Virgin Media 2009 Annual Report Download - page 172

VIRGIN MEDIA INVESTMENT HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Programming inventory represents television programming libraries held by each of our television
channels and is stated at the lower of cost or market value. Programming is recognized as inventory
when a contractual purchase obligation exists, it has been delivered to us and is within its permitted
broadcasting period. Programming inventory is periodically reviewed and a provision made for
impairment or obsolescence.
Reclassification
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. On
our consolidated balance sheet, we have disclosed deferred financing costs separately from other assets.
In our note on income taxes, we have also reclassified certain deferred tax balances from the prior year
to conform with the current year’s classification.
Fixed Assets
Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful economic lives of
the assets. Land and fixed assets held for sale are not depreciated. Estimated useful economic lives are
as follows:
Operating equipment:
Cable distribution plant .................. 8-30 years
Switches and headends .................. 8-10 years
Customer premises equipment ............. 5-10 years
Other operating equipment ............... 8-20 years
Other equipment:
Buildings ............................ 30 years
Leasehold improvements ................. 7 years or, if less, the lease term
Computer infrastructure ................. 3-5 years
Other equipment ....................... 5-12 years
The cost of fixed assets includes amounts capitalized for labor and overhead expended in
connection with the design and installation of our operating network equipment and facilities. Costs
associated with initial customer installations, additions of network equipment necessary to enable
enhanced services, acquisition of additional fixed assets and replacement of existing fixed assets are
capitalized. The costs of reconnecting the same service to a previously installed premise are charged to
expense in the period incurred. Costs for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.
Labor and overhead costs directly related to the construction and installation of fixed assets,
including payroll and related costs of some employees and related rent and other occupancy costs, are
capitalized. The payroll and related costs of some employees that are directly related to construction
and installation activities are capitalized based on specific time devoted to these activities where
identifiable. In cases where the time devoted to these activities is not specifically identifiable, we
capitalize costs based upon estimated allocations.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, such as television channel trademarks
and reorganization value in excess of amount allocable to identifiable assets, are not amortized and are
tested for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment
exists in accordance with the Intangibles—Goodwill and Other Topic of the FASB ASC.
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