10-K


 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
 
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015
 
OR
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from                                         to                                        
Commission File Number 001-09553
CBS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
04-2949533
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
51 W. 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 975-4321
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
 
Name of Each Exchange on
Which Registered
 
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value
 
 
New York Stock Exchange
 
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value
 
 
New York Stock Exchange
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933). Yes x    No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes o    No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x    No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x    No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer, or smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes o    No x
As of June 30, 2015, which was the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the market value of the shares of CBS Corporation Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value ("Class A Common Stock"), held by non-affiliates was approximately $442,896,391 (based upon the closing price of $57.40 per share as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date) and the market value of the shares of CBS Corporation Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value ("Class B Common Stock"), held by non-affiliates was approximately $24,061,922,159 (based upon the closing price of $55.50 per share as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date); and the aggregate market value of the shares of both Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock held by non-affiliates was $24,504,818,550.
As of February 10, 2016, 37,726,904 shares of Class A Common Stock and 421,814,016 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of CBS Corporation's Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Proxy Statement") (Portion of Item 5; Part III).

 
 
 
 
 





PART I
Item 1.
Business.
CBS Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company” or “CBS Corp.”) is a mass media company with operations in the following segments:

ENTERTAINMENT: The Entertainment segment is composed of the CBS® Television Network; CBS Television Studios®; CBS Global Distribution Group (composed of CBS Studios International and CBS Television Distribution); CBS Interactive; and CBS Films®.

CABLE NETWORKS: The Cable Networks segment is composed of Showtime Networks, which operates the Company’s premium subscription program services, Showtime®, The Movie Channel®, and Flix®, including a digital streaming subscription offering; CBS Sports Network®, the Company’s cable network focused on college athletics and other sports; and Smithsonian Networks™, a venture between Showtime Networks and Smithsonian Institution, which operates Smithsonian Channel™, a basic cable program service, and a digital streaming subscription service.

PUBLISHING: The Publishing segment is composed of Simon & Schuster, which publishes and distributes consumer books under imprints such as Simon & Schuster®, Pocket Books®, Scribner®, Gallery Books®, Touchstone® and Atria Books®.

LOCAL BROADCASTING: The Local Broadcasting segment is composed of CBS Television Stations, the Company’s 30 owned broadcast television stations; and CBS Radio®, through which the Company owns and operates 117 radio stations in 26 United States (“U.S.”) markets.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, contributions to the Company’s consolidated revenues from its segments were as follows: Entertainment 61%, Cable Networks 16%, Publishing 6% and Local Broadcasting 19%. The Company generated approximately 14% of its total revenues from international regions in 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2015, approximately 52% and 14% of total international revenues of approximately $2.00 billion were generated in Europe and Canada, respectively.

The Company operates businesses which span the media and entertainment industries, including the CBS Television Network, cable networks, content production and distribution, television and radio stations, Internet-based businesses, and consumer publishing.  The Company’s principal strategy is to create and acquire premium content that is widely accepted by audiences, and to generate both advertising and non‑advertising revenues from the distribution of this content on multiple media platforms and to various geographic locations. The Company continues to increase its investment in both Company-owned and acquired premium content to enhance its opportunities for revenue growth, which include exhibiting its content on digital and other platforms through licensing and subscription services, including the Company’s owned digital streaming content offerings; expanding the distribution of its content internationally; and securing compensation from multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), including cable, direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”), telephone company, and other distributors, for authorizing the MVPDs’ carriage of the Company’s owned television stations (also known as “retransmission fees”) and cable networks, and securing compensation from television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network (“station affiliation fees” also known as “reverse compensation”). The Company also seeks to grow its advertising revenues by monetizing all content viewership as industry measurements evolve to reflect viewers’ changing habits.

On July 16, 2014, the Company completed the disposition of CBS Outdoor Americas Inc. (“Outdoor Americas”), which was previously a subsidiary of the Company and has been renamed OUTFRONT Media Inc. During 2013, the Company completed the sale of its outdoor advertising business in Europe (“Outdoor Europe”). Outdoor Americas and Outdoor Europe have been presented as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.


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The Company competes with many different entities and media in various markets worldwide. In addition to competition in each of its businesses, the Company competes for opportunities in the entertainment business with other diversified entertainment companies such as The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal Media, LLC, Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Time Warner Inc., Cumulus Media Inc. and iHeartMedia, Inc.

As of December 31, 2015, National Amusements, Inc. (“NAI”), a closely held corporation that owns and operates approximately 947 movie screens in the U.S., the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and South America and manages 4 movie screens in South America, directly or indirectly owned approximately 79.5% of the Company’s voting Class A Common Stock, and approximately 8.5% of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a combined basis. Owners of the Company’s Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. The Company’s Class B Common Stock does not have voting rights. NAI is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

On February 2, 2016, Sumner M. Redstone, the controlling shareholder of NAI, resigned from his position as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Redstone remains a director of the Company. On February 3, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors elected Leslie Moonves, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a director, to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and appointed Mr. Redstone to the position of Chairman Emeritus of the Company's Board.

The Company was organized in Delaware in 1986. The Company’s principal offices are located at 51 W. 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019. Its telephone number is (212) 975-4321 and its Website address is www.cbscorporation.com.

CBS CORP. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Entertainment (61%, 60% and 62% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 46%, 44% and 53% of the Company's total segment operating income in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)

The Entertainment segment consists of the CBS Television Network; CBS Television Studios and CBS Global Distribution Group (composed of CBS Studios International and CBS Television Distribution), the Company’s television production and syndication operations; CBS Interactive, the Company’s online content networks for information and entertainment; and CBS Films, the Company’s producer and distributor of theatrical motion pictures.

Television Network. The CBS Television Network through CBS Entertainment™, CBS News® and CBS Sports® distributes a comprehensive schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, sports and entertainment programming to more than 200 domestic affiliates reaching throughout the U.S., including 16 of the Company’s owned and operated television stations, and to affiliated stations in certain U.S. territories.

The CBS Television Network primarily derives revenues from the sale of advertising time for its network broadcasts. A significant portion of the advertising spots sold for the network’s non-sports programming occurs annually generally during May through July in the industry’s upfront advertising market for the upcoming television broadcast season, which runs for one year generally commencing in mid-September. Advertisers purchase the remaining advertising spots closer to the broadcast of the related programming in the scatter advertising market. Overall advertising revenue for the network is also impacted by audience ratings for its programming. The Company offers dynamic advertising insertions for the CBS Television Network's on demand programming which allow the Company to change advertisements at any time within such programming and offer advertisers greater audience reach. In addition, the CBS Television Network’s revenues include station affiliation fees.

CBS Entertainment is responsible for acquiring or developing and scheduling the entertainment programming presented on the CBS Television Network, which includes primetime comedy and drama series, reality‑based programming, specials, children’s programs, daytime dramas, game shows and late-night programs. CBS News operates a worldwide news organization, providing the CBS Television Network and the CBS Radio Network™ with


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regularly scheduled news and public affairs broadcasts, including 60 Minutes, 48 Hours Mystery, CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley, CBS This Morning, CBS Sunday Morning and Face the Nation as well as special reports. CBS News also provides CBS Newspath®, a television news syndication service that offers daily news coverage, sports highlights and news features to the CBS Television Network affiliates and other subscribers worldwide. CBS Sports broadcasts on the television network include The NFL Today, certain PGA Tour Golf Tournaments, the Masters, the PGA Championship and certain games from the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, regular-season college football, including the Southeastern Conference, and regular-season college basketball games, in addition to the NFL’s American Football Conference (AFC) regular-season, post-season divisional playoff and championship games. CBS broadcast certain AFC games in the 2015 season as part of its rights under its NFL agreement to broadcast the AFC package from the 2014 through the 2022 seasons, which also includes certain National Football Conference regular season games and the Super Bowls in 2016, 2019 and 2022. The Company produced and broadcast Thursday Night Football for the 2015 season under its January 2015 agreement with the NFL. The Company also will produce and broadcast certain Thursday Night Football games for the 2016 and 2017 seasons under its January 2016 agreement with the NFL, which is subject to NFL approval. CBS Television Network content also is exhibited via the Internet, including through CBS.com™; CBS All Access®, the Company’s digital streaming subscription service launched in October 2014; and CBSN®, the Company’s live digital streaming advertiser-supported news network available 24 hours a day, seven days a week launched in November 2014. CBS All Access and CBSN are available at CBS.com and CBSNews.com™, respectively, and through CBS software applications (“apps”) on multiple digital platforms, including Android, iOS and Windows 8 mobile platforms, and Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Xbox connected device platforms. Furthering the Company’s analytic tools regarding television advertising and ratings, in 2015 the Company announced “Campaign Performance Audit™,” a data-driven approach for analyzing and buying advertising time on broadcast television which helps advertising customers enhance consumer targeting and measure the effectiveness of their advertising.

The CW, a broadcast network and the Company’s 50/50 joint venture with Warner Bros. Entertainment, airs programming, including The Vampire Diaries, Jane the Virgin and Reign. Eight of the Company’s owned television stations are affiliates of The CW. Certain of The CW’s programming is streamed on video-on-demand services owned by each of Hulu, LLC and Netflix, Inc. pursuant to license agreements.

Television Production and Syndication. CBS Television Studios and CBS Global Distribution Group produce, acquire and/or distribute programming worldwide, including series, specials, news and public affairs, and generate revenue principally from the licensing and distribution of such programming. The programming is produced primarily for broadcast on network television, exhibition on basic cable and premium subscription services or distribution via first‑run syndication. First-run syndication is programming exhibited on television stations without prior exhibition on a network or cable service. The Company subsequently distributes programming after its initial exhibition on a network, basic cable network or premium subscription service for domestic exhibition on television stations, cable networks or video-on-demand services (known as “off-network syndicated programming”). Off-network syndicated programming and first‑run syndicated programming distributed domestically, as well as programming distributed internationally, can sometimes be sold in successive cycles of sales known as “first cycle,” “second cycle” sales, and so on, which may occur on exclusive or non-exclusive bases. Generally, license fees may decrease with successive sales cycles due to increased program exhibitions.

Programming that was produced or co-produced by the Company’s production group and is broadcast on network television includes, among others, NCIS (CBS), The Good Wife (CBS), Madam Secretary (CBS), Scorpion (CBS), Criminal Minds (CBS) and Jane the Virgin (The CW). Generally, a network will license a specified number of episodes for broadcast on the network in the U.S. during a license period. Remaining distribution rights, including international and/or off‑network syndication rights, are typically retained by the Company or, in the case of co-productions, distribution rights are shared with the co-producer for U.S. or international markets. The network license fee for a series episode is normally lower than the costs of producing the episode; however, the Company’s objective is to recoup its costs and earn a profit through various forms of distribution, including international licensing, domestic syndication and digital streaming of episodes. Generally, international sales of network series are made within one year of the U.S. network run and series must have a network run of at least three or four years to be successfully sold in domestic off-network syndication; however, increasingly, these time frames are being shortened, particularly for


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sales to digital streaming services. In off-network syndication, the Company distributes series, such as Hawaii Five-O, Criminal Minds, Blue Bloods, The Good Wife, Elementary, NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles, as well as a library of older television programs. The Company also produces and/or distributes first-run syndicated series such as Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition, The Insider, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, Rachael Ray, Hot Bench and Judge Judy. The Company also distributes syndicated and other programming internationally.

The Company continues to monetize its content through digital media. It enters into and renews numerous multi-year licensing agreements for distribution of certain of its programming to various services, including the digital streaming on subscription video-on-demand services owned by Netflix (in the U.S, Canada and countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America), Amazon (in the U.S., Germany and U.K.), Comcast, Hulu, Hulu Plus (each, in the U.S.), Bell Media, Shomi (each, in Canada), Canal Play (in France), DLA (in countries in Latin America and the Caribbean), Foxtel, Stan Entertainment (each, in Australia), iFlix (in Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines), Nippon TV (in Japan), PlayCo (in the Middle East), MultiChoice Africa (in sub-Saharan Africa), Sky TV NZ, Telecom NZ (each, in New Zealand), Telefonica (in Spain), Watchever (in Germany), among others; digital streaming on advertising supported video-on-demand services, such as PPTV (in China); Sony’s broadband pay television service, PlayStation Vue (in the U.S.); and the digital downloading on various electronic-sell-through services owned by Amazon (in the U.S., Germany and the U.K.), Apple (in the U.S., Canada, Australia and countries in Europe), Google and Microsoft (each, in the U.S.), among others.

Fees for television programming licensed for syndication and digital streaming are recorded as revenues at the beginning of the license period in which the programs are made available for exhibition, which, among other reasons, may cause substantial fluctuations in the Entertainment segment’s operating results. Unrecognized revenues attributable to such license agreements were $847 million and $1.02 billion at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

The Company has a global channel presence through domestic and international joint ventures. The Company owns a 50% interest in a joint venture with Lionsgate, which owns and operates the entertainment cable network, Pop. The Company owns a 49% interest in a joint venture with a subsidiary of AMC Networks Inc., which owns and operates six channels in the U.K. and Ireland, including CBS Action™, CBS Drama™, CBS Reality™ and Horror Channel™. The Company also owns a 30% interest in a joint venture with another subsidiary of AMC Networks, which owns and operates nine cable and satellite channels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa broadcasting CBS programming and branded as CBS Action™, CBS Drama™, CBS Reality™ and CBS Europa™. In Australia, the Company owns an approximately 33% interest in a joint venture with a subsidiary of Ten Network Holdings Limited to provide content to ELEVEN™, a digital television channel service. The Company owns a 30% interest in a joint venture with RTL Group, which owns and operates two cable channels in Southeast Asia in English and local languages, RTL CBS Entertainment™ and RTL CBS Extreme™.

CBS Interactive. CBS Interactive is one of the leading global publishers of premium content on the Internet, delivering this content via Web properties, mobile properties and CBS apps on mobile, as well as Internet-connected television and other device platform apps. CBS Interactive was ranked among the top Internet properties in the world according to comScore Media Metrix, December 2015. CBS Interactive’s leading brands, including CNET®, CBS.com™, CBSSports.com™, GameSpot®, TVGuide.com™, TV.com™, CBSNews.com™, ZDNet®, Last.fm®, and MetroLyrics.com®, among others, serve targeted audiences with text, video, audio, and mobile content spanning technology, entertainment, sports, news, business, gaming and music categories. In addition to its U.S.‑based business, CBS Interactive operates in Asia, Australia and Europe. CBS Interactive’s worldwide brands reached approximately 254 million unique monthly visitors during December 2015 according to comScore Media Metrix, December 2015.

CBS Interactive generates revenue principally from the sale of advertising and sponsorships, in addition to fees derived from search and commerce partners, licensing fees, subscriptions, e-commerce activities, and other paid services. Advertising spending on the Internet, as in traditional media, fluctuates significantly with economic conditions. In addition, online marketing spending follows seasonal consumer behavior throughout the calendar year to reflect trends during the calendar year.



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CBS Interactive owns and operates digital properties, including: CNET, one of the preeminent digital properties for technology and consumer electronics information and featuring news, reviews, downloads and instructional and entertaining video and audio shows about technology; CNET en Espanol™, which delivers CNET.com’s information in the U.S. to Spanish speakers; TVGuide Digital™, which provides comprehensive information about television programming; GameSpot, a leading gaming information digital property providing video game reviews and previews, news, eSports, Webcasts, videos, and game downloads; CBSSports Digital™, which provides sports content, fantasy sports, community and e‑commerce features, and also owns and operates MaxPreps®; Last.fm, which is a music recommendation, discovery and social networking property; MetroLyrics.com, which is one of the most popular databases for song lyrics online; and TV.com, which is a destination for entertainment and community around television where visitors can watch videos and discuss and obtain information about television shows across all networks.

CBS Interactive also operates CBS.com, the online destination for CBS Television Network programming. Further extending the CBS.com experience, the Company offers a CBS app for on-demand streaming of various programs from the Company’s current network programming and library to users on multiple digital platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows 8 and 10 mobile platforms, and Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Xbox connected device platforms. CBS Interactive operates CBS All Access, the Company’s digital streaming subscription service launched in October 2014, which offers a more extensive on-demand selection of CBS Television Network content, both current programming and library, as well as the ability to stream live programming from local CBS Television Stations. CBS All Access is available at CBS.com and on the multiple digital platforms described above through the CBS app. CBS Interactive also operates CBSN, a live digital streaming advertiser-supported news network available 24 hours a day, seven days a week which launched in November 2014. CBSN is available at CBSNews.com and through the CBS News app on multiple digital platforms, including Android, iOS and Windows 8 mobile platforms, and Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Xbox One connected device platforms. Through the CBS Audience Network™, the Company delivers video content from its digital properties and television, radio and affiliated stations under an advertiser-supported distribution model to third-party digital properties. The growing slate of the Company’s content available online includes full episodes, clips and highlights based on CBS, CBS Sports Network and Showtime Networks programming as well as original made-for-the-Web content.

CBS Films. CBS Films produces, acquires and distributes theatrical motion pictures across all genres. The budget for each picture is intended to be up to $50 million plus advertising and marketing costs at a level consistent with industry custom. The majority of motion pictures produced or acquired by CBS Films is intended for a wide, commercial theatrical release, similar to motion pictures typically produced and released by major studios. CBS Films’ theatrical releases in 2015 were The Duff and Love the Coopers. In 2016, CBS Films’ expected theatrical releases are Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life, The Price You Pay, The Sense of An Ending and Patriots Day.

In general, motion pictures produced or acquired by CBS Films are exhibited theatrically in the U.S. and internationally, followed by exploitation via home entertainment (including DVDs and Blu-ray Discs and electronic rental and sell-through), video-on-demand, pay-per-view, pay television, free television and basic cable, digital media outlets, including subscription video-on-demand, and, in some cases, other channels such as airlines and hotels. CBS Films exploits its motion pictures (including certain ancillary rights such as licensing and merchandising) and generates revenues in all media in the relevant release windows either directly, through affiliated CBS entities, or via third party distribution arrangements, including CBS Films’ multi-year agreement with Lions Gate Films, which was entered into in November 2014, for Lions Gate Films to distribute CBS Films’ new wide-release motion pictures in all media, except U.S. pay television.

Entertainment Competition.

Television Network. The television broadcast environment is highly competitive. The principal methods of competition in broadcast television are the development and acquisition of popular programming and the development of audience interest through programming and promotion, in order to sell advertising at profitable rates. Broadcast networks like CBS compete for audience, advertising revenues and programming with other broadcast networks, such as ABC, FOX, NBC, The CW and MyNetworkTV, independent television stations, cable program services, as well


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as other media, including DVDs and Blu‑ray Discs, digital program services, print and the Internet. In addition, the CBS Television Network competes with the other broadcast networks to secure affiliations with independently owned television stations in markets across the country which are necessary to ensure the effective distribution of network programming to a nationwide audience.

Television Production and Syndication. As a producer and distributor of programming, the Company competes with studios, television production groups, and independent producers and syndicators, such as Disney, Fox, NBCUniversal, Sony and Warner Bros., to produce and sell programming both domestically and internationally. The Company also competes to obtain creative talent and story properties which are essential to the success of all of the Company’s entertainment businesses.

CBS Interactive. CBS Interactive competes with a variety of online properties for users, advertisers, and partners, including the following: general purpose portals, such as AOL, MSN and Yahoo!, especially as these properties expand their content offerings; search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and Bing; online comparison shopping and retail properties, including Amazon.com; vertical content sites in the categories that CBS Interactive’s brands serve such as technology, gaming, music, news, business, food, and lifestyle focused digital properties; other content sites and apps, such as ESPN.com, HBO GO, Hulu and Netflix, as well as major television broadcast company digital properties and apps; and platforms such as blogs, podcasts and video properties. CBS Interactive also competes for users and advertisers with diversified media companies that provide both online and offline content, including magazines, cable television, network television, radio and newspapers.

CBS Films. Motion picture production and distribution is a highly competitive business. During the life cycle of the development and production of a motion picture project, CBS Films must compete for the rights to compelling underlying source material and talent such as writers, producers, directors, on-screen performers and other creative personnel. CBS Films must also compete with other buyers for the acquisition of third-party produced motion pictures. Once a motion picture is completed or acquired, CBS Films must compete with numerous other motion pictures produced and/or distributed by various studios and independent producers, including Paramount Pictures Corporation, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., Lions Gate Entertainment, The Weinstein Company, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and Lakeshore Entertainment Group, among others, for audience acceptance as well as limited exhibition outlets across all of the relevant release windows. In addition, the ultimate consumer has many options for entertainment other than motion pictures including video games, sports, travel, outdoor recreation, the Internet, and other cultural and computer-related activities.

Cable Networks (16%, 16% and 15% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 33%, 33% and 29% of the Company's total segment operating income in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)

The Cable Networks segment is composed of Showtime Networks, which operates the Company’s premium subscription program services, including a digital streaming subscription offering; CBS Sports Network, the Company’s cable network focused on college athletics and other sports; and Smithsonian Networks, a venture with Smithsonian Institution, which operates Smithsonian Channel and a digital streaming subscription service.

Showtime Networks. Showtime Networks owns and operates three commercial-free, premium subscription program services in the U.S.: Showtime, offering original series, recently released theatrical feature films, documentaries, boxing and other sports-related programming, and special events; The Movie Channel, offering recently released theatrical feature films and related programming; and Flix, offering theatrical feature films primarily from the last several decades; and a digital streaming subscription offering of the Showtime service which launched in July 2015. At December 31, 2015, Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix, in the aggregate, had approximately 77 million subscriptions in the U.S., certain U.S. territories and Bermuda.

Showtime Networks also owns and operates multiplexed channels of Showtime and The Movie Channel in the U.S., which offer additional and varied programming choices. Showtime Networks makes versions of Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix available “on demand,” enabling subscribers to watch individual programs at their


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convenience. Showtime Networks also makes available Showtime Anytime®, an authenticated version of Showtime, which can be accessed on computers via showtimeanytime.com™ or via certain Internet-connected devices through a Showtime Anytime app free of charge to Showtime subscribers as part of their Showtime subscription through participating Showtime Networks’ distributors. Through Showtime Anytime, Showtime subscribers can view on demand programming as well as the live telecast of the east and west coast feeds of Showtime. Showtime Networks additionally operates the Website SHO.com™ and various apps which promote Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix programming, and provide information and entertainment and other services. In July 2015, the Company launched its digital streaming subscription offering of the Showtime service for purchase by consumers without a traditional MVPD video subscription. This offering features current and classic original Showtime series, theatrical feature films, documentaries and sports-related programming, as well as the live east and west coast linear feeds of Showtime, and is available at showtime.com™, through the Showtime app on multiple digital platforms, including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast and Roku connected device platforms, and as an add-on subscription to Amazon Prime or Hulu services or via Sony’s PlayStation Vue’s cloud-based television service.

Showtime Networks derives revenue principally from the license of its program services to numerous MVPDs, with a substantial portion of such revenue coming from three of the largest such distributors. The costs of acquiring exhibition rights to programming and producing original series are the principal expenses of Showtime Networks. Showtime Networks enters into commitments to acquire rights, with an emphasis on acquiring exclusive rights for Showtime and The Movie Channel, from motion picture studios and other distributors typically covering the U.S. and Bermuda for varying durations, including exclusive motion picture output agreements with CBS Films, Buena Vista Pay Television, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (for certain DreamWorks motion pictures), Open Road Films, STX Entertainment and (for motion pictures theatrically released through 2015) The Weinstein Company. Showtime Networks’ original series telecast in 2015 included Homeland, Ray Donovan, Masters of Sex, The Affair, Penny Dreadful, Shameless, Nurse Jackie, House of Lies and Episodes, among others. Showtime Networks also telecast various sports-related programs, including Inside the NFL, 60 Minutes Sports and A Season With Notre Dame Football. Showtime Networks has entered into and may from time to time enter into co-financing, co-production and/or distribution arrangements with other parties to reduce the net cost to Showtime Networks for its original programming. In addition, Showtime Networks derives revenue by licensing rights it retains in certain of its original programming. The Company enters into licensing arrangements with television networks, Internet content distributors, such as Amazon and Netflix, and/or other media companies for the exhibition of certain Showtime original programming domestically and in various international territories. For example, the Company has entered into an output agreement with Bell Media Inc. in January 2015 for Canada, with Sky-affiliated entities in December 2015, for Austria, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the U.K., and with Stan Entertainment PTY Limited in January 2016 for Australia. Showtime Networks also produces and/or provides special events to licensees on a pay-per-view basis through Showtime PPV® such as Floyd Mayweather’s two championship boxing matches held in 2015, including his pay-per-view record-breaking match against Manny Pacquiao, in May 2015, co-produced by HBO PPV®.

Showtime Networks also owns a majority of and manages Smithsonian Networks, a venture with Smithsonian Institution, which operates Smithsonian Channel, a basic cable service in the U.S., featuring programs of a cultural, historical, scientific and educational nature. Smithsonian Networks offers a companion on-demand version, makes Smithsonian Channel content available on an authenticated basis to certain distributors in the U.S. and licenses Smithsonian Channel content outside of the U.S., including to Blue Ant Television Ltd. in connection with Smithsonian Channel in Canada. Smithsonian Networks also operates the Website SmithsonianChannel.com™ and various apps, which promote Smithsonian Channel programming and provide information and entertainment services. In November 2015, Smithsonian Networks launched Smithsonian Earth™, its digital streaming subscription service featuring original nature content, which is available to consumers without a traditional MVPD video subscription. Smithsonian Earth is available in ultra-high-definition resolution (4K) on multiple digital platforms, including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku connected device platforms.

CBS Sports Network. CBS Sports Network is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week cable program service that provides sports and related content, with a strong focus on college sports. The network televises over 580 live professional, amateur, semi-professional and collegiate events annually, highlighted by Division I college football, basketball, hockey and lacrosse, as well as professional bull riding (PBR), professional lacrosse (MLL), arena football


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(AFL) and various styles of motor sports events (including asphalt, dirt, and off road racing). In addition, the network showcases a variety of original programming, including documentaries, features and studio shows, highlighted by That Other Pre-Game Show (TOPS), NFL Monday QB, Inside College Basketball, Inside College Football, and a first of its kind all-female panel talk show, We Need to Talk, and a new live sports talk show, Time to Schein. CBS Sports Network also provides ancillary coverage for CBS Sports relating to major events, such as the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, Masters Tournament and PGA Championship, and for Showtime Networks relating to Showtime Championship Boxing. CBS Sports Network produces weekday simulcasts of the radio shows Boomer and Carton and The Doug Gottlieb Show. Further, CBS Sports Network televises a diverse slate of additional programming under the CBS Sports Spectacular™ brand, including mixed martial arts, skiing, bowling, surfing, boxing, horse racing, volleyball, cheerleading and skate boarding, among other events. CBS Sports Network had approximately 55 million subscribers as of December 31, 2015. The network derives its revenues from subscription fees and the sale of advertising. CBS Sports Network has secured carriage arrangements with the top MVPDs.

Cable Networks Competition.

Showtime Networks. Showtime Networks primarily competes with other providers of premium subscription program services in the U.S., including Home Box Office, Inc. and Starz, LLC. Competition among these premium subscription program services in the U.S. is dependent on: (i) the production, acquisition and packaging of original series and other original programming and the acquisition and packaging of an adequate number of recently released theatrical motion pictures; and (ii) the offering of prices, marketing and advertising support and other incentives to distributors for carriage so as to favorably position and package Showtime Networks’ premium subscription program services to subscribers. In addition, Showtime Networks competes with non-traditional subscription programming services delivered via the Internet, such as Amazon, Hulu and Netflix, for original programming, theatrical motion pictures and viewership. Showtime Networks also competes for programming, distribution and/or audiences with basic cable program services, broadcast television and other media, including video games and other Internet apps.

Smithsonian Networks competes for programming, distribution and/or audiences with non‑fiction and other basic cable program services, including Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel and History, as well as with broadcast television and other media.

CBS Sports Network. CBS Sports Network principally competes with cable programming services, including other sports‑oriented cable programming services, for distribution and license fee revenue among MVPDs, as well as for viewership and advertising revenue. The effects of consolidation among MVPDs and consumer pricing sensitivity have made it more difficult for niche channels to secure broad distribution in mainstream programming packages. In addition, the largest cable providers have created sports tiers for sports programming services which have not, in many cases, achieved significant subscriber penetration or acceptance. CBS Sports Network continues its repositioning to be included in programming packages with more subscribers. Re-alignment of college athletic conferences and their member institutions may adversely impact CBS Sports Network’s programming arrangements. CBS Sports Network also competes with cable programming services generally, including other sports programming services, such as ESPN, FOX Sports Networks and NBC Sports Network, in acquiring the television and multimedia rights to sporting events, resulting in increased rights fees and increased production expenses.

The terms and favorable renewal of agreements with distributors for the distribution of the Company’s subscription program services are important to the Company. The effects of consolidation among MVPDs and other marketplace factors make it more difficult to reach and maintain favorable terms and positioning and could have an adverse effect on revenues.

Publishing (6% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 4%, 3% and 3% of the Company's total segment operating income in each of 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)

The Publishing segment consists of Simon & Schuster, which publishes and distributes consumer books in the U.S. and internationally.



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Simon & Schuster publishes and distributes adult and children’s consumer books in printed, digital and audio formats in the U.S. and internationally. Its digital formats include electronic books, and audio books. Simon & Schuster’s major adult imprints include Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Touchstone, Threshold Editions™ and Howard Books®. Simon & Schuster’s major children’s imprints include Simon Pulse®, Aladdin®, Atheneum Books for Young Readers®, Margaret K. McElderry Books™, Saga Press™ and Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers™. Simon & Schuster also develops special imprints and publishes titles based on the products of certain CBS businesses as well as that of third parties and distributes products for other publishers. Simon & Schuster distributes its products directly and through third parties. Simon & Schuster also delivers content and promotes its products on its own Websites, social media, general Internet sites as well as those dedicated to individual titles. Its created assets include online videos showcasing Simon & Schuster authors and new releases on AOL, Scripps Lifestyle Networks, SimonandSchuster.com, YouTube and other sites as well as online video courses led by authors made available for sale to consumers. International publishing includes the international distribution of English-language titles through Simon & Schuster UK, Simon & Schuster Canada, Simon & Schuster Australia, Simon & Schuster India and other distributors, as well as the publication of locally originated titles by its international companies.

In 2015, Simon & Schuster published 249 New York Times bestsellers in hardcover, paperback and electronic formats, collectively, including 32 New York Times #1 bestsellers. Best-selling titles in 2015 include The Wright Brothers by David McCullough, Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King and ongoing sales of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning 2014 release, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Bestselling children’s titles from Simon & Schuster include Dork Diaries 10 by Rachel Renée Russell, Rush Revere and the Star-Spangled Banner by Rush Limbaugh and Kathryn Adams Limbaugh and Michael Vey 5 by Richard Paul Evans. Simon & Schuster Digital™, through SimonandSchuster.com, publishes original content, builds reader communities and promotes and sells Simon & Schuster’s books over the Internet.

The consumer publishing marketplace is subject to increased periods of demand in the summer months and during the end‑of‑year holiday season. Major new title releases represent a significant portion of Simon & Schuster’s sales throughout the year. Simon & Schuster’s top two accounts drive a significant portion of its annual revenue. Consumer print books are generally sold on a fully returnable basis, resulting in the return of unsold books. In the domestic and international markets, the Company is subject to global trends and local economic conditions. In 2015, the sale of digital content represented approximately 25% of Simon & Schuster’s revenues. The Company expects that electronic books will continue to represent a significant portion of Simon & Schuster revenues in the coming years.

Publishing Competition. The consumer publishing business is highly competitive and has been affected over the years by consolidation trends and electronic distribution methods and models. Mass merchandisers and on‑line retailers are significant factors in the industry contributing to the general trend toward consolidation in the retail channel. The growth of the electronic book market has impacted print book retailers and wholesalers and could result in a reduction of these channels for the sales and marketing of the Company’s books. In addition, unfavorable economic conditions and competition may adversely affect book retailers’ operations, including distribution of the Company’s books. The Company must compete with other larger publishers, such as Penguin Random House, Hachette and HarperCollins, for the rights to works by authors and sales to retailers and customers. Competition is particularly strong for well‑known authors and public personalities. In addition, technological changes have made it increasingly possible for authors to self‑publish and have led to the development of new digital distribution models in which the Company’s books must compete with the availability of both a larger volume of books as well as non‑book content.

Local Broadcasting (19%, 20% and 19% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 27%, 30% and 27% of the Company's total segment operating income in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)

The Local Broadcasting segment is composed of CBS Television Stations, the Company’s 30 owned broadcast television stations, and CBS Radio, through which the Company owns and operates 117 radio stations in 26 U.S. markets and related online properties. The Company operates local digital properties in major U.S. markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Dallas, which combine the Company’s television and radio local


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media brands online to provide the latest news, traffic, weather, and sports information as well as local discounts, directories and reviews to serve the local community.

CBS Television Stations. The Company owns 30 broadcast television stations through its CBS Television Stations group, all of which operate under licenses granted by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”). The licenses are renewable every eight years. The Company’s television stations are located in the 6 largest, and 15 of the top 20, television markets in the U.S. The Company owns multiple television stations within the same designated market area (“DMA”) in 10 major markets. These multiple station markets are: New York (market #1), Los Angeles (market #2), Philadelphia (market #4), Dallas-Fort Worth (market #5), San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose (market #6), Boston (market #8), Detroit (market #13), Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (market #16), Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto (market #20), and Pittsburgh (market #23). This group of television stations enables the Company to reach a wide audience within and across geographically diverse markets in the U.S. The stations produce news and broadcast public affairs, sports and other programming to serve their local markets and offer CBS, The CW or MyNetworkTV programming and syndicated programming. The CBS Television Stations group principally derives its revenues from the sale of advertising time on its television stations. In addition, the CBS Television Stations group receives retransmission fees from MVPDs for authorizing the MVPDs’ carriage of the Company’s owned television stations. The Company’s television station Websites, many of which are combined with certain Websites of the Company’s radio stations in co-located markets, are operated by CBS Local Digital Media™ and promote the stations’ programming as well as provide news, information, entertainment, and other services. These Websites principally derive revenues from the sale of advertising. The “Television Stations, Radio Stations and CBS Local Digital Media Websites” table below includes information with respect to certain of these properties within top U.S. television markets and radio markets. In October 2014, the Company launched CBS All Access, a digital streaming subscription service offering an extensive on-demand selection of CBS Television Network content as well as the ability to stream live programming from local CBS Television Stations. CBS All Access is available at CBS.com and through the CBS app on multiple digital platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows 8 and 10 mobile platforms, and Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Xbox connected device platforms. In 2015, CBS Television Stations and Weigel Broadcasting launched DECADES™, a national entertainment program service featuring classic television content, movies and original programming for local television stations’ digital sub-channels, which utilize a local television station's available broadcast spectrum to provide a companion to that station's primary channel.

CBS Radio. The Company’s radio broadcasting business operates through CBS Radio, one of the largest operators of radio stations in the U.S. CBS Radio owns and operates 117 radio stations serving 26 U.S. markets as of February 9, 2016. Virtually all of the Company’s owned and operated radio stations are located in the 50 largest U.S. radio markets and approximately 77% in the 25 largest U.S. radio markets. The Company’s strategy generally is to operate radio stations in the largest markets and take advantage of the Company’s ability to sell advertising across multiple markets and formats. The Company believes that it is favorably impacted by offering radio and television platforms in large markets.

CBS Radio’s geographically dispersed stations serve diverse target demographics through a broad range of formats, such as rock, classic hits/oldies, all‑news, talk, Spanish language, adult contemporary, top 40/contemporary hit radio, urban, sports and country. In addition, CBS Radio has established leading news, sports and personality-driven programming. This diversity provides advertisers with the convenience of selecting stations to reach a targeted demographic or groups of stations to reach broad groups of consumers within and across markets and also reduces the Company’s dependence on any single station, local economy, format or advertiser. At the same time, CBS Radio maintains substantial diversity in most markets where its stations operate so that its stations appeal to several demographic groups. CBS Radio’s general programming strategies include employing popular on-air talent, some of whose broadcasts may be syndicated by CBS Radio using third parties, broadcasting third party syndicated programming , acquiring the rights to broadcast sports play‑by‑play and producing and acquiring news content. The overall mix of each radio station’s programming lineup is designed to fit the station’s specific format and serve its local community.



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The majority of CBS Radio’s revenues are generated from the sale of local and national advertising. The major categories of radio advertisers include automotive, retail, healthcare, telecommunications, insurance, fast food, beverage, movies and entertainment. CBS Radio is able to use the reach, diversity and branding of its radio stations to create unique division‑wide marketing and promotional initiatives for major national advertisers. Advertising expenditures by advertisers fluctuate, which has an effect on CBS Radio’s revenues.

The Company’s radio station Websites, many of which are combined with certain of the Company’s television station Websites in co‑located markets, are operated by CBS Local Digital Media and promote and stream simultaneously the stations’ programming as well as provide news, information and entertainment, and other services. Radio station programming is also streamed live on the Company's Radio.com™ Website and CBS Local apps. The “Television Stations, Radio Stations and CBS Local Digital Media Websites” table below includes information with respect to certain of these properties within top U.S. television markets and radio markets. Also, CBS Local Digital Media operates Websites for the Company's music radio stations. All of these Websites principally derive revenues from the sale of advertising. CBS Radio is one of the most listened to online radio providers according to Triton Digital’s monthly Top 20 Ranker for December 2015.

CBS Sports Radio Network™ provides national sports programming to affiliated radio stations up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The network has more than 300 affiliates across the U.S. and in Canada, including radio stations in all of the top 10 U.S. radio markets. Cumulus Media, as CBS Sports Radio Network's exclusive syndicator, is responsible for securing radio station affiliates and for the network's advertising sales.

Local Broadcasting Competition.

CBS Television Stations. Television stations compete for programming, on‑air talent, audiences and advertising revenues with other stations and cable networks in their respective coverage areas and, in some cases, with respect to programming, with other station groups, and, in the case of advertising revenues, with other local and national media. The owned and operated television stations’ competitive position is largely influenced by the quality of the syndicated programs and local news programs in time periods not programmed by the network; the strength of the CBS Television Network programming and, in particular, the viewership of the CBS Television Network in the time period immediately prior to the late evening news; and in some cases, by the quality of the broadcast signal.

CBS Radio. The Company’s radio stations directly compete within their respective markets for audience, advertising revenues and programming with other radio stations, including those owned by other group owners such as Cumulus Media Inc., Emmis Communications Corporation, Entercom Communications Corp., iHeartMedia, Inc. and Radio One, Inc. The Company’s radio stations, including their Internet and streaming activities, also compete with other media, such as broadcast, cable and DBS television, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, and the Internet, including services such as Pandora, Spotify and Rhapsody. The radio industry is also subject to competition from Sirius XM Holdings Inc., which provides digital audio services to subscribers.

The Company’s television and radio stations face increasing competition from technologies such as audio and visual content delivered via the Internet, which create new ways for individuals to watch programming and listen to music and other content of their choosing while avoiding traditional commercial advertisements. Also, an increasingly broad adoption by consumers of portable digital devices could affect the ability of the Company’s television and radio stations to attract audiences and advertisers.

Aggregate total revenues for the Company’s radio stations for 2015 were ranked #1 or #2 in four of the top five U.S. markets by metro area population (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco), according to the 2015 Market Total Revenues Performance Summary of Miller Kaplan Arase LLP.





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Television Stations, Radio Stations and CBS Local Digital Media Websites
The following table sets forth information with regard to the Company’s owned television stations, radio stations and related CBS Local Digital Media Websites, as of February 9, 2016, within top U.S. television and radio markets:
 
 
Television
 
Radio
 
CBS Local Digital Media(1)
Market and Market Rank(2)
 
Stations
Type
Network
Affiliation
 
Stations
AM/
FM
Format
 
Websites
New York, NY
 
WCBS‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
WCBS
AM
News
 
newyork.cbslocal.com
 
 
WLNY‑TV
UHF
Independent
 
WCBS
FM
Classic Hits
 
 
#1—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WFAN
AM
Sports
 
 
#1—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
WFAN
FM
Sports
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WINS
AM
News
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WBMP
FM
Top 40
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WWFS
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Los Angeles, CA(3)
 
KCAL‑TV
VHF
Independent
 
KAMP
FM
Top 40
 
losangeles.cbslocal.com
 
 
KCBS‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
KCBS
FM
Adult Hits
 
 
#2—Television
 
 
 
 
 
KNX
AM
News
 
 
#2—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
KROQ
FM
Alternative
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KRTH
FM
Classic Hits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KTWV
FM
Smooth Adult Contemporary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chicago, IL
 
WBBM‑TV
VHF
CBS
 
WBBM
AM
News
 
chicago.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
WBBM
FM
Top 40
 
 
#3—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WCFS
FM
News
 
 
#3—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
WJMK
FM
Classic Hits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WSCR
AM
Sports
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WUSN
FM
Country
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WXRT
FM
Adult Alternative
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Philadelphia, PA
 
KYW‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
KYW
AM
News
 
philadelphia.cbslocal.com
 
 
WPSG‑TV
UHF
The CW
 
WIP
FM
Sports
 
 
#4—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WOGL
FM
Classic Hits
 
 
#9—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
WPHT
AM
News/Talk
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WZMP
FM
Top 40
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WXTU
FM
Country
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dallas‑Fort Worth, TX
 
KTVT‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
KJKK
FM
Adult Hits
 
dfw.cbslocal.com
 
 
KTXA‑TV
UHF
Independent
 
KLUV
FM
Classic Hits
 
 
#5—Television
 
 
 
 
 
KMVK
FM
Spanish
 
 
#5—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
KRLD
AM
News
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KRLD
FM
Sports
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KVIL
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
San Francisco, CA
 
KPIX‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
KCBS
AM
News
 
sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com
 
 
KBCW‑TV
UHF
The CW
 
KFRC
FM
News
 
 
#6—Television
 
 
 
 
 
KITS
FM
Alternative
 
 
#4—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
KLLC
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KMVQ
FM
Top 40
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KZDG(4)
AM
Indian Talk/Music
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Washington, D.C.
 
 
 
 
 
WIAD
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
washington.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
WJFK
AM
Sports
 
 
#7—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WJFK
FM
Sports
 
 
#7—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
WLZL
FM
Spanish
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WNEW(5)
FM
BusinessNews/Talk
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WPGC
FM
Rhythmic Top 40
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Boston, MA
 
WBZ‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
WBMX
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
boston.cbslocal.com
 
 
WSBK‑TV
UHF
MyNetworkTV
 
WBZ
AM
News
 
 
#8—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WBZ
FM
Sports
 
 
#10—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
WODS
FM
Top 40
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WZLX
FM
Classic Rock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Atlanta, GA
 
WUPA‑TV
UHF
The CW
 
WAOK
AM
News/Talk
 
atlanta.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
WVEE
FM
Urban
 
 
#9—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WZGC
FM
Sports
 
 
#8—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Television
 
Radio
 
CBS Local Digital Media(1)
Market and Market Rank(2)
 
Stations
Type
Network
Affiliation
 
Stations
AM/
FM
Format
 
Websites
Houston, TX
 
 
 
 
 
KHMX
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
houston.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
KIKK
AM
Sports
 
 
#10—Television
 
 
 
 
 
KILT
AM
Sports
 
 
#6—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
KILT
FM
Country
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KKHH
FM
Top 40
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KLOL
FM
Spanish
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tampa‑St. Petersburg, FL
 
WTOG‑TV
UHF
The CW
 
 
 
 
 
tampa.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#11—Television
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#19—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Phoenix, AZ
 
 
 
 
 
KMLE
FM
Country
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KOOL
FM
Classic Hits
 
 
#12—Television
 
 
 
 
 
KZON
FM
Top 40
 
 
#14—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Detroit, MI
 
WKBD‑TV
UHF
The CW
 
WDZH
FM
Top 40
 
detroit.cbslocal.com
 
 
WWJ‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
WOMC
FM
Classic Hits
 
 
#13—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WWJ
AM
News
 
 
#12—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
WXYT
AM
Sports
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WXYT
FM
Sports
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WYCD
FM
Country
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seattle‑Tacoma, WA
 
KSTW‑TV
VHF
The CW
 
KFNQ
AM
Sports
 
seattle.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
KJAQ
FM
Adult Hits
 
 
#14—Television
 
 
 
 
 
KMPS
FM
Country
 
 
#13—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
KZOK
FM
Classic Rock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minneapolis, MN
 
WCCO‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
KMNB
FM
Country
 
minnesota.cbslocal.com
 
 
KCCO‑TV(6)
VHF
CBS
 
KZJK
FM
Adult Hits
 
 
#15—Television
 
KCCW‑TV(7)
VHF
CBS
 
WCCO
AM
News/Talk
 
 
#16—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL
 
WFOR‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
WKIS
FM
Country
 
miami.cbslocal.com

 
WBFS‑TV
UHF
MyNetworkTV
 
WPOW
FM
Top 40
 
 
#16—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WQAM
AM
Sports
 
 
#11—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denver, CO
 
KCNC‑TV
UHF
CBS
 
 
 
 
 
denver.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#17—Television
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#18—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cleveland, OH
 
 
 
 
 
WDOK
FM
Adult Contemporary
 
cleveland.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
WKRK
FM
Sports
 
 
#18—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WNCX
FM
Classic Rock
 
 
#32—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
WQAL
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Orlando, FL
 
 
 
 
 
WQMP
FM
Top 40
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WOCL
FM
Classic Hits
 
 
#19—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WOMX
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
 
#33—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sacramento, CA
 
KOVR-TV
UHF
CBS
 
KHTK
AM
Sports
 
sacramento.cbslocal.com
 
 
KMAX-TV
UHF
The CW
 
KNCI
FM
Country
 
 
#20—Television
 
 
 
 
 
KSFM
FM
Rhythmic Top 40
 
 
#28—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
KYMX
FM
Adult Contemporary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KZZO
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
St. Louis, MO
 
 
 
 
 
KEZK
FM
Adult Contemporary
 
stlouis.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
KMOX
AM
News/Talk
 
 
#21—Television
 
 
 
 
 
KYKY
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
 
#22—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pittsburgh, PA
 
KDKA-TV
UHF
CBS
 
KDKA
AM
News/Talk
 
pittsburgh.cbslocal.com
 
 
WPCW-TV
VHF
The CW
 
KDKA
FM
Sports
 
 
#23—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WBZZ
FM
Hot Adult Contemporary
 
 
#26—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
WDSY
FM
Country
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baltimore, MD
 
WJZ‑TV
VHF
CBS
 
WJZ
AM
Sports
 
baltimore.cbslocal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
WJZ
FM
Sports
 
 
#26—Television
 
 
 
 
 
WLIF
FM
Adult Contemporary
 
 
#21—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
WWMX
FM
Top 40
 
 


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Television
 
Radio
 
CBS Local Digital Media(1)
Market and Market Rank(2)
 
Stations
Type
Network
Affiliation
 
Stations
AM/
FM
Format
 
Websites
Indianapolis, IN
 
WBXI-CA(8)
UHF
Independent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#27—Television
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#38—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
San Diego, CA
 
 
 
 
 
KEGY
FM
Top 40
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KYXY
FM
Adult Contemporary
 
 
#28—Television
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#17—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Riverside-San Bernardino, CA
 
 
 
 
 
KFRG
FM
Country
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KRAK
AM
Sports
 
 
#25—Radio
 
 
 
 
 
KVFG
FM
Classic Hits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KXFG
FM
Country
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
The CBS Local Digital Media group operates the Websites of the Company’s television stations and radio stations. Many of these Websites are combined for the television stations and non-music radio stations in co-located markets. The Websites provide news, information, entertainment, as well as other services, and promote stations’ programming.
(2)
Television market (DMA) rankings based on Nielsen Media Research Local Market Universe Estimates, September 2015. Radio market (DMA) rankings based on Nielsen Audio Radio Market Survey, Fall 2015.
(3)
As required by the FCC, the Company assigned KFWB-AM to a divestiture trust. The Company is a beneficiary of the trust. The trustee is operating the radio station and is responsible for selling the radio station to a third party. An agreement to sell the radio station has been executed and an application to obtain the FCC's consent to the proposed sale is pending. (See “CBS Business Segments—Regulation—Broadcasting—Ownership Regulation—Radio‑Television Cross‑Ownership Rule”).
(4)
KZDG-AM in San Francisco, California, is programmed by a third party through a time brokerage agreement.
(5)
WNEW-FM in Washington, D.C., is programmed by a third party through a time brokerage agreement.
(6)
KCCO-TV is operated as a satellite station of WCCO-TV.
(7)
KCCW-TV is operated as a satellite station of WCCO-TV.
(8)
WBXI-CA is a Class A low power television station. Class A low power television stations do not implicate the FCC’s ownership rules.

REGULATION

The Company’s businesses are either subject to or affected by regulations of federal, state and local governmental authorities in the U.S. and of national, regional and local authorities in foreign countries. The rules, regulations, policies and procedures affecting these businesses are subject to change. The descriptions which follow are summaries and should be read in conjunction with the texts of the statutes, rules and regulations described herein. The descriptions do not purport to describe all present and proposed statutes, rules and regulations affecting the Company’s businesses.

Intellectual Property and Privacy

Laws affecting intellectual property are of significant importance to the Company. (See “Intellectual Property” on page I-18 for more information on the Company’s brands).

Unauthorized Distribution of Copyrighted Content and Piracy. Unauthorized distribution, reproduction or display of copyrighted material in digital formats without regard to content owners’ copyright rights in television programming, motion pictures, clips and books, such as through pirated DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, unauthorized stored copies and live streaming, Internet downloads, file “sharing” and peer-to-peer services, is a threat to copyright owners’ ability to protect and exploit their property. The Company’s digital delivery services and commercial arrangements with digital content providers help reduce the risks associated with unauthorized access to its content. The Company is also engaged in enforcement and other activities to protect its intellectual property and participates in various litigation, public relations programs and legislative activity.

Copyright Law and Content. The Company derives revenues from the creation and exploitation of creative content, for which the copyright law grants certain exclusive rights, including to reproduce, publicly perform and distribute. The duration of the protection afforded to the Company’s intellectual property depends on the type of property and the laws and regulations of the relevant jurisdiction. In the U.S., the copyright term for authored works is the life of the author plus 70 years. For works made for hire, the copyright term is the shorter of 95 years from the


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first publication or 120 years from creation. Any changes to copyright laws, including through court decisions, which diminish the scope of a copyright owner’s exclusive rights, could impact the Company.

Privacy. The laws and regulations governing the collection, use and transfer of consumer information are complex and rapidly evolving, particularly as they relate to the Company’s interactive businesses. The Company monitors and considers these laws and regulations in the design and operation of its Websites, digital content services and legal and regulatory compliance programs.

Broadcasting

General. Television and radio broadcasting are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC pursuant to the Communications Act. The Communications Act empowers the FCC, among other actions, to issue, renew, revoke and modify broadcasting licenses; determine stations’ frequencies, locations and operating power; regulate some of the equipment used by stations; adopt other regulations to carry out the provisions of the Communications Act and other laws, including requirements affecting the content of broadcasts; and to impose penalties for violation of its regulations, including monetary forfeitures, short-term renewal of licenses and, in egregious cases, license revocation or denial of license renewals.

Under the Communications Act, the FCC also regulates certain aspects of the operation of MVPDs and certain other electronic media that compete with broadcast stations.

Indecency and Profanity Regulation. The FCC’s rules prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and indecent or profane material between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Broadcasters risk violating the prohibition against broadcasting indecent or profane material because the vagueness of the FCC’s indecency/profanity definition makes it difficult to apply, particularly with respect to spontaneous, live programming. The FCC’s maximum forfeiture penalty per station for broadcasting indecent or profane programming is $325,000 per indecent or profane utterance with a maximum forfeiture exposure of $3 million for any continuing violation arising from a single act or failure to act. The Company has been involved in litigation and, from time to time, has received and may receive in the future letters of inquiry from the FCC prompted by complaints alleging that certain programming on its broadcast stations included indecent or profane material.

License Renewals. Radio and television broadcast licenses are typically granted for standard terms of eight years. The Communications Act requires the FCC to renew a broadcast license if the FCC finds that the station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity and, with respect to the station, there have been no serious violations by the licensee of either the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules and regulations and there have been no other violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules and regulations that, taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse. The Company has a number of pending renewal applications. A station remains authorized to operate while its license renewal application is pending.

License Assignments. The Communications Act requires prior FCC approval for the assignment of a license or transfer of control of an FCC licensee. Third parties may oppose the Company’s applications to assign, transfer or acquire broadcast licenses.

Ownership Regulation. The Communications Act and FCC rules and regulations limit the ability of individuals and entities to have an official position or ownership interest, known as an “attributable” interest, above specific levels in broadcast stations as well as in other specified mass media entities. In seeking FCC approval for the acquisition of a broadcast radio or television station license, the acquiring person or entity must demonstrate that the acquisition complies with the FCC’s ownership rules or that a waiver of the rules is in the public interest.

The FCC adopted a notice of proposed rule‑making (“NPRM”) in its latest quadrennial review of broadcast ownership rules in April 2014, which incorporates the record of the FCC’s prior review of broadcast ownership rules, which started in December 2011. The FCC’s current ownership rules, certain proposed changes by and items for which the FCC is seeking comments under the ownership NPRM, are briefly summarized below.


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Local Radio Ownership. The FCC’s local radio ownership rule applies in all markets where the Company owns radio stations. Under that rule, one party may own up to eight radio stations in the largest markets, no more than five of which may be either AM or FM. With a few exceptions, the rule permits the common ownership of 8 radio stations in the top 50 markets, where CBS Radio has significant holdings.

Local Television Ownership. Under the FCC’s local television ownership rule, one party may own up to two television stations in the same DMA, so long as at least one of the two stations is not among the top-four ranked stations in the market based on audience share as of the date an application for approval of an acquisition is filed with the FCC, and at least eight independently owned and operating full-power television stations remain in the market following the acquisition of the second television station. The NPRM proposes to modify the local television station ownership rule to prohibit transactions involving the sale or swap of network affiliations between same-market television stations that result in an entity holding an attributable interest in two top-four ranked television stations. Further, without regard to the number of remaining independently owned television stations, the rule permits the ownership of more than one television station within the same DMA so long as certain signal contours of the stations involved do not overlap. “Satellite” television stations that simply rebroadcast the programming of a “parent” television station are exempt from the local television ownership rule if located in the same DMA as the “parent” station.

Television National Audience Reach Limitation. Under the FCC’s national television ownership rule, one party may not own television stations which reach more than 39% of all U.S. television households. For purposes of calculating the total number of television households reached by a station, the FCC attributes a UHF television station with only 50% of the television households in its market. In September 2013, the FCC adopted a notice of proposed rule‑making to eliminate the UHF discount, which remains pending. The Company currently owns and operates television stations that reach approximately 38% of all U.S. television households but for purposes of the national ownership limitation, the Company’s reach is less than this amount applying the UHF discount in accordance with the FCC’s methodology.

Radio-Television Cross-Ownership Rule. The radio-television cross-ownership rule limits the common ownership of radio and television stations in the same market. The numeric limit varies according to the number of independent media voices in the market. The Company owns a combination of radio and television stations in the Los Angeles market in excess of the limit. As required by the FCC, the Company assigned radio station KFWB-AM in Los Angeles to a divestiture trust. The Company is a beneficiary of the trust. The trustee is operating the radio station and is responsible for selling the radio station to a third party. An agreement to sell the radio station has been executed and an application to obtain the FCC's consent to the proposed sale is pending. This radio station sale would bring the Company into compliance with this cross-ownership rule.

Newspaper-Broadcast Cross-Ownership. The newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership rule prohibits the common ownership of a radio or television station and daily newspaper in the same market absent a waiver by the FCC. As part of its NPRM, the FCC seeks comment on: (1) whether the restriction on newspaper-radio cross-ownership should be eliminated, and (2) a rule that would presume a waiver of the restriction on newspaper-television cross-ownership to be consistent with the public interest if a daily newspaper sought to combine with a full-power commercial television station in the same top 20 television market, and (a) the television station is not ranked among the top four television stations in the market and (b) at least eight independently owned and operated “major media voices” would remain in the market after the combination.

Dual Network Rule. The dual network rule prohibits any of the four major networks, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, from combining.

Attribution of Ownership. Under the FCC’s attribution rules, a direct or indirect purchaser of various types of securities of an entity which holds FCC licenses, such as the Company, could violate the foregoing FCC ownership regulations or policies if that purchaser owned or acquired an “attributable” interest in other media properties. Under


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the FCC’s rules, an “attributable” interest for purposes of the FCC’s broadcast ownership rules generally includes: equity and debt interests which combined exceed 33% of a licensee’s total assets, if the interest holder supplies more than 15% of the licensee’s total weekly programming, or has an attributable same-market media interest, whether television, radio, cable or newspaper; a 5% or greater direct or indirect voting stock interest, including certain interests held in trust, unless the holder is a qualified passive investor in which case the threshold is a 20% or greater voting stock interest; any equity interest in a limited liability company or a partnership, including a limited partnership, unless the interest holder is properly “insulated” from management activities; and any position as an officer or director of a licensee or of its direct or indirect parent. The FCC is reviewing its single majority voting shareholder attribution exemption, which renders as non‑attributable voting interests up to 49% in a licensee controlled by a single majority voting shareholder. Because NAI holds an attributable interest in both the Company and Viacom Inc., the business of each company is attributable to the other for certain FCC purposes, which may have the effect of limiting and affecting the activities, strategic business alternatives and business terms available to the Company. (See Item 1A. “Risk Factors—The Businesses of the Company and Viacom Inc. Will Be Attributable to the Other Company for Certain Regulatory Purposes, Which May Limit Business Opportunities”).

Alien Ownership. In general, the Communications Act prohibits foreign individuals or entities from owning more than 25% of the voting power or equity of the Company. In November 2013, the FCC provided additional information regarding its case-by-case review process for applications that propose foreign ownership that exceed such 25% threshold and, in October 2015, the FCC issued an NPRM proposing to simplify the process to obtain FCC consent to exceed the 25% threshold.

Cable and Satellite Carriage of Television Broadcast Stations. The 1992 Cable Act and implementing FCC regulations govern the retransmission of commercial television stations by cable television operators. Every three years, a television station must elect, with respect to cable systems within its DMA, either “must carry” status, pursuant to which the cable system’s carriage of the station is mandatory, or “retransmission consent,” pursuant to which the station gives up its right to mandatory carriage and secures instead the right to negotiate consideration in return for consenting to carriage. The Company’s owned television stations have elected the retransmission consent option in substantially all cases, and, since 2006, the Company has implemented a systematic process of seeking monetary consideration for its retransmission consent.

Similarly, federal legislation and FCC rules govern the retransmission of broadcast television stations by DBS operators. DBS operators are required to carry the signals of all local television broadcast stations requesting carriage in local markets in which the DBS operator carries at least one signal pursuant to the statutory local-to-local compulsory copyright license. Every three years, each television station in such markets must elect “must carry” or “retransmission consent” status, in a manner similar to that described above with respect to cable systems. The Company’s owned and operated television stations are being transmitted into their local markets by the two major DBS operators pursuant to retransmission consent agreements.

Children’s Television Programming. Federal legislation and FCC rules limit the amount and content of commercial matter that may be shown on television stations during programming designed for children 12 years of age and younger, and require stations to broadcast on their main program stream three hours per week of educational and informational programming (“E/I programming”) designed for children 16 years of age and younger. FCC rules also impose E/I programming requirements on each additional digital multicast program stream transmitted by television stations, with the requirement increasing in proportion to the additional hours of free programming offered on multicast channels. These rules also limit the display during children’s programming of Internet addresses of Websites that contain or link to commercial material or that use program characters to sell products.

Program Access. Under the Communications Act, vertically integrated cable programmers (more fully described below) are generally prohibited from offering different prices, terms or conditions for programming to competing MVPDs unless the differential is justified by certain permissible factors set forth in the FCC’s regulations. Until 2012, the FCC’s “program access” rules also generally prohibited vertically integrated cable programmers from entering into exclusive distribution arrangements with cable operators. The FCC continues to assess the competitive impact of such individual exclusive contracts. A cable programmer is considered to be vertically integrated under the FCC’s


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program access attribution rules if it owns or is owned by a cable operator in whole or in part. Cable operators for this purpose may include telephone companies that provide video programming directly to subscribers.

The Company’s wholly owned program services are not currently subject to the program access rules. The Company’s flexibility to negotiate the most favorable terms available for carriage of these services and its ability to offer cable operators exclusive programming could be adversely affected if it were to become subject to the program access rules. Because the Company and Viacom Inc. are under common control by NAI, Viacom Inc.’s businesses could be attributable to the Company for purposes of the FCC’s program access rules. (See Item 1A. “Risk Factors—The Businesses of the Company and Viacom Inc. Will Be Attributable to the Other Company for Certain Regulatory Purposes, Which May Limit Business Opportunities”).

National Broadband Plan. In response to the FCC’s March 2010 National Broadband Plan, which seeks to provide affordable broadband access throughout the U.S., Congress passed legislation in February 2012 authorizing the FCC to conduct voluntary auctions to reclaim spectrum utilized by broadcast television stations to provide additional spectrum for wireless broadband services. The television stations that continue their operations may have to change channels once the FCC “repacks” the remaining spectrum dedicated to broadcast television use after the auction. The legislation provides that the FCC will assist television stations in retaining their current coverage areas, no UHF band stations will be forced into the VHF band and a fund will be established to reimburse broadcasters for reasonable relocation expenses relating to the spectrum‑repacking. The FCC has established the rules by which the auction, which is scheduled to occur in 2016, will be conducted.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Company creates, owns, distributes and exploits under licenses intellectual property worldwide. It is the Company’s practice to protect its products, including its television, radio and motion picture products, characters, publications and other original and acquired works and audiovisual works made for digital exploitation. The following logos, trade names, trademarks and related trademark families are among those strongly identified with the product lines they represent and are significant assets of the Company: CBS®, CBS Entertainment™, CBS News®, CBS Sports®, CBSSports.com®, CBS All Access®, CBSN®, CNET®, CBS Radio®, Showtime®, Showtime Anytime®, The Movie Channel®, Flix®, CBS Films®, CBS Audience Network®, TV.com™, Last.fm®, MetroLyrics®, CSI:®, NCIS®, Entertainment Tonight®, Star Trek®, Simon & Schuster®, CBS Sports Network®, CBS Interactive™ and all the call letters for the Company’s television and radio stations. As a result, domestic and foreign laws protecting intellectual property rights are important to the Company and the Company actively enforces its intellectual property rights against infringements.

EMPLOYEES

At December 31, 2015, the Company employed approximately 16,260 full-time and part-time salaried employees and had approximately 5,640 additional project-based staff.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT SEGMENTS AND FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS

Financial and other information by segment and relating to foreign and domestic operations for each of the last three years ending December 31 is set forth in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

CBS Corp. makes available free of charge on its Website, www.cbscorporation.com (Investors section), its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such material is made available through the Company’s Website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents are also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Website at www.sec.gov.


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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD‑LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document, including “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition,” and the documents incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K, contain both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather reflect the Company’s current expectations concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “may,” “could” or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe the Company’s objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be different from any future results, performance and achievements expressed or implied by these statements. More information about these risks, uncertainties and other factors is set forth below. Additional risks, uncertainties and other factors may be described in the Company’s news releases and other filings made under the securities laws. There may be additional risks, uncertainties and factors that the Company does not currently view as material or that are not necessarily known. The forward-looking statements included in this document are only made as of the date of this document and the Company does not have any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

RISK FACTORS

For an enterprise as large and complex as the Company, a wide range of factors could affect our business and financial results. The factors described below are considered to be the most significant. There may be other currently unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on the Company’s future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. The following discussion of risk factors should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K.

A Decline in Advertising Expenditures Could Cause the Company’s Revenues and Operating Results to Decline Significantly in Any Given Period or in Specific Markets

The Company derives substantial revenues from the sale of advertising on its broadcast and basic cable networks, television stations, radio stations, syndicated programming, and digital properties. A decline in the economic prospects of advertisers, the economy in general or the economy of any individual geographic market, particularly a major market, such as Los Angeles, New York or Chicago, in which the Company owns and operates sizeable businesses, could alter current or prospective advertisers’ spending priorities. Natural and other disasters, acts of terrorism, political uncertainty or hostilities could lead to a reduction in advertising expenditures as a result of disrupted programming and services, uninterrupted news coverage and economic uncertainty. Advertising expenditures may also be affected by increasing competition for the leisure time of audiences. In addition, advertising expenditures by companies in certain sectors of the economy, including the automotive, financial and pharmaceutical segments, represent a significant portion of the Company’s advertising revenues. Any political, economic, social or technological change resulting in a reduction in these sectors’ advertising expenditures may adversely affect the Company’s revenue. Advertisers’ willingness to purchase advertising from the Company may also be affected by a decline in audience ratings for the Company’s programming, the inability of the Company to retain the rights to popular programming, increasing audience fragmentation caused by new program channels and the proliferation of media formats, including the Internet and video‑on‑demand and the deployment of portable digital video devices and new technologies, which allow consumers to live stream and time shift programming, make and store digital copies and skip or fast‑forward


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through advertisements. In addition, the pricing and volume of advertising may be affected by shifts in spending toward digital and mobile offerings from more traditional media, or toward new ways of purchasing advertising, such as through automated purchasing, dynamic advertising insertion, third parties selling local advertising spots and advertising exchanges, some or all of which may not be as beneficial to the Company as traditional advertising methods. Any reduction in advertising expenditures could have an adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and results of operations.

The Company’s Success and Profitability Are Dependent Upon Audience Acceptance of Its Content, Including Its Television and Radio Programs and Motion Pictures, Which Is Difficult to Predict

Television, radio, motion picture and other content production and distribution are inherently risky businesses because the revenues derived from the production and distribution of such content, and the licensing of rights to the associated intellectual property, depend primarily upon their acceptance by the public, which is difficult to predict. The commercial success of a program or motion picture also depends upon the quality and acceptance of other competing programs and motion pictures released into the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, general economic conditions and other tangible and intangible factors, all of which are difficult to predict. Rating points are also factors that are weighed when determining the advertising rates that the Company receives. The use of evolving ratings technologies and measurements, and viewership on platforms or devices, such as tablets, smart phones and other mobile devices, that is not being measured, could have an impact on the Company’s program ratings. For example, while C-3, a current television industry ratings system, measures live commercial viewing plus three days of DVR and video-on-demand playback, the growing viewership occurring on subsequent days of DVR and video‑on‑demand playback is excluded from C-3 and other subsequent ratings. Poor ratings can lead to a reduction in pricing and advertising spending. For example, there can be no assurance that any replacement programming on the Company’s radio or television stations will generate the same level of revenues or profitability of previous programming. In addition, the success of the Company’s cable networks and Simon & Schuster is similarly dependent on audience acceptance of its programming and publications, respectively. The theatrical success of a motion picture, based in large part upon audience acceptance, is a significant factor in determining the revenues it is likely to generate in home entertainment sales, licensing fees and other exploitation during the various other distribution windows. Consequently, low public acceptance of the Company’s content, including its television and radio programs, motion pictures and publications, will have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations. In addition, any decreased popularity of programming for which the Company has incurred significant commitments could have an adverse effect on its profitability. Programming and talent commitments of the Company, estimated to aggregate approximately $11.91 billion as of December 31, 2015, primarily included $9.21 billion for sports programming rights, $1.79 billion relating to the production and licensing of television, radio, and film programming, and $905 million for talent contracts with $2.95 billion of these amounts payable in and after 2021. A shortfall, now or in the future, in the expected popularity of the sports events for which the Company has acquired rights, or in the television and radio programming the Company expects to distribute, could lead to decreased profitability or losses for a significant period of time.

Failure by the Company to Obtain, Create and Retain the Rights Related to Popular Programming Could Adversely Affect the Company’s Revenues
The Company’s revenue from its television, radio, cable networks and motion picture business is partially dependent on the Company’s continued ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in consumer tastes and behavior on a timely basis. Moreover, the Company derives a portion of its revenues from the exploitation of its extensive library of television programming. Generally, a television series must have a network run of at least three or four years to be successfully sold in domestic syndication, however, increasingly, these time frames are being shortened. If the content of its television programming library ceases to be widely accepted by audiences or is not continuously replenished with popular content, the Company’s revenues could be adversely affected. The Company obtains a significant portion of its popular programming from third parties. For example, some of CBS Television Network’s most widely viewed broadcasts, including golf’s Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, NFL games, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament games, and series such as The Big Bang Theory, are made available based upon programming rights of varying duration that the Company has negotiated with third parties. In addition, Showtime Networks enters into commitments to acquire rights to certain programming for Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix from motion


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picture producers and other suppliers for varying durations, and CBS Radio acquires the broadcast rights to syndicated shows and to various programs such as sports events from third parties. CBS Films competes for compelling source material for and the talent necessary to produce motion pictures, as well as with other buyers for the acquisition of third‑party produced motion pictures. Competition for popular programming that is licensed from third parties is intense, and the Company may be outbid by its competitors for the rights to new, popular programming or in connection with the renewal of popular programming currently licensed by the Company. The Company’s failure to obtain or retain rights to popular content could adversely affect the Company’s revenues.

The Company Must Respond to Rapid Changes in Technology, Content Creation, Services and Standards in Order to Remain Competitive

Video, telecommunications, radio and data services technologies used in the entertainment industry are changing rapidly as are the digital publishing and distribution models for books. Advances in technologies or alternative methods of product delivery or storage, or certain changes in consumer behavior driven by these or other technologies and methods of delivery and storage, could have a negative effect on the Company’s businesses. Examples of the foregoing include the convergence of television broadcasts and online delivery of programming to televisions and other devices, video-on-demand platforms, tablets, satellite radio, new video and electronic book formats, user-generated content sites, Internet and mobile distribution of video content via streaming and downloading, and place-shifting of content from the home to portable devices on which content is viewable outside the home. For example, devices that allow users to view or listen to television or radio programs on a time-delayed basis; technologies, such as DVRs, that enable users to fast-forward or skip advertisements or increase the sharing of subscription content; systems that allow users to access copyrighted product of the Company over the Internet or other media; and portable digital devices and systems that enable users to view programming or store or make portable copies of programming, may cause changes in consumer behavior that could affect the attractiveness of the Company’s offerings to advertisers and adversely affect its revenues. Also, the growing uses of user-generated content sites and live and stored video streaming sites, which deliver unauthorized copies of copyrighted content, including those emanating from other countries in various languages, may adversely impact the Company’s businesses. In addition, further increases in the use of Internet-connected television or other digital devices, which allow users to consume content of their own choosing, in their own time and remote locations while avoiding traditional commercial advertisements or subscription payments, could adversely affect the Company’s radio and television broadcasting advertising and subscription revenues. Users who reduce, cancel or never had cable television subscription services are also known as “cord-cutters” or “cord-nevers”. Cable providers and DBS operators are developing new techniques that allow them to transmit more channels on their existing equipment to highly targeted audiences, reducing the cost of creating channels and potentially leading to the division of the television marketplace into more specialized niche audiences. More television and video programming options increase competition for viewers and competitors targeting programming to narrowly defined audiences may gain an advantage over the Company for television advertising and subscription revenues. Television manufacturers, cable providers and others are developing and offering technology to enable viewers to locate digital copies of programming from the Internet to view on television monitors or other devices, which could diminish viewership of the Company’s programming. Generally, changing consumer behavior may impact the Company’s traditional distribution methods, for example, by reducing viewership of its programming (including motion pictures), the demand for DVD and Blu-ray Disc product and/or the desire to see motion pictures in theaters, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s revenues and profitability. Also, the impact of technological changes on traditional distributors of video programming may adversely affect the Company’s cable networks’ ability to grow revenue. Anticipating and adapting to changes in technology on a timely basis and exploiting new sources of revenue from these changes will affect the Company’s ability to continue to increase its revenue.

Piracy of the Company's Programming and Other Content, Including Digital Piracy, May Decrease Revenue Received from the Exploitation of the Company's Programming and Other Content and Adversely Affect Its Businesses and Profitability

Piracy of programming (including motion pictures), books and other copyrighted material is prevalent in many parts of the world and is made easier by the availability of digital copies of content and technological advances allowing conversion of such programming and other content into digital formats, which facilitate the creation,


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transmission and sharing of high quality unauthorized copies of the Company's content. Technological advances, which facilitate the streaming of programming via the Internet to television screens and other devices, may increase piracy. The proliferation of unauthorized access to programming, including through unauthorized live streaming and unauthorized account sharing of subscription program services, has an adverse effect on the Company's businesses and profitability because these unauthorized actions reduce the revenue that the Company potentially could receive from the legitimate sale and distribution of its products and services. In addition, if piracy were to increase, it would have an adverse effect on the Company's businesses and profitability. Also, while legal protections exist, piracy and technological tools with which to carry it out continue to escalate, evolve and present challenges for enforcement. The Company vigorously defends itself against entities that illegally secure and exhibit its content, including streaming the Company’s content without obtaining the consent of or paying compensation to the Company. Failure of legal protections to evolve and enable enhanced enforcement efforts to combat piracy could make it more difficult for the Company to adequately protect its intellectual property, which could negatively impact its value and further increase the Company's enforcement costs.

The Company’s Businesses Operate in Highly Competitive and Consolidating Industries

The Company competes with other media companies for high quality content to achieve large audiences and to generate advertising revenue. The Company also competes for distribution on various MVPD and other third-party digital platforms. The Company’s ability to attract audiences and advertisers and obtain favorable distribution depends in part on its ability to provide popular television programming and radio programming, motion pictures and books. The consolidation of advertising agencies, distributors and television service providers also has made competition for audiences, advertising revenue, and distribution more intense. In addition, consolidation among book retailers and the growth of on-line sales and electronic books sales have resulted in increased competition for limited physical shelf space for the Company’s publications and for the attention of consumers on-line. Competition for audiences and advertising comes from: broadcast television stations and networks; cable television systems and networks; motion picture studios; the Internet; non-traditional programming services; technological innovations in content distribution; terrestrial and satellite radio and portable devices; local, regional and national newspapers; direct mail; and other communications and advertising media that operate in these markets. Other television and radio stations or cable networks may change their formats or programming, a new station or new network may adopt a format to compete directly with the Company’s stations or networks, or stations or networks might engage in aggressive promotional campaigns. In book publishing, competition among electronic and print book retailers could decrease the prices for new releases and the outlets available for book sales. Moreover, the growing use of self-publishing technologies by authors increases competition and could result in decreased use of traditional publishing services. This competition could result in lower ratings and advertising and subscription and other revenues or increased content costs and promotional and other expenses and, consequently, lower earnings and cash flow for the Company. The Company cannot be assured that it will be able to compete successfully in the future against existing, new or potential competitors, or that competition will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

The Loss of Affiliation Agreements or Retransmission Agreements Could Materially Adversely Affect the Company’s Results of Operations

The CBS Television Network provides its affiliates with up to approximately 98 hours of regularly scheduled programming per week. In return, the CBS Television Network’s affiliated stations broadcast network-inserted commercials during that programming and pay the Company station affiliation fees. Loss of station affiliation agreements of the CBS Television Network could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations by reducing the reach of the Company’s programming and therefore its attractiveness to advertisers, and renewal of these affiliation agreements on less favorable terms may also adversely affect the Company’s results of operations. The non-renewal or termination of retransmission agreements with MVPDs or continued distribution on less favorable terms, could also adversely affect the Company’s revenues and its ability to distribute its network programming to a nationwide audience and affect the Company’s ability to sell advertising, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations. Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network and Smithsonian Networks are also dependent upon the maintenance of distribution agreements with MVPDs and other third-party digital platforms and there can be no assurance that these agreements will be renewed in the future on terms acceptable to such programmers.


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The loss of one or more of these arrangements could reduce the distribution of Showtime Networks’, CBS Sports Network’s and Smithsonian Networks’ program services and reduce revenues from subscriber fees and advertising, as applicable. Further, the loss of favorable packaging, positioning, pricing or other marketing opportunities with any distributor could reduce revenues from subscriber fees. Also, consolidation among MVPDs and increased vertical integration of such distributors into the cable or broadcast network business have provided more leverage to these distributors and could adversely affect the Company’s ability to maintain or obtain distribution for its network programming or distribution and/or marketing of its subscription program services on favorable or commercially reasonable terms, or at all. In addition, MVPDs are developing alternative offerings for consumers which are generally smaller than the traditional program package or may allow the consumer to customize its package of program services. To the extent these packages do not include the Company’s programming and become widely accepted in lieu of traditional program packages, the Company could experience a decline in affiliate and subscription revenues.

