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Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and operates television stations broadcasting 40 primary channels and 45 secondary channels in 30 television markets. Nineteen of our primary channels and one secondary channel are affiliated with the CBS Network owned by CBS Inc. (“CBS”), ten primary channels are affiliated with the NBC Network owned by National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (“NBC”), eight primary channels and one secondary channel are affiliated with the ABC Network owned by American Broadcasting Company (“ABC”), and three primary channels and two secondary channels are affiliated with the FOX Network owned by the FOX Broadcasting Company (“FOX”). Within a market, our secondary broadcast channels are generally affiliated with networks different from those affiliated with our primary broadcast channels, and are operated by us to make better use of our broadcast spectrum by providing supplemental and/or alternative programming to our primary channels. Certain of our secondary channels are affiliated with more than one network simultaneously. In addition to ABC, CBS and FOX, our secondary channels are affiliated with the following networks: the CW Network or the CW Plus Network, both owned by The CW Network, LLC, Master Distribution Service, Inc. (an affiliate of Twentieth Television, Inc.), the MeTV Network owned by Weigel Broadcasting Co., This TV Network also owned by Weigel Broadcasting, Untamed Sports Network, the Country Network and Antenna TV. We also broadcast nine local news/weather channels in certain of our existing markets. In addition, we have entered into agreements to acquire one full-power television station and two low power television stations in the Lincoln, Nebraska market, and one low power television station in Dothan, Alabama. We anticipate completing these acquisitions in the first and second quarters of 2013, respectively. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Revenue Recognition Broadcast advertising revenue is generated primarily from the sale of television advertising time to local, national and political advertisers. Internet advertising revenue is generated from the sale of advertisements associated with our stations’ websites. Our aggregate internet revenue is derived from two sources. The first is advertising or sponsorship opportunities directly on our websites, referred to as “direct internet revenue.” The other source is television advertising time purchased by our clients to directly promote their involvement in our websites, referred to as “internet-related commercial time sales.” Advertising revenue is billed to the customer and recognized when the advertisement is broadcast or appears on our stations’ websites. Retransmission consent revenue consists of payments to us from cable and satellite distribution systems for their retransmission of our broadcast signals. Retransmission consent revenue is recognized as earned over the life of the retransmission consent contract. Other revenue consist primarily of revenue earned from the production of programming and payments from tower space rent. Revenue from the production of programming is recognized as the programming is produced. Tower rent is recognized over the life of the rental agreements. Consulting revenue is generated from consulting services provided and typically includes a base and an incentive component. Revenue from the base component is fixed and is recognized on a straight line basis over the term of the consulting agreement. Revenue from the incentive component, if any, is variable and is determined by performance. Revenue from the incentive component of a consulting agreement is recognized when the amount earned becomes estimable and payment is probable. Cash received which has not yet been recognized as revenue is presented as deferred revenue. Revenue which has been earned but not yet received is recognized as revenue and presented as a receivable. Barter Transactions We account for trade barter transactions involving the exchange of tangible goods or services with our customers as revenue. The revenue is recorded at the time the advertisement is broadcast and the expense is recorded at the time the goods or services are used. The revenue and expense associated with these transactions are based on the fair value of the assets or services involved in the transaction. Trade barter revenue and expense recognized by us for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
|  | Year Ended December 31, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |
Trade barter revenue |  | $ | 1,248 |  |  | $ | 1,529 |  |  | $ | 1,481 |
Trade barter expense |  |  | (1,267 | ) |  |  | (1,421 | ) |  |  | (1,354 | )
Net trade barter (loss) income |  | $ | (19 | ) |  | $ | 108 |  |  | $ | 127 |
We do not account for barter revenue and related barter expense generated from network or syndicated programming as such amounts are not material. Furthermore, any such barter revenue recognized would then require the recognition of an equal amount of barter expense. The recognition of these amounts would not have a material effect upon net income. Advertising Expense We recorded advertising expense of $0.9 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We expense all advertising expenditures as they are incurred. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our actual results could materially differ from these estimated amounts. Our most significant estimates are used for our allowance for doubtful accounts in receivables, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of program rights and intangible assets, pension costs, income taxes, employee medical insurance claims, useful lives of property and equipment, contingencies and litigation. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Our allowance for doubtful accounts is equal to at least 85% of our receivable balances that are 120 days old or older. We may provide allowances for certain receivable that are less than 120 days old when warranted by specific facts and circumstances. We recorded expenses for this allowance of $0.1 million, $1.9 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We generally write-off accounts receivable balances when the customer files for bankruptcy or when all commonly used methods of collection have been exhausted. Program Broadcast Rights The total license fee payable under a program license agreement allowing us to broadcast programs is recorded at the beginning of the license period and is charged to operating expense over the period that the programs are broadcast. The portion of the unamortized balance expected to be charged to operating expense in the succeeding year is classified as a current asset, with the remainder classified as a non-current asset. The liability for license fees payable under program license agreements is classified as current or long-term, in accordance with the payment terms of the various license agreements. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method. Maintenance, repairs and minor replacements are charged to operations as incurred; major replacements and betterments are capitalized. The cost of any assets sold or retired and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts at the time of disposition, and any resulting profit or loss is reflected in income or expense for the period. The following table lists components of property and equipment by major category (dollars in thousands):
