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New Accounting Standards
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]  
New Accounting Standards New Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Leases

In the first quarter of 2019, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (the “FASB’s”) guidance addressing the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors using the modified retrospective transition method to adopt the new lease standard. The modified retrospective transition method allows entities to apply the new lease standard at the adoption date rather than adjusting each period presented at the date of adoption. The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification determines whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases regardless of their classification.

We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which allowed us to carry forward our historical lease classification. We also elected the practical expedient related to land easements, which allowed us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements on existing leases. In addition we elected the hindsight practical expedient which resulted in increasing the length of our lease term for existing leases with cancellation provisions.

At adoption, we had approximately 23,600 lease agreements as lessee, all of which were classified as operating leases. On January 1, 2019, the adoption of this standard resulted in the recognition of an operating lease liability of $1.2 billion and a right-of-use operating lease asset of the same amount. Existing prepaid and accrued lease costs were reclassified to the right-of-use operating lease asset, resulting in a net asset of $1.3 billion on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. As a result of the adoption of this standard, we also recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment of $24.8 million to beginning Distribution in excess of earnings on the Consolidated Statement of Equity for lease costs which would have been recognized in prior periods as a result of the change in the lease term.

Under the new guidance, lessors account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to previous guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. Our billboard lease revenues will continue to be recognized on a straight-line basis over their respective lease terms. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Recent Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance which requires a reporting entity to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, and present assets held at amortized cost and available-for-sale debt securities at the amount expected to be collected. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements.