IMPAIRMENT, RESTRUCTURING AND TRANSACTION-RELATED ITEMS |
6 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jun. 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IMPAIRMENT, RESTRUCTURING AND TRANSACTION-RELATED ITEMS | IMPAIRMENT, RESTRUCTURING AND TRANSACTION-RELATED ITEMS Interim Impairment Testing We perform fair value-based impairment tests of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, comprised primarily of television FCC licenses, annually during the fourth quarter and also between annual tests if an event occurs or if circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying value. FCC Licenses—For the second quarter of 2025, as a result of recent declines in industry projections, we determined that interim impairment tests were necessary for six markets in which we hold FCC licenses. FCC licenses are tested for impairment at the geographic market level. We consider each geographic market, which is comprised of all of our television stations within that geographic market, to be a single unit of accounting because the FCC licenses at this level represent their highest and best use. The FCC licenses impairment tests were performed using the Greenfield Discounted Cash Flow Method, which estimates the fair values of FCC licenses by valuing a hypothetical start-up station in the relevant market by adding discounted cash flows over a five-year build-up period to a residual value. The assumptions for the build-up period include industry projections of overall market revenues; the start-up station’s operating costs and capital expenditures, which are based on both industry and internal data; and average market share. The discount rate is determined based on the industry and market-based risk of achieving the projected cash flows, and the residual value is calculated using a long-term growth rate, which is based on projected industry projections and long-range inflation. The discount rate and the long-term growth rate were 7.5% and (2)%, respectively. The impairment tests indicated that the estimated fair values of FCC licenses in each of the six markets tested were below their respective carrying values. Accordingly, we recorded an impairment charge during the second quarter of 2025 of $157 million to write down the carrying values of these FCC licenses to their aggregate estimated fair value of $913 million. During the second quarter of 2024, we performed interim impairment tests for eight markets in which we hold FCC licenses. The tests indicated that the estimated fair values of FCC licenses in two of the eight markets were below their respective carrying values. Accordingly, we recorded a charge of $15 million to write down the carrying values of these FCC licenses to their estimated fair values. The impairment charges in each year were recorded within the TV Media segment. Goodwill—For the second quarter of 2024, we assessed the relevant factors that could impact the fair value of our reporting units, including indicators in the linear affiliate marketplace and the estimated total company market value indicated by the Transactions and the NAI Transaction announced on July 7, 2024. Based on this assessment, we determined that an interim goodwill impairment test was necessary for each of our reporting units. The goodwill impairment test for our Cable Networks reporting unit indicated that an impairment charge of $5.98 billion was required, which represented the goodwill balance of the reporting unit prior to the impairment test. The impairment charge, which was recorded within the TV Media segment, resulted from a downward adjustment to the reporting unit’s expected cash flows, primarily because of the linear affiliate market indicators noted above, and the estimated total company market value indicated by the Transactions and the NAI Transaction. Restructuring and Transaction-Related Items During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we recorded the following restructuring charges and transaction-related items.
(a) Severance costs include the accelerated vesting of stock-based compensation. Restructuring Charges Restructuring charges for the second quarter of 2025 included severance costs of $177 million associated with strategic changes in our global workforce in order to streamline our organization. Restructuring charges for the six months ended June 30, 2024 included severance costs of $225 million, which consisted of $155 million recorded during the first quarter associated with strategic changes in our global workforce and $70 million recorded during the second quarter related to the exit of our former CEO and other management changes. Additionally, during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, we recorded exit costs of $65 million and $31 million, respectively, primarily for the impairment of lease assets that we ceased use of in connection with initiatives to reduce our real estate footprint and create cost synergies. The impairments were primarily the result of a decline in market conditions since the inception of these leases and reflect the difference between the estimated fair values, which were determined based on the expected future cash flows of the lease assets, and the carrying values. The following is a rollforward of our restructuring severance liability, which is recorded in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and is expected to be substantially paid by the end of 2026.
(a) Excludes stock-based compensation expense of $4 million. Transaction-Related Items We recorded legal, advisory, and other professional fees relating to the Transactions of $4 million and $24 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, and $18 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||