The Company’s Operating Results Are Subject to Seasonal Variations and Other Factors

The Company’s business has experienced and is expected to continue to experience seasonality due to, among other things, seasonal advertising patterns and seasonal influences, on people’s viewing, reading, attendance and listening habits. Typically, the Company’s revenue from advertising increases in the fourth quarter, Simon & Schuster generates a substantial portion of its revenues in the fourth quarter, and license fees for television programming and CBS Films’ revenue from motion pictures are dependent on the timing, mix, number and availability of the Company’s television programming and motion pictures, as applicable, which may cause operating results to increase or decrease during a period and create non-comparable results relative to the corresponding period in the prior year. In addition, advertising revenues in even-numbered years benefit from advertising placed by candidates for political offices. The effects of such seasonality make it difficult to estimate future operating results based on the previous results of any specific quarter and may adversely affect operating results.

Economic Conditions May Adversely Affect the Company’s Businesses and Customers

The U.S. and other countries where the Company operates have experienced slowdowns and volatilities in their economies. A downturn could lead to lower consumer and business spending for the Company’s products and services, particularly if customers, including advertisers, subscribers, licensees, retailers, theater operators and other consumers of the Company’s content offerings and services, reduce demands for the Company’s products and services. In addition, in unfavorable economic environments, the Company’s customers may have difficulties obtaining capital at adequate or historical levels to finance their ongoing business and operations and may face insolvency, all of which could impair their ability to make timely payments and continue operations, including distribution of the Company’s content. The Company is unable to predict the duration and severity of weakened economic conditions and such conditions and resultant effects could adversely impact the Company’s businesses, operating results, and financial condition.

Volatility and Weakness in Capital Markets May Adversely Affect Credit Availability and Related Financing Costs for the Company

Bank and capital markets can experience periods of volatility and disruption. If the disruption in these markets is prolonged, the Company’s ability to refinance, and the related cost of refinancing, some or all of its debt could be adversely affected. Although the Company can currently access the bank and capital markets, there is no assurance that such markets will continue to be a reliable source of financing for the Company. In addition, the Company’s access to and cost of borrowing can be affected by the Company’s short- and long-term debt ratings assigned by ratings agencies. These factors, including the tightening of credit markets, or a decrease in the Company’s debt ratings, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain cost‑effective financing.

Increased Programming and Content Costs May Adversely Affect the Company’s Profits

The Company produces and acquires programming (including motion pictures) and other content and incurs costs with respect to its content, including for all types of creative talent, including actors, authors, writers and producers, composers and publishers of music, as well as for marketing and distribution. An increase in any of these costs and


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increased competition from consolidated entities and new entrants into the market for the production and acquisition of new content may lead to decreased profitability.

Changes in Communications Laws or Other Regulations May Have an Adverse Effect on the Company’s Business

The television and radio broadcasting and distribution industries in the U.S. are highly regulated by U.S. federal laws and regulations issued and administered by various federal agencies, including the FCC. The television and radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive regulation by the FCC under the Communications Act. For example, the Company is required to obtain licenses from the FCC to operate its radio and television stations. The Company cannot be assured that the FCC will approve its future renewal applications or that the renewals will be for full terms or will not include conditions or qualifications. The non-renewal, or renewal with substantial conditions or modifications, of one or more of the Company’s licenses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues. The Company must also comply with extensive FCC regulations and policies in the ownership and operation of its television and radio stations and its television networks. FCC regulations prohibit the common ownership of more than one of the top four networks, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, and limit the number of television and radio stations that a licensee can own in a market and the number of television stations that can be owned nationwide, which could restrict the Company’s ability to consummate future transactions and in certain circumstances could require it to divest some television or radio stations. The U.S. Congress and the FCC currently have under consideration, and may in the future adopt, new laws, regulations, and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could, directly or indirectly, affect the operation and ownership of the Company’s radio and television properties. For example, from time to time, proposals have been advanced in the U.S. Congress and at the FCC to require radio and television broadcast stations to provide advertising time to political candidates for free or at a reduced charge. Any restrictions on political advertising may adversely affect the Company’s advertising revenues. The FCC initiated a proceeding to examine and potentially regulate more closely embedded advertising such as product placement and product integration. Enhanced restrictions affecting these means of delivering advertising messages may adversely affect the Company’s advertising revenues. Changes to the media ownership and other FCC rules may affect the competitive landscape in ways that could increase the competition faced by the Company. Proposals have also been advanced from time to time before the U.S. Congress and the FCC to extend the program access rules (currently applicable only to those cable program services which also own or are owned by cable distribution systems) to all cable program services. The Company’s ability to obtain the most favorable terms available for its content could be adversely affected should such an extension be enacted into law. In response to the FCC’s March 2010 National Broadband Plan, which seeks to provide affordable broadband access throughout the U.S., Congress passed legislation in February 2012 authorizing the FCC to conduct voluntary auctions of spectrum utilized by broadcast television stations to provide additional spectrum for wireless broadband services. The television stations that continue their operations may have to change channels once the FCC “repacks” the remaining spectrum dedicated to broadcast television use after the auction. Such auctions are expected to occur in 2016 followed by repacking, which could adversely impact the Company’s broadcast coverage and related revenues. It is difficult to predict the timing or outcome of the FCC’s actions or their effect, if any, on the Company’s broadcasting properties. Legislation could be enacted which could remove over-the-air broadcasters’ existing exemption from payment of a performance royalty to record companies and performers of music which is broadcast on radio stations and could have an adverse impact on the cost of music programming for the Company. In addition, changes in or new interpretations of international laws and regulations governing competition and the Internet, including those affecting data privacy, may have an adverse impact on the Company’s international businesses and Internet properties. The Company is unable to predict the effect that any such laws, regulations or policies may have on its operations.

Vigorous Enforcement or Enhancement of FCC Indecency and Other Program Content Rules Against the Broadcast and Cable Industries Could Have an Adverse Effect on the Company’s Businesses and Results of Operations

The FCC’s rules prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and indecent or profane material on television or radio broadcast stations between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Broadcasters risk violating the prohibition against broadcasting indecent material because of the vagueness of the FCC’s indecency/profanity definition, coupled


I-24



with the spontaneity of live programming. The FCC enforces its indecency rules against the broadcasting industry. The FCC has found on a number of occasions that the content of radio and television broadcasts has contained indecent material. In such instances, the FCC issued fines or advisory warnings to the offending licensees. Moreover, the FCC has in some instances imposed separate fines for each allegedly indecent “utterance,” in contrast with its previous policy, which generally considered all indecent words or phrases within a given program as constituting a single violation. The fines for broadcasting indecent material per station are a maximum of $325,000 per utterance. If the FCC denied a license renewal or revoked the license for one of the Company’s broadcast radio or television stations, the Company would lose its authority to operate the station. The determination of whether content is indecent is inherently subjective and, as such, it can be difficult to predict whether particular content could violate indecency standards. The difficulty in predicting whether individual programs, words or phrases may violate the FCC’s indecency rules adds significant uncertainty to the Company’s ability to comply with the rules. Violation of the indecency rules could lead to sanctions which may adversely affect the Company’s businesses and results of operations. Some policymakers support the extension of the indecency rules that are applicable to over-the-air broadcasters to cover cable and satellite programming and/or attempts to increase enforcement of or otherwise expand existing laws and rules. If such an extension, attempt to increase enforcement or other expansion took place and were found to be constitutional, some of the Company’s cable content could be subject to additional regulation and might not be able to attract the same subscription and viewership levels.

The Failure or Destruction of Satellites and Transmitter Facilities that the Company Depends Upon to Distribute Its Programming Could Materially Adversely Affect the Company’s Businesses and Results of Operations

The Company uses satellite systems to transmit its broadcast and cable networks to affiliates. The distribution facilities include uplinks, communications satellites and downlinks. Transmissions may be disrupted as a result of local disasters including extreme weather that impair on-ground uplinks or downlinks, or as a result of an impairment of a satellite. Currently, there are a limited number of communications satellites available for the transmission of programming. If a disruption occurs, failure to secure alternate distribution facilities in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s businesses and results of operations. Each of the Company’s television and radio stations and cable networks uses studio and transmitter facilities that are subject to damage or destruction. Failure to restore such facilities in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s businesses and results of operations.

Breach of Security Measures Regarding Information Systems Could Disrupt Operations and Damage the Company’s Reputation and Could Materially Adversely Affect the Company’s Businesses and Results of Operations

Network and information systems and other technologies are important to the Company’s business activities. Despite the Company’s security measures, network and information systems‑related events, such as computer hackings, cyber threats, security breaches, viruses, or other destructive or disruptive software, process breakdowns or malicious or other activities, and natural or other disasters could result in a disruption of the Company’s services and operations. These events could also result in the improper disclosure of personal data or confidential information, including through third parties which receive any of such information on a confidential basis for business purposes and could be subject to any of these events, and damage the Company’s reputation and require the Company to expend resources to remedy any such breaches. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company Could Suffer Losses Due to Asset Impairment Charges for Goodwill, Intangible Assets, FCC Licenses and Programming

The Company will test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including FCC licenses, for impairment during the fourth quarter of each year and between annual tests if events or circumstances require an interim impairment assessment. A downward revision in the estimated fair value of a reporting unit or intangible assets, including FCC licenses, could result in a non-cash impairment charge. Also, any significant shortfall, now or in the future, in the expected popularity of the programming for which the Company has acquired rights could lead to a downward revision


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in the fair value of such assets. Any such impairment charge for goodwill, intangible assets and/or programming could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reported net earnings.

Dividends and Dividend Rates Cannot Be Guaranteed

The Company’s Board of Directors assesses relevant factors when considering the declaration of a dividend on the Company’s common stock. The Company cannot guarantee that it will continue to declare dividends, including at the same or similar rates.

The Loss of Key Personnel, Including Talent, Could Disrupt the Management or Operations of the Company’s Business and Adversely Affect Its Revenues

The Company’s business depends upon the continued efforts, abilities and expertise of its chief executive officer and other key employees and entertainment personalities. The Company believes that the unique combination of skills and experience possessed by its executive officers would be difficult to replace, and that the loss of its executive officers could have a material adverse effect on the Company, including the impairment of the Company’s ability to execute its business strategy. While the Company does not maintain a written succession plan with respect to Chairman of the Board, in accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, designated independent committees of the CBS Board together periodically review succession planning for the position of Chairman and report to the non-management directors of the CBS Board. Because approximately 79.5% of the voting shares are controlled by Sumner Redstone there can be no assurance now or in the future that he or the successors to the voting control may not seek to effect succession of the Chairman; however, and in all cases, the Board will elect the next Chairman by a majority vote of the Board. Additionally, the Company employs or independently contracts with several entertainment personalities and authors with significant loyal audiences or readership. Entertainment personalities are sometimes significantly responsible for the ranking of a television or radio station and, therefore, the ability of the station to sell advertising, and an author’s popularity can be significantly responsible for the success of a particular book. The Company’s cable networks, CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution produce programming and CBS Films produces motion pictures with highly regarded directors, actors and other talent who are important to attracting and retaining audiences for their content. There can be no assurance that these entertainment personalities, authors and talent will remain with or be drawn to the Company or will retain their current audiences or readership. If the Company fails to retain or attract these entertainment personalities, authors and talent or they lose their current audiences or readership, the Company’s revenues could be adversely affected.

Fluctuations in Foreign Exchange Rates Could Have an Adverse Effect on the Company’s Results of Operations

Certain of the Company’s revenues are earned and expenses are incurred in foreign currencies. The value of these currencies fluctuates relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the Company is exposed to exchange rate fluctuations, which could have an adverse effect on its results of operations.

The Company’s Liabilities Related to Discontinued Operations and Former Businesses Could Adversely Impact Its Financial Condition

The Company has both recognized and potential liabilities and costs related to discontinued operations and former businesses, certain of which are unrelated to the media business, including leases, guarantees, environmental liabilities, liabilities related to the pensions and medical expenses of retirees, asbestos liabilities, contractual disputes and other pending and threatened litigation. The Company cannot be assured that its reserves are sufficient to cover these liabilities in their entirety or any one of these liabilities when it becomes due or at what point any of these liabilities may come due. Therefore, there can be no assurances that these liabilities will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, operating performance or cash flow.



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The Company Could Be Adversely Affected by Strikes and Other Union Activity

The Company and its suppliers engage the services of writers, directors, actors and other talent, trade employees and others who are subject to collective bargaining agreements. If the Company or its suppliers are unable to renew expiring collective bargaining agreements, it is possible that the affected unions or others could take action in the form of strikes or work stoppages. Such actions, higher costs in connection with these agreements or a significant labor dispute could adversely affect the Company’s television, radio, cable networks, interactive and motion picture businesses by disrupting the Company’s ability to provide scheduled services and programming or by causing delays in the production of the Company’s television or radio programming or motion pictures. Depending on its duration, any lockout, strike or work stoppage could have an adverse effect on the Company’s revenues, cash flows and/or operating income and/or the timing thereof.

Political and Economic Risks Associated with the Company’s International Businesses Could Harm the Company’s Financial Condition or Results of Operations

The Company’s businesses operate and have customers worldwide. Inherent risks of doing business in international markets include, among other risks, changes in the economic environment, export restrictions, exchange controls, tariffs and other trade barriers and longer payment cycles. The Company may incur substantial expense as a result of the imposition of new restrictions or changes in the existing economic environment in the regions where it does business. In addition, acts of terrorism or other hostilities, or other future financial, political, economic or other uncertainties, could lead to a reduction in advertising expenditures, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

NAI, Through Its Voting Control of the Company, Is in a Position to Control Actions that Require Stockholder Approval

NAI, through its direct and indirect ownership of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, has voting control of the Company. Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, the controlling stockholder, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of NAI, serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Company's Board of Directors, and Ms. Shari Redstone, the president and a director of NAI, serves as Vice Chair of the Company’s Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. David R. Andelman is a director of NAI and serves as a director of the Company. NAI is in a position to control the outcome of corporate actions that require stockholder approval, including the election of directors and transactions involving a change of control. Other stockholders who may have different interests are unable to affect the outcome of the corporate actions of the Company for so long as NAI retains voting control.

Sales of Shares of Common Stock by NAI Could Adversely Affect the Stock Price

NAI, through its direct and indirect ownership of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, has voting control of the Company.  Based on information received from NAI, shares of the Company’s voting Class A common stock and non-voting Class B common stock owned by certain wholly‑owned subsidiaries of NAI are pledged to such subsidiaries’ lenders.  NAI holds more than 50% of the Company’s voting Class A shares directly and these shares are not pledged. If any of such subsidiaries defaults on its obligations and the lenders foreclose on the collateral, the lenders or anyone to whom the lenders transfer the Company’s shares could sell such shares or convert those shares of voting Class A Common Stock into shares of non-voting Class B Common Stock and sell such shares, which could adversely affect the Company’s share price. Additionally, if the lenders foreclose on the pledged shares of voting Class A Common Stock, NAI will no longer directly or indirectly own those shares and such lenders or other transferees would have voting rights in the Company. In addition, there can be no assurance that NAI or its subsidiaries at some future time will not sell or pledge additional shares of the Company’s stock, which could adversely affect the Company’s share price.


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Many Factors May Cause the Stock Price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to Fluctuate

The stock price of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock may fluctuate significantly as a result of many factors. These factors, some or all of which are beyond the Company’s control, include: actual or anticipated fluctuations in the Company’s operating results; changes in expectations as to the Company’s future financial performance or changes in financial estimates of securities analysts; success of the Company’s operating and growth strategies; investor anticipation of strategic, technological or regulatory threats, whether or not warranted by actual events; operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies; and realization of any of the risks described in these risk factors. In addition, the stock market has experienced volatility that often has been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the trading prices of the Company’s common stock, regardless of the Company’s actual operating performance.

The Businesses of the Company and Viacom Inc. Will Be Attributable to the Other Company for Certain Regulatory Purposes, Which May Limit Business Opportunities

So long as the Company and Viacom Inc. are under common control, each company’s businesses, as well as the businesses of any other commonly controlled company, will be attributable to the other company for purposes of certain rules and regulations of the FCC, U.S. and non-U.S. antitrust rules and regulations and certain rules regarding political campaign contributions in the U.S., among others potentially. The businesses of one company will continue to be attributable to the other company for certain FCC and other purposes even after the two companies cease to be commonly controlled, if the two companies share common officers, directors, or attributable stockholders. As a result, the businesses and conduct of Viacom Inc. may have the effect of limiting and affecting the activities, strategic business alternatives and business terms available to the Company, including limitations to which the Company contractually agreed in connection with the Company’s separation of former Viacom Inc. (“Former Viacom”) into two publicly traded entities, CBS Corporation and new Viacom Inc., which was completed on December 31, 2005 (the “Separation”).

In Connection with the Separation, Each Company Will Rely on the Other Company’s Performance Under Various Agreements Between the Companies

In connection with the Separation, the Company and Viacom Inc. entered into various agreements, including a Separation Agreement dated December 19, 2005, a Tax Matters Agreement dated December 30, 2005, which are filed as exhibits to this report, and certain related party arrangements pursuant to which the Company and Viacom Inc. will provide services and products to each other from and after the Separation. The Separation Agreement sets forth the allocation of assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of the Company and Viacom Inc. following the Separation, and includes indemnification obligations for such liabilities and obligations. In addition, pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, certain income tax liabilities and related responsibilities are allocated between, and indemnification obligations are assumed by, each of the Company and Viacom Inc. Each company will rely on the other to satisfy its performance and payment obligations under these agreements. Certain of the liabilities to be assumed or indemnified by the Company or Viacom Inc. under these agreements are legal or contractual liabilities of the other company. If Viacom Inc. were to breach or be unable to satisfy its material obligations under these agreements, including a failure to satisfy its indemnification obligations, the Company could suffer operational difficulties or significant losses.

Certain Members of Management, Directors and Stockholders May Face Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest

The management and directors of the Company may own both CBS Corp. common stock and Viacom Inc. common stock, and both the Company and Viacom Inc. are controlled by NAI. Mr. Redstone, the controlling stockholder, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of NAI, serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Company and Chairman Emeritus of Viacom Inc. Ms. Redstone, the president and a director of NAI, serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of each of the Company and Viacom Inc. Mr. David R. Andelman is a director of NAI and serves as a director of the Company. Mr. Frederic V. Salerno is a director of Viacom Inc. and serves as a director of


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the Company. This ownership overlap and these common directors could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when the Company’s and Viacom Inc.’s management, directors and controlling stockholder face decisions that could have different implications for the Company and Viacom Inc. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute between the Company and Viacom Inc. regarding the terms of the agreements governing the Separation and the relationship between the Company and Viacom Inc. thereafter. These agreements include, among others, the Separation Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement and any commercial agreements between the parties or their affiliates. On occasion, the Company and Viacom Inc. may compete with each other in various commercial enterprises. Potential conflicts of interest could also arise if the Company and Viacom Inc. enter into any commercial arrangements with each other in the future. Each of Mr. Redstone and Ms. Redstone may also face conflicts of interest with regard to the allocation of his or her time between the Company and Viacom Inc. CBS Corp.’s certificate of incorporation contains provisions related to corporate opportunities that may be of interest to both the Company and Viacom Inc. CBS Corp.’s certificate of incorporation provides that in the event that a director, officer or controlling stockholder of the Company who is also a director, officer or controlling stockholder of Viacom Inc. acquires knowledge of a potential corporate opportunity for both the Company and Viacom Inc., such director, officer or controlling stockholder may present such opportunity to the Company or Viacom Inc. or both, as such director, officer or controlling stockholder deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion, and that by doing so such person will have satisfied his or her fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders. In addition, CBS Corp.’s certificate of incorporation provides that the Company renounces any interest in any such opportunity presented to Viacom Inc. These provisions create the possibility that a corporate opportunity of one of such companies may be used for the benefit of the other company.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.

Item 2. Properties.

The Company maintains its world headquarters at 51 West 52nd Street, New York, New York, where it owns a building containing approximately 900,000 square feet of space, 831,000 square feet of which is office space. The Company occupies approximately 275,000 square feet of the office space and leases the balance to third parties. The Company owns the CBS Broadcast Center complex located on approximately 3.7 acres at 524 West 57th Street, New York, New York, which consists of approximately 860,000 square feet of office and studio space. The Company also owns two studio facilities in California: (a) the CBS Studio Center at 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, California, located on approximately 40 acres, and (b) CBS Television City at 7800 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, located on approximately 25 acres. Showtime Networks leases approximately 230,000 square feet at 1633 Broadway, New York, New York under a lease which expires in 2026. Simon & Schuster leases approximately 290,000 square feet of office space at 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, which lease runs to 2019. CBS Interactive leases approximately 280,000 square feet of space at 235 Second Street, San Francisco, California under a lease which expires in 2022. CBS Interactive subleases approximately 75,000 square feet of this space to a third party. The Company and its subsidiaries also own and lease office, studio and warehouse space and broadcast, antenna and satellite transmission facilities throughout the U.S., Canada and several other foreign countries for its businesses. The Company considers its properties adequate for its present needs.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

General. On an ongoing basis, the Company vigorously defends itself in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and responds to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state, local and international authorities (collectively, ‘‘litigation’’). Litigation may be brought against the Company without merit, is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on its understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Company believes that the below-described legal matters and other litigation to which it is a party are not likely, in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Under the Separation Agreement between the Company and Viacom Inc., the Company and Viacom Inc. have agreed to defend and indemnify the other in certain litigation in which the Company and/or Viacom Inc. is named.


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Claims Related to Former Businesses: Asbestos. The Company is a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred principally as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. The Company is typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of the Company’s products is the basis of a claim. Claims against the Company in which a product has been identified principally relate to exposures allegedly caused by asbestos-containing insulating material in turbines sold for power-generation, industrial and marine use.

Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. The Company does not report as pending those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets which some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had pending approximately 36,030 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 41,100 as of December 31, 2014 and 45,150 as of December 31, 2013. During 2015, the Company received approximately 3,670 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 8,740 claims. The Company reports claims as closed when it becomes aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when the Company has reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claims, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. In 2015, as the result of an insurance settlement, insurance recoveries exceeded the Company’s after tax costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims by approximately $5 million. In 2014, the Company’s costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance and taxes were approximately $11 million. The Company’s costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year and insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.

Filings include claims for individuals suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer, the risk of which is allegedly increased by exposure to asbestos; lung cancer, a cancer which may be caused by various factors, one of which is alleged to be asbestos exposure; other cancers, and conditions that are substantially less serious, including claims brought on behalf of individuals who are asymptomatic as to an allegedly asbestos-related disease. The predominant number of claims against the Company are non-cancer claims. The Company believes that its reserves and insurance are adequate to cover its asbestos liabilities. This belief is based upon many factors and assumptions, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims. While the number of asbestos claims filed against the Company has trended down in the past five to ten years and has remained flat in recent years, it is difficult to predict future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may occur including, among others, the number and types of claims and average cost to resolve such claims, which could affect the Company's estimate of its asbestos liabilities.

Other. The Company from time to time receives claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that it is or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to historical and predecessor operations of the Company. In addition, the Company from time to time receives personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from historical operations of the Company and its predecessors.

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.



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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

Set forth below is certain information concerning the executive officers of the Company as of February 9, 2016.
Name
 
Age
 
Title
Leslie Moonves
 
66
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Anthony G. Ambrosio
 
55
 
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and
Chief Human Resources Officer
Jonathan H. Anschell
 
47
 
Executive Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary
Joseph R. Ianniello
 
48
 
Chief Operating Officer
Richard M. Jones
 
50
 
Executive Vice President and General Tax Counsel
Lawrence Liding
 
47
 
Executive Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
Gil Schwartz
 
64
 
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer
Lawrence P. Tu
 
61
 
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
 
 
 
 
 
None of the executive officers of the Company is related to any other executive officer or director by blood, marriage or adoption.

Mr. Moonves has been Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since February 3, 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Moonves served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company since January 1, 2006. Previously, Mr. Moonves served as Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Former Viacom since June 2004, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CBS since 2003 and as its President and Chief Executive Officer since 1998. Mr. Moonves joined former CBS Corporation in 1995 as President, CBS Entertainment. Prior to that, Mr. Moonves was President of Warner Bros. Television since July 1993.

Mr. Ambrosio has been Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company since June 2013. Prior to that, Mr. Ambrosio served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Administration of the Company since January 1, 2006. Previously, he served as Co‑Executive Vice President, Human Resources of Former Viacom since September 2005 and as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration of the CBS, Infinity and Viacom Outdoor businesses since 2000. Prior to that, Mr. Ambrosio served as Vice President, Corporate Human Resources of the former CBS Corporation from 1999 to 2000, as Vice President, Benefits of the former CBS Corporation from 1995 to November 1999 and as Director, Personnel of the former CBS Corporation in 1995. He joined the former CBS Corporation in 1985 and held various positions in the human resources area since that time.

Mr. Anschell has been Executive Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary of the Company since January 1, 2016.  Mr. Anschell also serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of CBS Broadcasting Inc., a position he has held since joining the Company in 2004.  Mr. Anschell previously was a partner with the law firm, White O’Connor Curry in Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Ianniello has been Chief Operating Officer of the Company since June 2013. Prior to that, Mr. Ianniello served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since August 2009. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the Company since November 2008, as Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer and Treasurer of the Company since September 2007, as Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer of the Company since January 1, 2006, as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Former Viacom since July 2005, as Vice President, Corporate Development of Former Viacom from 2000 to 2005.

Mr. Jones has been Executive Vice President and General Tax Counsel since August 2014. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and General Tax Counsel of the Company since January 1, 2006 and for Former Viacom in December 2005. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Tax, Assistant Treasurer and Tax Counsel for NBC Universal, Inc. since 2003 and he spent 13 years with Ernst & Young in their media & entertainment and transaction advisory services practices. Mr. Jones also served honorably as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment.


I-31




Mr. Liding has been Executive Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company since August 2014. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company since October 2011, Vice President, Deputy Controller of the Company since March 2010 and Vice President, Assistant Controller since January 1, 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Liding joined Former Viacom in 1995 and served as Vice President of Financial Reporting from 2002 through 2005.

Mr. Schwartz has been Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of the Company since June 2013. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of the Company since January 1, 2006. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of CBS Communications Group, which served the Company’s broadcast and local television, syndication, radio and outdoor operations, among others, from 2004 until January 1, 2006. He was Senior Vice President, Communications of CBS from 2000 to 2004, and Senior Vice President, Communications of the former CBS Corporation from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Schwartz served as Vice President, Corporate Communications of Westinghouse Broadcasting from 1995 to 1996. Prior to that, Mr. Schwartz served as Vice President, Communications for Westinghouse Broadcasting’s Group W Television Stations from 1989 to 1995. Mr. Schwartz joined Westinghouse Broadcasting in 1981.

Mr. Tu has been Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Company since January 1, 2014. Previously, Mr. Tu served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Dell Inc. since July 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Tu served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of NBC Universal since 2001. He previously was a partner with the law firm, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, and also served five years as managing partner of the firm’s Hong Kong office. Mr. Tu’s prior experience also includes serving as General Counsel Asia-Pacific for Goldman Sachs, attorney for the U.S. State Department, and law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.


I-32



Part II
Item 5.
Market for CBS Corporation’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Purchases of Equity Securities.
CBS Corporation (the “Company” or “CBS Corp.”) voting Class A Common Stock and CBS Corporation non-voting Class B Common Stock are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbols “CBS.A” and “CBS”, respectively.
The following table sets forth, for the calendar periods indicated, the per share range of high and low sales prices for CBS Corporation’s Class A and Class B Common Stock, as reported on the NYSE.
 
Voting Class A
 
Non-Voting Class B
 
Common Stock
 
Common Stock
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1st quarter
$
64.63

 
$
53.93

 
$
63.71

 
$
52.94

2nd quarter
$
72.50

 
$
57.02

 
$
63.95

 
$
55.21

3rd quarter
$
58.44

 
$
42.54

 
$
56.39

 
$
38.51

4th quarter
$
57.90

 
$
43.28

 
$
52.18

 
$
38.76

2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1st quarter
$
68.00

 
$
55.74

 
$
68.10

 
$
55.71

2nd quarter
$
63.82

 
$
55.33

 
$
63.96

 
$
55.01

3rd quarter
$
65.07

 
$
53.62

 
$
65.24

 
$
53.49

4th quarter
$
57.48

 
$
49.24

 
$
56.67

 
$
48.83

On January 28, 2016, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $.15 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable on April 1, 2016. The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on its Class A and Class B Common Stock during each of the four quarters of 2015 and 2014, resulting in total annual dividends of $293 million, or $.60 per share for 2015 and $296 million, or $.54 per share for 2014. CBS Corp. currently expects to continue to pay a regular cash dividend to its stockholders.
In November 2010, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase $1.5 billion of the Company’s common stock. Since then, various increases to such amount have been approved and announced, including most recently a $3.0 billion increase to the amount available under such program on August 7, 2014. Below is a summary of CBS Corp.’s purchases of its Class B Common Stock during the three months ended December 31, 2015 under this publicly announced share repurchase program.
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
Average
Price Per
Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Programs
 
Remaining
Authorization
October 1, 2015 - October 31, 2015
 
2.8

 
 
$
43.08

 
 
2.8

 
 
 
$
2,380

 
November 1, 2015 - November 30, 2015
 
2.8

 
 
$
49.88

 
 
2.8

 
 
 
$
2,238

 
December 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
 
5.0

 
 
$
47.68

 
 
5.0

 
 
 
$
2,001

 
Total
 
10.6

 
 
$
47.05

 
 
10.6

 
 
 
$
2,001

 
As of February 10, 2016, there were approximately 1,586 record holders of CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock and approximately 22,556 record holders of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock.
Additional information required by this item is contained in the CBS Corp. Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

II-1



Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on CBS Corp. Class A and Class B Common Stock with the cumulative total return on the companies listed in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (“S&P 500”) and a Peer Group of companies identified below.
The performance graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2010 in each of the Class A and Class B Common Stock of CBS Corp., the S&P 500 and the Peer Group identified below including reinvestment of dividends, through the calendar year ended December 31, 2015.
Total Cumulative Stockholder Return
For Five-Year Period Ending December 31, 2015
December 31,
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock
$100
$147
$205
$347
$309
$290
CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock
$100
$144
$205
$347
$304
$262
S&P 500
$100
$102
$118
$157
$178
$181
Peer Group (a)
$100
$108
$149
$226
$270
$256
(a) The Peer Group consists of the following companies: The Walt Disney Company, Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Time Warner Inc. and Cumulus Media Inc.

II-2



Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.
CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
Year Ended December 31, (c) (d)
 
2015 (a) (b)
 
2014 (e)
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Revenues
$
13,886

 
$
13,806

 
$
14,005

 
$
12,820

 
$
12,381

Operating income
$
2,417

 
$
2,896

 
$
3,025

 
$
2,778

 
$
2,423

Net earnings from continuing operations
$
1,403

 
$
1,354

 
$
1,738

 
$
1,508

 
$
1,263

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
$
10

 
$
1,605

 
$
141

 
$
66

 
$
42

Net earnings
$
1,413

 
$
2,959

 
$
1,879

 
$
1,574

 
$
1,305

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
2.90

 
$
2.46

 
$
2.86

 
$
2.35

 
$
1.90

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
$
.02

 
$
2.92

 
$
.23

 
$
.10

 
$
.06

Net earnings
$
2.92

 
$
5.38

 
$
3.09

 
$
2.45

 
$
1.97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
2.87

 
$
2.41

 
$
2.79

 
$
2.29

 
$
1.85

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
$
.02

 
$
2.86

 
$
.23

 
$
.10

 
$
.06

Net earnings
$
2.89

 
$
5.27

 
$
3.01

 
$
2.39

 
$
1.92

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends per common share
$
.60

 
$
.54

 
$
.48

 
$
.44

 
$
.35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At Year End:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
23,765

 
$
23,935

 
$
22,730

 
$
22,200

 
$
21,712

Discontinued operations

 

 
3,475

 
3,993

 
4,161

Total assets
$
23,765

 
$
23,935

 
$
26,205

 
$
26,193

 
$
25,873

Total debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
8,448

 
$
7,112

 
$
6,403

 
$
5,886

 
$
5,932

Discontinued operations

 

 
14

 
14

 
22

Total debt
$
8,448

 
$
7,112

 
$
6,417

 
$
5,900

 
$
5,954

Total Stockholders’ Equity
$
5,563

 
$
6,970

 
$
9,966

 
$
10,213

 
$
9,908

(a) In 2015, CBS Corporation (the “Company” or “CBS Corp.”) recorded a noncash impairment charge of $484 million ($297 million, net of tax), or $.61 per diluted share, to reduce the carrying value of radio FCC licenses to their fair value.
(b) In 2015, the Company recorded gains from the sales of Internet businesses in China of $139 million ($131 million, net of tax), or $.27 per diluted share.
(c) On July 16, 2014, the Company completed the disposition of CBS Outdoor Americas Inc., which was previously a subsidiary of the Company and has been renamed OUTFRONT Media, Inc. (“Outdoor Americas”). Outdoor Americas has been presented as a discontinued operation in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. For 2014, net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, includes a gain on the disposal of Outdoor Americas of $1.56 billion, or $2.78 per diluted share.
(d) On September 30, 2013, the Company completed the sale of its outdoor advertising business in Europe, which included an interest in an outdoor business in Asia (“Outdoor Europe”) for $225 million.  Outdoor Europe has been presented as a discontinued operation in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
(e) In 2014, in connection with the early redemption of $1.07 billion of its debt, the Company recorded a pretax loss on early extinguishment of debt of $352 million ($219 million, net of tax), or $.39 per diluted share.


II-3



Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Management’s discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition of CBS Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company” or “CBS Corp.”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes.

Overview
Business overview and strategy
The Company operates businesses which span the media and entertainment industries, including the CBS Television Network, cable networks, content production and distribution, television and radio stations, Internet-based businesses, and consumer publishing. The Company’s principal strategy is to create and acquire premium content that is widely accepted by audiences and generate both advertising and non-advertising revenues from the distribution of this content on multiple media platforms and to various geographic locations. The Company continues to increase its investment in both Company-owned and acquired premium content to enhance its opportunities for revenue growth, which include exhibiting the Company’s content on digital and other platforms through licensing and subscription services, including the Company’s owned digital streaming services; expanding the distribution of its content internationally; and securing compensation from multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) and television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network. The Company also seeks to grow its advertising revenues by monetizing all content viewership as industry measurements evolve to reflect viewers’ changing habits. The Company’s continued ability to capitalize on these and other emerging opportunities will provide it with incremental advertising and non-advertising revenues.

Operational highlights 2015 vs. 2014
Consolidated results of operations
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
13,886

 
$
13,806

 
$
80

 
1
 %
 
Operating income
$
2,417

 
$
2,896

 
$
(479
)
 
(17
)%
 
Adjusted operating income (a)
$
2,843

 
$
2,974

 
$
(131
)
 
(4
)%
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
1,403

 
$
1,354

 
$
49

 
4
 %
 
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations (a)
$
1,618

 
$
1,663

 
$
(45
)
 
(3
)%
 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
2.87

 
$
2.41

 
$
.46

 
19
 %
 
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations (a)
$
3.31

 
$
2.96

 
$
.35

 
12
 %
 
(a) See page II-6 for reconciliations of adjusted results to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).

For 2015, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (“EPS”) was up 19% from 2014, reflecting higher net earnings from continuing operations and lower weighted average shares outstanding as a result of the Company’s ongoing share repurchase program and the split-off of Outdoor Americas Inc. (“Outdoor Americas”) in the third quarter of 2014. In 2015, EPS included a pretax noncash impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of radio FCC licenses to their fair value, restructuring charges, and gains from the sales of Internet businesses in China. In 2014, EPS included an impairment charge associated with a radio station swap, restructuring charges, and a loss on early extinguishment of debt. On an adjusted basis, excluding these discrete items, EPS increased 12%. The Company believes that presenting its financial results adjusted for the impact of these discrete items is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by the Company’s management and provides a clearer perspective on the underlying performance of the Company. These adjusted results are non-GAAP financial measures. See page II-6 for reconciliations of adjusted results to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.


II-4




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


For 2015, the 1% increase in revenues reflected continued growth in affiliate and subscription fee revenues, partially offset by lower advertising and content licensing and distribution revenues. Affiliate and subscription fees increased 15% as a result of growth in station affiliation fees and retransmission revenues, reflecting the benefit from recently renegotiated agreements, as well as higher revenues from pay-per-view boxing events. Advertising revenues decreased 3% primarily reflecting lower local advertising revenues as a result of the benefit in 2014 from midterm elections and lower radio advertising sales. Total advertising revenues benefited from 1% growth in network advertising, which increased despite fewer sporting events broadcast on the CBS Television Network. Content licensing and distribution revenues decreased 2% reflecting lower domestic television licensing revenues, which were partially offset by higher international television licensing revenues.

Operating income was down 17% from 2014. On an adjusted basis, excluding the impairment charges, restructuring charges, and gains from the sales of Internet businesses in China, operating income declined 4% primarily as a result of increased investment in programming and new digital distribution initiatives.

The Company generated operating cash flow from continuing operations of $1.42 billion in 2015 and $1.21 billion in 2014. Included in operating cash flow for 2014 were payments of $360 million associated with the early extinguishment of debt, primarily for early redemption premiums. Free cash flow for 2015 was $1.23 billion compared with $1.00 billion for 2014. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Free Cash Flow” on pages II-27 and II-28 for a reconciliation of net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities, the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP, to free cash flow.

Share repurchases
Following is a summary of the Company’s purchases of its Class B Common Stock during the year ended December 31, 2015:
Total Number of Shares Purchased
(in millions)
 
Average Price
Per Share
 
Dollar Value
of Shares Repurchased
 
Remaining Authorization
 
51.7

 
 
 
$
54.18

 
 
 
$
2,800

 
 
 
$
2,001

 
Dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Dividends per share
 
$
.60

 
$
.54

 
$
.06

 
11
 %
 
Total dividends
 
$
293

 
$
296

 
$
(3
)
 
(1
)%
 
Debt
At December 31, 2015 and 2014 the Company’s outstanding debt, excluding capital leases, was as follows:
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
At December 31,
2015
 
Interest Rate
 
2014
 
Interest Rate
 
Total long-term debt
$
8,365

 
 
4.68
%
 
 
$
6,399

 
 
4.88
%
 
 
Commercial paper
$

 
 
%
 
 
$
616

 
 
0.46
%
 
 

During 2015, the Company issued a total of $2.0 billion of senior debt and used the net proceeds from these offerings for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock and the repayment of short-term borrowings, including commercial paper.