|  | December 31, |  | Estimated Useful Lives
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  | (in years)
Property and equipment: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Land |  | $ | 24,383 |  |  | $ | 23,451 |  |  |  |
Buildings and improvements |  |  | 55,709 |  |  |  | 53,322 |  | 7 | to | 40
Equipment |  |  | 313,761 |  |  |  | 308,454 |  | 3 | to | 20
|  |  | 393,853 |  |  |  | 385,227 |  |  |  |
Accumulated depreciation |  |  | (258,715 | ) |  |  | (248,128 | ) |  |  |
Total property and equipment, net |  | $ | 135,138 |  |  | $ | 137,099 |  |  |  |
On March 22, 2011, our primary broadcast tower for WEAU-TV, our station which serves the La Crosse – Eau Claire, Wisconsin market, collapsed during inclement weather. Our loss of property due to the tower collapse was covered by insurance, subject to a deductible of $50,000. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we received insurance proceeds of $0.8 million for the collapsed tower, recorded a gain on disposals of assets of $0.8 million for the collapsed tower and recorded capital expenditures of $0.4 million for construction of the new tower. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we received insurance proceeds of $3.2 million for the collapsed tower, recorded a gain on disposals of assets of $3.0 million for the collapsed tower and recorded capital expenditures of $3.9 million for construction of the new tower. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we received an additional $450,000 of proceeds from business interruption insurance, which was recorded as a reduction of broadcast expense. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we did not receive any proceeds from business interruption insurance. Deferred Loan Costs Loan acquisition costs are amortized over the life of the applicable indebtedness using a straight-line method that approximates the effective interest method. Asset Retirement Obligations We own office equipment, broadcasting equipment, leasehold improvements and transmission towers, some of which are located on, or are housed in, leased property or facilities. At the conclusion of several of these leases we are legally obligated to dismantle, remove and otherwise properly dispose of and remediate the facility or property. We estimate our asset retirement obligations based upon the cash flows of the costs expected to be incurred and the net present value of those estimated amounts. The asset retirement obligation is recognized as a non-current liability and as a component of the cost of the related asset. Changes to our asset retirement obligation resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original undiscounted cash flow estimates are recognized as an increase or decrease to the carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation and the related asset retirement cost capitalized as part of the related property, plant, or equipment. Changes in the asset retirement obligation resulting from accretion of the net present value of the estimated cash flows are recognized as operating expenses. We recognize depreciation expense of the capitalized cost over the estimated life of the lease. Our estimated obligations become due at varying times during the years 2013 through 2059. The liability recognized for our asset retirement obligations was approximately $505,000 and $465,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Related to our asset retirement obligations, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we recorded an expense of $25,000, $5,000 and $28,000, respectively. Concentration of Credit Risk We sell advertising air-time on our broadcasts and advertising space on our websites to national and local advertisers within the geographic areas in which we operate. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition, and generally advance payment is not required except for political advertising. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements and consistently have been within our expectations that are based upon our prior experience. For the year ended December 31, 2012, approximately 18%, 8% and 7% of our broadcast advertising revenue was obtained from advertising sales to advertising customers in the automotive, medical and restaurant industries, respectively. We experienced similar industry-based concentrations of revenue in the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Although our revenues can be affected by changes within these industries, we believe this risk is in part mitigated due to the fact that no one customer accounted for in excess of 5% of our broadcast advertising revenue in any of these periods. Furthermore, we believe that our large geographic operating area partially mitigates the potential effect of regional economic changes. Earnings Per Share We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the relevant period. The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding does not include restricted shares. These shares, although classified as issued and outstanding, are considered contingently returnable until the restrictions lapse and, in accordance with GAAP, are not included in the basic earnings per share calculation until the shares vest. Diluted earnings per share is computed by including all potentially dilutive common shares, including restricted stock and shares underlying stock options, in the diluted weighted-average shares outstanding calculation, unless their inclusion would be antidilutive. The following table reconciles basic weighted-average shares outstanding to diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):
