Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)

v3.10.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant accounting policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Cash and cash equivalents
All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents were $233 million and $42 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair values (Level 1). See note 15.
(b) Restricted cash
Restricted cash at December 31, 2018 and 2017 primarily includes a cash deposit with a third party trustee that provides financial assurance that the Company will fulfill its obligations in relation to claims under its workers' compensation policy.
(c) Accounts receivable
A provision for customer bad debts is provided as a percentage of accounts receivable based on historical experience and is included within selling, general and administrative expense. A provision for noncustomer bad debt expense, related to amounts due from vendors for unsold and returned products, is provided based on an estimate of the probable expected losses and is included in cost of goods sold.
(d) Inventories
Inventories, consisting primarily of products held for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the average cost method, which approximates the first-in, first-out method. Assessments about the realizability of inventory require the Company to make judgments based on currently available information about the likely method of disposition including sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, liquidations and the estimated recoverable values of each disposition category.
(e) Property and equipment
The costs of property and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method beginning in the month of acquisition or in-service date. Transponders under capital leases are stated at the present value of minimum lease payments. When assets are sold or retired, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in net income. The costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
(f) Capitalized interest
The Company capitalizes interest cost incurred on debt during the construction of major projects exceeding one year. Capitalized interest was not material to the consolidated financial statements for any periods presented.
(g) Internally developed software
Internal software development costs are capitalized in accordance with guidance on accounting for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use, and are classified within other intangible assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company amortizes computer software and internal software development costs over an estimated useful life of approximately three years using the straight-line method.
(h) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of costs over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, and more frequently if events and circumstances indicated that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeded the reporting unit's fair value.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
(in millions)
QVC-U.S.

QVC-International

HSN

Total

Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
4,190

805


4,995

Common control transaction (1)


904

904

Exchange rate fluctuations

80


80

Balance as of December 31, 2017
4,190

885

904

5,979

Purchase accounting adjustments (2)


18

18

Exchange rate fluctuations

(25
)