II-5




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
The following tables present adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations, and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations, which exclude the impact of the above-mentioned discrete items. These adjusted results are non-GAAP financial measures, which are reconciled below to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Operating income
$
2,417

 
$
2,896

 
$
(479
)
 
(17
)%
 
Discrete items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment charges
484

 
52

 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
81

 
26

 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sales of businesses
(139
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating income
$
2,843


$
2,974


$
(131
)

(4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014
 
$
 
%
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
1,403

 
$
1,354

 
$
49

 
4
 %
 
Discrete items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment charges (net of tax benefit of $187 million in
2015 and including tax provision of $22 million in 2014)
297

 
74

 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges (net of tax benefit of $32 million
in 2015 and $10 million in 2014)
49

 
16

 
 
 
 
 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (net of tax benefit
of $133 million)

 
219

 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sales of businesses (net of tax provision of
$8 million)
(131
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations
$
1,618


$
1,663


$
(45
)

(3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
2.87

 
$
2.41

 
$
.46

 
19
%
 
Discrete items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment charges
.61

 
.13

 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
.10

 
.03

 
 
 
 
 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 
.39

 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sales of businesses
(.27
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
3.31


$
2.96


$
.35


12
%
 

II-6




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Segments

CBS Corp. operates in the following four segments:
 
ENTERTAINMENT:  The Entertainment segment consists of the CBS Television Network, CBS Television Studios, CBS Global Distribution Group, CBS Interactive and CBS Films.  Entertainment’s revenues are generated primarily from advertising sales, the licensing and distribution of its content, and affiliate and subscription fees.  The Entertainment segment contributed 61%, 60%, and 62% to consolidated revenues in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, and 46%, 44%, and 53% to total segment operating income in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
 
CABLE NETWORKS:  The Cable Networks segment consists of Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network and Smithsonian Networks. Cable Networks’ revenues are generated primarily from affiliate fees, and the licensing and distribution of its content.  The Cable Networks segment contributed 16% to consolidated revenues in each of the years 2015 and 2014, and 15% in 2013, and 33% to total segment operating income in each of the years 2015 and 2014, and 29% in 2013.
 
PUBLISHING:  The Publishing segment consists of Simon & Schuster’s consumer book publishing business with imprints such as Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Scribner and Atria Books.  Publishing generates revenues from the distribution of consumer books in print, digital and audio formats. The Publishing segment contributed 6% to consolidated revenues in each of the years 2015, 2014, and 2013, and 4% to total segment operating income in 2015 and 3% in each of the years 2014 and 2013.
 
LOCAL BROADCASTING:  The Local Broadcasting segment consists of CBS Television Stations and CBS Radio, with revenues generated primarily from advertising sales and retransmission fees. The Local Broadcasting segment contributed 19%, 20% and 19% to consolidated revenues in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, and 27%, 30%, and 27% to total segment operating income in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Consolidated Results of Operations—2015 vs. 2014
Revenues
Revenues by Type
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
% of Total
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
Revenues
 
2014
 
Revenues
 
$
 
%
 
Advertising
$
7,018

 
 
50
%
 
 
$
7,204

 
 
52
%
 
 
$
(186
)
 
(3
)%
 
Content licensing and distribution
3,903

 
 
28

 
 
3,990

 
 
29

 
 
(87
)
 
(2
)
 
Affiliate and subscription fees
2,724

 
 
20

 
 
2,362

 
 
17

 
 
362

 
15

 
Other
241

 
 
2

 
 
250

 
 
2

 
 
(9
)
 
(4
)
 
Total Revenues
$
13,886

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
13,806

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
80

 
1
 %
 
Advertising
For 2015, the 3% decrease in advertising revenues was principally driven by lower local advertising revenues, mainly from the benefit to 2014 from midterm elections and 6% lower radio advertising revenues. These declines were partially offset by growth in network advertising revenues, which increased 1% despite the broadcast of fewer sporting events on the CBS Television Network in 2015. The increase in network advertising reflects higher scatter pricing in the second half of the year, primarily as a result of increased demand. The increase is also driven by more inventory available to be sold at higher prices in the scatter market as a result of fewer units sold prior to the start of the 2015/2016 television broadcast season (“Upfront”) compared with the 2014/2015 season. (See pages I-2 and II-8 for further descriptions of the scatter and Upfront advertising markets.)
 

II-7




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


In 2016, national and local advertising revenues will benefit from the CBS Television Network’s broadcast of the Super Bowl, which airs on the CBS Television Network once every three years through 2022 under the current contract with the National Football League (“NFL”). The local advertising revenue comparison will also benefit from higher political advertising spending, mainly in the second half of the year, associated with the U.S. Presidential election. For national advertising, the CBS Television Network’s Upfront for the 2015/2016 television broadcast season, which runs from the middle of September 2015 through the middle of September 2016, resulted in pricing increases and lower overall volume compared with the prior season. As a result, more advertising spots are available in the scatter advertising market, when advertisers purchase the remaining advertising spots closer to the broadcast of the related programming. Overall advertising revenues for the Company will be dependent on demand in the overall advertising marketplace and ratings for its programming.

Content licensing and distribution
Content licensing and distribution revenues are principally comprised of fees from the licensing of internally produced television programming for multiple media platforms and in various geographic locations; fees from the distribution of third party programming; and revenues from the publishing and distribution of consumer books. For 2015, the 2% decrease in content licensing and distribution revenues reflects lower domestic television licensing revenues, partially offset by higher international television licensing revenues. Significant contributors to domestic television licensing revenues in 2015 included Elementary and NCIS, while 2014 included Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-0, and Dexter.

Content licensing and distribution revenue comparisons are impacted by fluctuations resulting from the timing of the availability of Company-owned television series for multi-year licensing agreements. Television license fee revenues are recognized at the beginning of the license period in which programs are made available to the licensee for exhibition. Unrecognized revenues attributable to license agreements for produced programming that is not yet available for exhibition were $847 million and $1.02 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of the end of 2015 the Company had approximately 400 episodes of scripted original programming that had not yet been made available in the secondary domestic marketplace (See page II-46 for a description of the secondary marketplace).

Total outstanding receivables attributable to revenues recognized under licensing agreements at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $3.83 billion and $3.57 billion, respectively. At December 31, 2015, the total amount due from these receivables was $1.69 billion in 2016, $1.03 billion in 2017, $552 million in 2018, $348 million in 2019, and $214 million in 2020 and thereafter.

Affiliate and subscription fees
Affiliate and subscription fees are principally comprised of revenues received from MVPDs for carriage of the Company’s cable networks (“cable affiliate fees”), as well as for authorizing the MVPDs’ carriage of the Company’s owned television stations (“retransmission fees”); fees received from television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network (“station affiliation fees”); subscription fees for online content; and revenues received for the distribution of pay-per-view boxing events. For 2015, the 15% increase in affiliate and subscription fees reflects growth in station affiliation fees, retransmission fees, and cable affiliate fees from growth in rates; higher revenues from pay-per-view boxing events; and revenues from new digital distribution platforms. In 2016, the Company expects continued growth in affiliate and subscription fees. Over the next few years the Company expects to renew a significant portion of its agreements with station affiliates and MVPDs. This, along with the Company’s new digital distribution initiatives, including CBS All Access and Showtime’s digital streaming subscription offering, are expected to result in continued growth in affiliate and subscription fees over the next several years.


II-8




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


International Revenues
International revenues primarily consist of television licensing revenues. The Company generated approximately 14% and 13% of its total revenues from international regions in 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
International
 
2014
 
International
 
United Kingdom
 
$
345

 
 
17
%
 
 
$
270

 
 
15
%
 
 
Other Europe
 
691

 
 
35

 
 
657

 
 
37

 
 
Canada
 
286

 
 
14

 
 
241

 
 
13

 
 
Asia
 
236

 
 
12

 
 
262

 
 
15

 
 
Other
 
446

 
 
22

 
 
363

 
 
20

 
 
Total International Revenues
 
$
2,004

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
1,793

 
 
100
%
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
Operating Expenses by Type
 
 
Operating
 
 
 
Operating
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
Expenses
 
2014
 
Expenses
 
$
 
%
 
Programming
$
2,961

 
 
36
%
 
 
$
2,975

 
 
37
%
 
 
$
(14
)
 
 %
 
Production
2,770

 
 
33

 
 
2,456

 
 
30

 
 
314

 
13

 
Participation, distribution and
royalty
1,109

 
 
13

 
 
1,185

 
 
15

 
 
(76
)
 
(6
)
 
Other
1,484

 
 
18

 
 
1,473

 
 
18

 
 
11

 
1

 
Total Operating Expenses
$
8,324

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
8,089

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
235

 
3
 %
 
Programming expenses reflect the amortization of acquired rights of programs exhibited on the television broadcast and cable networks, and television and radio stations. For 2015, programming expenses remained flat with 2014 as increased sports programming costs associated with higher revenues from NFL broadcasts and pay-per-view boxing events were offset by lower costs for acquired television series as a result of a shift to a higher mix of internally developed television series.
 
Production expenses reflect the amortization of direct costs of internally developed television and theatrical film content, as well as television and radio costs, including on-air talent and other production costs. For 2015, the 13% increase in production expenses reflects an increased investment in internally developed television series as well as higher costs associated with the mix of titles sold under television licensing agreements in 2015 compared with 2014. The Company produced approximately 20% more hours of original scripted programming in 2015 compared with 2014.
 
Participation, distribution and royalty costs primarily include participation and residual expenses for television programming, royalty costs for Publishing content and other distribution expenses incurred with respect to television content, such as print and advertising. For 2015, the 6% decrease in participation, distribution and royalty costs primarily reflects lower participations and residuals associated with the decrease in licensing revenues.
 
Other operating expenses primarily include compensation and costs associated with book sales, including printing and warehousing. 
 

II-9




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
Revenues
 
2014
 
Revenues
 
$
 
%
 
Selling, general and administrative
expenses
$
2,455

 
 
18
%
 
 
$
2,462

 
 
18
%
 
 
$
(7
)
 
%
 
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include expenses incurred for selling and marketing costs, occupancy and back office support.

Depreciation and Amortization
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
264

 
$
281

 
$
(17
)
 
(6
)%
 
For 2015, the 6% decrease in depreciation and amortization was the result of intangibles and property and equipment that became fully amortized.
 
Restructuring Charges
During the year ended December 31, 2015, in a continued effort to reduce its cost structure, the Company initiated restructuring plans across several of its businesses, primarily for the reorganization of certain business operations. As a result, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $81 million, reflecting $48 million of severance costs and $33 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs. These restructuring activities are expected to reduce the Company’s annual cost structure by approximately $95 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $26 million, reflecting $17 million of severance costs and $9 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations. As of December 31, 2015, the cumulative settlements for the 2015 and 2014 restructuring charges were $53 million, of which $35 million was for severance costs and $18 million related to costs associated with exiting contractual obligations. The Company expects to substantially utilize its restructuring reserves by the end of 2016.
 
Balance at
 
2015
 
2015
 
Balance at
 
December 31, 2014
 
Charges
 
Settlements
 
December 31, 2015
Entertainment
 
$
6

 
 
$
26

 
 
$
(13
)
 
 
 
$
19

 
Local Broadcasting
 
10

 
 
55

 
 
(31
)
 
 
 
34

 
Corporate
 
2

 
 

 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
1

 
Total
 
$
18

 
 
$
81

 
 
$
(45
)
 
 
 
$
54

 
 
2014
 
2014
 
Balance at
 
Charges
 
Settlements
 
December 31, 2014
Entertainment
$
8

 
 
$
(2
)
 
 
 
$
6

 
Publishing
1

 
 
(1
)
 
 
 

 
Local Broadcasting
14

 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
10

 
Corporate
3

 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
2

 
Total
$
26

 
 
$
(8
)
 
 
 
$
18

 
Impairment Charges
During 2015, the Company recorded a pretax noncash impairment charge of $484 million to reduce the carrying value of radio FCC licenses in 18 markets to their fair value. (See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements).


II-10




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


In December 2014, the Company completed a radio station swap with Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. through which the Company exchanged 13 of its radio stations in Tampa and Charlotte as well as one radio station in Philadelphia, for two radio stations in Philadelphia and three radio stations in Miami. In connection with the radio station swap, the Company recorded a pretax noncash impairment charge of $52 million to reduce the carrying value of the allocated goodwill.

Gain on Sales of Businesses
In 2015, the Company disposed of Internet businesses in China which resulted in gains of $139 million ($131 million, net of tax).

Interest expense/income
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Interest expense
$
(392
)
 
$
(363
)
 
$
29

 
8
%
 
Interest income
$
24

 
$
13

 
$
11

 
85
%
 
The following table presents the Company’s outstanding debt balances, excluding capital leases, and the weighted average interest rate as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
At December 31,
2015
 
Interest Rate
 
2014
 
Interest Rate
 
Total long-term debt
$
8,365

 
 
4.68
%
 
 
$
6,399

 
 
4.88
%
 
 
Commercial paper
$

 
 
%
 
 
$
616

 
 
0.46
%
 
 
Net Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt
For 2014, the loss on early extinguishment of debt of $352 million reflected a pretax loss associated with the Company’s redemption of $1.07 billion of its long-term debt.
 
Other Items, Net
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Gain on sale of investments
$

 
$
4

 
$
(4
)
 
(100
)%
 
Foreign exchange losses
(26
)
 
(34
)
 
8

 
24

 
Other items, net
$
(26
)
 
$
(30
)
 
$
4

 
13
 %
 
Provision for Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Tax provision
$
(587
)
 
$
(762
)
 
$
(175
)
 
(23
)%
 
Effective tax rate
29.0
%
 
35.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
The provision for income taxes represents federal, state and local, and foreign income taxes on earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies. The Company’s income tax provision for 2015 included a tax benefit of $187 million associated with a noncash impairment charge of $484 million to reduce the carrying value of radio FCC licenses to their fair value, and a tax provision of $8 million related to gains from the sales of Internet businesses in China of $139 million. In 2014, the Company’s income tax provision included a tax benefit of $133 million associated with the loss on early extinguishment of debt of $352 million. For 2016, the Company’s annual effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 33%.

II-11




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)



Equity in Loss of Investee Companies, Net of Tax
The following table presents equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies for the Company’s domestic and international equity investments:
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Domestic
$
(59
)
 
$
(68
)
 
$
9

 
13
 %
 
International
5

 
(11
)
 
16

 
145

 
Tax benefit
21

 
31

 
(10
)
 
(32
)
 
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax
$
(33
)
 
$
(48
)
 
$
15

 
31
 %
 
Net Earnings from Continuing Operations and Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
1,403

 
$
1,354

 
$
49

 
4
%
 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
2.87

 
$
2.41

 
$
.46

 
19
%
 
For 2015, the 4% increase in net earnings from continuing operations and the 19% increase in diluted EPS from continuing operations was driven by a 2014 loss on early extinguishment of debt of $352 million ($219 million, net of tax) and 2015 gains from the sales of Internet businesses in China of $139 million ($131 million, net of tax), partially offset by a 2015 impairment charge of $484 million ($297 million, net of tax) to reduce the carrying value of radio FCC licenses to their fair value. The diluted EPS comparison also benefited from lower weighted average shares outstanding as a result of the Company’s ongoing share repurchase program and the split-off of Outdoor Americas during the third quarter of 2014.

Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations
The following table sets forth details of net earnings from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
Year Ended December 31,
2015 (a)
 
2014 (b)
Revenues from discontinued operations
$

 
$
677

Earnings from discontinued operations
$
17

 
$
79

Income tax provision
(7
)
 
(26
)
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
10

 
53

Gain on disposal

 
1,557

Income tax provision

 

Gain on disposal, net of tax

 
1,557

Less: Net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax

 
5

Net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to CBS Corp.
$
10

 
$
1,605

(a) Primarily relates to a decrease to the guarantee liability associated with the 2013 disposition of the Company’s outdoor advertising business in Europe (“Outdoor Europe”) as a result of a reduction to the risk associated with the guarantee.
(b) Primarily reflects the activity of Outdoor Americas prior to its disposal in July 2014 as well as the gain on its disposal. See below for a discussion of this transaction.

During 2014, the Company completed the disposition of Outdoor Americas, which was previously a subsidiary of the Company and has been renamed OUTFRONT Media Inc. Outdoor Americas has been presented as a discontinued operation in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. In connection with the

II-12




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Company’s plan to dispose of Outdoor Americas, in January 2014 Outdoor Americas borrowed $1.60 billion. On April 2, 2014, Outdoor Americas completed an initial public offering (“IPO”) through which it sold 23.0 million shares, or approximately 19%, of its common stock for $28.00 per share. Proceeds from the IPO aggregated $615 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company received $2.04 billion of the combined IPO and debt proceeds from Outdoor Americas. On July 16, 2014, the Company completed the disposition of its 81% ownership of Outdoor Americas common stock through a tax-free split-off (the “Split-Off”) through which the Company accepted 44.7 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock from its stockholders in exchange for the 97.0 million shares of Outdoor Americas common stock that it owned. In aggregate, the Company received $4.76 billion from the disposition of Outdoor Americas, including the cash from the IPO and debt proceeds, and the fair value of the shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock that were accepted in the Split-Off of $2.72 billion. The Split-Off resulted in a gain of $1.56 billion, which is included in net earnings from discontinued operations for 2014 and is calculated as follows:
Fair value of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock accepted
 
$
2,721

(44,723,131 shares at $60.85 per share on July 16, 2014)
 
 
Carrying value of Outdoor Americas
 
(1,162
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
30

Transaction costs
 
(32
)
Net gain on Split-Off of Outdoor Americas
 
$
1,557

The Split-Off was a tax-free transaction and therefore, there was no tax impact on the gain.

Net Earnings and Diluted EPS
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Net earnings
$
1,413

 
$
2,959

 
$
(1,546
)
 
(52
)%
 
Diluted EPS
$
2.89

 
$
5.27

 
$
(2.38
)
 
(45
)%
 
Included in net earnings for 2014 is the gain of $1.56 billion, or $2.78 per diluted share, on the disposal of Outdoor Americas.

Consolidated Results of Operations— 2014 vs. 2013
Revenues
Revenues by Type
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
% of Total
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
Revenues
 
2013
 
Revenues
 
$
 
%
 
Advertising
$
7,204

 
 
52
%
 
 
$
7,525

 
 
54
%
 
 
$
(321
)
 
(4
)%
 
Content licensing and distribution
3,990

 
 
29

 
 
3,997

 
 
29

 
 
(7
)
 

 
Affiliate and subscription fees
2,362

 
 
17

 
 
2,221

 
 
15

 
 
141

 
6

 
Other
250

 
 
2

 
 
262

 
 
2

 
 
(12
)
 
(5
)
 
Total Revenues
$
13,806

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
14,005

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
(199
)
 
(1
)%
 
Advertising
For 2014, the 4% decrease in advertising revenues reflected the benefit to 2013 from the CBS Television Network’s Super Bowl broadcast, which is broadcast on the CBS Television Network once every three years through 2022 under the current contract. Additionally, four fewer NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship (“NCAA Tournament”) games were broadcast on CBS during 2014. Taken together these items impacted the advertising revenue comparison by five percentage points. These decreases were partially offset by the addition of Thursday Night Football on CBS in 2014 as well as political advertising spending associated with midterm elections.

II-13




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Content licensing and distribution
For 2014, content licensing and distribution revenues were comparable with 2013 reflecting higher revenues from the licensing of the Company’s television programming offset by lower revenues from book sales and theatrical releases. Significant contributors to television licensing revenues in 2014 included Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-0, and Dexter and in 2013 included NCIS: Los Angeles and The Good Wife.

Affiliate and subscription fees
For 2014, the 6% increase in affiliate and subscription fees reflected higher rates across the Company partially offset by lower revenues from Showtime Networks’ distribution of pay-per-view boxing events.

International Revenues
International revenues primarily consist of television licensing revenues. The Company generated approximately 13% of its total revenues from international regions in each of 2014 and 2013.
 
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
International
 
2013
 
International
 
United Kingdom
 
$
270

 
 
15
%
 
 
$
359

 
 
20
%
 
 
Other Europe
 
657

 
 
37

 
 
607

 
 
33

 
 
Canada
 
241

 
 
13

 
 
270

 
 
15

 
 
Asia
 
262

 
 
15

 
 
225

 
 
12

 
 
Other
 
363

 
 
20

 
 
366

 
 
20

 
 
Total International Revenues
 
$
1,793

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
1,827

 
 
100
%
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
Operating Expenses by Type
 
 
Operating
 
 
 
Operating
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
Expense
 
2013
 
Expense
 
$
 
%
 
Programming
$
2,975

 
 
37
%
 
 
$
3,084

 
 
38
%
 
 
$
(109
)
 
(4
)%
 
Production
2,456

 
 
30

 
 
2,454

 
 
30

 
 
2

 

 
Participation, distribution and
royalty
1,185

 
 
15

 
 
1,112

 
 
14

 
 
73

 
7

 
Other
1,473

 
 
18

 
 
1,474

 
 
18

 
 
(1
)
 

 
Total Operating Expenses
$
8,089

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
8,124

 
 
100
%
 
 
$
(35
)
 
 %
 
For 2014, the 4% decrease in programming expenses was primarily driven by the absence of costs associated with the CBS Television Network’s broadcast of the Super Bowl in 2013. Programming expenses for 2014 also reflected an increased investment in programming, primarily for Thursday Night Football on CBS, partially offset by lower costs for acquired television series as a result of a shift to a higher mix of internally developed television series during 2014.

For 2014, production expenses remained flat with 2013 as an increased investment in internally developed television programming was offset by lower costs associated with the mix of titles licensed under television licensing arrangements.

For 2014, the 7% increase in participation, distribution and royalty costs was principally due to higher participations and residuals associated with the mix of titles licensed under television licensing arrangements, partially offset by lower advertising costs for feature films.

II-14




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
Revenues
 
2013
 
Revenues
 
$
 
%
 
Selling, general and administrative
expenses
$
2,462

 
 
18
%
 
 
$
2,546

 
 
18
%
 
 
$
(84
)
 
(3
)%
 
The 3% decrease in SG&A expenses reflects lower stock-based compensation expense, driven by a change in the Company’s stock price.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
281

 
$
290

 
$
(9
)
 
(3
)%
 
The 3% decrease in depreciation and amortization reflected lower amortization resulting from certain intangible assets that became fully amortized during 2014.

Restructuring charges
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $20 million, reflecting $14 million of severance costs and $6 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations. The 2013 restructuring reserve was substantially utilized by December 31, 2014.

Interest expense/income
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Interest expense
$
(363
)
 
$
(375
)
 
$
(12
)
 
(3
)%
 
Interest income
$
13

 
$
8

 
$
5

 
63
 %
 
The 3% decrease in interest expense was driven by the Company’s debt refinancing during 2014. During 2014, the Company issued $1.75 billion of senior notes and used the net proceeds principally for the early redemption of $1.07 billion of its outstanding debt, which was at significantly higher interest rates, and also redeemed $99 million of outstanding 8.875% notes upon maturity (See “Capital Structure).

The following table presents the Company’s outstanding debt balances, excluding capital leases, and the weighted average interest rate as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
At December 31,
2014
 
Interest Rate
 
2013
 
Interest Rate
 
Total long-term debt from continuing
operations
$
6,399

 
 
4.88
%
 
 
$
5,829

 
 
6.01
%
 
 
Commercial paper
$
616

 
 
0.46
%
 
 
$
475

 
 
0.28
%
 
 
Other Items, Net
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Gain on sale of investments
$
4

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
100
%
 
Foreign exchange (losses) gains
(34
)
 
5

 
(39
)
 
n/m

 
Other items, net
$
(30
)
 
$
7

 
$
(37
)
 
n/m

 

II-15




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Provision for Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Tax provision
$
(762
)
 
$
(878
)
 
$
(116
)
 
(13
)%
 
Effective tax rate
35.2
%
 
32.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in Loss of Investee Companies, Net of Tax
The following table presents equity in loss of investee companies for the Company’s domestic and international equity investments:
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Domestic
$
(68
)
 
$
(75
)
 
$
7

 
9
 %
 
International
(11
)
 
(4
)
 
(7
)
 
(175
)
 
Tax benefit
31

 
30

 
1

 
3

 
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax
$
(48
)
 
$
(49
)
 
$
1

 
2
 %
 
Net Earnings from Continuing Operations and Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
1,354

 
$
1,738

 
$
(384
)
 
(22
)%
 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
2.41

 
$
2.79

 
$
(.38
)
 
(14
)%
 
For 2014, the 22% decrease in net earnings from continuing operations and the 14% decrease in diluted EPS from continuing operations reflects lower operating income and a 2014 loss on early extinguishment of debt. The diluted EPS comparison benefited from lower weighted average shares outstanding as a result of the Company’s ongoing share repurchase program and the Split-Off of Outdoor Americas during 2014.

 Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations
The following table sets forth details of net earnings from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2013:
Year Ended December 31,
2013
Revenues from discontinued operations
$
1,695

Loss from discontinued operations
$
(12
)
Income tax provision

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
(12
)
Gain on disposal
159

Income tax provision
(6
)
Gain on disposal, net of tax
153

Net earnings from discontinued operations
$
141

During 2013, the Company completed the sale of Outdoor Europe for $225 million. Outdoor Europe is presented as a discontinued operation. For 2013, net earnings from discontinued operations include a gain on the disposal of Outdoor Europe and an after-tax charge of $110 million related to Outdoor Europe. This charge was associated with exiting an unprofitable contractual arrangement and the estimated fair value of guarantees, which historically were intercompany but upon the closing of the transaction became third-party guarantees. (See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements).


II-16




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Net Earnings and Diluted EPS
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Net earnings
$
2,959

 
$
1,879

 
$
1,080

 
57
%
 
Diluted EPS
$
5.27

 
$
3.01

 
$
2.26

 
75
%
 
For 2014, included in net earnings is a gain of $1.56 billion on the disposition of Outdoor Americas.

Segment Results of Operations - 2015 vs. 2014
The Company presents operating income (loss) excluding restructuring charges, impairment charges, and gain on sales of businesses, if any, (“Segment Operating Income”) as the primary measure of profit and loss for its operating segments (“segment profit measure”) in accordance with FASB guidance for segment reporting. The Company began presenting Segment Operating Income as its segment profit measure in the first quarter of 2015 in order to align with the primary method the Company’s management began using in 2015 to evaluate segment performance and to make decisions regarding the allocation of resources to its segments. The Company believes the presentation of Segment Operating Income is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view segment performance in a manner similar to the primary method used by the Company’s management and enhances their ability to understand the Company’s operating performance. The reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to the Company’s consolidated net earnings is presented in Note 17 (Reportable Segments) to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
% of Total
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
Revenues
 
2014
 
Revenues
 
$
 
%
 
Entertainment
$
8,438

 
 
61
 %
 
 
$
8,309

 
 
60
 %
 
 
$
129

 
2
 %
 
Cable Networks
2,242

 
 
16

 
 
2,176

 
 
16

 
 
66

 
3

 
Publishing
780

 
 
6

 
 
778

 
 
6

 
 
2

 

 
Local Broadcasting
2,607

 
 
19

 
 
2,756

 
 
20

 
 
(149
)
 
(5
)
 
Corporate/Eliminations
(181
)
 
 
(2
)
 
 
(213
)
 
 
(2
)
 
 
32

 
15

 
Total Revenues
$
13,886

 
 
100
 %
 
 
$
13,806

 
 
100
 %
 
 
$
80

 
1
 %
 
 
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment
 
 
 
Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
 
 
 
Operating
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
Income
 
2014
 
Income
 
$
 
%
 
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
1,294

 
 
46
 %
 
 
$
1,316

 
 
44
 %
 
 
$
(22
)
 
(2
)%
 
Cable Networks
945

 
 
33

 
 
974

 
 
33

 
 
(29
)
 
(3
)
 
Publishing
114

 
 
4

 
 
101

 
 
3

 
 
13

 
13

 
Local Broadcasting
765

 
 
27

 
 
878

 
 
30

 
 
(113
)
 
(13
)
 
Corporate
(275
)
 
 
(10
)
 
 
(295
)
 
 
(10
)
 
 
20

 
7

 
Total Segment Operating Income
2,843

 
 
100
 %
 
 
2,974

 
 
100
 %
 
 
(131
)
 
(4
)
 
Restructuring charges
(81
)
 
 
 
 
 
(26
)
 
 
 
 
 
(55
)
 
n/m

 
Impairment charges
(484
)
 
 
 
 
 
(52
)
 
 
 
 
 
(432
)
 
n/m

 
Gain on sales of businesses
139

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
139

 
n/m

 
Total Operating Income
$
2,417

 
 
 
 
 
$
2,896

 
 
 
 
 
$
(479
)
 
(17
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful

II-17




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Depreciation and Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
126

 
$
139

 
$
(13
)
 
(9
)%
 
Cable Networks
23

 
23

 

 

 
Publishing
6

 
6

 

 

 
Local Broadcasting
79

 
87

 
(8
)
 
(9
)
 
Corporate
30

 
26

 
4

 
15

 
Total Depreciation and Amortization
$
264

 
$
281

 
$
(17
)
 
(6
)%
 
Entertainment (CBS Television Network, CBS Television Studios, CBS Global Distribution Group, CBS Interactive and CBS Films)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
8,438

 
$
8,309

 
$
129

 
2
 %
 
Segment Operating Income
$
1,294

 
$
1,316

 
$
(22
)
 
(2
)%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
15
%
 
16
%
 
n/m

 
n/m

 
Restructuring charges
$
26

 
$
8

 
$
18

 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
126

 
$
139

 
$
(13
)
 
(9
)%
 
Capital expenditures
$
99

 
$
94

 
$
5

 
5
 %
 
n/m - not meaningful
2015 vs. 2014
For 2015, the 2% increase in revenues was primarily driven by 47% growth in affiliate and subscription fees. Network advertising revenues increased 1%, despite the broadcast of fewer sporting events on the CBS Television Network in 2015, reflecting higher scatter pricing in the second half of the year, primarily as a result of increased demand. The increase is also driven by more inventory available to be sold at higher prices in the scatter market as a result of fewer units sold in the Upfront for the 2015/2016 broadcast season, compared with the 2014/2015 season. Overall advertising revenues for the Entertainment segment remained flat as the increase in network advertising revenues was offset by the impact from the sale of an Internet business in China during the first quarter of 2015. Content licensing and distribution revenues decreased 3% reflecting lower domestic television licensing revenues, which were partially offset by higher international television licensing revenues. Significant contributors to domestic television licensing revenues in 2015 included Elementary and NCIS, while 2014 included Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-0, and Criminal Minds.
The decrease in operating income of 2% was primarily driven by increased investment in programming and digital distribution initiatives. For 2015 and 2014 restructuring charges primarily reflected severance costs and costs associated with exiting operating facilities.

During 2016, results are expected to benefit from continued growth in affiliate and subscription fees and the CBS Television Network’s broadcast of the Super Bowl, which airs on the CBS Television Network once every three years through 2022 under the current contract. Revenue comparisons will also be impacted by fluctuations resulting from the timing of the availability of television series for multi-year licensing agreements. Television license fee revenues are recognized at the beginning of the license period in which programs are made available to the licensee for exhibition.


II-18




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Cable Networks (Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network and Smithsonian Networks)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
2,242

 
$
2,176

 
$
66

 
3
 %
 
Segment Operating Income
$
945

 
$
974

 
$
(29
)
 
(3
)%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
42
%
 
45
%
 
n/m

 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
23

 
$
23

 
$

 
 %
 
Capital expenditures
$
18

 
$
16

 
$
2

 
13
 %
 
n/m - not meaningful
2015 vs. 2014
For 2015, the 3% increase in revenues was primarily driven by higher revenues from new long-term agreements for the international licensing of Showtime original series; pay-per-view boxing events; and affiliates, as well as revenues from new digital distribution initiatives. These increases were offset by lower domestic licensing revenues as 2014 benefited from significant domestic streaming sales of Dexter. As of December 31, 2015, subscriptions totaled approximately 77 million for Showtime Networks (including Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix), 55 million for CBS Sports Network and 33 million for Smithsonian Networks.
 
Operating income decreased 3% as the revenue growth was more than offset by higher costs associated with the increased pay-per-view boxing revenues and the mix of titles sold under television licensing arrangements.

During 2015, the Company launched its digital streaming subscription offering of Showtime that is available both on a stand-alone basis and through third-party digital platforms. Subscribers to this offering have on-demand access to Showtime original series, theatrical feature films, documentaries and sports-related programming, as well as the live east and west coast linear feeds of Showtime.
Publishing (Simon & Schuster)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
780

 
$
778

 
$
2

 
%
 
Segment Operating Income
$
114

 
$
101

 
$
13

 
13
%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
15
%
 
13
%
 
n/m

 
n/m

 
Restructuring charges
$

 
$
1

 
$
(1
)
 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
6

 
$
6

 
$

 
%
 
Capital expenditures
$
10

 
$
4

 
$
6

 
150
%
 
n/m - not meaningful
2015 vs. 2014
For 2015, revenues increased slightly from 2014 with digital book sales representing 25% of Publishing’s total revenues. Best-selling titles for 2015 included the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2014 release All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, The Wright Brothers by David McCullough and Finders Keepers by Stephen King.
 
The increase in operating income of 13% primarily reflected a favorable product mix, including strong backlist and digital audio sales, and lower production and distribution costs.

II-19




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Local Broadcasting (CBS Television Stations and CBS Radio)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
2,607

 
$
2,756

 
$
(149
)
 
(5
)%
 
Segment Operating Income
$
765

 
$
878

 
$
(113
)
 
(13
)%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
29
%
 
32
%
 
n/m

 
n/m

 
Restructuring charges
$
55

 
$
14

 
$
41

 
n/m

 
Impairment charges
$
484

 
$
52

 
$
432

 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
79

 
$
87

 
$
(8
)
 
(9
)%
 
Capital expenditures
$
50

 
$
65

 
$
(15
)
 
(23
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
2015 vs. 2014
For 2015, the 5% decrease in revenues primarily reflected lower political advertising revenues as 2014 benefited from midterm elections, as well as lower radio revenues. The lower radio revenues, which decreased 6%, reflected continued softness in the radio advertising marketplace as well as fewer radio stations and lower political revenues. CBS Television Stations revenues declined 5%, reflecting lower political revenues, partially offset by growth in affiliate and subscription fees.

The decrease in operating income of 13% was driven by the revenue decline, which was partially offset by lower programming and employee related costs as a result of recent cost-cutting measures. Restructuring charges in 2015 and 2014 reflected severance costs and costs associated with exiting contractual obligations. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a pretax, noncash impairment charge of $484 million to reduce the carrying value of radio FCC licenses in 18 markets to their fair value. (See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements). In 2014, in connection with a radio station swap with Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., the Company recorded a pretax noncash impairment charge of $52 million to reduce the carrying value of the allocated goodwill. Under the swap, the Company exchanged 13 of its radio stations in Tampa and Charlotte as well as one radio station in Philadelphia, for two radio stations in Philadelphia and three radio stations in Miami.

In 2016, advertising revenues are expected to benefit from increased political spending associated with the U.S. presidential election and the CBS Television Network’s broadcast of the Super Bowl, which airs on the CBS Television Network once every three years through 2022 under the current contract. Continued growth in affiliate and subscription fees is also expected in 2016.

Corporate
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Segment Operating Loss
$
(275
)
 
$
(295
)
 
$
20

 
7
 %
 
Restructuring charges
$

 
$
3

 
$
(3
)
 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
30

 
$
26

 
$
4

 
15
 %
 
Capital expenditures
$
16

 
$
27

 
$
(11
)
 
(41
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
2015 vs. 2014
Corporate expenses include general corporate overhead, unallocated shared company expenses, pension and postretirement benefit costs for plans retained by the Company for previously divested businesses, and intercompany eliminations. The decrease in corporate expenses of 7% primarily reflected lower employee-related costs and lower pension and postretirement benefit costs.

II-20




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)



Segment Results of Operations - 2014 vs. 2013
 
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
% of Total
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
Revenues
 
2013
 
Revenues
 
$
 
%
 
Entertainment
$
8,309

 
 
60
 %
 
 
$
8,645

 
 
62
 %
 
 
$
(336
)
 
(4
)%
 
Cable Networks
2,176

 
 
16

 
 
2,069

 
 
15

 
 
107

 
5

 
Publishing
778

 
 
6

 
 
809

 
 
6

 
 
(31
)
 
(4
)
 
Local Broadcasting
2,756

 
 
20

 
 
2,696

 
 
19

 
 
60

 
2

 
Corporate/Eliminations
(213
)
 
 
(2
)
 
 
(214
)
 
 
(2
)
 
 
1

 

 
Total Revenues
$
13,806

 
 
100
 %
 
 
$
14,005

 
 
100
 %
 
 
$
(199
)
 
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
% of Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment
 
 
 
Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
 
 
 
Operating
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
Income
 
2013
 
Income
 
$
 
%
 
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
1,316

 
 
44
 %
 
 
$
1,605

 
 
53
 %
 
 
$
(289
)
 
(18
)%
 
Cable Networks
974

 
 
33

 
 
878

 
 
29

 
 
96

 
11

 
Publishing
101

 
 
3

 
 
107

 
 
3

 
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
Local Broadcasting
878

 
 
30

 
 
812

 
 
27

 
 
66

 
8

 
Corporate
(295
)
 
 
(10
)
 
 
(357
)
 
 
(12
)
 
 
62

 
17

 
Total Segment Operating Income
2,974

 
 
100
 %
 
 
3,045

 
 
100
 %
 
 
(71
)
 
(2
)
 
Restructuring charges
(26
)
 
 
 
 
 
(20
)
 
 
 
 
 
(6
)
 
(30
)
 
Impairment charges
(52
)
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
(52
)
 
n/m

 
Total Operating Income
$
2,896

 
 
 
 
 
$
3,025

 
 
 
 
 
$
(129
)
 
(4
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Depreciation and Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
139

 
$
153

 
$
(14
)
 
(9
)%
 
Cable Networks
23

 
20

 
3

 
15

 
Publishing
6

 
6

 

 

 
Local Broadcasting
87

 
86

 
1

 
1

 
Corporate
26

 
25

 
1

 
4

 
Total Depreciation and Amortization
$
281

 
$
290

 
$
(9
)
 
(3
)%
 


II-21




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Entertainment (CBS Television Network, CBS Television Studios, CBS Global Distribution Group, CBS Interactive and CBS Films)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
8,309

 
$
8,645

 
$
(336
)
 
(4
)%
 
Segment Operating Income
$
1,316

 
$
1,605

 
$
(289
)
 
(18
)%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
16
%
 
19
%
 
n/m

 
n/m

 
Restructuring charges
$
8

 
$
12

 
$
(4
)
 
(33
)%
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
139

 
$
153

 
$
(14
)
 
(9
)%
 
Capital expenditures
$
94

 
$
101

 
$
(7
)
 
(7
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
2014 vs. 2013
For 2014, the 4% decrease in revenues reflected lower advertising revenues and content licensing and distribution revenues, partially offset by growth in affiliate and subscription fee revenues.  Advertising revenues decreased 7%, mainly driven by the benefit to 2013 from the CBS Television Network’s broadcast of the Super Bowl, which is broadcast on CBS once every three years through 2022 under the current contract, and four fewer NCAA Tournament games broadcast on CBS in 2014. These decreases were partially offset by advertising revenues from the broadcast of Thursday Night Football on CBS, which premiered on CBS in 2014. Content licensing and distribution revenues decreased 2% reflecting the timing of theatrical releases and television licensing revenues. Television licensing revenues in 2014 included the first-cycle domestic syndication sales of Blue Bloods and Hawaii Five-0 and in 2013 included NCIS: Los Angeles and The Good Wife.
 