|  | Year Ended December 31, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |
Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic |  |  | 57,170 |  |  |  | 57,117 |  |  |  | 54,322 |
Weighted-average shares underlying stock options and restricted shares |  |  | 92 |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 2 |
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted |  |  | 57,262 |  |  |  | 57,118 |  |  |  | 54,324 |
Investment in Broadcasting Company We have an investment in Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. (“Tarzian”) whose principal business is the ownership and operation of two television stations. As of June 30, 2012, the most recent period for which we have Tarzian’s financial statements, our investment represented 32.4% of the total outstanding common stock of Tarzian (both in terms of the number of shares of common stock outstanding and in terms of voting rights), but such investment represented 67.9% of the equity of Tarzian for purposes of dividends, if paid, as well as distributions in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or other sale of Tarzian. This investment is accounted for under the cost method of accounting and reflected as a non-current asset. We have no commitment to fund operations of Tarzian and we have neither representation on Tarzian’s board of directors nor any other influence over Tarzian’s management. We believe the cost method is appropriate to account for this investment given the existence of a single voting majority stockholder and our lack of management influence. Valuation of Broadcast Licenses, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets From January 1, 1994 through December 31, 2012, we acquired 33 television stations. We completed our most recent acquisition on March 3, 2006. Among the assets acquired in these transactions were broadcast licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission, goodwill and other intangible assets. For broadcast licenses acquired prior to January 1, 2002, we recorded their respective values using a residual method (analogous to “goodwill”) where the excess of the purchase price paid in the acquisition over the fair value of all identified tangible and intangible assets acquired was attributed to the broadcast license. This residual basis approach generally produces higher valuations of broadcast licenses when compared to applying an income method as discussed below. For broadcast licenses acquired after December 31, 2001, we recorded their respective values using an income approach. Under this approach, a broadcast license is valued based on analyzing the estimated after-tax discounted future cash flows of the acquired station, assuming an initial hypothetical start-up operation maturing into an average performing station in a specific television market and giving consideration to other relevant factors such as the technical qualities of the broadcast license and the number of competing broadcast licenses within that market. The income approach generally produces lower valuations of broadcast licenses when compared to applying the residual method. For television stations acquired after December 31, 2001, we allocate the residual value of the station to goodwill. When renewing broadcast licenses, we incur regulatory filing fees and legal fees. We expense these fees as they are incurred. Other intangible assets that we have acquired include network affiliation agreements, advertising contracts, client lists, talent contracts and leases. Each of our stations is affiliated with at least one broadcast network. We believe that the value of a television station is derived primarily from the attributes of its broadcast license rather than its network affiliation agreement. As a result, we have allocated minimal values to our network affiliation agreements. We have classified our other intangible assets as definite-lived intangible assets. The amortization period of our other intangible assets is equal to the shorter of their estimated useful life or contract period. When renewing other intangible asset contracts, we incur legal fees which are expensed as incurred. Annual Impairment Testing of Intangible Assets We test for impairment of our intangible assets on an annual basis on the last day of each fiscal year. However, if certain triggering events occur, we will test for impairment during the relevant reporting period. For purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, each of our individual television stations is considered a separate reporting unit. We review each television station for possible goodwill impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each respective reporting unit to the recorded value of that reporting unit’s net assets. If the estimated fair value exceeds the recorded net asset value, no goodwill impairment is deemed to exist. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit does not exceed the recorded value of that reporting unit’s net assets, we then perform, on a notional basis, a purchase price allocation by allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to the fair value of all tangible and identifiable intangible assets with residual fair value representing the implied fair value of goodwill of that reporting unit. The recorded value of goodwill for the reporting unit is written down to this implied value. To estimate the fair value of our reporting units, we utilize a discounted cash flow model supported by a market multiple approach. We believe that a discounted cash flow analysis is the most appropriate methodology to test the recorded value of long-term assets with a demonstrated long-lived / enduring franchise value. We believe the results of the discounted cash flow and market multiple approaches provide reasonable estimates of the fair value of our reporting units because these approaches are based on our actual results and reasonable estimates of future performance, and also take into consideration a number of other factors deemed relevant by us, including but not limited to, expected future market revenue growth, market revenue shares and operating profit margins. We have historically used these approaches in determining the value of our goodwill. We also consider a market multiple approach utilizing market multiples to corroborate our discounted cash flow analysis. We believe that this methodology is consistent with the approach that a strategic market participant would utilize if they were to value one of our television stations. For testing of our broadcast licenses and other intangible