v3.8.0.1

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure Abstract

Schedule Of Income Tax Expense Reconciliation

			Years Ended December 31,
				2017		2016			2015
				(amounts in thousands)
Federal statutory income tax rate				35%			35%			35%
Computed tax expense at federal statutory rates on income
	before income taxes		$	(8,425)		$	18,501		$	16,667
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit				23,045			(5,202)			1,333
Non-recognition of expense due to full valuation allowance				-			-			(244)
Valuation allowance current year activity				2,395			-			-
Tax impact of share-based awards				1,383			-			-
Transaction costs				8,477			-			-
Recognized gain on Exchange Transactions				6,435			-			-
U.S. federal income tax reform				(291,497)			-			-
Tax benefit shortfall associated with share-based awards				-			286			12
Nondeductible expenses and other				1,102			1,209			669
Income taxes			$	(257,085)		$	14,794		$	18,437

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

					Years Ended December 31,
					2017			2016			2015
	Current:
		Federal			$	5,178		$	(33)		$	25
		State				1,289			139			90
			Total current			6,467			106			115
	Deferred:
		Federal				(295,466)			19,980			17,042
		State				31,915			(5,292)			1,280
			Total deferred			(263,551)			14,688			18,322
Total income taxes (benefit)					$	(257,084)		$	14,794		$	18,437

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

					December 31,
					2017			2016
					(amounts in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
	Federal and state income tax loss carryforwards					96,334			126,278
	Share-based compensation					4,174			3,145
	Investments - impairments					348			499
	Lease rental obligations					13,910			3,504
	Deferred compensation					11,601			5,307
	Deferred gain on tower transaction					1,897			3,035
	Debt fair value adjustment					5,162			-
	Reserves					7,442			-
	Property, equipment and certain intangibles (other
	than broadcasting licenses and goodwill)					-			4,036
	Advertiser broadcasting obligations					-			47
	Employee benefits					543			944
	Provision for doubtful accounts					4,383			795
	Other non-current					1,614			1,532
	Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance					147,408			149,122
	Valuation allowance					(37,154)			(12,861)
	Total deferred tax assets				$	110,254		$	136,261
Deferred tax liabilities:
	Advertiser broadcasting obligations				$	(7,172)		$	-
	Deferral of gain recognition on the extinguishment of debt					-			(3,031)
	Property, equipment and certain intangibles					(55,922)			-
	Broadcasting licenses and goodwill					(656,949)			(226,128)
	Total deferred tax liabilities				$	(720,043)		$	(229,159)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities				$	(609,789)		$	(92,898)

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance

					Increase			Increase
					(Decrease)			(Decrease)
					Charged			Charged
					(Credited)			(Credited)
		Balance at			to Income			to						Balance At
		Beginning			Taxes			Balance			Purchase			End Of
Year Ended		of Year			(Benefit)			Sheet			Accounting			Year
			(amounts in thousands)
December 31, 2017		$	12,861		$	17,785		$	151		$	6,357		$	37,154
December 31, 2016			20,638			(7,777)			-			-			12,861
December 31, 2015			20,766			(165)			37			-			20,638

Schedule of Liabilities For Uncertain Tax Positions

			December 31,
			2017			2016
			(amounts in thousands)
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions
	Tax		$	711		$	-
	Total		$	711		$	-

Schedule of Expense Income For Uncertain Tax Positions

		Years Ended December 31,
		2017			2016			2015
		(amounts in thousands)
Tax expense (income)		$	-		$	(67)		$	-
Interest and penalties (income)			-			(170)			20
Total income taxes (benefit)
from uncertain tax positions		$	-		$	(237)		$	20

Schedule of Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits

			Years Ended December 31,
			2017			2016			2015
			(amounts in thousands)
Beginning of year balance			$	(7,138)		$	(7,690)		$	(7,690)
Prior year positions
	Gross Increases			(710)			-			-
	Gross Decreases			-			-			-
Current year positions
	Gross Increases			-			-			-
	Gross Decreases			-			-			-
Settlements with tax authorities				-			-			-
Reductions due to statute lapse				28			552			-
End of year balance			$	(7,820)		$	(7,138)		$	(7,690)
Ending liability balance included above that was
	reflected as an offset to deferred tax assets		$	(7,110)		$	(7,138)		$	(7,623)

Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table Text Block]

		Net Operating Losses
		December 31, 2017
		NOLs			NOL Expiration Period
		(amounts in			(in years)
		thousands)
Federal NOL carryforwards		$	298,178		2028	to	2033
State NOL carryforwards		$	595,234		2018	to	2033
State income tax credit		$	1,248			to	2018

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