The decrease in operating income of 18% primarily reflected an increased investment in programming, primarily for NFL games. Restructuring charges for 2014 primarily reflected severance costs and costs associated with exiting operating facilities and 2013 principally reflected costs associated with exiting certain international operations and severance costs.
Cable Networks (Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network and Smithsonian Networks)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
2,176

 
$
2,069

 
$
107

 
5
%
 
Segment Operating Income
$
974

 
$
878

 
$
96

 
11
%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
45
%
 
42
%
 
n/m

 
n/m

 
Restructuring charges
$

 
$
1

 
$
(1
)
 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
23

 
$
20

 
$
3

 
15
%
 
Capital expenditures
$
16

 
$
16

 
$

 
%
 
n/m - not meaningful
2014 vs. 2013
For 2014, the 5% increase in revenues was driven by higher revenues from the licensing of Showtime original series for digital streaming, mainly Dexter and Californication. Revenue growth also reflects higher cable affiliate fees, primarily reflecting rate increases. These increases were partially offset by lower revenues from pay-per-view boxing events. As of December 31, 2014, subscriptions totaled approximately 76 million for Showtime Networks (including Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix), 55 million for CBS Sports Network and 30 million for Smithsonian Networks.

The increase in operating income of 11% was primarily a result of the increased revenues and lower programming costs from the timing of premieres.

II-22




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Publishing (Simon & Schuster)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
778

 
$
809

 
$
(31
)
 
(4
)%
 
Segment Operating Income
$
101

 
$
107

 
$
(6
)
 
(6
)%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
13
%
 
13
%
 
n/m

 
n/m

 
Restructuring charges
$
1

 
$
1

 
$

 
 %
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
6

 
$
6

 
$

 
 %
 
Capital expenditures
$
4

 
$
4

 
$

 
 %
 
n/m - not meaningful
2014 vs. 2013
For 2014, the 4% decrease in revenues reflected lower book sales as 2013 benefited from the popularity of the Duck Dynasty series. Digital book sales represented 26% of total revenues for 2014. Best-selling titles in 2014 included Hard Choices by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King.

The decrease in operating income of 6% reflected the aforementioned lower revenues partially offset by lower inventory, selling and overhead costs.

Local Broadcasting (CBS Television Stations and CBS Radio)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014

2013

$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
2,756

 
$
2,696

 
$
60

 
2
%
 
Segment Operating Income
$
878

 
$
812

 
$
66

 
8
%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
32
%
 
30
%
 
n/m

 
n/m

 
Restructuring charges
$
14

 
$
5

 
$
9

 
180
%
 
Impairment charges
$
52

 
$

 
$
52

 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
87

 
$
86

 
$
1

 
1
%
 
Capital expenditures
$
65

 
$
64

 
$
1

 
2
%
 
n/m - not meaningful
2014 vs. 2013
For 2014, the 2% increase in revenues was primarily driven by higher political advertising revenues as a result of midterm elections and growth in affiliate and subscription fee revenues. CBS Television Stations revenues grew 4% and CBS Radio revenues increased 1%.

The increase in operating income of 8% principally reflected the increase in revenues as well as lower programming costs, mainly for sports. Restructuring charges for 2014 reflected severance costs and costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and 2013 principally reflected severance costs.


II-23




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Corporate
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
2013
 
$
 
%
 
Segment Operating Loss
$
(295
)
 
$
(357
)
 
$
62

 
17
%
 
Restructuring charges
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
2

 
200
%
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
26

 
$
25

 
$
1

 
4
%
 
Capital expenditures
$
27

 
$
27

 
$

 
%
 
2014 vs. 2013
Corporate expenses include general corporate overhead, unallocated shared company expenses, pension and postretirement benefit costs for plans retained by the Company for previously divested businesses, and intercompany eliminations. The decrease in corporate expenses of 17% primarily reflected the impact of changes in the Company’s stock price on stock-based compensation.

Financial Position
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
323

 
$
428

 
$
(105
)
 
(25
)%
 
Receivables, net (a)
3,628

 
3,459

 
169

 
5

 
Programming and other inventory (b)
1,271

 
922

 
349

 
38

 
Prepaid income taxes (c)
101

 
161

 
(60
)
 
(37
)
 
All other current assets, net (d)
424

 
515

 
(91
)
 
(18
)
 
Total current assets
$
5,747

 
$
5,485

 
$
262

 
5
 %
 
(a) The increase in receivables is primarily associated with the licensing of television programming and higher network advertising revenues. The allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of receivables was 1.7% at December 31, 2015 compared with 1.4% at December 31, 2014.
(b) The increase primarily reflects an increase in programming inventory, mainly from the timing of payments for sports programming.
(c) The decrease reflects the timing of income tax payments.
(d) The decrease primarily reflects the sale of short-term investments.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Intangible assets (a)
$
5,514

 
$
6,008

 
$
(494
)
 
(8
)%
 
(a) The decrease primarily reflects a pretax noncash impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of radio FCC licenses to their fair value. (See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements).

II-24




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Other assets (a)
$
2,661

 
$
2,494

 
$
167

 
7
%
 
(a) The increase primarily reflects higher long-term receivables associated with additional revenues from long-term television licensing arrangements. As of December 31, 2015, total outstanding receivables from licensing arrangements, including both current and noncurrent, were $3.83 billion versus $3.57 billion at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2015, the total amount due from these receivables was $1.69 billion in 2016, $1.03 billion in 2017, $552 million in 2018, $348 million in 2019, and $214 million in 2020 and thereafter.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
192

 
$
302

 
$
(110
)
 
(36
)%
 
Accrued compensation
315

 
333

 
(18
)
 
(5
)
 
Commercial paper

 
616

 
(616
)
 
n/m

 
Current portion of long-term debt (a)
222

 
20

 
202

 
n/m

 
All other current liabilities, net
2,831

 
2,762

 
69

 
2

 
Current liabilities
$
3,560

 
$
4,033

 
$
(473
)
 
(12
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
(a) The increase was primarily due to the maturity of $200 million of outstanding senior debentures in January 2016.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Long-term debt (a)
$
8,226

 
$
6,476

 
$
1,750

 
27
%
 
(a) The increase is primarily the result of the Company’s issuance of $2.00 billion of senior notes, partially offset by the reclassification of the previously mentioned senior debentures to the current portion of long-term debt. (See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements).

Cash Flows
The changes in cash and cash equivalents were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/ (Decrease)
 
 
 
Increase/ (Decrease)
Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2015 vs. 2014
 
2013
 
2014 vs. 2013
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1,419

 
$
1,210

 
 
$
209

 
 
$
1,779

 
 
$
(569
)
 
Discontinued operations
(25
)
 
65

 
 
(90
)
 
 
94

 
 
(29
)
 
Cash provided by operating activities
1,394

 
1,275

 
 
119

 
 
1,873

 
 
(598
)
 
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
157

 
(316
)
 
 
473

 
 
(214
)
 
 
(102
)
 
Discontinued operations
(3
)
 
(285
)
 
 
282

 
 
(58
)
 
 
(227
)
 
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities
154

 
(601
)
 
 
755

 
 
(272
)
 
 
(329
)
 
Cash (used for) provided by financing activities from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
(1,653
)
 
(2,810
)
 
 
1,157

 
 
(1,912
)
 
 
(898
)
 
Discontinued operations

 
2,167

 
 
(2,167
)
 
 

 
 
2,167

 
Cash used for financing activities
(1,653
)
 
(643
)
 
 
(1,010
)
 
 
(1,912
)
 
 
1,269

 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
(105
)
 
$
31

 
 
$
(136
)
 
 
$
(311
)
 
 
$
342

 

II-25




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Operating Activities.  In 2015, the increase in cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations resulted from early-redemption premiums paid in 2014 in connection with the Company’s debt refinancing, with no comparable amount in 2015, and lower payments for income taxes, mainly resulting from federal tax refunds received in 2015. These increases were partially offset by increased investment in programming.

In 2014, the decrease in cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations compared with 2013 reflected the above-mentioned debt redemption premiums, as well as the benefit to 2013 from CBS’s Super Bowl broadcast and the timing of payments for sports programming. These declines were partially offset by contributions of $150 million in 2013 to prefund the Company’s qualified pension plans, with no comparable amount in 2014, as well as higher collections from television licensing agreements.
Cash paid for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2013
Cash taxes included in operating activities from continuing operations
$
346

 
$
460

 
$
442

Excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and
vesting of restricted stock units, included in financing activities
88

 
243

 
148

Cash paid for income taxes from continuing operations
$
258

 
$
217

 
$
294


In 2015, cash used for operating activities from discontinued operations primarily reflected payments for a tax matter in a foreign jurisdiction related to a previously disposed business that is accounted for as a discontinued operation. For 2014 and 2013, cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations primarily reflected the operating activities of Outdoor Americas and Outdoor Europe. Also included in 2013 was a payment of $171 million associated with exiting an unprofitable contractual arrangement in connection with the sale of Outdoor Europe.

Investing Activities
Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2013
Capital expenditures (a)
$
(193
)
 
$
(206
)
 
$
(212
)
Investments in and advances to investee companies (b)
(98
)
 
(98
)
 
(176
)
Proceeds from dispositions (c)
385

 
7

 
164

All other investing activities from continuing operations, net
63

 
(19
)
 
10

Cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations
157

 
(316
)
 
(214
)
Cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations (d)
(3
)
 
(285
)
 
(58
)
Cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities
$
154

 
$
(601
)
 
$
(272
)
(a) Capital expenditures for 2016 are anticipated to be at a similar level as the prior three years.
(b) Mainly includes the Company’s investment in The CW as well as its other domestic and international television joint ventures. 2013 also includes the Company’s initial investment in Pop.
(c) 2015 was primarily related to sales of Internet businesses in China and 2013 was principally related to the sale of Outdoor Europe.
(d) For 2014 cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations principally reflects the disposition of Outdoor Americas’ cash as well as the capital expenditures of Outdoor Americas. 2013 primarily reflects Outdoor Americas’ capital expenditures.


II-26




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Financing Activities
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Repurchase of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock
$
(2,813
)
 
$
(3,595
)
 
$
(2,185
)
Repayment of notes and debentures

 
(1,152
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes
1,959

 
1,728

 

(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net
(616
)
 
141

 
475

Dividends
(300
)
 
(292
)
 
(300
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
142

 
283

 
146

All other financing activities from continuing operations, net
(25
)
 
77

 
(48
)
Cash flow used for financing activities from continuing operations
(1,653
)
 
(2,810
)
 
(1,912
)
Cash flow provided by financing activities from discontinued operations (a)

 
2,167

 

Cash flow used for financing activities
$
(1,653
)
 
$
(643
)
 
$
(1,912
)
(a) Cash provided by financing activities from discontinued operations for 2014 principally reflects the net proceeds from Outdoor Americas’ long-term debt borrowings and IPO.

Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. Free cash flow reflects the Company’s net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities before operating cash flow from discontinued operations and including capital expenditures. The Company’s calculation of free cash flow includes capital expenditures because investment in capital expenditures is a use of cash that is directly related to the Company’s operations. The Company’s net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to the Company to service debt, make strategic acquisitions and investments, maintain its capital assets, satisfy its tax obligations, and fund ongoing operations and working capital needs. As a result, free cash flow is a significant measure of the Company’s ability to generate long-term value. It is useful for investors to know whether this ability is being enhanced or degraded as a result of the Company’s operating performance. The Company believes the presentation of free cash flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to evaluate the cash generated from the Company’s underlying operations in a manner similar to the method used by management. Free cash flow is one of several components of incentive compensation targets for certain management personnel. In addition, free cash flow is a primary measure used externally by the Company’s investors, analysts and industry peers for purposes of valuation and comparison of the Company’s operating performance to other companies in its industry.

As free cash flow is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, free cash flow should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, either net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities as a measure of liquidity or net earnings as a measure of operating performance. Free cash flow, as the Company calculates it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, free cash flow as a measure of liquidity has certain limitations, does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of the Company’s ability to fund its cash needs. When comparing free cash flow to net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, users of this financial information should consider the types of events and transactions that are not reflected in free cash flow.


II-27




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company’s net cash flow provided by operating activities to free cash flow.
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
$
1,394

 
$
1,275

 
$
1,873

Capital expenditures
(193
)
 
(206
)
 
(212
)
Exclude operating cash flow from discontinued operations
(25
)
 
65

 
94

Free cash flow
$
1,226

 
$
1,004

 
$
1,567


Dividends
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company declared total per share dividends of $.60, $.54, and $.48, respectively, which resulted in total annual dividends of $293 million, $296 million and $295 million, respectively.

On January 28, 2016, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $.15 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable on April 1, 2016

Share Repurchase Program
During 2015, the Company repurchased 51.7 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock under its share repurchase program for $2.80 billion, at an average cost of $54.18 per share. At December 31, 2015, $2.00 billion of authorization remained under the share repurchase program.

Capital Structure
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
Commercial paper
$

 
$
616

Senior debt (1.95%-7.875% due 2016-2045)
8,365

 
6,399

Obligations under capital leases
83

 
97

Total debt (a)
8,448

 
7,112

Less commercial paper

 
616

Less current portion of long-term debt
222

 
20

Total long-term debt, net of current portion
$
8,226

 
$
6,476

(a)
At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the senior debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $45 million and $21 million, respectively, (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $44 million and $34 million, respectively, and (iii) an increase in the carrying value of the debt relating to previously settled fair value hedges of $14 million at both December 31, 2015 and 2014.  The face value of the Company’s total debt was $8.52 billion at December 31, 2015 and $7.15 billion at December 31, 2014.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, debt issuances were as follows:

January 2015, $600 million 3.50% senior notes due 2025
January 2015, $600 million 4.60% senior notes due 2045
July 2015, $800 million 4.00% senior notes due 2026

The Company used the net proceeds from these issuances for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock and repayment of short-term borrowings, including commercial paper.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued $1.75 billion of senior notes and redeemed or repurchased $1.17 billion of senior notes and debentures, of which $1.07 billion was redeemed or repurchased prior to maturity, resulting in a pretax loss on early extinguishment of debt of $352 million.

II-28




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)



At December 31, 2015, the Company’s scheduled maturities of long-term debt at face value, excluding capital leases, were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021 and
 
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter
Long-term debt
 
$
200

 
 
$
400

 
 
$
300

 
 
$
600

 
 
$
500

 
$
6,440

During January 2016, the Company repaid its $200 million of outstanding 7.625% senior debentures upon maturity.

Commercial Paper
At December 31, 2014 the Company had outstanding commercial paper borrowings under its $2.5 billion commercial paper program of $616 million, at a weighted average interest rate of 0.46% and with maturities of less than forty-five days. There were no outstanding commercial paper borrowings at December 31, 2015.
 
Credit Facility
At December 31, 2015, the Company had a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2019 (the “Credit Facility”). The Company, at its option, may also borrow in certain foreign currencies up to specified limits under the Credit Facility. Borrowing rates under the Credit Facility are determined at the Company’s option at the time of each borrowing and are based generally on the prime rate in the U.S. or the London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin based on the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating. The Company pays a facility fee based on the total amount of the commitments.

The Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio of 4.5x at the end of each quarter as further described in the Credit Facility. At December 31, 2015, the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio was approximately 2.6x.

The Consolidated Leverage Ratio reflects the ratio of the Company’s indebtedness from continuing operations, adjusted to exclude certain capital lease obligations, at the end of a quarter, to the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for the trailing four consecutive quarters.  Consolidated EBITDA is defined in the Credit Facility as operating income plus interest income and before depreciation, amortization and certain other noncash items.

The Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2015, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility and the remaining availability under the Credit Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit, was $2.49 billion.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company continually projects anticipated cash requirements for its operating, investing and financing needs as well as cash flows generated from operating activities available to meet these needs.  The Company’s operating needs include, among other items, commitments for sports programming rights, television and film programming, talent contracts, operating leases, interest payments, and pension funding obligations. The Company’s investing and financing spending includes capital expenditures, share repurchases, dividends and principal payments on its outstanding indebtedness. The Company believes that its operating cash flows, cash and cash equivalents, borrowing capacity under its Credit Facility, which had $2.49 billion of remaining availability at December 31, 2015, and access to capital markets are sufficient to fund its operating, investing and financing requirements for the next twelve months.
 

II-29




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The Company’s funding for short-term and long-term obligations will come primarily from cash flows from operating activities.  Any additional cash funding requirements are financed with short-term borrowings, including commercial paper, and long-term debt. To the extent that commercial paper is not available to the Company, the existing Credit Facility provides sufficient capacity to satisfy short-term borrowing needs. The Company routinely assesses its capital structure and opportunistically enters into transactions to lower its interest expense, which could result in a charge from the early extinguishment of debt.

Funding for the Company’s long-term debt obligations due over the next five years of $2.00 billion is expected to come from the Company’s ability to refinance its debt and cash generated from operating activities.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $2.00 billion of remaining availability under its share repurchase program. The Company expects to complete the share repurchase program by the end of 2016. This timing is subject to market and business conditions, and remains at the discretion of management. These repurchases are expected to be funded by cash flows from operations and, as appropriate, with short-term borrowings, including commercial paper, and/or the issuance of long-term debt.

Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2015 payments due by period under the Company’s significant contractual obligations with remaining terms in excess of one year were as follows:
 
Payments Due by Period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021 and
 
Total
 
2016
 
2017-2018
 
2019-2020
 
thereafter
Programming and talent commitments (a)
$
11,906

 
$
2,175

 
$
3,691

 
$
3,087

 
$
2,953

Purchase obligations (b)
918

 
230

 
352

 
267

 
69

Operating leases (c)
1,002

 
158

 
255

 
194

 
395

Long-term debt obligations (d)
8,440

 
200

 
700

 
1,100

 
6,440

Interest commitments on long-term debt (e)
5,287

 
380

 
738

 
676

 
3,493

Capital lease obligations (including interest) (f)
94

 
19

 
31

 
28

 
16

Other long-term contractual obligations (g)
1,389

 

 
1,047

 
284

 
58

Total
$
29,036

 
$
3,162

 
$
6,814

 
$
5,636

 
$
13,424

(a) Programming and talent commitments of the Company primarily include $9.21 billion for sports programming rights, $1.79 billion relating to the production and licensing of television, radio, and film programming, and $905 million for talent contracts.
(b) Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including open purchase orders.
(c) Consists of long-term noncancellable operating lease commitments for office space, equipment, transponders and studio facilities.
(d) Long-term debt obligations are presented at face value, excluding capital leases.
(e) Future interest based on scheduled debt maturities, excluding capital leases.
(f) Includes capital leases for satellite transponders.
(g) Reflects long-term contractual obligations recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet, including program liabilities, participations due to producers and residuals.
 
The table above excludes $104 million of reserves for uncertain tax positions and the related accrued interest and penalties, as the Company cannot reasonably predict the amount of and timing of cash payments relating to this obligation.

In 2016, the Company expects to make contributions of approximately $52 million to its non-qualified pension plans to satisfy the benefit payments due under these plans. Also in 2016, the Company expects to contribute

II-30




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


approximately $52 million to its other postretirement benefit plans to satisfy the Company’s portion of benefit payments due under these plans.

Guarantees
During 2013, the Company completed the sale of Outdoor Europe.  The Company remained the guarantor of certain of Outdoor Europe’s obligations, including franchise payment obligations under certain transit franchise agreements. Generally, the Company would be required to perform under the guarantees in the event of non-performance by the buyer. These agreements have varying terms, with the majority of the obligations guaranteed under these agreements expiring over the next seven years. At December 31, 2015, the Company’s maximum exposure under the guaranteed obligations is approximately $26 million. The carrying value of the guarantee liability of approximately $14 million and $28 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, is included in “Liabilities of discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
The Company also has indemnification obligations with respect to letters of credit and surety bonds primarily used as security against non-performance in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2015, the outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds approximated $193 million and were not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

In the course of its business, the Company both provides and receives indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, the Company may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not live up to its obligations under an indemnification obligation. The Company records a liability for its indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable under generally accepted accounting principles.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, which are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  The result of these evaluations forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amount of revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions.

The Company considers the following accounting policies to be the most critical as they are important to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application.  For a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies see the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Programming and Production Costs
Accounting for the Company’s television production costs requires management’s judgment as it relates to total estimated revenues to be earned (“Ultimate Revenues”) and costs to be incurred throughout the life of each television program.  These estimates are used to determine the amortization of capitalized production costs, expensing of participation costs, and any necessary net realizable value adjustments to capitalized production costs.  For each television program, management bases these estimates on the performance in the initial markets, the existence of future firm commitments to sell and the past performance of similar television programs.


II-31




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The costs incurred in acquiring television series and feature film programming are capitalized when the program is accepted and available for airing and the costs of programming rights licensed under multi-year sports programming agreements are capitalized if the rights payments are made before the related economic benefit has been received. These costs are expensed over the period in which an economic benefit is expected to be derived. The economic benefit is determined based on management’s estimates of revenues to be derived from the programming. Management’s judgment is required in determining the value of the future economic benefit and timing of the expensing of these costs.

Ultimate revenue estimates for internally produced television programming, and the estimated economic benefit for acquired programming, which includes television series, feature films and sports, are updated regularly based on information available as the television program or film progresses through its life cycle or contractual term. Overestimating Ultimate Revenues for internally produced programming or a failure to adjust for a downward revision in the estimated economic benefit to be generated from acquired programming could result in the understatement of the amortization of capitalized production or programming costs, future net realizable value adjustments and/or estimated accruals for participation expense.

Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company tests goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, comprised of FCC licenses, for impairment during the fourth quarter of each year, and on an interim date should factors or indicators become apparent that would require an interim test.

FCC Licenses—FCC licenses are tested for impairment at the geographic market level. The Company considers each geographic market, which is comprised of all of the Company’s radio or 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. At December 31, 2015, the Company had FCC license book values for stations in 14 television markets and 25 radio markets.

 For its annual impairment test, the Company performs qualitative assessments for each market that management estimates has an aggregate fair value of FCC licenses that significantly exceed their respective carrying values. For the 2015 annual impairment test, the Company performed qualitative assessments for 10 television markets. For each of these markets, the Company weighed the relative impact of market-specific and macroeconomic factors. The market-specific factors considered include recent projections by geographic market from both independent and internal sources for advertising revenue and operating costs, as well as market share and capital expenditures. The Company also considered the macroeconomic impact on discount rates and growth rates. Based on the qualitative assessments, considering the aggregation of the relevant factors, the Company concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of the FCC licenses in each of these television markets are less than their respective carrying values. Therefore, performing the quantitative impairment test was unnecessary.

For FCC licenses in the remaining television markets and all of the radio markets, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test that compares the estimated fair value of the FCC licenses by geographic market with their respective carrying values.  The estimated fair value of each FCC license is computed using the Greenfield Discounted Cash Flow Method (‘‘Greenfield Method’’), which attempts to isolate the income that is attributable to the license alone. The Greenfield Method is based upon modeling a hypothetical start-up station and building it up to a normalized operation that, by design, lacks inherent goodwill and whose other assets have essentially been added as part of the build-up process. The Greenfield Method adds the present value of the estimated annual cash flows of the start-up station over a projection period to the residual value at the end of the projection period. The annual cash flows over the projection period include assumptions for overall advertising revenues in the relevant geographic market, the start-up station’s operating costs and capital expenditures, and a three-year build-up period for the start-

II-32




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


up station to reach a normalized state of operations, which reflects the point at which it achieves an average market share. The overall market advertising revenue in the subject market is estimated based on recent industry projections. Operating costs and capital expenditures are estimated based on both industry and internal data. The residual value is calculated using a perpetual nominal growth rate, which is based on projected long-range inflation in the U.S. and long-term industry projections. The discount rate is determined based on the average of the weighted average cost of capital of comparable entities in the broadcast industry.
 
The discount rates and perpetual nominal growth rates used for each television and radio station for 2015 were as follows:
 
Discount
 
Perpetual Nominal
 
Rate
 
Growth Rate
Television stations
8.0%
 
2.5%
Radio stations
7.75%
 
1.0%
For the 2015 quantitative impairment test, the Company concluded that the estimated fair values of the FCC licenses in 18 radio markets were lower than their respective carrying values. Accordingly, the Company recognized a pretax noncash impairment charge of $484 million related to radio FCC licenses in these markets. This impairment was the result of a sustained decline in industry projections for the radio advertising marketplace since 2014.

For the remaining seven radio and four television markets, the Company concluded that the estimated fair values of FCC licenses in each market exceeded their respective carrying values and therefore no impairment charge was necessary. Two radio markets, which had an aggregate carrying value of FCC licenses of $203 million, were each within 5% of their respective estimated fair value, and two radio markets, which had an aggregate carrying value of FCC licenses of $193 million, were each within 10% of their respective estimated fair value. In addition, the estimated fair value of one television market, which had a carrying value of FCC licenses of $167 million, exceeded its carrying value by 5%. In each of the remaining radio and television markets, the estimated fair value of FCC licenses was in excess of the respective carrying values by more than 10%. 

The estimated fair values of the FCC licenses are highly dependent on the assumptions of future economic conditions in the individual geographic markets in which the Company owns and operates television and radio stations. Certain future events and circumstances, including deterioration of market conditions, higher cost of capital, or a decline in the local radio or television advertising marketplace could result in a downward revision to the Company’s current assumptions and judgments. Various factors may contribute to a future decline in any local radio and/or television advertising marketplace including declines in economic conditions; an other-than-temporary decrease in spending by advertisers in certain industries that have historically represented a significant portion of the local radio and television advertising revenues; a shift by advertisers to competing advertising platforms; changes in consumer behavior; and/or a change in population size. A downward revision to the present value of future cash flows could result in further impairment and a noncash charge would be required.  Such a charge could have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Goodwill—Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. At December 31, 2015 the Company had seven reporting units. The Company’s reporting units are one level below its operating segments, except for the Publishing reporting unit, which is the same as its operating segment because this operating segment has only one component. For its annual impairment test, the Company performs qualitative assessments for each reporting unit that management estimates have fair values that significantly exceed their respective carrying values. For the 2015 annual impairment test, the Company performed qualitative assessments for three reporting units. For each of these reporting units, the Company weighed the relative impact of factors that are specific to the reporting unit as well as industry and macroeconomic factors. The reporting unit specific factors that were considered included financial performance and changes to the reporting units’ carrying amounts since the most recent impairment tests. For each

II-33




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


industry in which the reporting units operate, the Company considered growth projections from independent sources and significant developments or transactions within the industry. The Company also determined that the impact of macroeconomic factors on the discount rates and growth rates used for the most recent impairment tests would not significantly affect the fair value of the reporting units.  Based on the qualitative assessments, considering the aggregation of the relevant factors, the Company concluded that for these three reporting units, it is not more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is less than its respective carrying amount and therefore performing the quantitative impairment test was unnecessary.

For 2015, the Company performed the quantitative goodwill impairment test for four reporting units: CBS Interactive, CBS Sports Network, Publishing and CBS Radio. The first step of the goodwill impairment test examines whether the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is computed based upon the present value of future cash flows (“Discounted Cash Flow Method”) and the traded or transaction values of comparable businesses (“Market Comparable Method”). The Discounted Cash Flow Method and Market Comparable Method resulted in similar estimated fair values. The Discounted Cash Flow Method adds the present value of the estimated annual cash flows over a discrete projection period to the residual value of the business at the end of the projection period. This technique requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions such as growth rates, operating margins, capital expenditures and discount rates. The estimated growth rates, operating margins and capital expenditures for the projection period are based on the Company’s internal forecasts of future performance as well as historical trends.  The residual value is estimated based on a perpetual nominal growth rate, which is based on projected long-range inflation and long-term industry projections. The discount rates are determined based on the average of the weighted average cost of capital of comparable entities.

For the 2015 annual impairment test, the Company concluded that the estimated fair value of each of the four reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values and therefore the second step of the impairment test was unnecessary. The fair value of the CBS Interactive, CBS Sports Network, and Publishing reporting units each exceeded their respective carrying values by more than 15%, while the estimated fair value of the CBS Radio reporting unit, which had a goodwill balance of $1.86 billion at December 31, 2015, exceeded its carrying value, after the FCC licenses impairment charge, by less than 1%. Following are the assumptions used in calculating the estimated fair value of the CBS Radio reporting unit:
 
 
Significant Assumptions
 
Reporting Unit Fair
Perpetual
 
 
Value in Excess of
Nominal
Discount
Reporting Unit
Carrying Value
Growth Rate
Rate
CBS Radio
.4%
1.5%
8.0%
Certain future events and circumstances, including deterioration of market conditions, higher cost of capital, a decline in the advertising market, a decrease in audience acceptance of programming, a shift by advertisers to competing advertising platforms; and/or changes in consumer behavior could result in changes to these assumptions and judgments. A downward revision of these assumptions could cause the fair values of the reporting units to fall below their respective carrying values. For the CBS Radio reporting unit, considering the narrow margin between the estimated fair value and carrying value, any downward revisions to its estimated fair value could cause the fair value of the reporting unit to fall below its carrying value. The Company would then perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of any noncash impairment charge. Such a charge could have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
Reserves and Legal Matters
Estimates of reserves and liabilities related to legal issues and discontinued businesses, including asbestos and environmental matters, require significant judgments by management.  The Company continually evaluates these

II-34




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


estimates based on changes in the relevant facts and circumstances and events that may impact estimates.  While management believes that the current reserves for matters related to predecessor operations of the Company, including environmental and asbestos, are adequate, there can be no assurance that circumstances will not change in future periods. This belief is based upon many factors and assumptions, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims.
 
Pensions
Pension benefit obligations and net periodic pension costs are calculated using many actuarial assumptions. Two key assumptions used in accounting for pension liabilities and expenses are the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets. The discount rate is determined based on the yield on portfolios of high quality bonds, constructed to provide cash flows necessary to meet the Company’s pension plans’ expected future benefit payments, as determined for the projected benefit obligation. The expected return on plan assets assumption is derived using the current and expected asset allocation of the pension plan assets and considering historical as well as expected returns on various classes of plan assets. As of December 31, 2015, the unrecognized actuarial losses increased from the prior year end due primarily to unfavorable performance of pension plan assets partially offset by an increase in the discount rate. A decrease in the discount rate would increase the projected benefit obligation. A 25 basis point change in the discount rate will result in an estimated change to the projected benefit obligation of approximately $123 million and will not have a material impact on the 2015 pension expense. A decrease in the expected rate of return on plan assets would increase pension expense.  The estimated impact of a 25 basis point change in the expected rate of return on plan assets is a change of approximately $9 million to 2016 pension expense.
 
Income Taxes
The Company is subject to income taxes in both the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes.  When recording the worldwide provision for income taxes, an estimated effective tax rate for the year is applied to interim operating results.  In the event there is a significant or unusual item recognized in the quarterly operating results, the tax attributable to that item is separately calculated and recorded in the same quarter. A number of years may elapse before a tax return containing tax matters for which a reserve has been established is audited and finally resolved. During 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized tax benefits of $9 million and $7 million, respectively, related to the net impact of the settlement of certain prior year tax audits.  For positions taken in a previously filed tax return or expected to be taken in a future tax return, the Company evaluates each position to determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position.  A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is subject to a measurement assessment to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and the appropriate reserve to establish, if any.  If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold a tax reserve is established and no benefit is recognized. The Company is continually audited by U.S. federal and state as well as foreign tax authorities.  While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, the Company believes that its reserve for uncertain tax positions of $104 million at December 31, 2015 is properly recorded pursuant to the recognition and measurement provisions of FASB guidance for uncertainty in income taxes.

Legal Matters
General. On an ongoing basis, the Company vigorously defends itself in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and responds to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state, local and international authorities (collectively, ‘‘litigation’’). Litigation may be brought against the Company without merit, is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on its understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Company believes that the below-described legal matters and other litigation to which it is a party are not likely, in

II-35




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Under the Separation Agreement between the Company and Viacom Inc., the Company and Viacom Inc. have agreed to defend and indemnify the other in certain litigation in which the Company and/or Viacom Inc. is named.

Claims Related to Former Businesses: Asbestos. The Company is a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred principally as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. The Company is typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of the Company’s products is the basis of a claim. Claims against the Company in which a product has been identified principally relate to exposures allegedly caused by asbestos-containing insulating material in turbines sold for power-generation, industrial and marine use.

Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. The Company does not report as pending those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets which some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had pending approximately 36,030 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 41,100 as of December 31, 2014 and 45,150 as of December 31, 2013. During 2015, the Company received approximately 3,670 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 8,740 claims. The Company reports claims as closed when it becomes aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when the Company has reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claims, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. In 2015, as the result of an insurance settlement, insurance recoveries exceeded the Company’s after tax costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims by approximately $5 million. In 2014, the Company’s costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance and taxes were approximately $11 million. The Company’s costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year and insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.

Filings include claims for individuals suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer, the risk of which is allegedly increased by exposure to asbestos; lung cancer, a cancer which may be caused by various factors, one of which is alleged to be asbestos exposure; other cancers, and conditions that are substantially less serious, including claims brought on behalf of individuals who are asymptomatic as to an allegedly asbestos-related disease. The predominant number of claims against the Company are non-cancer claims. The Company believes that its reserves and insurance are adequate to cover its asbestos liabilities. This belief is based upon many factors and assumptions, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims. While the number of asbestos claims filed against the Company has trended down in the past five to ten years and has remained flat in recent years, it is difficult to predict future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may occur including, among others, the number and types of claims and average cost to resolve such claims, which could affect the Company’s estimate of its asbestos liabilities.

Other. The Company from time to time receives claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that it is or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to historical and predecessor operations of the Company. In addition, the Company from time to time receives personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from historical operations of the Company and its predecessors.


II-36




Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Market Risk
The Company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates and uses derivative financial instruments to modify this exposure. In accordance with its policy, the Company does not use derivative instruments unless there is an underlying exposure and, therefore, the Company does not hold or enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Foreign Exchange Risk
The Company conducts business in various countries outside the U.S., resulting in exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates when translating from the foreign local currency to the U.S. dollar. In order to hedge anticipated cash flows in currencies such as the British Pound, the Euro, the Canadian Dollar and the Australian Dollar, foreign currency forward contracts, which are generally up to 24 months, are used. Additionally, the Company designates forward contracts used to hedge committed and forecasted foreign currency transactions as cash flow hedges. Gains or losses on the effective portion of designated cash flow hedges are initially recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to the statement of operations when the hedged item is recognized. Additionally, the Company enters into non-designated forward contracts to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated cash flows. The change in fair value of the non-designated contracts is included in “Other items, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company manages the use of foreign exchange derivatives centrally.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the notional amount of all foreign currency contracts was $291 million and $152 million, respectively, which represents hedges of expected foreign currency cash flows.

Interest Risk
All of the Company’s long-term debt has been issued under fixed interest rate agreements. During 2014, in connection with the issuance of its $600 million of 2.30% senior notes due 2019, the Company entered into $600 million notional amount of fixed-to-floating rate swap agreements to hedge this debt. During 2015, prior to maturity, the Company settled these interest rate swaps and received $12 million in cash, plus accrued interest. The resulting increase in the carrying value of the previously hedged debt is being amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining term of the debt. The Company did not have any interest rate swaps outstanding at December 31, 2015 but in the future may use derivatives to modify its exposure to interest rates.

Credit Risk
The Company continually monitors its positions with, and credit quality of, the financial institutions that are counterparties to its financial instruments. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However, the Company does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.

The Company’s receivables do not represent significant concentrations of credit risk at December 31, 2015 or 2014, due to the wide variety of customers, markets and geographic areas to which the Company’s products and services are sold.

Related Parties
For a discussion of related parties, see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

Recent Pronouncements and Adoption of New Accounting Standards
See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.


II-37



INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE
The following Consolidated Financial Statements and schedule of the registrant and its subsidiaries are submitted herewith as part of this report:
 
 
 
 
Reference
(Page/s)
Item 15(a)(1) Financial Statements:
 
 
1.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
II-39
2.
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
II-40
3.
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
II-41
4.
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
II-42
5.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014
 
II-43
6.
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
II-44
7.
 
Consolidated Statements of StockholdersEquity for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
II-45
8.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
II-46
Item 15(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedule:
 
 
 
 
II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
F-1
All other Schedules are omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule.

