QVC Group, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Intangible Assets And Goodwill (Note)

Intangible Assets And Goodwill (Note)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

HSNi assesses the impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets, principally trademarks and trade names, at least annually during the fourth quarter and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be fully recoverable. In performing this review, HSNi has the option of performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of the reporting unit and/or indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than the carrying values. If HSNi determines that it is not more likely that the fair value is less than its carrying value, then the goodwill and/or the indefinite-lived intangible assets are deemed to be not impaired and no further testing is required until the next annual test date (or sooner if conditions or events before that date raise concerns of potential impairment in the business). If HSNi determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying value, then the quantitative goodwill and/or indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests (as discussed below) must be completed.

If necessary, HSNi performs a quantitative assessment of the fair values of its goodwill and intangible assets. If it is determined that the implied fair value of goodwill and/or indefinite-lived intangible assets is less than the carrying amount, an impairment charge, equal to the excess, is recorded. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as in a business combination. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the estimated fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined by using a discounted cash flow analysis with consideration of an equity analysis based on the trading value of its common stock. The discounted cash flow analysis indicates the fair value of the reporting units based on the present value of the cash flows expected to be generated in the future. The equity analysis is based on the trading value of its common stock as of the valuation date or the average stock price over a range of dates prior to the valuation date, plus an estimated control premium. HSNi utilizes a relief from royalty method to assess the fair values of its trademarks and trade names.

In assessing fair value, HSNi considers, among other indicators, differences between estimated and actual cash flows and revenue streams; changes in the related discount, royalty and terminal growth rate; and the relationship between the trading price of its common stock and its per-share book value. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgments. These factors used in the determination of fair value are sensitive to, among other things, changes in the retail consumer market and the general economy.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with indefinite lives relate principally to trade names and trademarks. Definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of patents which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their term. When definite-lived intangible assets are sold or expire, the cost of the asset and the related accumulated amortization are eliminated and any gain or loss is recognized at such time.

The total balance of HSNi's intangible assets, net, is as follows (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2016		2015
Intangible assets with indefinite lives	$	253,449	$	255,148
Intangible assets with definite lives, net	174		120
Total intangible assets, net	$	253,623	$	255,268

During the third quarter of 2015, as a result of declines in operating performances at certain Cornerstone brands, HSNi performed a quantitative assessment of certain intangible assets and concluded a fair value adjustment was necessary. An impairment charge of $5.0 million was recorded related to its acquisition of Chasing Fireflies. During the fourth quarter of 2015, in connection with its annual assessment of impairment, HSNi performed qualitative and quantitative assessments of its intangible assets and wrote off the remaining identified intangible assets of Chasing Fireflies. An impairment charge of $1.7 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015. The impairment charges were recorded within the Cornerstone segment and are included in "Loss on sale of businesses and asset impairments" expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Amortization expense for the definite-lived intangible assets was not material for all periods presented.

Goodwill

The following tables present the balance of goodwill by reporting unit, including changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):



	Gross Balance as of January 1, 2016		Accumulated Impairment			Net Balance as of January 1, 2016		Additions		Impairment		Net Balance as of December 31, 2016
HSN	$	2,391,594	$	(2,391,594	)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Cornerstone	502,464		(492,606		)	9,858		—		—		9,858
Total	$	2,894,058	$	(2,884,200	)	$	9,858	$	—	$	—	$	9,858


	Gross Balance as of January 1, 2015		Accumulated Impairment			Net Balance as of January 1, 2015		Additions		Impairment		Net Balance as of December 31, 2015
HSN	$	2,391,594	$	(2,391,594	)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Cornerstone	502,464		(492,606		)	9,858		—		—		9,858
Total	$	2,894,058	$	(2,884,200	)	$	9,858	$	—	$	—	$	9,858

Based on the quantitative assessments performed in the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, HSNi concluded there was no impairment of its goodwill.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

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