(25
)
Balance as of December 31, 2018
$
4,190

860

922

5,972


(1) As of December 31, 2018, QVC completed a common control transaction with Qurate Retail and subsequently recorded $904 million of goodwill related to HSN on December 29, 2017 as a result of the transaction.
(2) Adjustment to HSN goodwill is due an increase in in the preliminary purchase price allocation by Qurate Retail during the year ended December 31, 2018.
QVC utilizes a qualitative assessment for determining whether step one of the goodwill impairment analysis is necessary. The accounting guidance permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, QVC reviews the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluates other relevant factors as identified in the relevant accounting guidance to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indicated impairment exists for any of its reporting units. A reporting unit is defined in accounting guidance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP" or "GAAP") as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (also known as a component). A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. The Company considers whether there were any negative macroeconomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges and the legal environments, and how these factors might impact country specific performance in future periods.
If a step one test is considered necessary based on the qualitative factors, the Company compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. Developing estimates of fair value requires significant judgments, including making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples, public trading prices and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in the Company's valuation analysis are based on management's best estimates considering current marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates in future years. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts. Any excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit over the fair value is recorded as an impairment charge.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, QVC only performed a qualitative assessment for its QVC-U.S. and QVC-International reporting segments as it was more likely than not that the carrying values exceeded the fair values for each of the reporting units and performed a quantitative assessment for its HSN segment. There was no goodwill impairment recorded during the years ended December 31, 2018. 2017 or 2016.
QVC utilizes a quantitative assessment to determine if the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company recorded a $30 million impairment loss related to an indefinite-lived intangible asset during the year ended December 31, 2018. There were no impairment losses record during the years ended December 31, 2017 or 2016. See Note 6 for more information.
(i) Translation of foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the spot rate in effect at the applicable reporting date and the consolidated statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the applicable period. The resulting unrealized cumulative translation adjustments, net of applicable income taxes, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in equity.
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses, which are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as unrealized (based on the applicable period-end exchange rate) or realized upon settlement of the transactions.
(j) Revenue recognition
For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognizes revenue at the time of shipment to customers. As a result of the adoption of ASC 606 (defined below), the revenue for shipments in transit is no longer recorded as deferred revenue. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the revenue for shipments in-transit was recorded as deferred revenue. Refer to the Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements section below for further explanation.
The Company's general policy is to allow customers the right to return merchandise. An allowance for returned merchandise is provided at the time revenue is recorded as a percentage of sales based on historical experience. Refer to note 10 for further explanation.
(k) Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold primarily includes actual product cost, provision for obsolete inventory, buying allowances received from suppliers, shipping and handling costs and warehouse costs.
(l) Advertising costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to $138 million, $86 million and $84 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These costs were included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
(m) Stock-based compensation
As described in note 11, the Company and Qurate Retail have granted certain stock-based awards to employees of the Company. The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the award). Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
(n) Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, internally developed software and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Impairment charges are recognized as an acceleration of depreciation expense or amortization expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
(o) Derivatives
The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging activities in accordance with standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), which requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. Fair value is based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. For derivatives designated as hedges, changes in the fair value are either offset against the changes in fair value of the designated hedged item through earnings or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.
The Company generally enters into derivative contracts that it intends to designate as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). For all hedging relationships, the Company formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting cash flows of hedged items. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss to the extent that the derivative is effective as a hedge, until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative instrument that qualifies as a cash flow hedge is reported in earnings.
(p) Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using statutory tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of an enacted change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
When the tax law requires interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes, the Company recognizes interest expense from the first period the interest would begin accruing according to the relevant tax law. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in other (expense) income in the consolidated statements of operations.
(q) Noncontrolling interest
The Company reports the noncontrolling interest of QVC-Japan within equity in the consolidated balance sheets and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest is presented in the consolidated statements of operations.
(r) Business acquisitions
Acquired businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires the Company to record assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective fair values with the excess of the purchase price over estimated fair values recorded as goodwill. The assumptions made in determining the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities as well as asset lives can materially impact the results of operations. The Company obtains information during due diligence and through other sources to establish respective fair values. Examples of factors and information that the Company uses to determine the fair values include tangible and intangible asset evaluations and appraisals and evaluations of existing contingencies and liabilities. If the initial valuation for an acquisition is incomplete by the end of the quarter in which the acquisition occurred, the Company will record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. The provisional estimate will be finalized as soon as information becomes available, but not later than one year from the acquisition date.
(s) Common control transaction
As a result of the common control transaction with Qurate Retail (see note 1), QVC received the following assets and liabilities as of December 29, 2017 through a capital contribution, which reflected the initial purchase price allocation for HSN by Qurate Retail (in millions):
Cash and cash equivalents
$
22

Accounts receivable
292

Inventory
185

Property and equipment
165

Goodwill
904

Other intangible assets
1,165

Other assets
37

Accounts payable-trade and accrued liabilities
(366
)
Long-term portion of debt
(460
)
Deferred income taxes
(263
)
Other long-term liabilities
(10
)
Capital contribution from Qurate Retail, Inc.
$
1,671


Goodwill is calculated by Qurate Retail as the excess of the consideration transferred for the acquisition over the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce, value associated with future customers, continued innovation and noncontractual relationships. Intangible assets acquired during 2017 were comprised of customer relationships of $425 million with a weighted average life of approximately 9 years, capitalized software of $7 million with a weighted average life of approximately 3 years, and technology of $105 million with a weighted average life of approximately 7 years. None of the acquired goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
Included in operating income for the year ended December 31, 2017 is $38 million related to HSN’s operations since the date of acquisition, which is primarily related to severance cost and stock-based compensation post acquisition and included within selling, general and administrative costs, including transaction related costs and stock-based compensation, within the consolidated statement of operations. HSN’s other results of operations are not included in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 as the results of the final two days of 2017 were considered immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.
The unaudited pro forma net revenue and income before income taxes of QVC, prepared utilizing the historical financial statements of HSN, giving effect to purchase accounting related adjustments made at the time of acquisition, as if the transaction discussed above occurred on January 1, 2016, are as follows:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
(in millions) (unaudited)
2017
2016
Net revenue
$
11,114