II-38



Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
MANAGEMENT’ S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of assets; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements prepared for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 based on the framework set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
 
 
CBS CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Leslie Moonves
 
 
 
Leslie Moonves
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Joseph R. Ianniello
 
 
 
Joseph R. Ianniello
Chief Operating Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Lawrence Liding
 
 
 
Lawrence Liding
Executive Vice President, Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer

II-39



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of CBS Corporation:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and stockholders’ equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CBS Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 12, 2016

II-40



CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues
$
13,886

 
$
13,806

 
$
14,005

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
8,324

 
8,089

 
8,124

Selling, general and administrative
2,455

 
2,462

 
2,546

Depreciation and amortization
264

 
281

 
290

Restructuring charges (Note 5)
81

 
26

 
20

Impairment charges (Note 3)
484

 
52

 

Gain on sales of businesses (Note 3)
(139
)
 

 

Total costs and expenses
11,469

 
10,910

 
10,980

Operating income
2,417

 
2,896

 
3,025

Interest expense
(392
)
 
(363
)
 
(375
)
Interest income
24

 
13

 
8

Loss on early extinguishment of debt (Note 9)

 
(352
)
 

Other items, net
(26
)
 
(30
)
 
7

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
and equity in loss of investee companies
2,023

 
2,164

 
2,665

Provision for income taxes
(587
)
 
(762
)
 
(878
)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax
(33
)
 
(48
)
 
(49
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
1,403

 
1,354

 
1,738

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax (Note 4)
10

 
1,605

 
141

Net earnings
$
1,413

 
$
2,959

 
$
1,879

Basic net earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
2.90

 
$
2.46

 
$
2.86

Net earnings from discontinued operations
$
.02

 
$
2.92

 
$
.23

Net earnings
$
2.92

 
$
5.38

 
$
3.09

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
2.87

 
$
2.41

 
$
2.79

Net earnings from discontinued operations
$
.02

 
$
2.86

 
$
.23

Net earnings
$
2.89

 
$
5.27

 
$
3.01

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
484

 
550

 
608

Diluted
489

 
561

 
624

 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends per common share
$
.60

 
$
.54

 
$
.48

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


II-41


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Net earnings
$
1,413

 
$
2,959

 
$
1,879

Other comprehensive income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative translation adjustments
(5
)
 
(9
)
 
(2
)
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service costs (Note 15)
(30
)
 
(163
)
 
207

Unrealized (loss) gain on securities

 
(3
)
 
1

Other comprehensive income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax
(35
)
 
(175
)
 
206

Other comprehensive income (loss) from discontinued operations,
before reclassifications

 
15

 
(4
)
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) from
discontinued operations to net earnings

 
(30
)
 
(178
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(35
)
 
(190
)
 
24

Total comprehensive income
$
1,378

 
$
2,769

 
$
1,903

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

II-42



CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
At December 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
323

 
$
428

 
Receivables, less allowances of $63 (2015) and $50 (2014)
 
3,628

 
3,459

 
Programming and other inventory (Note 6)
 
1,271

 
922

 
Prepaid income taxes
 
101

 
161

 
Prepaid expenses
 
175

 
129

 
Other current assets
 
249

 
386

 
Total current assets
 
5,747

 
5,485

 
Property and equipment
 
3,243

 
3,164

 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
1,838

 
1,731

 
Net property and equipment (Note 2)
 
1,405

 
1,433

 
Programming and other inventory (Note 6)
 
1,957

 
1,817

 
Goodwill (Note 3)
 
6,481

 
6,698

 
Intangible assets (Note 3)
 
5,514

 
6,008

 
Other assets (Note 1)
 
2,661

 
2,494

 
Total Assets
 
$
23,765

 
$
23,935

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
192

 
$
302

 
Accrued expenses
 
589

 
605

 
Accrued compensation
 
315

 
333

 
Participants’ share and royalties payable
 
1,013

 
999

 
Program rights
 
374

 
404

 
Deferred revenues
 
295

 
206

 
Commercial paper (Note 9)
 

 
616

 
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 9)
 
222

 
20

 
Other current liabilities
 
560

 
548

 
Total current liabilities
 
3,560

 
4,033

 
Long-term debt (Note 9)
 
8,226

 
6,476

 
Participants’ share and royalties payable
 
1,318

 
1,267

 
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations (Note 15)
 
1,575

 
1,564

 
Deferred income tax liabilities, net (Note 14)
 
1,509

 
1,427

 
Other liabilities
 
1,942

 
2,080

 
Liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 4)
 
72

 
118

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; 375 shares authorized;
38 (2015 and 2014) shares issued
 

 

 
Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; 5,000 shares authorized;
826 (2015) and 818 (2014) shares issued
 
1

 
1

 
Additional paid-in capital
 
44,055

 
44,041

 
Accumulated deficit
 
(20,518
)
 
(21,931
)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 12)
 
(770
)
 
(735
)
 
 
 
22,768

 
21,376

 
Less treasury stock, at cost; 401 (2015) and 349 (2014) Class B Shares
 
17,205

 
14,406

 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
5,563

 
6,970

 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
 
$
23,765

 
$
23,935

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

II-43



CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
1,413

 
$
2,959

 
$
1,879

Less: Net earnings from discontinued operations
 
10

 
1,605

 
141

Net earnings from continuing operations
 
1,403

 
1,354

 
1,738

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash flow
provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
264

 
281

 
290

Impairment charges
 
484

 
52

 

Deferred tax provision
 
215

 
692

 
433

Stock-based compensation
 
174

 
154

 
222

Net gain on disposition and write-down of assets
 
(139
)
 
(12
)
 
(3
)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax and distributions
 
36

 
57

 
57

Change in assets and liabilities, net of investing and financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in receivables
 
(377
)
 
(600
)
 
(777
)
(Increase) decrease in inventory and related program and participation liabilities, net
 
(497
)
 
(213
)
 
48

Decrease (increase) in other assets
 
16

 
37

 
(16
)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
(212
)
 
(152
)
 
(135
)
Decrease in pension and postretirement benefit obligations
 
(46
)
 
(34
)
 
(188
)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes
 
25

 
(390
)
 
9

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue
 
66

 
(47
)
 
90

Other, net
 
7

 
31

 
11

Net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations
 
1,419

 
1,210

 
1,779

Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities from discontinued operations
 
(25
)
 
65

 
94

Net cash flow provided by operating activities
 
1,394

 
1,275

 
1,873

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
(15
)
 
(27
)
 
(20
)
Capital expenditures
 
(193
)
 
(206
)
 
(212
)
Investments in and advances to investee companies
 
(98
)
 
(98
)
 
(176
)
Proceeds from sale of investments
 
81

 
12

 
7

Proceeds from dispositions
 
385

 
7

 
164

Other investing activities
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
23

Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations
 
157

 
(316
)
 
(214
)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations
 
(3
)
 
(285
)
 
(58
)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities
 
154

 
(601
)
 
(272
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net
 
(616
)
 
141

 
475

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes
 
1,959

 
1,728

 

Repayment of notes and debentures
 

 
(1,152
)
 

Payment of capital lease obligations
 
(17
)
 
(17
)
 
(17
)
Payment of contingent consideration
 

 

 
(30
)
Dividends
 
(300
)
 
(292
)
 
(300
)
Purchase of Company common stock
 
(2,813
)
 
(3,595
)
 
(2,185
)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation
 
(96
)
 
(146
)
 
(145
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
142

 
283

 
146

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
 
88

 
243

 
148

Other financing activities
 

 
(3
)
 
(4
)
Net cash flow used for financing activities from continuing operations
 
(1,653
)
 
(2,810
)
 
(1,912
)
Net cash flow provided by financing activities from discontinued operations
 

 
2,167

 

Net cash flow used for financing activities
 
(1,653
)
 
(643
)
 
(1,912
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(105
)
 
31

 
(311
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year (includes $29 (2014) and $21 (2013)
of discontinued operations cash)
 
428

 
397

 
708

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (includes $29 (2013)
of discontinued operations cash)
 
$
323

 
$
428

 
$
397

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

II-44



CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In millions)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
Class A Common Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
38

 
$

 
39

 
$

 
43

 
$

Conversion of A shares into B shares

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(4
)
 

Balance, end of year
38

 

 
38

 

 
39

 

Class B Common Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
818

 
1

 
801

 
1

 
785

 
1

Conversion of A shares into B shares

 

 
1

 

 
4

 

Restricted stock unit vests
4

 

 
5

 

 
7

 

Exercise of stock options
6

 

 
14

 

 
8

 

Retirement of treasury stock
(2
)
 

 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
 

Balance, end of year
826

 
1

 
818

 
1

 
801

 
1

Additional Paid-In Capital:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year

 
44,041

 

 
43,474

 
 
 
43,424

Stock-based compensation
 
 
174

 
 
 
168

 
 
 
187

Tax benefit related to employee stock-based transactions
 
 
87

 
 
 
246

 
 
 
159

Exercise of stock options
 
 
142

 
 
 
282

 
 
 
144

Retirement of treasury stock
 
 
(96
)
 
 
 
(146
)
 
 
 
(145
)
Dividends
 
 
(293
)
 
 
 
(296
)
 
 
 
(295
)
Gain on Outdoor Americas IPO
 
 

 
 
 
313

 
 
 

Balance, end of year

 
44,055

 

 
44,041

 

 
43,474

Accumulated Deficit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year

 
(21,931
)
 

 
(24,890
)
 

 
(26,769
)
Net earnings
 
 
1,413

 
 
 
2,959

 
 
 
1,879

Balance, end of year

 
(20,518
)
 

 
(21,931
)
 

 
(24,890
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
 
(735
)
 
 
 
(545
)
 
 
 
(569
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
(35
)
 
 
 
(190
)
 
 
 
24

Balance, end of year
 
 
(770
)
 
 
 
(735
)
 
 
 
(545
)
Treasury Stock, at cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance beginning of year
349

 
(14,406
)
 
244

 
(8,074
)
 
198

 
(5,874
)
Class B Common Stock purchased
52

 
(2,800
)
 
60

 
(3,612
)
 
46

 
(2,201
)
Outdoor Americas Split-Off

 

 
45

 
(2,721
)
 

 

Shares paid for tax withholding for stock-based compensation
2

 
(96
)
 
3

 
(146
)
 
3

 
(145
)
Issuance of stock for deferred compensation

 
1

 

 
1

 

 
1

Retirement of treasury stock
(2
)
 
96

 
(3
)
 
146

 
(3
)
 
145

Balance, end of year
401

 
(17,205
)
 
349

 
(14,406
)
 
244

 
(8,074
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity

 
$
5,563

 

 
$
6,970

 

 
$
9,966

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


II-45


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)



1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business—CBS Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company” or “CBS Corp.”) is comprised of the following segments: Entertainment (CBS Television, comprised of the CBS Television Network, CBS Television Studios, and CBS Global Distribution Group; CBS Interactive; and CBS Films), Cable Networks (Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network and Smithsonian Networks), Publishing (Simon & Schuster) and Local Broadcasting (CBS Television Stations and CBS Radio). 

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CBS Corp. and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained. Controlling interest is determined by majority ownership interest and the absence of substantive third party participating rights.  Investments over which the Company has a significant influence or ownership of more than 20% but less than or equal to 50%, without a controlling interest, are accounted for under the equity method. Investments of 20% or less, over which the Company has no significant influence, are accounted for under the cost method if the fair value is not readily determinable and are accounted for as available for sale securities if the fair value is readily determinable. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Reclassifications—Certain amounts reported for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and short-term (maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase) highly liquid investments, including money market funds, commercial paper and bank time deposits.

Programming Inventory—The Company acquires rights to programming and produces programming to exhibit on its broadcast and cable networks, broadcast television and radio stations, direct to consumers through its digital streaming services and the Internet, and in theaters. The costs incurred in acquiring and producing programs are capitalized and amortized over the license period or projected useful life of the programming. Program rights and the related liabilities are recorded at the gross amount of the liabilities when the license period has begun, the cost of the program is determinable, and the program is accepted and available for airing.

Television production costs (which include direct production costs, production overhead and acquisition costs) are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. The Company then estimates total revenues to be earned and costs to be incurred throughout the life of each television program.  For television programming, estimates for remaining total lifetime revenues are limited to the amount of revenue contracted for each episode in the initial market. Accordingly, television programming costs and participation costs incurred in excess of the amount of revenue contracted for each episode in the initial market are expensed as incurred on an episode by episode basis. Estimates for all secondary market revenues such as domestic and foreign syndication, basic cable, digital streaming, home entertainment and merchandising are included in the estimated lifetime revenues of such television programming

II-46


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


once it can be demonstrated that a program can be successfully licensed in such secondary market. Television programming costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of the secondary market are initially capitalized and amortized, and estimated liabilities for participations are accrued, based on the proportion that current period revenues bear to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues.

The costs incurred in acquiring television series and feature film programming are capitalized when the program is accepted and available for airing.  These costs are amortized over the period in which an economic benefit is expected to be derived based on the timing of the Company’s usage of and benefit from such programming. The costs of programming rights licensed under multi-year sports programming agreements are capitalized if the rights payments are made before the related economic benefit has been received.  These costs are expensed over the period in which an economic benefit is expected to be derived based on the relative value of the events broadcast by the Company during a period.  The relative value for an event is determined based on the revenues generated for that event in relation to the estimated total revenues over the remaining term of the sports programming agreement.  For the Company’s multi-year sports programming agreements where the rights payments for a season approximate the relative value of the events broadcast by the Company during that season, those rights payments are expensed during such season.

Lifetime revenue estimates for internally produced television programming, and the estimated economic benefit for the acquired programming, including revenue projections for multi-year sports programming, are periodically reviewed. Adjustments, if any, will result in changes to amortization rates, future net realizable value adjustments and/or estimated accruals for participation expense.

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is stated at cost.  Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:
Buildings and building improvements
10 to 40 years
Leasehold Improvements
Shorter of lease term or useful life
Equipment and other (including capital leases)
3 to 20 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—The Company assesses long-lived assets and intangible assets, other than goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, for impairment whenever there is an indication that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of these assets is determined by comparing the forecasted undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by these assets, which is the estimated fair value, to their net carrying value. The amount of impairment loss, if any, will generally be measured by the difference between the net carrying value and the estimated fair value of the asset.

Impairment of Investments—Investments are reviewed for impairment on a quarterly basis by comparing their fair value to their respective carrying amounts. The Company determines the fair value of its public company investments by reference to their publicly traded stock price. With respect to private company investments, the Company makes its estimate of fair value by considering recent investee equity transactions, discounted cash flow analyses, recent operating results, estimates based on comparable public company operating cash flow multiples and, in certain situations, balance sheet liquidation values.  If the fair value of the investment has dropped below the carrying amount, management considers several factors when determining whether an other-than-temporary decline has occurred.  These factors include the length of time and the extent to which the estimated fair value or market value has been below the carrying value, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the investee, the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the investee for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value, and other factors influencing the fair market value, such as general market conditions.


II-47


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Goodwill and Intangible Assets—Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, which are generally one level below the Company’s operating segments. Intangible assets with finite lives, which primarily consist of trade names, are generally amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 4 to 40 years.  Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, which consist of FCC licenses, are not amortized but are tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below its carrying amount.  If the carrying value of goodwill or the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized as a noncash charge. (See Note 3).

Other Assets—Other assets include noncurrent receivables of $2.09 billion at December 31, 2015 and $1.94 billion at December 31, 2014, which are primarily related to revenues recognized under long-term television licensing arrangements. Television license fee revenues are recognized at the beginning of the license period in which programs are made available to the licensee for exhibition, while the related cash is collected over the term of the license period.

Other Liabilities—Other liabilities consist primarily of the noncurrent portion of residual liabilities of previously disposed businesses, program rights obligations, deferred compensation and other employee benefit accruals.

Discontinued Operations—On July 16, 2014, the Company completed the disposition of CBS Outdoor Americas Inc., which was previously a subsidiary of the Company and has been renamed OUTFRONT Media, Inc. (“Outdoor Americas”). During 2013, the Company completed the sale of its outdoor advertising business in Europe, which included an interest in an outdoor business in Asia (“Outdoor Europe”). Outdoor Americas and Outdoor Europe have been presented as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements (See Note 4). In addition, certain businesses that were previously disposed of by the Company prior to January 1, 2002, were accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with accounting rules in effect prior to 2002. 

Revenue Recognition—Advertising revenues, net of agency commissions, are recognized in the period during which advertising spots are aired or displayed.  If there is a guarantee to deliver a targeted audience rating, revenues are recognized for the actual audience rating delivered, based on the ratings data published by independent audience ratings measurement companies.  Revenues are deferred for any shortfall in the audience rating with respect to an advertising spot until such time as the required audience rating is delivered.

Revenues from the licensing of television programming are recognized in the period that the television series is made available to the licensee, which may cause fluctuations in operating results.  Television series initially produced for networks and first-run syndication are generally licensed to domestic and international markets concurrently (“initial market”). Network series are also licensed to digital streaming providers, television stations, and cable networks (“secondary market”). Licensing in the secondary market typically occurs at a later date but can also be concurrent with sales in the initial market. The length of the revenue cycle for television series will vary depending on the number of seasons a series remains in active production.

Affiliate and subscription fees for cable and broadcast networks, television stations and online content are recognized in the period the service is provided.  Costs for advertising and marketing services provided to the Company by cable, satellite and other distributors are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Publishing revenues are recognized when merchandise is shipped or electronically delivered to the consumer.  The Company records a provision for sales returns and allowances at the time of sale based upon historical trends which allow for a percentage of revenue recognized.

Deferred revenues primarily consist of revenues related to advertising arrangements and the licensing of television programming for which the revenues have not yet been earned.  The amounts classified as current are expected to be earned within the next twelve months.

II-48


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Sales of Multiple Products or Services—Revenues derived from a single sales contract that contains multiple products and services are allocated based on the relative fair value of each delivered item and recognized in accordance with the applicable revenue recognition criteria for the specific unit of accounting.

Collaborative Arrangements—Collaborative arrangements primarily consist of joint efforts with third parties to produce and distribute programming such as television series and live sporting events, including the 14-year agreement between the Company and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. to telecast the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship (“NCAA Tournament”), which began in 2011.  In connection with this agreement for the NCAA Tournament, advertisements aired on the CBS Television Network are recorded as revenues and the Company’s share of the program rights fees and other operating costs are recorded as operating expenses.

For episodic television programming, co-production costs are initially capitalized as programming inventory and amortized over the television series’ estimated economic life.  In such arrangements where the Company has distribution rights, all proceeds generated from such distribution are recorded as revenues and any participation profits due to third party collaborators are recorded as operating expenses.  In co-production arrangements where third party collaborators have distribution rights, the Company’s net participating profits are recorded as revenues.

Amounts attributable to transactions arising from collaborative arrangements between participants were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

Advertising—Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. The Company incurred total advertising expenses of $369 million in 2015, $410 million in 2014 and $449 million in 2013.

Interest—Costs associated with the refinancing or issuance of debt, as well as debt discounts or premiums, are recorded as interest over the term of its related debt.  The Company may enter into interest rate exchange agreements; the amount to be paid or received under such agreements is accrued and recognized over the life of the agreements as an adjustment to interest expense.

Income Taxes—The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, local, and foreign taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be reversed. The Company evaluates the realizability of deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. For tax positions taken in a previously filed tax return or expected to be taken in a future tax return, the Company evaluates each position to determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is subject to a measurement assessment to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and the appropriate reserve to establish, if any. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold a tax reserve is established and no benefit is recognized.  A number of years may elapse before a tax return containing tax matters for which a reserve has been established is audited and finally resolved.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions—The Company’s assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at foreign exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while results of operations are translated at average foreign exchange rates for the respective periods.  The resulting translation gains or losses are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  Foreign currency transaction gains and losses have been included in “Other items, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

II-49


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Other Items, net—For all periods presented, “Other items, net” primarily consisted of foreign exchange gains and losses.

Provision for Doubtful Accounts—The provision for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical bad debt experience, the aging of accounts receivable, industry trends and economic indicators, as well as recent payment history for specific customers.  The provision for doubtful accounts charged to expense was $13 million in 2015, $9 million in 2014 and $14 million in 2013.

Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share—Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is based upon net earnings (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive.  Excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, were 4 million stock options for the year ended December 31, 2015, and 2 million stock options for each of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

The table below presents a reconciliation of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares for basic EPS
484

 
550

 
608

Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans
5

 
11

 
16

Weighted average shares for diluted EPS
489

 
561

 
624

Stock-based Compensation—The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award.  The cost is recognized over the vesting period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes
During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company early adopted amended Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance which eliminates the requirement to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts on the balance sheet. Rather the amended guidance requires deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. Prior period amounts were restated to conform with this presentation. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a decrease to “Deferred income tax liabilities, net” of $103 million, an increase in “Other assets” of $1 million and the elimination of “Deferred income tax assets, net” within current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014.
Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company early adopted amended FASB guidance which requires debt issuance costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt, consistent with debt discounts. Prior period amounts were restated to conform with this presentation. This requirement does not apply to issuance costs related to a line of credit, which may continue to be presented as an asset. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs were not affected by this amended guidance. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a decrease in long-term debt of $44 million at December 31, 2015 and $34 million at December 31, 2014, with an offsetting decrease to “Other Assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

II-50


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company adopted amended FASB guidance which changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations and disposals of components of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. Under this guidance, only a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity that represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the company’s operations and financial results should be reported in discontinued operations. The guidance also expands the definition of a discontinued operation to include a business or nonprofit activity that, on acquisition, meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale and disposals of equity method investments that meet the definition of discontinued operations. The adoption of this guidance did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Pronouncements

Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement Period Adjustments
In September 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance which eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination when new information is obtained during the measurement period about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Under the amended guidance the acquirer will be required to recognize such adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are identified. Such adjustments also include the effect on earnings from any changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects resulting from the change to provisional amounts, as if the change occurred at the acquisition date. The amendments also require disclosure or separate presentation on the face of the statement of operations of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted, is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items
In January 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance which eliminates the concept of extraordinary items. This guidance removes the requirement to assess whether an event or transaction is both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence and to separately present any such items on the statement of operations after income from continuing operations. Rather, such items will either be presented as a separate component of income from continuing operations or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Additionally, the Company is permitted to amend prior periods presented in the financial statements once the guidance is adopted. This guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance which requires management to evaluate, for each interim and annual reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued. If management identifies conditions or events that raise substantial doubt, disclosures are required in the financial statements, including any plans that will alleviate the substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This guidance, which is effective for the first annual period ending after December 15, 2016, is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

II-51


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period
In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for stock-based compensation when the terms of an award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. Under this guidance, such performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. The Company should begin recognizing compensation cost in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved, for the cumulative amount of compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. This guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on the recognition of revenues which provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance. The main principle under this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue at the amount it expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transfer of goods or services to customers. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, which is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.

2) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
Land
$
241

 
$
240

Buildings
737

 
717

Capital leases (a)
163

 
165

Equipment and other
2,102

 
2,042

 
3,243

 
3,164

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
1,838

 
1,731

Net property and equipment
$
1,405

 
$
1,433

(a) Accumulated amortization of capital leases was $91 million and $78 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Depreciation expense, including capitalized lease amortization (a)
$
240

 
$
249

 
$
251

(a) Amortization expense related to capital leases was $16 million in 2015 and $17 million in each of 2014 and 2013.

3) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Impairment Test
The Company performs a fair value-based impairment test of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, comprised of 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. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company’s reporting units are one level below its operating segments, except for the Publishing reporting unit, which is the same as its operating segment because this operating segment has only one component. FCC licenses are tested for impairment at the geographic market level. The Company considers each geographic market, which is comprised of all of the Company’s radio or television stations within that geographic market, to be a single unit of accounting

II-52


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


because the FCC licenses at this level represent their highest and best use. At December 31, 2015, the Company had seven reporting units, and FCC license book values for stations in 14 television markets and 25 radio markets.

For its annual impairment test, the Company performs qualitative assessments for each reporting unit and market with FCC licenses that management estimates have fair values that significantly exceed their respective carrying values. For the 2015 annual impairment test, the Company performed qualitative assessments for three reporting units and 10 television markets. For each reporting unit, the Company weighed the relative impact of factors that are specific to the reporting unit as well as industry and macroeconomic factors. For each television market, the Company weighed the relative impact of market-specific and macroeconomic factors. Based on the qualitative assessments, considering the aggregation of the relevant factors, the Company concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of these reporting units and the fair value of FCC licenses within each market are less than their respective carrying values. Therefore, performing the quantitative impairment test was unnecessary.

For FCC licenses in the remaining television markets and all of the radio markets, the Company performed the quantitative impairment test that compares the estimated fair value of the FCC licenses by geographic market with their respective carrying values.  The estimated fair value of each FCC license is computed using the Greenfield Discounted Cash Flow Method (‘‘Greenfield Method’’), which attempts to isolate the income that is attributable to the license alone. The Greenfield Method is based upon modeling a hypothetical start-up station and building it up to a normalized operation that, by design, lacks inherent goodwill and whose other assets have essentially been added as part of the build-up process. The Greenfield Method adds the present value of the estimated annual cash flows of the start-up station over a projection period to the residual value at the end of the projection period. The annual cash flows over the projection period include assumptions for overall advertising revenues in the relevant geographic market, the start-up station’s operating costs and capital expenditures, and a three-year build-up period for the start-up station to reach a normalized state of operations, which reflects the point at which it achieves an average market share. The overall market advertising revenue in the subject market is estimated based on recent industry projections. Operating costs and capital expenditures are estimated based on both industry and internal data. The residual value is calculated using a perpetual nominal growth rate, which is based on projected long-range inflation in the U.S. and long-term industry projections. The discount rate is determined based on the average of the weighted average cost of capital of comparable entities in the broadcast industry.  For each television station and radio station, the discount rates used for 2015 were 8.0% and 7.75%, respectively, and the perpetual nominal growth rates used were 2.5% and 1.0%, respectively.

For the 2015 quantitative impairment test, the Company concluded that the estimated fair values of the FCC licenses in 18 radio markets were lower than their respective carrying values. Accordingly, the Company recognized a pretax noncash impairment charge of $484 million related to radio FCC licenses in these markets. This impairment was the result of a sustained decline in industry projections for the radio advertising marketplace since 2014. For the remaining seven radio and four television markets, the Company concluded that the estimated fair values of FCC licenses in each market exceeded their respective carrying values.

For 2015, the Company performed the quantitative goodwill impairment test for four reporting units: CBS Interactive, CBS Sports Network, Publishing and CBS Radio. The first step of the goodwill impairment test examines whether the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, the second step of the test compares the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying value of its goodwill to determine the amount of impairment charge, if any. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is computed based upon the present value of future cash flows (“Discounted Cash Flow Method”) and the traded or transaction values of comparable businesses (“Market Comparable Method”). The Discounted Cash Flow Method and Market Comparable Method resulted in similar estimated fair values. The Discounted Cash Flow Method includes the Company’s assumptions for growth rates, operating margins and capital expenditures for the projection period plus the residual value of the business at the end of the projection period.  The estimated growth rates, operating

II-53


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


margins and capital expenditures for the projection period are based on the Company’s internal forecasts of future performance as well as historical trends. The residual value is estimated based on a perpetual nominal growth rate, which is based on projected long-range inflation and long-term industry projections. The discount rates are determined based on the average of the weighted average cost of capital of comparable entities. For 2015, the perpetual nominal growth rates and discount rates were as follows:
 
Significant Assumptions
 
Perpetual
 
 
Nominal
Discount
Reporting Unit
Growth Rate
Rate
CBS Interactive
 
2.5
%
 
 
9.5
%
 
CBS Sports Network
 
2.0
%
 
 
9.0
%
 
Publishing
 
1.5
%
 
 
8.5
%
 
CBS Radio
 
1.5
%
 
 
8.0
%
 
For the 2015 annual impairment test, the Company concluded that the estimated fair value of each of the four reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values and therefore the second step of the impairment test was unnecessary. The fair value of the CBS Interactive, CBS Sports Network, and Publishing reporting units each exceeded their respective carrying values by more than 15%, while the estimated fair value of the CBS Radio reporting unit, which had a goodwill balance of $1.86 billion at December 31, 2015, exceeded its carrying value by less than 1% after the above-mentioned FCC licenses impairment charge. Considering the narrow margin between the estimated fair value and carrying value of the CBS Radio reporting unit, any downward revisions to its estimated fair value could result in a future impairment charge.

Transactions

In 2015, the Company disposed of Internet businesses in China for $385 million, which resulted in gains of $139 million. The assets associated with the disposed businesses primarily consisted of goodwill of $217 million.

In 2014, in connection with its strategy to grow its major market presence, the Company completed a radio station swap with Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. through which the Company exchanged 13 of its radio stations in Tampa and Charlotte as well as one radio station in Philadelphia, for two radio stations in Philadelphia and three radio stations in Miami. In connection with the radio station swap, the Company recorded a pretax noncash impairment charge of $52 million to reduce the carrying value of the allocated goodwill.

II-54


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the changes in the book value of goodwill by segment were as follows:
 
 
Balance at
 
 
 
Balance at
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Dispositions
 
December 31, 2015
Entertainment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
$
9,467

 
 
$
(217
)
(a) 
 
$
9,250

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 
(6,294
)
 
 

 
 
(6,294
)
 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
3,173

 
 
(217
)
 
 
2,956

 
Cable Networks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
480

 
 

 
 
480

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
480

 
 

 
 
480

 
Publishing:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
406

 
 

 
 
406

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
406

 
 

 
 
406

 
Local Broadcasting:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
22,354

 
 

 
 
22,354

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 
(19,715
)
 
 

 
 
(19,715
)
 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
2,639

 
 

 
 
2,639

 
Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
32,707

 
 
(217
)
 
 
32,490

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 
(26,009
)
 
 

 
 
(26,009
)
 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
$
6,698

 
 
$
(217
)
 
 
$
6,481

 
(a) Amount reflects the disposition of Internet businesses in China.
 
 
Balance at
 
 
 
Balance at
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
Acquisitions
 
December 31, 2014
Entertainment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
$
9,467

 
 
$

 
 
$
9,467

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 
(6,294
)
 
 

 
 
(6,294
)
 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
3,173

 
 

 
 
3,173

 
Cable Networks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Goodwill
 
 
480

 
 

 
 
480

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
480

 
 

 
 
480

 
Publishing:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Goodwill
 
 
406

 
 

 
 
406

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
406

 
 

 
 
406

 
Local Broadcasting:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Goodwill
 
 
22,244

 
 
110

(a) 
 
22,354

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 
(19,715
)
 
 

 
 
(19,715
)
 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
2,529

 
 
110

 
 
2,639

 
Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Goodwill
 
 
32,597

 

110

 
 
32,707

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 
(26,009
)
 



 
(26,009
)
 
Goodwill, net of impairment
 
 
$
6,588

 
 
$
110

 
 
$
6,698

 
(a) Amount primarily reflects goodwill acquired in the radio station swap with Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. At December 31, 2013, the allocated goodwill, net of accumulated impairment relating to the stations disposed of in the swap was included in “Assets held for sale” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and as a result is not included in the changes in book value above.


II-55


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The Company’s intangible assets were as follows:
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
At December 31, 2015
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
Trade names
$
211

 
$
(59
)
 
$
152

Other intangible assets
161

 
(120
)
 
41

Total intangible assets subject to amortization
372

 
(179
)
 
193

FCC licenses
5,321

 

 
5,321

Total intangible assets
$
5,693

 
$
(179
)
 
$
5,514

 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
At December 31, 2014
Gross
 
Amortization
 
Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
Trade names
$
220

 
$
(54
)
 
$
166

Other intangible assets
167

 
(129
)
 
38

Total intangible assets subject to amortization
387

 
(183
)
 
204

FCC licenses
5,804

 

 
5,804

Total intangible assets
$
6,191

 
$
(183
)
 
$
6,008

Amortization expense was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Amortization expense
 
$
24

 
 
 
$
32

 
 
 
$
39

 
The Company expects its aggregate annual amortization expense for existing intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the years, 2016 through 2020, to be as follows:
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
Future amortization expense
 
$
20

 
 
 
$
17

 
 
 
$
16

 
 
 
$
16

 
 
 
$
13

 

II-56


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


4) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
During 2014, the Company completed the disposition of Outdoor Americas. Outdoor Americas has been presented as a discontinued operation in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In connection with the Company’s plan to dispose of Outdoor Americas, in January 2014 Outdoor Americas borrowed $1.60 billion. On April 2, 2014, Outdoor Americas completed an initial public offering (“IPO”) through which it sold 23.0 million shares, or approximately 19%, of its common stock for $28.00 per share. Proceeds from the IPO aggregated $615 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company received $2.04 billion of the combined IPO and debt proceeds from Outdoor Americas. On July 16, 2014, the Company completed the disposition of its 81% ownership of Outdoor Americas common stock through a tax-free split-off (the “Split-Off”) through which the Company accepted 44.7 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock from its stockholders in exchange for the 97.0 million shares of Outdoor Americas common stock that it owned. In aggregate, the Company received $4.76 billion from the disposition of Outdoor Americas, including the cash from the IPO and debt proceeds and the fair value of the shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock that were accepted in the Split-Off of $2.72 billion. The Split-Off resulted in a gain of $1.56 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 which is included in net earnings from discontinued operations and is calculated as follows:
Fair value of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock accepted
 
$
2,721

(44,723,131 shares at $60.85 per share on July 16, 2014)
 
 
Carrying value of Outdoor Americas
 
(1,162
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
30

Transaction costs
 
(32
)
Net gain on split-off of Outdoor Americas
 
$
1,557

The Split-Off was a tax-free transaction and therefore, there is no tax impact on the gain.

During 2013, the Company completed the sale of Outdoor Europe for $225 million. Outdoor Europe has been presented as a discontinued operation in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For 2013, net earnings from discontinued operations include a gain on the disposal of Outdoor Europe and an after-tax charge of $110 million related to Outdoor Europe. This charge was associated with exiting an unprofitable contractual arrangement and the estimated fair value of guarantees, which historically were intercompany but upon the closing of the transaction became third-party guarantees (See Note 16).

For 2015, net earnings from discontinued operations primarily relates to a decrease to the guarantee liability relating to Outdoor Europe as a result of a reduction to the risk associated with the guarantee.

The following table sets forth details of net earnings from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues from discontinued operations
$

 
$
677

 
$
1,695

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
$
17

 
$
79

 
$
(12
)
Income tax provision
(7
)
 
(26
)
 

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
10

 
53

 
(12
)
Gain on disposal

 
1,557

 
159

Income tax provision

 

 
(6
)
Gain on disposal, net of tax

 
1,557

 
153

Less: Net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax

 
5

 

Net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to CBS Corp.
$
10

 
$
1,605

 
$
141


II-57


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Other liabilities of discontinued operations of $72 million and $118 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily include tax reserves related to previously disposed businesses and the carrying value of the guarantee liability associated with the disposition of Outdoor Europe of approximately $14 million and $28 million, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
5) RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
During the year ended December 31, 2015, in a continued effort to reduce its cost structure, the Company initiated restructuring plans across several of its businesses, primarily for the reorganization of certain business operations. As a result, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $81 million, reflecting $48 million of severance costs and $33 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $26 million, reflecting $17 million of severance costs and $9 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations. As of December 31, 2015, the cumulative settlements for the 2015 and 2014 restructuring charges were $53 million, of which $35 million was for the severance costs and $18 million related to costs associated with exiting contractual obligations. The Company expects to substantially utilize its restructuring reserves by the end of 2016.
 
Balance at
 
2015
 
2015
 
Balance at
 
December 31, 2014
 
Charges
 
Settlements
 
December 31, 2015
Entertainment
 
$
6

 
 
$
26


 
$
(13
)
 
 
 
$
19

 
Local Broadcasting
 
10

 
 
55


 
(31
)
 
 
 
34

 
Corporate
 
2

 
 


 
(1
)
 
 
 
1

 
Total
 
$
18

 
 
$
81

 
 
$
(45
)
 
 
 
$
54

 
 
2014
 
2014
 
Balance at
 
Charges
 
Settlements
 
December 31, 2014
Entertainment
$
8

 
 
$
(2
)
 
 
 
$
6

 
Publishing
1

 
 
(1
)
 
 
 

 
Local Broadcasting
14

 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
10

 
Corporate
3

 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
2

 
Total
$
26

 
 
$
(8
)
 
 
 
$
18

 

6) PROGRAMMING AND OTHER INVENTORY 
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
Acquired program rights
$
1,533

 
$
1,187

Internally produced programming:
 
 
 
Released
1,261

 
1,121

In process and other
392

 
384

Publishing, primarily finished goods
42

 
47

Total programming and other inventory
3,228

 
2,739

Less current portion
1,271

 
922

Total noncurrent programming and other inventory
$
1,957

 
$
1,817

The Company expects to amortize approximately $650 million of its released internally produced programming during the year ended December 31, 2016. In addition, while it is difficult to determine the precise timing of the amortization of the remaining released internally produced programming, the Company estimates that substantially all of the December 31, 2015 balance will be amortized over the next three years.

II-58


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


7) RELATED PARTIES
National Amusements, Inc. National Amusements, Inc. (“NAI”) is the controlling stockholder of CBS Corp. and Viacom Inc.  Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, the controlling stockholder, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of NAI, is the Chairman Emeritus of each of CBS Corp. and Viacom Inc. In addition, Ms. Shari Redstone, Mr. Sumner M. Redstone’s daughter, is the president and a director of NAI and the vice chair of the Board of Directors of each of CBS Corp. and Viacom Inc.  Mr. David R. Andelman is a director of CBS Corp. and serves as a director of NAI. Mr. Frederic V. Salerno is a director of CBS Corp. and serves as a director of Viacom Inc. At December 31, 2015, NAI directly or indirectly owned approximately 79.5% of CBS Corp.’s voting Class A Common Stock and owned approximately 8.5% of CBS Corp.’s Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock on a combined basis.

Viacom Inc.  As part of its normal course of business, the Company licenses its television content, leases production facilities and sells advertising spots to various subsidiaries of Viacom Inc. Viacom Inc. also distributes certain of the Company’s television programs in the home entertainment market. The Company’s total revenues from these transactions were $179 million, $183 million and $185 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company places advertisements with and leases production facilities from various subsidiaries of Viacom Inc. The total amounts for these transactions were $25 million, $19 million and $21 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following table presents the amounts due from Viacom Inc. in the normal course of business as reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts due to Viacom Inc. were minimal at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
Receivables
$
115

 
$
107

Other assets (Receivables, noncurrent)
38

 
76

Total amounts due from Viacom Inc.
$
153

 
$
183

Other Related Parties  The Company has equity interests in two domestic television networks and several international joint ventures for television channels, from which the Company earns revenues primarily by selling its television programming.  Total revenues earned from sales to these joint ventures were $160 million, $122 million and $108 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Total amounts due from these joint ventures were $48 million and $23 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The Company, through the normal course of business, is involved in transactions with other related parties that have not been material in any of the periods presented.

