, the quantitative test is not required. In 2018, we elected not to perform the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill and instead performed the quantitative impairment test. Our goodwill has been allocated to and is tested for impairment at a level referred to as the reporting unit. The level at which we test goodwill for impairment requires us to determine whether the operations below the operating segment level constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results. Goodwill is accounted for at the segment level. We have determined that our one segment, Media, consists of a single reporting unit. When performing the quantitative test, we determine the fair value of the reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the reporting unit’s goodwill is impaired and we must recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. We estimate the fair value of our reporting unit based on a market-based valuation methodology, which is primarily based on our consolidated market capitalization plus a reasonable control premium. In the fourth quarter of 2018, we completed our annual goodwill impairment test for our reporting unit. The results of the test indicated that the estimated fair value of our reporting unit significantly exceeded the carrying value. We also have intangible assets with indefinite lives associated with FCC broadcast licenses related to our acquisitions of television stations. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested annually, or more often if circumstances dictate, for impairment and written down to fair value as required. To estimate the fair values for the FCC broadcast licenses, we apply an income approach, using the Greenfield method. The Greenfield method involves a discounted cash flow model that incorporates several variables, including market revenues, long-term growth projections, estimated market share for a typical market participant, and estimated profit margins based on market size and station type. The results of our 2018 annual impairment test of FCC broadcast licenses indicated the fair value of each license exceeded its carrying amount; and therefore, no impairment charge was recorded. Investments and other assets: Investments where we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Significant influence typically exists if we have a 20% to 50% ownership interest in the investee. Under this method of accounting, our share of the net earnings or losses of the investee is included in non-operating income, on our Consolidated Statements of Income. We evaluate our equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired. If a decline in the value of an equity method investment is determined to be other than temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period. Certain differences exist between our investment carrying value and the underlying equity of the investee companies principally due to fair value measurement at the date of investment acquisition and due to impairment charges we recorded for certain of the investments. We recognized an impairment charge of $2.6 million in 2017 related to one such investment. Investments in non-public businesses that do not have readily determinable pricing, and for which we do not have control or do not exert significant influence, are carried at cost less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes in observable prices for those investments. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the carrying value of these investments are included as a non-operating expense. At December 31, 2018, such investments totaled approximately $24.5 million and at December 31, 2017, they totaled approximately $17.4 million . During 2018, we recorded a $2.0 impairment on a debt investment which had been classified as an other long-term asset. Our television stations are party to program broadcasting contracts which provide us with rights to broadcast syndicated programs, original series and films. These contracts are recorded at the gross amount of the related liability when the programs are available for telecasting. The related assets are recorded at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Program assets are classified as current (as a prepaid expense) or noncurrent (as an other asset) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon the expected use of the programs in succeeding years. The amount charged to expense appropriately matches the cost of the programs with the revenues associated with them. The liability for these contracts is classified as current or noncurrent in accordance with the payment terms of the contracts. The payment period generally coincides with the period of telecast for the programs, but may be shorter. We evaluate the net realizable value of our program broadcasting contract assets when a triggering event occurs, such as a change in our intended usage, or sustained lower than expected ratings for the program. Impairment analysis are performed at the syndicated program level (across all stations that utilize the program). We determine the net realizable value based on a projection of the estimated advertising revenues less projected direct costs associated with the syndicated program (which is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy). If the future direct costs exceed expected revenues, impairment of the program asset may be required. Any impairments of programming rights are recorded to asset impairment and other (gains) charges in the Consolidated Statements of Income. No impairment charges were recognized in 2018 and 2017. In 2016 a $6.3 million impairment charge was recorded associated with an internally produced program. Revenue recognition: Revenue is recognized upon the transfer of control of promised services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those services. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. Amounts received from customers in advance of providing services to our customers are recorded as deferred revenue. Our primary source of revenue is earned through the sale of advertising and marketing services (AMS). This revenue stream includes all sources of our traditional television and radio advertising, as well as digital revenues including Premion, our digital marketing services (DMS) business unit and other digital advertising across our platforms. Contracts within this revenue stream are short-term in nature (most often three months or less). Contracts generally consist of multiple deliverables, such as television commercials, or digital advertising solutions, that we have identified as individual performance obligations. Before performing under the contract we establish the transaction price with our customer based on the agreed upon rates for each performance obligation. There is no material variability in the transaction price during the term of the contract. Revenue is recognized as we fulfill our performance obligations to our customers. For our AMS revenue stream, we measure the fulfillment of our performance obligations based on the airing of the individual television commercials or display of digital advertisements. This measure is most appropriate as it aligns our revenue recognition with the value we are providing to our customers. The price of each individual commercial and digital advertisement is negotiated with our customer and is determined based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the programming and day-part selected, supply of available inventory, our station’s viewership ratings and overall market conditions (e.g., timing of the year and strength of U.S. economy). Customers are billed monthly and payment is generally due 30 days after the date of invoice. Commission