DIRECTV 2009 Annual Report Download - page 93

DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)
Property and Equipment, Satellites and Depreciation
We carry property and equipment, and satellites at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The
amounts we capitalize for satellites currently being constructed and those that have been successfully
launched include the costs of construction, launch, launch insurance, incentive obligations and related
capitalized interest. We generally compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the assets. We amortize leasehold improvements over the lesser of the life of
the asset or term of the lease.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are carried at historical cost and are subject to
write-down, as needed, based upon an impairment analysis that we must perform at least annually, or
sooner if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not result in an
impairment loss. We perform our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each year. If an
impairment loss results from the annual impairment test, we would record the loss as a pre-tax charge
to operating income.
We amortize other intangible assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives,
which range from 5 to 20 years.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, other than goodwill and
intangible assets with indefinite lives, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. We
consider the carrying value of a long-lived asset impaired when the anticipated undiscounted future
cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, we
would recognize a loss based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the
long-lived asset. We determine fair value primarily using estimated future cash flows associated with the
asset under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved, or other valuation
techniques. We determine losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of in a similar manner, except that
we reduce the fair value for the cost of disposal.
Foreign Currency
The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for most of our foreign operations. We recognize gains
and losses resulting from remeasurement of these operations’ foreign currency denominated assets,
liabilities and transactions into the U.S. dollar in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We also have foreign operations where the local currency is their functional currency. Accordingly,
these foreign entities translate assets and liabilities from their local currencies to U.S. dollars using year
end exchange rates while income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates in effect
during the year. We record the resulting translation adjustment as part of accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss), which we refer to as OCI, a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
Investments and Financial Instruments
We maintain investments in equity securities of unaffiliated companies. We carry non-marketable
equity securities at cost. We consider marketable equity securities available-for-sale and they are carried
at current fair value based on quoted market prices with unrealized gains or losses (excluding
other-than-temporary losses), net of taxes, reported as part of OCI. We continually review our
investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is
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