8) INVESTMENTS
The Company accounts for investments over which it has significant influence or ownership of more than 20% but less than or equal to 50%, without a controlling interest, under the equity method. Such investments include the Company’s 50% interests in the broadcast network, The CW, and the entertainment cable network, Pop. In addition, the Company has interests in several international television joint ventures including a 49% interest in a joint venture with a subsidiary of AMC Networks Inc., which owns and operates six channels in the United Kingdom and Ireland, including CBS branded channels; a 30% interest in a joint venture with another subsidiary of AMC Networks Inc., which owns and operates nine cable and satellite channels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; a 33% interest in a joint venture with a subsidiary of Ten Network Holdings Limited to provide content to ELEVEN, a digital television

II-59


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


channel service in Australia; and a 30% interest in a joint venture with RTL Group which owns and operates two cable channels in Southeast Asia.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, the Company had $224 million and $199 million of equity investments that are included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments of 20% or less, over which the Company has no significant influence, that do not have a readily determinable fair value are accounted for under the cost method. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, the Company had $34 million and $23 million of cost investments that are included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company invested $98 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and $176 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 into its equity and cost investments.

9) BANK FINANCING AND DEBT
The Companys debt consists of the following (a):
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
Commercial paper
$

 
$
616

7.625% Senior Debentures due 2016
200

 
200

1.95% Senior Notes due 2017
398

 
397

4.625% Senior Notes due 2018
309

 
313

2.30% Senior Notes due 2019
609

 
596

5.75% Senior Notes due 2020
498

 
498

4.30% Senior Notes due 2021
299

 
299

3.375% Senior Notes due 2022
694

 
693

7.875% Debentures due 2023
186

 
186

7.125% Senior Notes due 2023 (b)
46

 
46

3.70% Senior Notes due 2024
596

 
595

3.50% Senior Notes due 2025
585

 

4.00% Senior Notes due 2026
781

 

7.875% Senior Debentures due 2030
833

 
833

5.50% Senior Debentures due 2033
425

 
425

5.90% Senior Notes due 2040
297

 
297

4.85% Senior Notes due 2042
484

 
484

4.90% Senior Notes due 2044
538

 
537

4.60% Senior Notes due 2045
587

 

Obligations under capital leases
83

 
97

Total debt (c)
8,448

 
7,112

Less commercial paper

 
616

Less current portion
222

 
20

Total long-term debt, net of current portion
$
8,226

 
$
6,476

(a) Unless otherwise noted, the long-term debt instruments are issuances of CBS Corp. and are guaranteed by CBS Operations Inc.
(b) Debt instrument is an issuance of CBS Broadcasting Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corp., and has no guarantor.
(c) At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the senior debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $45 million and $21 million, respectively, (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $44 million and $34 million, respectively, and (iii) an increase in the carrying value of the debt relating to previously settled fair value hedges of $14 million at both December 31, 2015 and 2014.  The face value of the Company’s total debt was $8.52 billion at December 31, 2015 and $7.15 billion at December 31, 2014.

II-60


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


For the year ended December 31, 2015, debt issuances were as follows:
January 2015, $600 million 3.50% senior notes due 2025
January 2015, $600 million 4.60% senior notes due 2045
July 2015, $800 million 4.00% senior notes due 2026

The Company used the net proceeds from these issuances for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock and repayment of short-term borrowings, including commercial paper.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued $1.75 billion of senior notes and redeemed or repurchased $1.17 billion of senior notes and debentures, of which $1.07 billion was redeemed or repurchased prior to maturity, resulting in a pretax loss on early extinguishment of debt of $352 million.
At December 31, 2015, the Company’s scheduled maturities of long-term debt at face value, excluding capital leases, were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021 and
 
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter
Long-term debt
 
$
200

 
 
$
400

 
 
$
300

 
 
$
600

 
 
$
500

 
$
6,440

During January 2016, the Company repaid its $200 million of outstanding 7.625% senior debentures upon maturity.

Commercial Paper
At December 31, 2014 the Company had outstanding commercial paper borrowings under its $2.5 billion commercial paper program of $616 million, at a weighted average interest rate of 0.46% and with maturities of less than forty-five days. There were no outstanding commercial paper borrowings at December 31, 2015.
Credit Facility
At December 31, 2015, the Company had a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2019 (the “Credit Facility”). The Company, at its option, may also borrow in certain foreign currencies up to specified limits under the Credit Facility. Borrowing rates under the Credit Facility are determined at the Company’s option at the time of each borrowing and are based generally on the prime rate in the U.S. or the London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin based on the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating. The Company pays a facility fee based on the total amount of the commitments.

The Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio of 4.5x at the end of each quarter as further described in the Credit Facility. At December 31, 2015, the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio was approximately 2.6x.

The Consolidated Leverage Ratio reflects the ratio of the Company’s indebtedness from continuing operations, adjusted to exclude certain capital lease obligations, at the end of a quarter, to the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for the trailing four consecutive quarters.  Consolidated EBITDA is defined in the Credit Facility as operating income plus interest income and before depreciation, amortization and certain other noncash items.

The Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2015, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility and the remaining availability under the Credit Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit, was $2.49 billion.

II-61


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


10) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying value of financial instruments approximates fair value, except for notes and debentures, which are not recorded at fair value.  At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the carrying value of the Company's senior debt was $8.37 billion and $6.40 billion, respectively, and the fair value, which is estimated based on quoted market prices for similar liabilities (Level 2) and includes accrued interest, was $8.78 billion and $7.15 billion, respectively.

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to modify its exposure to market risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates.  The Company does not use derivative instruments unless there is an underlying exposure and, therefore, the Company does not hold or enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Foreign Exchange Contracts
Foreign exchange forward contracts have principally been used to hedge projected cash flows, in currencies such as the British Pound, the Euro, the Canadian Dollar and the Australian Dollar, generally for periods up to 24 months. The Company designates foreign exchange forward contracts used to hedge committed and forecasted foreign currency transactions as cash flow hedges.  Gains or losses on the effective portion of designated cash flow hedges are initially recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to the statement of operations when the hedged item is recognized.  Additionally, the Company enters into non-designated forward contracts to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated cash flows. 

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the notional amount of all foreign currency contracts was $291 million and $152 million, respectively.

Interest Rate Swaps
All of the Company’s long-term debt has been issued under fixed interest rate agreements. During 2014, in connection with the issuance of its $600 million of 2.30% senior notes due 2019, the Company entered into $600 million notional amount of fixed-to-floating rate swap agreements to hedge this debt. During 2015, prior to maturity, the Company settled these interest rate swaps and received $12 million in cash, plus accrued interest. The resulting increase in the carrying value of the previously hedged debt is being amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining term of the debt.

Gains recognized on derivative financial instruments were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
Financial Statement Account
Non-designated foreign exchange contracts
 
$
22

 
 
 
$
6

 
 
Other items, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Designated interest rate swaps
 
$
7

 
 
 
$
3

 
 
Interest expense

The fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments was not material to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for any of the periods presented.

The Company continually monitors its positions with, and credit quality of, the financial institutions that are counterparties to its financial instruments. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However, the Company does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.


II-62


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The Company’s receivables do not represent significant concentrations of credit risk at December 31, 2015 and 2014, due to the wide variety of customers, markets and geographic areas to which the Company’s products and services are sold.
11) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2015 and 2014. These assets and liabilities have been categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy established by the FASB, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 is based on publicly quoted prices for the asset or liability in active markets. Level 2 is based on inputs that are observable other than quoted market prices in active markets, such as quoted prices for the asset or liability in inactive markets or quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities. Level 3 is based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
At December 31, 2015
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency hedges
$

 
$
13

 
$

 
$
13

Total Assets
$


$
13


$

 
$
13

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
$

Deferred compensation
$

 
$
312

 
$

 
$
312

Total Liabilities
$


$
312


$

 
$
312

At December 31, 2014
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
$
80

 
$

 
$

 
$
80

Foreign currency hedges

 
6

 

 
6

Total Assets
$
80

 
$
6

 
$

 
$
86

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
$

Deferred compensation
$

 
$
307

 
$

 
$
307

Foreign currency hedges

 
2

 

 
2

Total Liabilities
$

 
$
309

 
$

 
$
309

The fair value of investments was determined based on publicly quoted market prices in active markets. These investments were liquidated in 2015 for $79 million. The fair value of foreign currency hedges is determined based on the present value of future cash flows using observable inputs including foreign currency exchange rates. The fair value of deferred compensation liabilities is determined based on the fair value of the investments elected by employees.

During 2015, the Company recorded a pretax noncash impairment charge of $484 million to reduce the carrying value of radio FCC licenses to their fair value. The fair value was determined based on the Greenfield Method (Level 3). See Note 3.

During 2014, in connection with a radio station swap, the Company recorded a pretax noncash impairment charge of $52 million to reduce the carrying value of the allocated goodwill to its fair value using other nonobservable inputs (Level 3). The fair value of the transaction was determined based on a valuation of comparable assets in the same geographic markets.
12) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
In general, CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock and CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock have the same economic rights; however, holders of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock do not have any voting rights, except as required by law. Holders of CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to all matters on which the holders of CBS Corp. Common Stock are entitled to vote.

II-63


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Dividends—The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on its Class A and Class B Common Stock during each of the four quarters of 2015, 2014, and 2013. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company declared total per share dividends of $.60, $.54, and $.48, respectively, resulting in total annual dividends of $293 million, $296 million and $295 million, respectively. Dividends have been recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital as the Company has an accumulated deficit balance.

Purchase of Company Stock—During 2015, the Company repurchased 51.7 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock under its share repurchase program for $2.80 billion, at an average cost of $54.18 per share. At December 31, 2015, $2.00 billion of authorization remained under the share repurchase program.

Conversion Rights—Holders of Class A Common Stock have the right to convert their shares to Class B Common Stock as long as there are at least 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding. Conversions of CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock into Class B Common Stock were 0.1 million for 2015, 1.3 million for 2014 and 4.0 million for 2013.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income —The following table presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
 
Continuing Operations
 
Discontinued Operations
 
 
 
 
 
Net Actuarial
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
Cumulative
 
Gain (Loss)
 
Unrealized
 
Other
 
Other
 
Translation
 
and Prior
 
Gain on
 
Comprehensive
 
Comprehensive
 
Adjustments
 
Service Cost
 
Securities
 
Income (Loss)
(a) 
Loss
At December 31, 2012
$
168

 
$
(936
)
 
$
2

 
$
197

 
$
(569
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(2
)
 
163

 
1

 
(4
)
 
158

Reclassifications to net earnings

 
44

(b) 

 
(178
)
(c) 
(134
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(2
)
 
207

 
1

 
(182
)
 
24

At December 31, 2013
166

 
(729
)
 
3

 
15

 
(545
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(9
)
 
(189
)
 

 
15

 
(183
)
Reclassifications to net earnings

 
26

(b) 
(3
)
 
(30
)
(c) 
(7
)
Other comprehensive loss
(9
)
 
(163
)
 
(3
)
 
(15
)
 
(190
)
At December 31, 2014
157

 
(892
)
 

 

 
(735
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(5
)
 
(66
)
 

 

 
(71
)
Reclassifications to net earnings

 
36

(b) 

 

 
36

Other comprehensive loss
(5
)
 
(30
)
 

 

 
(35
)
At December 31, 2015
$
152

 
$
(922
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(770
)
(a) Primarily reflects cumulative translation adjustments.
(b) Reflects amortization of net actuarial losses. See Note 15.
(c) Reclassified in connection with the disposal of Outdoor Americas in 2014 and Outdoor Europe in 2013. See Note 4.

The net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service cost related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans included in other comprehensive income (loss) is net of a tax benefit (provision) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 of $19 million, $105 million and $(132) million, respectively, and other comprehensive loss from discontinued operations is net of a tax provision of $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the tax provision related to the other comprehensive loss from discontinued operations was minimal. The tax provision related to the unrealized gain on securities is minimal for all periods presented.

II-64


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


13) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has equity incentive plans (the “Plans”) under which stock options and RSUs were issued. The purpose of the Plans is to benefit and advance the interests of the Company by attracting, retaining and motivating participants and to compensate participants for their contributions to the financial success of the Company. The Plans provide for awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted shares, RSUs, dividend equivalents, performance awards and other equity-related awards. Upon exercise of stock options or vesting of RSUs, the Company issues new shares from its existing authorization. At December 31, 2015, there were 53 million shares available for future grant under the Plans.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
RSUs
$
143

 
$
131

 
$
129

Stock options
31

 
23

 
93

Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes
174

 
154

 
222

Related tax benefit
(67
)
 
(60
)
 
(86
)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit
$
107

 
$
94

 
$
136

 
Stock-based compensation included in net earnings from discontinued operations was $5 million and $15 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively.
RSUs
Compensation expense for RSUs is determined based upon the market price of the shares underlying the awards on the date of grant and expensed over the vesting period, which is generally a one- to four-year service period. Certain RSU awards are also subject to satisfying performance conditions. Compensation expense is recorded based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions. Forfeitures for RSUs are estimated on the date of grant based on historical forfeiture rates. On an annual basis, the Company adjusts the compensation expense based on actual forfeitures and revises the forfeiture rate as necessary.

The weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs was $59.11, $62.70 and $40.70 in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The total market value of RSUs that vested during 2015, 2014, and 2013 was $212 million, $319 million and $324 million, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2015 was $198 million which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity.
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
RSUs
 
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2014
 
6,700,094

 
 
 
$
45.26

 
Granted
 
2,994,745

 
 
 
$
59.11

 
Vested
 
(3,579,992
)
 
 
 
$
40.50

 
Forfeited
 
(369,767
)
 
 
 
$
53.94

 
Non-vested at December 31, 2015
 
5,745,080

 
 
 
$
54.88

 
Stock Options
Compensation expense for stock options is determined based on the grant date fair value of the award calculated using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model. Stock options generally vest over a three- to four-year service period and expire eight years from the date of grant. Forfeitures are estimated on the date of grant based on historical forfeiture

II-65


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


rates. On an annual basis, the Company adjusts the compensation expense based on actual forfeitures and revises the forfeiture rate as necessary.

The weighted average fair value of stock options as of the grant date was $15.73, $18.23 and $12.11 in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Expected dividend yield
1.25
%
 
1.25
%
 
1.49
%
Expected stock price volatility
31.45
%
 
33.06
%
 
34.86
%
Risk-free interest rate
1.63
%
 
1.60
%
 
.97
%
Expected term of options (years)
5.00

 
5.00

 
5.00

The expected stock price volatility is determined using a weighted average of historical volatility for CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock and implied volatility of publicly traded options to purchase CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock. Given the existence of an actively traded market for CBS Corp. options, the Company was able to derive implied volatility using publicly traded options to purchase CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock that were trading near the grant date of the employee stock options at a similar exercise price and a remaining term of greater than one year.

The risk-free interest rate is based on a U.S. Treasury rate in effect on the date of grant with a term equal to the expected term. The expected term is determined based on historical employee exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. The expected dividend yield represents the Company’s future expectation of the dividend yield based on current rates and historical patterns of dividend changes.

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards at December 31, 2015 was $51 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity under the Plans.
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
Stock Options
 
Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
 
15,634,317

 
 
 
$
33.12

 
Granted
 
1,885,683

 
 
 
$
59.41

 
Exercised
 
(5,723,239
)
 
 
 
$
24.88

 
Forfeited or expired
 
(491,726
)
 
 
 
$
31.60

 
Outstanding at December 31, 2015
 
11,305,035

 
 
 
$
41.75

 
Exercisable at December 31, 2015
 
6,199,611

 
 
 
$
31.40

 
The following table summarizes other information relating to stock option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Year Ended December 31, 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Cash received from stock option exercises
$
142

 
$
283

 
$
146

Tax benefit of stock option exercises
$
74

 
$
200

 
$
88

Intrinsic value of stock option exercises
$
192

 
$
517

 
$
229


II-66


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable stock options to purchase CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock under the Plans at December 31, 2015.
 
Outstanding
 
Exercisable
 
 
 
Remaining
 
Weighted
 
 
 
Weighted
Range of
Number
 
Contractual
 
Average
 
Number
 
Average
Exercise Price
of Options
 
Life (Years)
 
Exercise Price
 
of Options
 
Exercise Price
$5 to 9.99
676,135

 
1.24
 
 
$
5.25

 
 
676,135

 
 
$
5.25

 
$10 to 19.99
488,744

 
2.42
 
 
$
14.10

 
 
488,744

 
 
$
14.10

 
$20 to 29.99
2,744,846

 
3.86
 
 
$
27.83

 
 
2,322,791

 
 
$
27.54

 
$30 to 39.99
1,339,775

 
4.69
 
 
$
34.08

 
 
1,168,110

 
 
$
34.03

 
$40 to 49.99
2,219,630

 
5.17
 
 
$
44.28

 
 
971,946

 
 
$
44.36

 
$50 to 59.99
1,817,150

 
7.01
 
 
$
59.54

 
 
44,672

 
 
$
59.58

 
$60 to 69.99
2,018,755

 
6.07
 
 
$
65.86

 
 
527,213

 
 
$
65.91

 
 
11,305,035

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,199,611

 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2015 stock options outstanding have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.90 years and the total intrinsic value for “in-the-money” options, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $47.13, was $122 million. At December 31, 2015 stock options exercisable have a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.94 years and the total intrinsic value for “in-the-money” exercisable options was $108 million.

14) INCOME TAXES
The U.S. and foreign components of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
United States
$
1,599

 
$
1,790

 
$
2,283

Foreign
424

 
374

 
382

Total
$
2,023

 
$
2,164

 
$
2,665

The components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
227

 
$
(14
)
 
$
310

State and local
54

 
22

 
74

Foreign
91

 
62

 
61

 
372

 
70

 
445

Deferred
215

 
692

 
433

Provision for income taxes
$
587

 
$
762

 
$
878


In addition, included in discontinued operations was an income tax provision of $7 million, $26 million, and $6 million in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

The equity in loss of investee companies is shown net of tax on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The tax benefits relating to losses from equity investments in 2015, 2014, and 2013 were $21 million, $31 million, and $30 million, respectively, which represented an effective tax rate of 38.7% for each of 2015 and 2014 and 38.8% for 2013.

In 2015 and 2014, the Company realized tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs of $155 million and $322 million, respectively.

II-67


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The difference between income taxes expected at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and the provision for income taxes is summarized as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Taxes on income at U.S. federal statutory rate
$
708

 
$
758

 
$
933

State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit
55

 
93

 
101

Effect of foreign operations
(100
)
 
(90
)
 
(92
)
Sales of businesses
(42
)
 

 

Audit settlements, net
(9
)
 
(7
)
 
(17
)
Other, net (a)
(25
)
 
8

 
(47
)
Provision for income taxes
$
587

 
$
762

 
$
878

(a) For 2015 and 2013, amount primarily reflects the Company’s domestic production deduction.

The following table summarizes the components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities.
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
Reserves and other accrued liabilities
$
699

 
$
743

Pension, postretirement and other employee benefits
801

 
794

Tax credit and loss carryforwards
953

 
628

Other
108

 
113

Total deferred income tax assets
2,561

 
2,278

Valuation allowance
(919
)
 
(575
)
Deferred income tax assets, net
1,642

 
1,703

Deferred income tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Intangible assets
(2,391
)
 
(2,432
)
Unbilled licensing receivables
(599
)
 
(532
)
Property, equipment and other assets
(157
)
 
(151
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
(3,147
)
 
(3,115
)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
$
(1,505
)
 
$
(1,412
)
In addition to the deferred income taxes reflected in the table above, included in the assets of discontinued operations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are net deferred income tax assets of $24 million and $38 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

At December 31, 2015, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for federal, state and local, and foreign jurisdictions of approximately $938 million, the majority of which expire in various years from 2016 through 2035.

The 2015 and 2014 deferred income tax assets were reduced by a valuation allowance of $919 million and $575 million, respectively, principally relating to income tax benefits from capital losses and net operating losses in foreign jurisdictions which are not expected to be realized.

The Company’s share of the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries not included in its consolidated federal income tax return that could be subject to additional income taxes if remitted was approximately $4.15 billion at December 31, 2015 and $3.99 billion at December 31, 2014. For certain foreign subsidiaries, no provision has been recorded for the U.S. or foreign taxes that could result from the remittance of such undistributed earnings since the Company intends to distribute only the portion of such earnings which would be offset by U.S. foreign tax credits or remitted in tax-free transactions, and intends to reinvest the remainder outside the U.S. indefinitely. The determination of the unrecognized U.S. federal deferred income tax liability for such undistributed earnings is not practicable.


II-68


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The following table sets forth the change in the reserve for uncertain tax positions, excluding related accrued interest and penalties.
At January 1, 2013
$
172

Additions for current year tax positions
11

Additions for prior year tax positions
14

Reductions for prior year tax positions
(40
)
Cash settlements
(17
)
Statute of limitations lapses
(1
)
At December 31, 2013
139

Additions for current year tax positions
14

Additions for prior year tax positions
31

Reductions for prior year tax positions
(26
)
Cash settlements
(16
)
Statute of limitations lapses
(2
)
At December 31, 2014
140

Additions for current year tax positions
14

Additions for prior year tax positions
6

Reductions for prior year tax positions
(32
)
Cash settlements
(23
)
Statute of limitations lapses
(1
)
At December 31, 2015
$
104

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, $21 million and $48 million, respectively, of the reserve for uncertain tax positions were included in “Liabilities of discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The reserve for uncertain tax positions of $104 million at December 31, 2015 includes $78 million which would affect the Company’s effective income tax rate, including discontinued operations, if and when recognized in future years.

The Company recognizes interest and penalty charges related to the reserve for uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized interest and penalties of $7 million, $14 million and $12 million, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company has recorded liabilities for accrued interest and penalties of $33 million and $50 million, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company and the IRS settled the Company’s income tax audit for the years 2011 and 2012, which did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The IRS is expected to commence its examination of the years 2013 and 2014 during 2016. In addition, various tax years are currently under examination by state and local and other foreign tax authorities. With respect to open tax years in all jurisdictions, the Company does not currently believe that it is reasonably possible that the reserve for uncertain tax positions will significantly change within the next twelve months; however, it is difficult to predict the final outcome or timing of resolution of any particular tax matter and accordingly, unforeseen events could cause the Company’s expectation to change in the future.
15) PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries sponsor qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, principally non-contributory, covering eligible employees. The majority of participants in these plans are retired employees or former employees of previously divested businesses. Most of the Company’s pension plans are closed to new entrants. The benefits for some plans are based primarily on an employee’s years of service and average pay near retirement. Benefits under other plans are based primarily on an employee’s pay for each year that the employee

II-69


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


participated in the plan. Participating employees are vested in the plans after five years of service. The Company funds its pension plans in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the applicable rules and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of corporate bonds, equity securities and U.S. government securities. The Company’s common stock represents approximately 1.8% and 1.9% of the plan assets’ fair values at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

In addition, the Company sponsors health and welfare plans that provide postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retired employees and their covered dependents. Eligibility is based in part on certain age and service requirements at the time of their retirement. Most of the plans are contributory and contain cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance which are adjusted annually. Claims are paid primarily with the Company’s funds.

The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for all pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

The following table sets forth the change in benefit obligation for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans.
 
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Benefits
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Change in benefit obligation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation, beginning of year
$
5,323

 
$
5,022

 
$
562

 
$
589

Service cost
31

 
31

 

 

Interest cost
209

 
237

 
20

 
25

Actuarial (gain) loss
(210
)
 
444

 
(45
)
 
5

Benefits paid
(416
)
 
(396
)
 
(66
)
 
(74
)
Participants’ contributions

 

 
11

 
11

Retiree Medicare drug subsidy

 

 
4

 
6

Settlements

 
(1
)
 

 

Cumulative translation adjustments
(26
)
 
(14
)
 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year
$
4,911

 
$
5,323

 
$
486

 
$
562

The following table sets forth the change in plan assets for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans.
 
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Benefits
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Change in plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year
$
4,224

 
$
4,184

 
$
5

 
$
5

Actual return on plan assets
(99
)
 
402

 

 

Employer contributions
52

 
50

 
50

 
57

Benefits paid
(416
)
 
(396
)
 
(66
)
 
(74
)
Participants’ contributions

 

 
11

 
11

Retiree Medicare drug subsidy

 

 
4

 
6

Settlements

 
(1
)
 

 

Cumulative translation adjustments
(27
)
 
(15
)
 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year
$
3,734

 
$
4,224

 
$
4

 
$
5


II-70


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The funded status of pension and postretirement benefit obligations and the related amounts recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Benefits
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Funded status at end of year
$
(1,177
)
 
$
(1,099
)
 
$
(482
)
 
$
(557
)
Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other assets
$
17

 
$
15

 
$

 
$

Current liabilities
(51
)
 
(50
)
 
(50
)
 
(57
)
Noncurrent liabilities
(1,143
)
 
(1,064
)
 
(432
)
 
(500
)
Net amounts recognized
$
(1,177
)
 
$
(1,099
)
 
$
(482
)
 
$
(557
)
The Company’s qualified pension plans were underfunded by $533 million and $425 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The following amounts were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Benefits
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net actuarial (loss) gain
$
(1,848
)
 
$
(1,774
)
 
$
246

 
$
222

Net prior service cost
(9
)
 
(10
)
 

 

Share of equity investee
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1,858
)
 
(1,785
)
 
246

 
222

Deferred income taxes
734

 
706

 
(44
)
 
(35
)
Net amount recognized in accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
$
(1,124
)
 
$
(1,079
)
 
$
202

 
$
187

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $4.83 billion and $5.23 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
Information for the pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is set forth below.
At December 31,
2015
 
2014
Projected benefit obligation
$
4,795

 
$
5,200

Accumulated benefit obligation
$
4,717

 
$
5,111

Fair value of plan assets
$
3,602

 
$
4,085


II-71


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit cost and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).
 
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Components of net periodic cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
31

 
$
31

 
$
38

 
$

 
$

 
$

Interest cost
209

 
237

 
211

 
20

 
25

 
26

Expected return on plan assets
(261
)
 
(262
)
 
(271
)
 

 

 

Amortization of actuarial losses (gains)
79

 
63

 
85

 
(21
)
 
(21
)
 
(16
)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
1

 
1

 
1

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Net periodic cost
$
59

 
$
70

 
$
64

 
$
(1
)
 
$
3

 
$
9

 
Pension
 
Postretirement
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Benefits
 
Benefits
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
45

 
Actuarial (loss) gain
 
$
(154
)
 
 
 
$
45

 
Amortization of actuarial losses (gains) (a)
 
79

 
 
 
(21
)
 
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (a)
 
1

 
 
 

 
Cumulative translation adjustments
 
1

 
 
 

 
 
 
(73
)
 
 
 
24

 
Deferred income taxes
 
28

 
 
 
(9
)
 
Recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
$
(45
)
 
 
 
$
15

 
(a)  Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net earnings.

Estimated net actuarial losses and prior service costs related to the defined benefit pension plans of approximately $84 million and $1 million, respectively, will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit costs in 2016.

Estimated net actuarial gains related to the other postretirement benefit plans of approximately $21 million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit costs in 2016.
 
Pension
 
Postretirement
 
Benefits
 
Benefits
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
4.6
%
 
4.1
%
 
4.2
%
 
3.8
%
Rate of compensation increase
3.0
%
 
3.0
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic costs for the year ended December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
4.1
%
 
4.9
%
 
3.8
%
 
4.5
%
Expected long-term return on plan assets
6.5
%
 
6.5
%
 
2.0
%
 
2.0
%
Rate of compensation increase
3.0
%
 
3.0
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

N/A - not applicable


II-72


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The discount rates are determined primarily based on the yield on portfolios of high quality bonds, constructed to provide cash flows necessary to meet the Company's pension plans’ expected future benefit payments, as determined for the projected benefit obligations. The expected return on plan assets assumption is derived using the current and expected asset allocation of the pension plan assets and considering historical as well as expected returns on various classes of plan assets.
The following additional assumptions were used in accounting for postretirement benefits.
 
2015
 
2014
Projected health care cost trend rate
7.0
%
 
7.0
%
Ultimate trend rate
5.0
%
 
5.0
%
Year ultimate trend rate is achieved
2021

 
2019

A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
 
One Percentage
 
One Percentage
 
Point Increase
 
Point Decrease
Effect on total service and interest cost components
 
$

 
 
 
$

 
Effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
 
$
7

 
 
 
$
(7
)
 
Plan Assets
The asset allocations for the Company’s U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan trust and international pension plan trusts are based upon an analysis of the timing and amount of projected benefit payments, projected company contributions, the expected returns and risk of the asset classes and the correlation of those returns. The target asset allocation for the Company’s U.S. pension plan trust, which accounted for 95% of total plan assets at December 31, 2015, is to invest between 70% - 80% in long duration fixed income instruments, 16% - 28% in equity securities and the remainder in cash and other investments. At December 31, 2015, this trust was invested approximately 75% in long duration fixed income portfolios, 23% in equity instruments, and the remainder in cash, cash equivalents and other investments. Other trusts, which fund the Company’s international pension plans, accounted for 5% of total plan assets at December 31, 2015 and are invested approximately 72% in fixed income instruments, 22% in equity instruments, and the remainder in cash, cash equivalents and other investments. Long duration fixed income investments primarily consist of a diversified portfolio of investment grade fixed income instruments with a duration that approximates the duration of the liabilities covered by the trust. All equity portfolios are diversified between U.S. and non-U.S. equities and include large and small capitalization equities. The asset allocations are reviewed regularly.


II-73


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The following tables set forth the Company’s pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2015 and 2014. These assets have been categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy established by the FASB which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 is based on quoted prices for the asset in active markets. Level 2 is based on inputs that are observable other than quoted market prices in active markets, such as quoted prices for the asset in inactive markets or quoted prices for similar assets. Level 3 is based on unobservable inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset.
At December 31, 2015
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents (a)
$
3

 
$
72

 
$

 
$
75

Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 


U.S. treasury securities
118

 

 

 
118

Government-related securities
29

 
266

 

 
295

Corporate bonds (b)

 
2,208

 

 
2,208

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 
114

 
2

 
116

Equity securities: (c)
 
 
 
 
 
 


U.S. large capitalization
233

 
322

 

 
555

U.S. small capitalization
70

 
2

 

 
72

International equity (d)

 
230

 

 
230

Limited partnerships

 

 
43

 
43

Other

 
22

 

 
22

Total Assets
$
453

 
$
3,236

 
$
45

 
$
3,734

At December 31, 2014
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents (a)
$
5

 
$
43

 
$

 
$
48

Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury securities
139

 

 

 
139

Government-related securities
49

 
301

 

 
350

Corporate bonds (b)

 
2,560

 

 
2,560

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

 
116

 
3

 
119

Equity securities: (c)
 
 
 
 
 
 


U.S. large capitalization
258

 
349

 

 
607

U.S. small capitalization
74

 
2

 

 
76

International equity (d)

 
242

 

 
242

Limited partnerships

 

 
56

 
56

Other

 
27

 

 
27

Total Assets
$
525

 
$
3,640

 
$
59

 
$
4,224

(a) Assets categorized as Level 2 reflect investments in money market funds.
(b)  Securities of diverse industries, substantially all investment grade.
(c)  Assets categorized as Level 2 reflect investments in common collective funds.
(d) Includes investments in emerging market funds of $44 million and $50 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Money market investments are carried at amortized cost which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these investments. Investments in equity securities are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices on national security exchanges. The fair value of investments in common collective funds are determined using the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) provided by the administrator of the fund. The NAV is determined by each fund’s trustee based upon the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, less liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding units. The fair value of U.S. treasury securities is determined based on quoted market prices in active markets. The fair value of government related securities and corporate bonds is determined based on quoted market prices on national security exchanges, when available, or using valuation models which incorporate certain other observable inputs including recent trading activity for comparable securities and broker quoted prices. The fair value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities is based upon valuation models which incorporate available dealer

II-74


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


quotes and market information. Limited partnerships are valued using statements issued by the partnership which determine the value based on the fair value of the underlying investments.

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of investments reflected as Level 3 at December 31, 2015.
 
Limited
Partnerships
 
Mortgage-backed
Securities
 
Total
At January 1, 2014
 
$
55

 
 
 
$
4

 
 
 
$
59

 
Actual return related to investments held at end of year
 
1

 
 
 

 
 
 
1

 
Contributions and distributions, net
 

 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
(1
)
 
At December 31, 2014
 
56

 
 
 
3

 
 
 
59

 
Contributions and distributions, net
 
(13
)
 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
(14
)
 
At December 31, 2015
 
$
43

 
 
 
$
2

 
 
 
$
45

 
The Company’s other postretirement benefits plan assets of $4 million and $5 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were invested in U.S. fixed income index funds, which are categorized as Level 1 assets.

Future Benefit Payments
Estimated future benefit payments are as follows: 
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021-2025
Pension
$
432

 
$
380

 
$
371

 
$
363

 
$
355

 
$
1,650

Postretirement
$
60

 
$
58

 
$
56

 
$
54

 
$
51

 
$
213

Retiree Medicare drug subsidy
$
(8
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(34
)
In 2016, the Company expects to make contributions of approximately $52 million to its non-qualified pension plans to satisfy the benefit payments due under these plans. Also in 2016, the Company expects to contribute approximately $52 million to its other postretirement benefit plans to satisfy the Company’s portion of benefit payments due under these plans.

Multiemployer Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Company contributes to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover its union-represented employees including talent, writers, directors, producers and other employees, primarily in the entertainment industry. The other employers participating in these multiemployer plans are primarily in the entertainment and other related industries. The risks of participating in multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans as assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers and if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. In addition, if the Company chooses to stop participating in some of its multiemployer plans it may be required to pay those plans a withdrawal liability based on the underfunded status of the plan.

The financial health of a multiemployer plan is indicated by the zone status, as defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which represents the funded status of the plan as certified by the plan’s actuary. Plans in the red zone are less than 65% funded, the yellow zone are between 65% and 80% funded, and green zone are at least 80% funded.


II-75


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The table below presents information concerning the Company’s participation in multiemployer defined benefit pension plans.
 
 
Employer
Identification
 
Pension
Protection Act
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expiration
Date of
Collective-
 
 
Number/Pension
 
Zone Status (a)
 
Company Contributions
 
Bargaining
Pension Plan
 
Plan Number
 
2015
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
Agreement
AFTRA Retirement Plan (b)
 
13-6414972-001
 
Green
Green
 
$
7

 
$
7

 
$
7

 
(c)
Directors Guild of America - Producer
 
95-2892780-001
 
Green
Green
 
6

 
5

 
5

 
6/30/2017
Producer-Writers Guild of America
 
95-2216351-001
 
Green
Green
 
11

 
10

 
8

 
5/1/2017
Screen Actors Guild - Producers
 
95-2110997-001
 
Green
Green
 
9

 
7

 
7

 
6/30/2017
Motion Picture Industry
 
95-1810805-001
 
Green
Green
 
10

 
8

 
7

 
(d)
Other Plans
 
 
 
 
 
 
9

 
10

 
8

 
 
 
 
Total contributions
 
$
52

 
$
47

 
$
42

 
 
(a) The Zone status for each individual plan listed was certified by each plan’s actuary as of the beginning of the plan years for 2015 and 2014. The plan year is the twelve months ending December 31 for each plan listed above except AFTRA Retirement Plan which has a plan year ending November 30.
(b) The Company was listed in AFTRA Retirement Plan’s Form 5500 as providing more than 5% of total contributions for the plan year ended November 30, 2014.
(c) The expiration dates range from June 30, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
(d) The expiration dates range from March 3, 2016 through July 31, 2018.

As a result of the above noted zone status there were no funding improvements or rehabilitation plans implemented, as defined by ERISA, nor any surcharges imposed for any of the individual plans listed.

The Company also contributes to multiemployer plans that provide postretirement healthcare, defined contribution and other benefits to certain employees under collective bargaining agreements. The contributions to these plans were $26 million, $20 million and $17 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company recognizes the net periodic cost for multiemployer pension and postretirement benefit plans based on the required contributions to the plans.

Defined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors defined contribution plans for the benefit of substantially all employees meeting eligibility requirements. Employer contributions to such plans were $50 million, $49 million and $53 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
16) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company’s commitments not recorded on the balance sheet primarily consist of programming and talent commitments, operating lease arrangements and purchase obligations for goods and services resulting from the Company’s normal course of business.
 
Programming and talent commitments of the Company, estimated to aggregate $11.91 billion as of December 31, 2015, primarily include $9.21 billion for sports programming rights, $1.79 billion relating to the production and licensing of television, radio, and film programming, and $905 million for talent contracts.  The Company also has committed purchase obligations which include agreements to purchase goods or services in the future that totaled $918 million as of December 31, 2015.
 

II-76


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Other long-term contractual obligations recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet include program liabilities, participations due to producers and residuals.
 
At December 31, 2015, commitments for programming and talent and purchase obligations not recorded on the balance sheet, and other long-term contractual obligations recorded on the balance sheet were payable as follows:
 
Programming and Talent
 
Purchase Obligations
 
Other Long-Term Contractual Obligations
2016
$
2,175

 
$
230

 
 
$

 
2017
1,980

 
198

 
 
648

 
2018
1,711

 
154

 
 
399

 
2019
1,688

 
132

 
 
196

 
2020
1,399

 
135

 
 
88

 
2021 and thereafter
2,953

 
69

 
 
58

 
Total
$
11,906

 
$
918

 
 
$
1,389

 
The Company has long-term noncancellable operating lease commitments for office space, equipment, transponders and studio facilities. The Company also enters into capital leases for satellite transponders.
 
At December 31, 2015, future minimum rental payments under noncancellable operating leases with terms in excess of one year and payments under capital leases are as follows:
 
Leases
 
Capital
 
Operating
2016
$
19

 
$
158

2017
16

 
134

2018
15

 
121

2019
14

 
108

2020
14

 
86

2021 and thereafter
16

 
395

Total minimum payments
$
94

 
$
1,002

Less amounts representing interest
11

 
 
Present value of minimum payments
$
83

 
 
Future minimum operating lease payments have been reduced by future minimum sublease income of $90 million. Rent expense was $211 million in 2015, $206 million in 2014 and $211 million in 2013. Included in net earnings from discontinued operations was rent expense of $158 million in 2014 and $292 million in 2013.
Guarantees
During 2013, the Company completed the sale of Outdoor Europe.  The Company remained the guarantor of certain of Outdoor Europe’s obligations, including franchise payment obligations under certain transit franchise agreements. Generally, the Company would be required to perform under the guarantees in the event of non-performance by the buyer. These agreements have varying terms, with the majority of the obligations guaranteed under these agreements expiring over the next seven years. At December 31, 2015, the Company’s maximum exposure under the guaranteed obligations is approximately $26 million. The carrying value of the guarantee liability of approximately $14 million and $28 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, is included in “Liabilities of discontinued operations” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


II-77


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The Company also has indemnification obligations with respect to letters of credit and surety bonds primarily used as security against non-performance in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2015, the outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds approximated $193 million and were not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

In the course of its business, the Company both provides and receives indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, the Company may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not live up to its obligations under an indemnification obligation. The Company records a liability for its indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable under generally accepted accounting principles.
Legal Matters
General. On an ongoing basis, the Company vigorously defends itself in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and responds to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state, local and international authorities (collectively, ‘‘litigation’’). Litigation may be brought against the Company without merit, is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on its understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Company believes that the below-described legal matters and other litigation to which it is a party are not likely, in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Under the Separation Agreement between the Company and Viacom Inc., the Company and Viacom Inc. have agreed to defend and indemnify the other in certain litigation in which the Company and/or Viacom Inc. is named.