costs related to these contracts are expensed as incurred due to the short-term nature of the contracts. We also earn subscription revenue from retransmission consent contracts with multichannel video programming distributors (e.g., cable and satellite providers) and over the top providers (companies that deliver video content to consumers over the Internet). Under these multi-year contracts, we have performance obligations to provide our customers with our stations’ signals, as well as our consent to retransmit those signals to their customers. Subscription revenue is recognized in accordance with the guidance for licensing intellectual property utilizing a usage based method. The amount of revenue earned is based on the number of subscribers to which our customers retransmit our signal, and the negotiated fee per subscriber included in our contract agreement. Our customers submit payments monthly, generally within 60 - 90 days after the month that service was provided. Our performance obligations are satisfied, and revenue is recognized, as we provide our consent for our customers to retransmit our signal. This measure toward satisfaction of our performance obligations and recognition of revenue is the most appropriate as it aligns our revenue recognition with the value that we are delivering to our customers through our retransmission consent. We also generate revenue from the sale of political advertising. Contracts within this revenue stream are short-term in nature (typically weekly or monthly buys during political campaigns). Customers pre-pay these contracts and we therefore defer the associated revenue until the advertising has been delivered, at which time we have satisfied our performance obligations and recognize revenue. Commission costs related to these contracts are expensed as incurred due to the short-term nature of the contracts. Our remaining revenue is comprised of various other services, primarily production services (for news content and commercials) and sublease rental income. Revenue is recognized as these various services are provided to our customers. In instances where we sell services from more than one revenue stream to the same customer at the same time, we recognize one contract and allocate the transaction price to each deliverable element (e.g. performance obligation) based on the relative fair value of each element. Revenue earned by categories in 2018, 2017 and 2016 are shown below (amounts in thousands): Year ended Dec. 31, 2018 2017 2016 Advertising & Marketing Services $ 1,106,754 $ 1,139,642 $ 1,237,735 Subscription 840,838 718,750 581,733 Political 233,613 23,258 154,808 Other 26,077 21,376 19,844 Former Digital Business — — 9,968 Total revenues $ 2,207,282 $ 1,903,026 $ 2,004,088 Retirement plans: Certain employees are covered by defined benefit pension plans and we provide certain medical and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees (collectively postretirement benefit plans). The amounts we record related to our postretirement benefit plans are computed using actuarial valuations that are based in part on certain key economic assumptions we make, including the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and other actuarial assumptions including mortality estimates, health care cost trend rates and employee turnover, each as appropriate based on the nature of the plans. Depending on the timing of the estimated payments, we recognize the funded status of our postretirement benefit plans as a current or non-current liability within our Consolidated Balance Sheets. There is a corresponding non-cash adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefits, recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Equity. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan’s assets and the benefit obligation of the plan. Stock-based employee compensation: We grant restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance shares to employees as a form of compensation. We have two different ongoing performance share programs. The expense for the RSUs and one of the performance share programs is based on the grant date fair value of the award and is generally recognized on a straight-line basis. Expense related to the other performance share program is marked to market each month. Expense under these programs is recognized over the requisite service period, which is typically a four -year period for RSUs and a three -year period for performance shares. Performance share expense for participants meeting certain retirement eligible criteria as defined in the plan is recognized using the accelerated attribution method. See Note 9 for further discussion. Advertising and marketing costs : We expense advertising and marketing costs as they are incurred. Advertising expense was $10.4 million in 2018, $5.0 million in 2017 and $7.1 million in 2016, and are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Income taxes: Income taxes are presented on the consolidated financial statements using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences that exist between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as from tax loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred income taxes reflect expected future tax benefits (i.e. assets) and future tax costs (i.e. liabilities). The tax effect of net operating loss, capital loss and general business credit carryovers result in deferred tax assets. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recoverable or settled. We recognize the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established if, based upon the weight of available evidence, management determines it is “more likely than not” that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We periodically assess our tax filing exposures related to periods that are open to examination. Based on the latest available information, we evaluate our tax positions to determine whether it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority. If we cannot reach a more likely than not determination, no benefit is recorded. If we determine the tax position is more likely than not to be sustained, we record the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized when the tax position is settled. We record interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of income tax expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Interest and penalties were not material in each year presented. Loss contingencies: We are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and regulatory matters, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. We determine whether to disclose or accrue for loss contingencies based on an assessment of whether the risk of loss is remote, reasonably possible or probable, and whether it can be reasonably estimated. We accrue for loss contingencies when such amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. If a contingent liability is only reasonably possible, we will disclose the potential range of the loss, if material and estimable. Discontinued operations : In determining whether a group of assets which has been disposed of (or is to be disposed of) should be presented as a discontinued operation, we analyze whether the group of assets being disposed of represented a component of the entity; that is, whether it had historic operations and cash flows that were clearly distinguished (both operationally and for financial reporting purposes). In addition, we consider whether the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. On May 31, 2017, we completed the spin-off of our digital automotive marketplace business, Cars.com. In addition, on July 31, 2017, we completed the sale of our majority