assets for potential impairment of their recorded asset values, we compare their estimated fair value to the respective asset’s recorded value. If the fair value is greater than the asset’s recorded value, no impairment expense is recorded. If the fair value does not exceed the asset’s recorded value, we record an impairment expense equal to the amount that the asset’s recorded value exceeded the asset’s fair value. We use the income method to estimate the fair value of all broadcast licenses irrespective of whether they were initially recorded using the residual or income methods. For further discussion of our goodwill, broadcast licenses and other intangible assets, see Note 11. “Goodwill and Intangible Assets”. Market Capitalization When we test our broadcast licenses and goodwill for impairment, we also consider our market capitalization. Our market capitalization has increased from its 2008 lows. As of December 31, 2012, our market capitalization was less than our book value and it remains less than book value as of the date of this filing. We believe the decline in and sustained level of our stock price has been influenced, in part, by the state of the general economy beginning in 2008, and the relatively slow recovery from the recent national economic recession. We believe that it is appropriate to view the state of credit markets and continued economic weakness as relatively temporary in relation to reporting units that have demonstrated long-lived / enduring franchise value. Accordingly, we believe that a variance between market capitalization and fair value can exist and that difference could be significant at points in time due to intervening macroeconomic influences. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balances as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 consist of adjustments to our pension liabilities net of related income tax benefits as follows (in thousands):
|  | December 31, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Accumulated balances of items included in accumulated other comprehensive loss: |  |  |  |  |  |
Increase in pension liability |  | $ | (33,065 | ) |  | $ | (26,889 | )
Income tax benefit |  |  | (12,895 | ) |  |  | (10,487 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  | $ | (20,170 | ) |  | $ | (16,402 | )
Recent Accounting Pronouncements We have reviewed all recently issued accounting pronouncements. Of those pronouncements that have been issued but not yet effective, we do not anticipate a material impact upon our financial statements upon our adoption of those pronouncements. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2012-07, Entertainment--Films (Topic 926): Accounting for Fair Value Information That Arises after the Measurement Date and Its Inclusion in the Impairment Analysis of Unamortized Film Costs On October 24, 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-07, Entertainment - Films (Topic 926): Accounting for Fair Value Information That Arises after the Measurement Date and Its Inclusion in the Impairment Analysis of Unamortized Film Costs. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that perform impairment assessments of unamortized film costs in accordance with Topic 926. The amendments in this ASU eliminate the rebuttable presumption that the conditions leading to the write off of unamortized film costs after the balance sheet date existed as of the balance sheet date. The amendments also eliminate the requirement that an entity incorporate into fair value measurements used in its impairment tests the effects of any changes in estimates resulting from the consideration of subsequent evidence if the information would not have been considered by market participants at the measurement date. For U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filers, these amendments are effective for impairment assessments performed on or after December 15, 2012. The amendments resulting from this ASU should be applied prospectively. Earlier application is permitted, including for impairment assessments performed as of a date before October 24, 2012, if, for SEC filers, the entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued or, for all other entities, have not yet been made available for issuance. Effective December 15, 2012, we implemented this ASU without any impact upon our financial statements. FASB ASU 2012-02, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment On July 27, 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Intangibles--Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. This ASU states that an entity has the option first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity is not required to take further action. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount in accordance with Codification Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles--Goodwill and Other, General Intangibles Other than Goodwill. Under the guidance in this ASU, an entity also has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. An entity will be able to resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim impairment tests performed as of a date before July 27, 2012, if a public entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued or, for nonpublic entities, have not yet been made available for issuance. Effective December 31, 2012, we implemented this ASU without any impact upon our financial statements. FASB ASU 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment On September 15, 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 is intended to simplify how entities, both public and nonpublic, test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50%. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued or, for nonpublic entities, have not yet been made available for issuance. Effective December 31, 2011, we implemented this ASU without any impact upon our financial statements. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made in the current liability section of our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 in order to conform to the presentation as of December 31, 2012. The reclassifications did not change our total current liabilities as of December 31, 2011.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18861-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18743-107790 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18854-107790 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18726-107790 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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