Claims Related to Former Businesses: Asbestos. The Company is a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred principally as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. The Company is typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of the Company’s products is the basis of a claim. Claims against the Company in which a product has been identified principally relate to exposures allegedly caused by asbestos-containing insulating material in turbines sold for power-generation, industrial and marine use.

Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. The Company does not report as pending those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets which some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had pending approximately 36,030 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 41,100 as of December 31, 2014 and 45,150 as of December 31, 2013. During 2015, the Company received approximately 3,670 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 8,740 claims. The Company reports claims as closed when it becomes aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when the Company has reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claims, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. In 2015, as the result of an insurance settlement, insurance recoveries exceeded the Company’s after tax costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims by approximately $5 million. In 2014, the Company’s costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance and taxes were approximately $11 million. The Company’s costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year and insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.

II-78


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The Company believes that its reserves and insurance are adequate to cover its asbestos liabilities. This belief is based upon many factors and assumptions, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims. While the number of asbestos claims filed against the Company has trended down in the past five to ten years and has remained flat in recent years, it is difficult to predict future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may occur including, among others, the number and types of claims and average cost to resolve such claims, which could affect the Company’s estimate of its asbestos liabilities.

Other. The Company from time to time receives claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that it is or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to historical and predecessor operations of the Company. In addition, the Company from time to time receives personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from historical operations of the Company and its predecessors.
17) REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
The following tables set forth the Company’s financial performance by reportable segment.  The Company’s operating segments, which are the same as its reportable segments, have been determined in accordance with the Company’s internal management structure, which is organized based upon products and services.
Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2013
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
8,438

 
$
8,309

 
$
8,645

Cable Networks
2,242

 
2,176

 
2,069

Publishing
780

 
778

 
809

Local Broadcasting
2,607

 
2,756

 
2,696

Corporate/Eliminations
(181
)
 
(213
)
 
(214
)
Total Revenues
$
13,886

 
$
13,806

 
$
14,005

Revenues generated between segments primarily reflect advertising sales and television and feature film license fees. These transactions are recorded at market value as if the sales were to third parties and are eliminated in consolidation.
Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2013
Intercompany Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
178

 
$
206

 
$
208

Cable Networks

 
1

 

Local Broadcasting
15

 
18

 
17

Total Intercompany Revenues
$
193

 
$
225

 
$
225


II-79


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


The Company presents operating income (loss) excluding restructuring charges, impairment charges, and gain on sales of businesses, if any, (“Segment Operating Income”) as the primary measure of profit and loss for its operating segments (“segment profit measure”) in accordance with FASB guidance for segment reporting. The Company began presenting Segment Operating Income as its segment profit measure in the first quarter of 2015 in order to align with the primary method the Company’s management began using in 2015 to evaluate segment performance and to make decisions regarding the allocation of resources to its segments. The Company believes the presentation of Segment Operating Income is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view segment performance in a manner similar to the primary method used by the Company’s management and enhances their ability to understand the Company’s operating performance.
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
1,294

 
$
1,316

 
$
1,605

Cable Networks
945

 
974

 
878

Publishing
114

 
101

 
107

Local Broadcasting
765

 
878

 
812

Corporate
(275
)
 
(295
)
 
(357
)
Total Segment Operating Income
2,843

 
2,974

 
3,045

Restructuring charges
(81
)
 
(26
)
 
(20
)
Impairment charges
(484
)
 
(52
)
 

Gain on sales of businesses
139

 

 

Operating income
2,417

 
2,896

 
3,025

Interest expense
(392
)
 
(363
)
 
(375
)
Interest income
24

 
13

 
8

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 
(352
)
 

Other items, net
(26
)
 
(30
)
 
7

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and
equity in loss of investee companies
2,023

 
2,164

 
2,665

Provision for income taxes
(587
)
 
(762
)
 
(878
)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax
(33
)
 
(48
)
 
(49
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
1,403

 
1,354

 
1,738

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
10

 
1,605

 
141

Net earnings
$
1,413

 
$
2,959

 
$
1,879

Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Depreciation and Amortization:


 


 


Entertainment
$
126

 
$
139

 
$
153

Cable Networks
23

 
23

 
20

Publishing
6

 
6

 
6

Local Broadcasting
79

 
87

 
86

Corporate
30

 
26

 
25

Total Depreciation and Amortization
$
264

 
$
281

 
$
290


II-80


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Stock-based Compensation:
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
61

 
$
56

 
$
56

Cable Networks
11

 
9

 
8

Publishing
4

 
4

 
4

Local Broadcasting
28

 
28

 
27

Corporate
70

 
57

 
127

Total Stock-based Compensation
$
174

 
$
154

 
$
222

Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Capital Expenditures:
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
99

 
$
94

 
$
101

Cable Networks
18

 
16

 
16

Publishing
10

 
4

 
4

Local Broadcasting
50

 
65

 
64

Corporate
16

 
27

 
27

Total Capital Expenditures
$
193

 
$
206

 
$
212

At December 31,
2015
 
2014
Assets:
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
10,910

 
$
10,580

Cable Networks
2,369

 
2,131

Publishing
880

 
877

Local Broadcasting
9,105

 
9,575

Corporate
476

 
733

Discontinued operations
25

 
39

Total Assets
$
23,765

 
$
23,935

Year Ended December 31,
2015

2014

2013
Revenues by Type:
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
$
7,018

 
$
7,204

 
$
7,525

Content licensing and distribution
3,903

 
3,990

 
3,997

Affiliate and subscription fees
2,724

 
2,362

 
2,221

Other
241

 
250

 
262

Total Revenues
$
13,886

 
$
13,806

 
$
14,005

Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues: (a)
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
11,882

 
$
12,013

 
$
12,178

International
2,004

 
1,793

 
1,827

Total Revenues
$
13,886

 
$
13,806

 
$
14,005

(a) Revenue classifications are based on customers’ locations.

II-81


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


At December 31,
2015

2014
Long-lived Assets: (a)
 
 
 
United States
$
17,375

 
$
17,848

International
357

 
328

Total Long-lived Assets
$
17,732

 
$
18,176

(a) Reflects total assets from both continuing and discontinued operations less current assets, investments and noncurrent deferred tax assets.

Transactions within the Company between the United States and international regions were not significant.

18) SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Cash paid for interest (a)
$
349

 
$
707

 
$
360

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for income taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
258


$
217


$
294

Discontinued operations
25

 
42

 
92

Total
$
283

 
$
259

 
$
386

(a) Included in 2014 are payments of $360 million associated with the early extinguishment of debt, mainly for early redemption premiums.
Year Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Noncash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Shares received in Split-Off (Note 4)
$

 
$
2,721

 
$

Equipment acquired under capitalized leases
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
58

Radio station swap (Note 3)
$

 
$
262

 
$



II-82


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


19) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited):
 
First
 
Second
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
 
2015 (a) (b)
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Total Year
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
2,261

 
$
1,785

 
$
1,932

 
$
2,460

 
$
8,438

Cable Networks
539

 
615

 
526

 
562

 
2,242

Publishing
145

 
199

 
203

 
233

 
780

Local Broadcasting
596

 
654

 
638

 
719

 
2,607

Corporate/Eliminations
(41
)
 
(34
)
 
(42
)
 
(64
)
 
(181
)
Total Revenues
$
3,500

 
$
3,219

 
$
3,257

 
$
3,910

 
$
13,886

Segment Operating Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
346

 
$
262

 
$
339

 
$
347

 
$
1,294

Cable Networks
251

 
220

 
246

 
228

 
945

Publishing
12

 
25

 
43

 
34

 
114

Local Broadcasting
161

 
198

 
174

 
232

 
765

Corporate
(68
)
 
(64
)
 
(49
)
 
(94
)
 
(275
)
Total Segment Operating Income
702

 
641

 
753

 
747

 
2,843

Restructuring charges

 
(55
)
 

 
(26
)
 
(81
)
Impairment charge

 

 

 
(484
)
 
(484
)
Gain on sales of businesses
19

 

 

 
120

 
139

Total Operating Income
$
721

 
$
586

 
$
753

 
$
357

 
$
2,417

Net earnings from continuing operations
$
394

 
$
332

 
$
426

 
$
251

 
$
1,403

Net earnings
$
394

 
$
332

 
$
426

 
$
261

 
$
1,413

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
.79

 
$
.68

 
$
.89

 
$
.54

 
$
2.90

Net earnings
$
.79

 
$
.68

 
$
.89

 
$
.56

 
$
2.92

Diluted net earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
.78

 
$
.67

 
$
.88

 
$
.53

 
$
2.87

Net earnings
$
.78

 
$
.67

 
$
.88

 
$
.55

 
$
2.89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
498

 
490

 
480

 
469

 
484

Diluted
506

 
495

 
484

 
474

 
489

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends per common share
$
.15

 
$
.15

 
$
.15

 
$
.15

 
$
.60

(a) In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a pretax noncash impairment charge of $484 million to reduce the carrying value of radio FCC licenses to their fair value. (See Note 3).
(b) During 2015, the Company recorded gains from the sales of Internet businesses in China. (See Note 3).


II-83


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
First
 
Second
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
 
2014
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Total Year
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
2,303

 
$
1,835

 
$
1,911

 
$
2,260

 
$
8,309

Cable Networks
537

 
516

 
624

 
499

 
2,176

Publishing
153

 
211

 
199

 
215

 
778

Local Broadcasting
626

 
665

 
680

 
785

 
2,756

Corporate/Eliminations
(49
)
 
(39
)
 
(47
)
 
(78
)
 
(213
)
Total Revenues
$
3,570

 
$
3,188

 
$
3,367

 
$
3,681

 
$
13,806

Segment Operating Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
420

 
$
341

 
$
302

 
$
253

 
$
1,316

Cable Networks
254

 
213

 
266

 
241

 
974

Publishing
11

 
23

 
42

 
25

 
101

Local Broadcasting
179

 
215

 
192

 
292

 
878

Corporate
(73
)
 
(62
)
 
(56
)
 
(104
)
 
(295
)
Total Segment Operating Income
791

 
730

 
746

 
707

 
2,974

Restructuring charges

 

 
(26
)
 

 
(26
)
Impairment charge

 

 
(52
)
 

 
(52
)
Total Operating Income
$
791

 
$
730

 
$
668

 
$
707

 
$
2,896

Net earnings from continuing operations
$
462

 
$
418

 
$
72

 
$
402

 
$
1,354

Net earnings
$
468

 
$
439

 
$
1,639

 
$
413

 
$
2,959

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
.79

 
$
.73

 
$
.14

 
$
.78

 
$
2.46

Net earnings
$
.80

 
$
.77

 
$
3.08

 
$
.80

 
$
5.38

Diluted net earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
.77

 
$
.72

 
$
.13

 
$
.77

 
$
2.41

Net earnings
$
.78

 
$
.76

 
$
3.03

 
$
.79

 
$
5.27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
585

 
570

 
532

 
515

 
550

Diluted
600

 
581

 
541

 
523

 
561

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends per common share
$
.12

 
$
.12

 
$
.15

 
$
.15

 
$
.54



II-84


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


20) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CBS Operations Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  CBS Operations Inc. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed CBS Corp.’s senior debt securities (See Note 9).  The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of CBS Corp., CBS Operations Inc., the direct and indirect Non-Guarantor Affiliates of CBS Corp. and CBS Operations Inc., and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis.
 
Statement of Operations
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Revenues
$
148

 
$
11

 
$
13,727

 
$

 
$
13,886

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
65

 
5

 
8,254

 

 
8,324

Selling, general and administrative
46

 
244

 
2,165

 

 
2,455

Depreciation and amortization
6

 
20

 
238

 

 
264

Restructuring charges

 

 
81

 

 
81

Impairment charge

 

 
484

 

 
484

Gain on sales of businesses
(117
)
 

 
(22
)
 

 
(139
)
Total costs and expenses

 
269

 
11,200

 

 
11,469

Operating income (loss)
148

 
(258
)
 
2,527

 

 
2,417

Interest (expense) income, net
(486
)
 
(403
)
 
521

 

 
(368
)
Other items, net
(3
)
 
9

 
(32
)
 

 
(26
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies
(341
)
 
(652
)
 
3,016

 

 
2,023

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
160

 
215

 
(962
)
 

 
(587
)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies,
net of tax
1,593

 
1,090

 
(33
)
 
(2,683
)
 
(33
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
1,412

 
653

 
2,021

 
(2,683
)
 
1,403

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
1

 

 
9

 

 
10

Net earnings
$
1,413

 
$
653

 
$
2,030

 
$
(2,683
)
 
$
1,413

Total comprehensive income
$
1,378

 
$
660

 
$
2,030

 
$
(2,690
)
 
$
1,378


II-85


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
Statement of Operations
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Revenues
$
159

 
$
11

 
$
13,636

 
$

 
$
13,806

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
68

 
6

 
8,015

 

 
8,089

Selling, general and administrative
61

 
255

 
2,146

 

 
2,462

Depreciation and amortization
6

 
16

 
259

 

 
281

Restructuring charges

 
3

 
23

 

 
26

Impairment charge

 

 
52

 

 
52

Total costs and expenses
135

 
280

 
10,495

 

 
10,910

Operating income (loss)
24

 
(269
)
 
3,141

 

 
2,896

Interest (expense) income, net
(443
)
 
(383
)
 
476

 

 
(350
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(351
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 
(352
)
Other items, net
(1
)
 
4

 
(33
)
 

 
(30
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies
(771
)
 
(648
)
 
3,583

 

 
2,164

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
280

 
229

 
(1,271
)
 

 
(762
)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies,
net of tax
3,444

 
1,270

 
(48
)
 
(4,714
)
 
(48
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
2,953

 
851

 
2,264

 
(4,714
)
 
1,354

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
6

 
(1
)
 
1,600

 

 
1,605

Net earnings
$
2,959

 
$
850

 
$
3,864

 
$
(4,714
)
 
$
2,959

Total comprehensive income
$
2,769

 
$
857

 
$
3,819

 
$
(4,676
)
 
$
2,769


II-86


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
Statement of Operations
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Revenues
$
145

 
$
11

 
$
13,849

 
$

 
$
14,005

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
69

 
8

 
8,047

 

 
8,124

Selling, general and administrative
65

 
323

 
2,158

 

 
2,546

Depreciation and amortization
6

 
14

 
270

 

 
290

Restructuring charges

 
1

 
19

 

 
20

Total costs and expenses
140

 
346

 
10,494

 

 
10,980

Operating income (loss)
5

 
(335
)
 
3,355

 

 
3,025

Interest (expense) income, net
(457
)
 
(369
)
 
459

 

 
(367
)
Other items, net

 
4

 
3

 

 
7

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies
(452
)
 
(700
)
 
3,817

 

 
2,665

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
152

 
235

 
(1,265
)
 

 
(878
)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies,
net of tax
2,170

 
1,288

 
(49
)
 
(3,458
)
 
(49
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
1,870

 
823

 
2,503

 
(3,458
)
 
1,738

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
9

 
(5
)
 
137

 

 
141

Net earnings
$
1,879

 
$
818

 
$
2,640

 
$
(3,458
)
 
$
1,879

Total comprehensive income
$
1,903

 
$
815

 
$
2,463

 
$
(3,278
)
 
$
1,903


II-87


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
Balance Sheet
 
At December 31, 2015
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
267

 
$
1

 
$
55

 
$

 
$
323

Receivables, net
28

 
2

 
3,598

 

 
3,628

Programming and other inventory
3

 
3

 
1,265

 

 
1,271

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
192

 
26

 
337

 
(30
)
 
525

Total current assets
490

 
32

 
5,255

 
(30
)
 
5,747

Property and equipment
46

 
180

 
3,017

 

 
3,243

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
20

 
118

 
1,700

 

 
1,838

Net property and equipment
26

 
62

 
1,317

 

 
1,405

Programming and other inventory
6

 
9

 
1,942

 

 
1,957

Goodwill
98

 
62

 
6,321

 

 
6,481

Intangible assets

 

 
5,514

 

 
5,514

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
42,744

 
12,775

 

 
(55,519
)
 

Other assets
163

 
11

 
2,487

 

 
2,661

Intercompany

 
2,248

 
23,988

 
(26,236
)
 

Total Assets
$
43,527

 
$
15,199

 
$
46,824

 
$
(81,785
)
 
$
23,765

Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
1

 
$
4

 
$
187

 
$

 
$
192

Participants share and royalties payable

 

 
1,013

 

 
1,013

Program rights
4

 
4

 
366

 

 
374

Current portion of long-term debt
206

 

 
16

 

 
222

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
418

 
230

 
1,141

 
(30
)
 
1,759

Total current liabilities
629

 
238

 
2,723

 
(30
)
 
3,560

Long-term debt
8,113

 

 
113

 

 
8,226

Other liabilities
2,986

 
252

 
3,178

 

 
6,416

Intercompany
26,236

 

 

 
(26,236
)
 

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock

 

 
126

 
(126
)
 

Common stock
1

 
123

 
590

 
(713
)
 
1

Additional paid-in capital
44,055

 

 
60,894

 
(60,894
)
 
44,055

Retained earnings (deficit)
(20,518
)
 
14,913

 
(16,081
)
 
1,168

 
(20,518
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(770
)
 
4

 
81

 
(85
)
 
(770
)
 
22,768

 
15,040

 
45,610

 
(60,650
)
 
22,768

Less treasury stock, at cost
17,205

 
331

 
4,800

 
(5,131
)
 
17,205

Total Stockholders Equity
5,563

 
14,709

 
40,810

 
(55,519
)
 
5,563

Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
$
43,527

 
$
15,199

 
$
46,824

 
$
(81,785
)
 
$
23,765


II-88


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
Balance Sheet
 
At December 31, 2014
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
63

 
$
1

 
$
364

 
$

 
$
428

Receivables, net
29

 
2

 
3,428

 

 
3,459

Programming and other inventory
4

 
3

 
915

 

 
922

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
306

 
27

 
373

 
(30
)
 
676

Total current assets
402

 
33

 
5,080

 
(30
)
 
5,485

Property and equipment
41

 
162

 
2,961

 

 
3,164

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
15

 
98

 
1,618

 

 
1,731

Net property and equipment
26

 
64

 
1,343

 

 
1,433

Programming and other inventory
7

 
8

 
1,802

 

 
1,817

Goodwill
98

 
62

 
6,538

 

 
6,698

Intangible assets

 

 
6,008

 

 
6,008

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
41,144

 
11,685

 

 
(52,829
)
 

Other assets
185

 
17

 
2,292

 

 
2,494

Intercompany

 
2,726

 
21,772

 
(24,498
)
 

Total Assets
$
41,862

 
$
14,595

 
$
44,835

 
$
(77,357
)
 
$
23,935

Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
3

 
$
24

 
$
275

 
$

 
$
302

Participants’ share and royalties payable

 

 
999

 

 
999

Program rights
5

 
3

 
396

 

 
404

Commercial paper
616

 

 

 

 
616

Current portion of long-term debt
4

 

 
16

 

 
20

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
388

 
270

 
1,064

 
(30
)
 
1,692

Total current liabilities
1,016

 
297

 
2,750

 
(30
)
 
4,033

Long-term debt
6,349

 

 
127

 

 
6,476

Other liabilities
3,029

 
249

 
3,178

 

 
6,456

Intercompany
24,498

 

 

 
(24,498
)
 

Stockholders Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock

 

 
126

 
(126
)
 

Common stock
1

 
123

 
590

 
(713
)
 
1

Additional paid-in capital
44,041

 

 
60,894

 
(60,894
)
 
44,041

Retained earnings (deficit)
(21,931
)
 
14,260

 
(18,111
)
 
3,851

 
(21,931
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(735
)
 
(3
)
 
81

 
(78
)
 
(735
)
 
21,376

 
14,380

 
43,580

 
(57,960
)
 
21,376

Less treasury stock, at cost
14,406

 
331

 
4,800

 
(5,131
)
 
14,406

Total Stockholders’ Equity
6,970

 
14,049

 
38,780

 
(52,829
)
 
6,970

Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
$
41,862

 
$
14,595

 
$
44,835

 
$
(77,357
)
 
$
23,935


II-89


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
Statement of Cash Flows
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities
$
(634
)
 
$
(201
)
 
$
2,229

 
$

 
$
1,394

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 
(15
)
 

 
(15
)
Capital expenditures

 
(16
)
 
(177
)
 

 
(193
)
Investments in and advances to investee companies

 

 
(98
)
 

 
(98
)
Proceeds from sale of investments
79

 

 
2

 

 
81

Proceeds from dispositions
318

 

 
67

 

 
385

Other investing activities
(3
)
 

 

 

 
(3
)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations
394

 
(16
)
 
(221
)
 

 
157

Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations
(3
)
 

 

 

 
(3
)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities
391

 
(16
)
 
(221
)
 

 
154

Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayments of short-term debt borrowings, net
(616
)
 

 

 

 
(616
)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes
1,959

 

 

 

 
1,959

Payment of capital lease obligations

 

 
(17
)
 

 
(17
)
Dividends
(300
)
 

 

 

 
(300
)
Purchase of Company common stock
(2,813
)
 

 

 

 
(2,813
)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares
for stock-based compensation
(96
)
 

 

 

 
(96
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
142

 

 

 

 
142

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
88

 

 

 

 
88

Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables
2,083

 
217

 
(2,300
)
 

 

Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities
447

 
217

 
(2,317
)
 

 
(1,653
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
204

 

 
(309
)
 

 
(105
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
63

 
1

 
364

 

 
428

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
267

 
$
1

 
$
55

 
$

 
$
323


II-90


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
Statement of Cash Flows
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities
$
(1,107
)
 
$
(194
)
 
$
2,576

 
$

 
$
1,275

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 
(27
)
 

 
(27
)
Capital expenditures

 
(27
)
 
(179
)
 

 
(206
)
Investments in and advances to investee companies

 

 
(98
)
 

 
(98
)
Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 
12

 

 
12

Proceeds from dispositions

 

 
7

 

 
7

Other investing activities
(4
)
 

 

 

 
(4
)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations
(4
)
 
(27
)
 
(285
)
 

 
(316
)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations
(29
)
 

 
(256
)
 

 
(285
)
Net cash flow used for investing activities
(33
)
 
(27
)
 
(541
)
 

 
(601
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net
141

 

 

 

 
141

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes
1,728

 

 

 

 
1,728

Repayment of notes and debentures
(1,146
)
 

 
(6
)
 

 
(1,152
)
Payment of capital lease obligations

 

 
(17
)
 

 
(17
)
Dividends
(292
)
 

 

 

 
(292
)
Purchase of Company common stock
(3,595
)
 

 

 

 
(3,595
)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares
for stock-based compensation
(146
)
 

 

 

 
(146
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
283

 

 

 

 
283

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
243

 

 

 

 
243

Other financing activities
(3
)
 

 

 

 
(3
)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables
3,921

 
221

 
(4,142
)
 

 

Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities from continuing operations
1,134

 
221

 
(4,165
)
 

 
(2,810
)
Net cash flow (used for) provided by financing activities from discontinued operations
(11
)
 

 
2,178

 

 
2,167

Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities
1,123

 
221

 
(1,987
)
 

 
(643
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(17
)
 

 
48

 

 
31

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
(includes $29 of discontinued operations cash)
80

 
1

 
316

 

 
397

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
63


$
1


$
364


$

 
$
428


II-91


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)


 
Statement of Cash Flows
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities
$
(934
)
 
$
(187
)
 
$
2,994

 
$

 
$
1,873

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 
(20
)
 

 
(20
)
Capital expenditures

 
(27
)
 
(185
)
 

 
(212
)
Investments in and advances to investee companies

 

 
(176
)
 

 
(176
)
Proceeds from sale of investments

 
1

 
6

 

 
7

Proceeds from dispositions

 

 
164

 

 
164

Other investing activities
23

 

 

 

 
23

Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations
23

 
(26
)
 
(211
)
 

 
(214
)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations

 

 
(58
)
 

 
(58
)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities
23

 
(26
)
 
(269
)
 

 
(272
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net
475

 

 

 

 
475

Payment of capital lease obligations

 

 
(17
)
 

 
(17
)
Payment of contingent consideration

 

 
(30
)
 

 
(30
)
Dividends
(300
)
 

 

 

 
(300
)
Purchase of Company common stock
(2,185
)
 

 

 

 
(2,185
)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares
for stock-based compensation
(145
)
 

 

 

 
(145
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
146

 

 

 

 
146

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
148

 

 

 

 
148

Other financing activities
(4
)
 

 

 

 
(4
)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables
2,602

 
213

 
(2,815
)
 

 

Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities
737

 
213

 
(2,862
)
 

 
(1,912
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(174
)
 

 
(137
)
 

 
(311
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
(includes $21 of discontinued operations cash)
254

 
1

 
453

 

 
708

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
(includes $29 of discontinued operations cash)
$
80


$
1


$
316


$

 
$
397



II-92



Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures.
The Companys chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”)) were effective, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act. No change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Companys last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting and the report of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm thereon are set forth in Item 8, on pages II- 39 and II - 40, of this report.
Item 9B.
Other Information.
None.


II-93



PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information required by this item with respect to the Company’s directors is contained in the CBS Corporation Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) under the headings “CBS Corporation's Board of Directors,” “Item 1—Election of Directors,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by this item with respect to the Company’s executive officers is (i) contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Corporate Governance” and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and (ii) included in Part I of this Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers of the Company,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “CBS Corporation’s Board of Directors,” “Director Compensation,” "Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation Committee Report,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence.
The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Related Person Transactions” and “CBS Corporation’s Board of Directors,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Fees for Services Provided by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

III-1



PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)
1. Financial Statements.
The financial statements of the Company filed as part of this report on Form 10-K are listed on the Index on page II-38.
2. Financial Statement Schedules.
The financial statement schedule required to be filed by Item 8 of this Form 10-K is listed on the Index on page II-38.
3. Exhibits.
The exhibits listed in Item 15(b) of this Part IV are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Form 10-K. The Index to Exhibits is on page E-1.
(b)
Exhibits.
The exhibits listed in Item 15(b) of this Part IV are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Form 10-K. The Index to Exhibits is on page E-1.


IV-1



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, CBS Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
 
 
CBS CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Leslie Moonves
 
 
 
Leslie Moonves
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 12, 2016
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of CBS Corporation and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Leslie Moonves
 
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
(Chairman of the Board of Directors)
 
February 12, 2016
Leslie Moonves
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Joseph R. Ianniello
 
Chief Operating Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
February 12, 2016
Joseph R. Ianniello
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Lawrence Liding
 
Executive Vice President,
Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
February 12, 2016
Lawrence Liding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
David R. Andelman
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
William S. Cohen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Gary L. Countryman
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Charles K. Gifford
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Leonard Goldberg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Bruce S. Gordon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Linda M. Griego
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Arnold Kopelson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Doug Morris
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Shari Redstone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director,
Chairman Emeritus
 
February 12, 2016
Sumner M. Redstone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
 
February 12, 2016
Frederic V. Salerno
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*By:
/s/ Lawrence P. Tu
 
 
 
February 12, 2016
 
Lawrence P. Tu
Attorney-in-Fact
for Directors
 
 






INDEX TO EXHIBITS
ITEM 15(b)
Effective December 31, 2005, Former Viacom was renamed CBS Corporation.
Exhibit No.
Description of Document
(3)
 
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
 
(a)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CBS Corporation effective December 31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005) (File No. 001‑09553).
 
(b)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of CBS Corporation effective December 11, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed by CBS Corporation on December 17, 2014) (File No. 001‑09553).
(4)
 
Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures
 
(a)
Amended and Restated Senior Indenture dated as of November 3, 2008 (“2008 Indenture”) between CBS Corporation, CBS Operations Inc., and The Bank of New York Mellon, as senior trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S‑3 filed by CBS Corporation on November 3, 2008 (Registration No. 333‑154962) (File No. 001‑09553).
 
(b)
First Supplemental Indenture to 2008 Indenture dated as of April 5, 2010 between CBS Corporation, CBS Operations Inc., and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as senior trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed by CBS Corporation on April 5, 2010 (File No. 001‑09553).
 
 
The other instruments defining the rights of holders of the long‑term debt securities of CBS Corporation and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to section (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S‑K. CBS Corporation hereby agrees to furnish copies of these instruments to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
(10)
 
Material Contracts
 
(a)
CBS Corporation 2004 Long‑Term Management Incentive Plan (as amended and restated through May 25, 2006) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of CBS Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2006) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(b)
CBS Corporation 2009 Long‑Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated May 23, 2013) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of CBS Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2013) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(c)
Forms of Certificate and Terms and Conditions for equity awards for:
 
 
(i)
Stock Options (granted prior to 2010) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c)(i) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
 
(ii)
Stock Options (granted in 2010 and thereafter) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c)(ii) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011) (File No. 001‑09553).*
_______________________________________________________________________________
*Management contract or compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit to this form pursuant to Item 15(b).

E-1



Exhibit No.
Description of Document
 
 
(iii)
Performance‑Based Restricted Share Units with Time Vesting and Performance Vesting (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c)(v) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
 
(iv)
Restricted Share Units with Time Vesting (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c)(vii) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(d)
CBS Corporation Senior Executive Short‑Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated as of December 31, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005) (File No. 001‑09553) (as amended by the First Amendment to the CBS Corporation Senior Executive Short‑Term Incentive Plan effective January 1, 2009) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(e)
CBS Retirement Excess Pension Plan (as amended and restated as of December 31, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(o) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part A was amended by Amendment No. 1 as of January 1, 2009) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010) (File No. 001‑09553) (as amended by Part B, effective as of January 1, 2009, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2012) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(f)
CBS Excess 401(k) Plan for Designated Senior Executives (as amended and restated as of December 31, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(p) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005) (File No. 001‑09553) (as amended by Part B effective January 1, 2009) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part B was amended by Amendment No. 1 as of January 1, 2009) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of CBS Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2010) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part B was amended by Amendment No. 2 as of January 1, 2009) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part A was amended by Amendment No. 1 as of January 1, 2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part B was amended by Amendment No. 3 as of January 1, 2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part A was amended by Amendment No. 2 as of February 1, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553), (as Part B was amended by Amendment No. 4 as of February 1, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553), (as Part A was amended by Amendment No. 3 as of January 1, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553), (as Part B was amended by Amendment No. 5 as of January 1, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553).*
_______________________________________________________________________________
*Management contract or compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit to this form pursuant to Item 15(b).

E-2



Exhibit No.
Description of Document
 
(g)
CBS Bonus Deferral Plan for Designated Senior Executives (as amended and restated as of December 31, 2005) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(q) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005) (File No. 001‑09553) (as amended by Part B effective January 1, 2009) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part B was amended by Amendment No. 1 as of January 1, 2009) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of CBS Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2010) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part B was amended by Amendment No. 2 as of January 1, 2009) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑ K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part A was amended by Amendment No. 1 as of January 1, 2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part B was amended by Amendment No. 3 as of January 1, 2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013) (File No. 001‑09553) (as Part A was amended by Amendment No. 2 as of January 1, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553), (as Part B was amended by Amendment No. 4 as of January 1, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553).*
 
(h)
Summary of CBS Corporation Compensation for Outside Directors (as of January 28, 2016) (filed herewith).*
 
(i)
Form of Director Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Current Report on Form 8‑K of CBS Corporation filed September 18, 2009) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(j)
Former Viacom Deferred Compensation Plan for Non‑Employee Directors (as amended and restated as of October 14, 2003) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of Former Viacom for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(k)
CBS Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors (as amended and restated as of January 29, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553).*
 
(l)
CBS Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors (as amended and restated through January 29, 2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(m)
CBS Corporation 2005 RSU Plan for Outside Directors (as amended and restated through January 29, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(m) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553).*
 
(n)
CBS Corporation 2015 Equity Plan for Outside Directors (effective May 21, 2015) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CBS Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2015) (File No. 001-09553).*
 
(o)
Employment Agreement dated December 29, 2005 between CBS Corporation and Sumner M. Redstone (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8‑K of Former Viacom filed December 30, 2005) (File No. 001‑09553), as amended by a Letter Agreement dated March 13, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Current Report on Form 8‑K of CBS Corporation filed March 16, 2007) (File No. 001‑09553), as amended by a 409A Letter Agreement dated December 10, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(m) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008) (File No. 001‑09553).*
_______________________________________________________________________________
*Management contract or compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit to this form pursuant to Item 15(b).

E-3



Exhibit No.
Description of Document
 
(p)
Employment Agreement dated December 11, 2014 between CBS Corporation and Leslie Moonves (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(o) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553), as amended by a Letter Agreement dated February 24, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CBS Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2015) (File No. 001-09553).*
 
(q)
Letter Agreement dated December 11, 2014 between CBS Corporation and Leslie Moonves amending and restating the Letter Agreement dated May 2, 2012 between CBS Corporation and Leslie Moonves (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(p) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553).*
Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(r)
Employment Agreement dated as of June 4, 2013 between CBS Corporation and Joseph R. Ianniello (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of CBS Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2013) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(s)
Employment Agreement dated as of June 7, 2013 between CBS Corporation and Anthony G. Ambrosio (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of CBS Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2013) (File No. 001‑09553), as amended by a Letter Agreement dated February 6, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(r) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553).*
 
(t)
Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2013 between CBS Corporation and Gil Schwartz (filed herewith), as amended by a Letter Agreement dated August 25, 2014 (filed herewith).*
 
(u)
Employment Agreement dated December 17, 2015 (effective as of July 1, 2016) between CBS Corporation and Gil Schwartz (filed herewith).*
 
(v)
Employment Agreement dated as of November 11, 2013 between CBS Corporation and Lawrence Tu (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(s) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553).*
 
(w)
CBS Corporation plans assumed by Former Viacom after the merger with former CBS Corporation, consisting of the following:
 
 
(i)
CBS Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (as amended as of April 1, 1999) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of CBS for the quarter ended September 30, 1999) (File No. 001‑00977) (as amended by Part B, effective as of January 1, 2009, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2012) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(t)(i) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
 
(ii)
CBS Bonus Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (as amended as of April 1, 1999) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of CBS for the quarter ended September 30, 1999) (File No. 001‑00977) (as amended by Part B, effective as of January 1, 2009, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2012) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(t)(ii) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
 
(iii)
CBS Supplemental Employee Investment Fund (as amended as of January 1, 1998) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of CBS for the quarter ended September 30, 1999) (File No. 001‑00977).*
_______________________________________________________________________________
*Management contract or compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit to this form pursuant to Item 15(b).

E-4



Exhibit No.
Description of Document
 
(x)
CBS Corporation Matching Gifts Program for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(t) to the Annual Report on Form 10‑K of CBS Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008) (File No. 001‑09553).*
 
(y)
Amended and Restated $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2014, among CBS Corporation; CBS Operations Inc.; the Subsidiary Borrowers Parties thereto; the Lenders named therein; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent; Citibank, N.A., as Syndication Agent; and Bank of America, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co‑Documentation Agents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CBS Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014) (File No. 001-09553).
 
(z)
Separation Agreement dated as of December 19, 2005 by and between Former Viacom and New Viacom Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8‑K of Former Viacom filed December 21, 2005) (File No. 001‑09553).
 
(aa)
Tax Matters Agreement dated as of December 30, 2005 by and between Former Viacom and New Viacom Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8‑K of CBS Corporation filed January 5, 2006) (File No. 001‑09553).
(12)
 
Statement re Computations of Ratios (filed herewith).
(21)
 
Subsidiaries of CBS Corporation (filed herewith).
(23)
 
Consents of Experts and Counsel
 
(a)
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (filed herewith).
(24)
 
Powers of Attorney (filed herewith).
(31)
 
Rule 13a‑14(a)/15d‑14(a) Certifications
 
(a)
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a‑14(a) or 15d‑14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
 
(b)
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of CBS Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a‑14(a) or 15d‑14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
(32)
 
Section 1350 Certifications
 
(a)
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
 
(b)
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of CBS Corporation furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
(101)
 
101. INS XBRL Instance Document.
101. SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101. CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101. DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
101. LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
101. PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
_______________________________________________________________________________
*Management contract or compensatory plan required to be filed as an exhibit to this form pursuant to Item 15(b).


E-5



CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 SCHEDULE IIVALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(Tabular dollars in millions)
Col. A
 
Col. B
 
Col. C
 
 
Col. D
 
Col. E
Description
 
Balance at Beginning of Period
 
Balance Acquired through Acquisitions
 
Charged to Costs and Expenses
 
Charged to Other Accounts
 
Deductions
 
Balance at End of Period
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2015
 
 
$
50

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
13

 
 
 
$
15

(a) 
 
 
$
15

 
 
 
$
63

 
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
 
$
60

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
9

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
19

 
 
 
$
50

 
Year ended December 31, 2013
 
 
$
62

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
14

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
16

 
 
 
$
60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Year ended December 31, 2015
 
 
$
575

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
398

(b) 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
54

 
 
 
$
919

 
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
 
$
634

 
 
 
$
1

 
 
 
$
36

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
96

 
 
 
$
575

 
Year ended December 31, 2013
 
 
$
240

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
450

(c) 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
56

 
 
 
$
634

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Reserves for inventory obsolescence:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Year ended December 31, 2015
 
 
$
30

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
10

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
17

 
 
 
$
23

 
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
 
$
35

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
8

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
13

 
 
 
$
30

 
Year ended December 31, 2013
 
 
$
32

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
15

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
12

 
 
 
$
35

 
(a) Reclassification from long-term to current.
(b) Primarily relates to a valuation allowance for a U.S. capital loss carryforward deferred tax asset that arose from the sale of Internet businesses in China.
(c) Primarily relates to valuation allowances for a capital loss carryforward deferred tax asset in a foreign jurisdiction that arose from the restructuring of foreign operations and net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions.


F-1