Case Study #2

.docx

School

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

510

Subject

Accounting

Date

Jun 9, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

2

Uploaded by CorporalVulture3178

Facts (Background): In July X3, a TV broadcaster entered into an agreement granting it the right to show reruns of Seasons 1-3 of The Watsons . The network affiliated with the broadcaster now has the right to air the show an unlimited number of times beginning August X3 through January X4. The network will pay the TV show creators a fixed monthly fee of $250,000, payable at the beginning of each month within the six-month period, in exchange for the right to broadcast the show. Issue: 1. How should the TV broadcaster recognize and measure the above broadcast license agreement? Analysis: FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 920-405-30-1 provides the following guidance on determining how a broadcaster should measure a license agreement for program material: - “A licensee shall report the asset and liability for a broadcast license agreement at either of the following: - a.The fair value of the liability - b.The gross amount of the liability. - If a present value technique is used to measure fair value, the difference between the gross and net liability shall be accounted for as interest in accordance with Topic 835.” Looking deeper into the amortization measurement of the asset and liability for a broadcast license agreement, FASB ASC 920-350-30-2 and 920-350-30-3 provide the following additional guidance: - 30-2 “The capitalized costs to be amortized shall be determined under one of the methods specified in paragraph 920-405-30-1. Those costs shall be allocated to individual programs within a package on the basis of the relative value of each to the broadcaster, which ordinarily would be specified in the contract.” - 30-3 “The capitalized costs of rights to program materials shall be reported in the balance sheet at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value on a program-by-program, series, package, or daypart basis, as appropriate.” FASB ASC 920-350-25-1 provides the following guidance on determining how a broadcaster should recognize a license agreement for program material:
- “A broadcaster (licensee) shall account for a license agreement for program material and any exhibition right(s) acquired under a license agreement for program material as a purchase of a right or group of rights.” Looking further into this topic, FASB ASC 920-350-25-2 provides the following additional guidance on determining when a broadcaster should recognize a license agreement for program material: - “A licensee shall report an asset and a liability for the rights acquired and obligations incurred under a license agreement when the license period begins and all of the following conditions have been met: - The cost of each program is known or reasonably determinable. - The program material has been accepted by the licensee in accordance with the conditions of the license agreement. - The program is available for its first showing or telecast. Except when a conflicting license prevents usage by the licensee, restrictions under the same license agreement or another license agreement with the same licensor on the timing of subsequent showings shall not affect this availability condition.” Conclusion: The TV broadcaster has concluded that the initial cost of the license agreement will be measured at the total gross amount of the liability on the first day of the contract, August 1, 2X13. The cost of the agreement is known, the program material has been accepted in accordance with the license agreement, and it is assumed the program will be available for its first showing. Since these three conditions are met an asset and liability for the gross amount of the broadcast agreement license on the first day of the contract will be recorded. The fair value of the license agreement may also be used in place of the gross amount, but since the contract is only valid for 6 months, the gross amount would be the best amount to measure the TV broadcast license. Further measurement of the license agreement includes straight-line amortization over the 6- month contract period with the unamortized amount reported in the Balance Sheet. Financial Statement and Disclosure Impacts: The TV Broadcaster will initially record the broadcast license agreement for The Watsons as follows: Dr. Broadcast License $1,500,000 Cr. Accounts Payable $1,500,000 The license is reported at gross value and no specialized disclosures are required.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help