ownership stake in CareerBuilder. As a result of these strategic actions, we have disposed of substantially all of our Digital Segment business and have therefore classified the majority its historical financial results as discontinued operations. See Note 14 for more information. Accounting guidance adopted in 2018: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance related to revenue recognition. Under the new guidance, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the guidance requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We adopted the guidance beginning January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. We began recognizing revenue under this new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and did not restate prior years. We applied the standard to all contracts open as of January 1, 2018. The cumulative prior period effect of applying the guidance was $3.7 million which was recorded as a decrease to retained earnings upon adoption. This adjustment represents a deferral of revenue associated with certain performance obligations that were not fully completed as of the reporting date. In addition, with the adoption of the new guidance, we have determined that certain barter revenue and expense related to syndicated programming will no longer be recognized. The revenue and expense previously recognized for this type of barter transaction would have been approximately $2.0 million in 2018. Other than these two items, there were no other changes to the timing and amount of revenue recognition for our contracts. For contracts with an effective term of less than one year, and for our subscription revenue contracts, we applied certain of the standard’s practical expedients relating to disclosure that permit the exclusion of quantifying and disclosing unsatisfied performance obligations. In addition, the adoption of this standard did not result in significant changes to our accounting policies, business processes, systems or controls. See discussion of our revenue policy above. In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies several specific cash flow classification issues. The objective of the new guidance is to reduce the existing diversity in practice in how these cash flows are presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. The guidance updated the classification in the Statement of Cash Flows in several areas. The most relevant updates for us are the following: 1) payments made for premiums, fees paid to lenders and other related third party costs when debt is repaid early will each be classified as financing cash outflows (we have historically classified these types of cash payments as operating outflows), 2) contingent consideration payments made for acquisitions will be classified as either operating, investing, or financing cash outflows depending on the timing and nature of the payment, 3) cash receipts received due to the settlement of insurance claims will be classified as either operating or investing cash inflows, depending on the nature of the underlying loss, 4) proceeds received from trust owned life insurance policies will be classified as investing cash inflows (we have historically classified these types of cash receipts as operating inflows), and 5) distributions received from equity method investments will be classified as either operating or investing cash inflows, depending on the amount of cash received as compared to the amount of inception to date earnings recognized on the individual investment. We adopted the guidance retrospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2018. As a result of adopting this guidance, we reclassified life insurance proceeds of approximately $1.4 million and $0.5 million received in 2017 and 2016, respectively, from operating to investing inflows. No life insurance proceeds were received in 2018. In addition, for 2017 we reclassified $3.6 million of debt pre-payment costs from operating cash outflows to financing cash outflows. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that amended several elements surrounding the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. Most notably for our company, the new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. For equity investments that do not have readily determinable prices, those investments may be recorded at cost less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes in observable prices for those investments. This new guidance requires us to adjust the value of our cost method investments to account for any observable price changes in those investments. Cost method investments had previously been recorded at cost, less any impairments. We adopted the new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and the provision discussed above has been adopted on a prospective basis. There was no impact to our financial statements as a result of adopting this new guidance. In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for certain tax effects that resulted from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act), that was enacted into law as of December 22, 2017. The guidance addresses the accounting for amounts that had previously been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income on a net tax basis, using the tax rate that was in effect at the time. Due to the reduction in the tax rates under the Tax Act, certain tax effects were “stranded” in accumulated other comprehensive income. This new guidance allows these stranded tax effects to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Other tax amounts stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income due to reasons other than the Tax Act may not be reclassified. As a result of adopting this guidance, in the first quarter of 2018, we reclassified the cumulative effect of the accounting change of approximately $24.8 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. We believe that reclassifying these amounts more accurately presents the balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss. In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of restricted cash which requires that on the statement of cash flows, amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents should be included within the beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 on a retrospective basis. As a result, restricted cash amounts that have historically been included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and investments and other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets are now included with cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We did no t have any restricted cash as of December 31, 2018, however, these restricted cash balances totaled $29.2 million as of December 31, 2017, and $28.2 million as of December 31, 2016. Our restricted cash was used to pay obligations associated with our deferred compensation and TEGNA Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP). The adoption of this standard did not change our balance sheet presentation. See Note 12 for additional information about our restricted cash balances. New accounting guidance not yet adopted: In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to leases which will require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP—which requires only capital leases (renamed financing leases under the new guidance) to be recognized on the balance sheet—the new guidance will require both finance and operating leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. This update will require the lessee to recognize a lease liability equal to the present value of the lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term for all leases longer |