11,161

Income before income taxes
1,163

1,222


The unaudited pro forma information is not representative of QVC’s future financial position, future results of operations or future cash flows nor does it reflect what QVC’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows would have been if Qurate Retail had previously purchased HSN and QVC controlled HSN during the periods presented. The unaudited pro forma information includes transaction related costs incurred as a result of the acquisition of $39 million in 2017.
(t) Investment in affiliate
The Company holds an investment in China that is accounted for using the equity method. The equity method of accounting is used when the Company exercises significant influence, but does not have operating control, generally assumed to be 20%-50% ownership. Under the equity method, original investments are recorded at cost and adjusted by their share of undistributed earnings or losses of these companies. The excess of the Company's cost on its underlying interest in the net assets of the affiliate is allocated to identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. Equity investments are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable.
On July 4, 2012, the Company entered into a joint venture with CNR for a 49% interest in CNRS. The CNRS joint venture is accounted for as an equity method investment as a component of other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheets and equity in losses of investee in the consolidated statements of operations. CNRS operates a retailing business in China through a televised shopping channel with an associated website. CNRS is headquartered in Beijing, China. The joint venture's strategy is to combine CNRS' knowledge of the digital shopping market and consumers in China with QVC's global experience and know-how in multimedia retailing.
The current investment in CNRS is approximately $38 million classified within other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(u) Use of estimates in the preparation of consolidated financial statements
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates include, but are not limited to, sales returns, uncollectible receivables, inventory obsolescence, medical and other benefit related costs, depreciable lives of fixed assets, internally developed software, valuation of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, income taxes and stock-based compensation.
(u) Recent accounting pronouncements
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements
On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments, changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, which clarifies principal versus agent considerations, in April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, which clarifies the identification of performance obligations and the implementation guidance for licensing, and in May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, which clarifies assessing collectibility, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all related amendments ("ASC 606") to all contracts using the modified retrospective method. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as a $14 million adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new revenue standard to have a material impact to its net income on an ongoing basis. Refer to the table below for the adoption of this guidance.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which requires an entity to recognize at the transaction date the income tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 and there was no significant effect of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
The cumulative effect of the changes to accumulated deficit due to the adoption of ASC 606 and ASU No. 2016-16 were as follows:
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2017
Adjustments Due to ASC 606
Adjustments Due to ASU 2016-16
Balance at January 1, 2018
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Inventories
$
1,204

(22
)

1,182

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
71


(1
)
70

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accrued liabilities
1,057

(36
)

1,021

 
 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
 
Accumulated deficit
$
(2,797
)
14

(1
)
(2,784
)
In accordance with the new revenue standard requirements, the impact of adoption on our condensed consolidated statements of operations was as follows:
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2018
 
(in millions)
As Reported
Balances Without Adoption of ASC 606
Effect of Change Increase/(Decrease)
Net revenue
$
11,282

11,143

139

 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
7,248

7,238

10

Operating
881

879

2

Selling, general and administrative, including transaction related costs and stock-based compensation
1,200

1,082

118

 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
334

332

2

 
 
 
 
Net income
$
928

921

7


The effect of changes of adoption is primarily due to the timing of revenue recognition at QVC-Global and the classification of income for the Company's Private Label Credit Card ("PLCC") income. For the year ended December 31, 2018, revenue is recognized at the time of shipment to the Company's customers consistent with when control passes and PLCC income is recognized in net revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2017, revenue at QVC-Global was recognized at the time of delivery to the customers and deferred revenue was recorded to account for the shipments in-transit. In addition, PLCC income was recognized as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company also recognized a separate $116 million asset (included in prepaid expenses and other current assets) related to the expected return of inventory and a $242 million liability (included in accrued liabilities) relating to its sales return reserve at December 31, 2018, instead of the net presentation of the liability in the amount of $119 million that was reported at December 31, 2017.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Statements - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which requires equity investments with readily determinable fair values (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018 and there was no significant effect of the standard on its financial reporting.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues to reduce the diversity in practice for appropriate classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018 and there was no significant effect of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018 and has reclassified prior period balances in cash and cash equivalents within the consolidated statements of cash flows in order to conform with current period presentation.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, to provide clarity to which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2018 and there was no significant effect of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which revises the accounting related to lessee accounting. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provided further clarification on the standard. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases. The new lease guidance also simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The Company will adopt the amendments in this ASU on January 1, 2019 utilizing the modified retrospective transition approach and will not restate comparative periods. The Company plans to elect the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allows it to carryforward its historical lease classification, its determination regarding whether a contract contains a lease and any initial indirect costs that had existed prior to the adoption of this new standard. The Company also plans to elect to combine both lease and non-lease components and to elect to expense all short leases with a term of less than 12 months and not record a related right-of use asset and operating lease liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company expects that the discounted amount of operating leases listed in note 9 - Leases to the accompanying consolidated financial statements will be recognized as right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets upon adoption of the new standard. While the Company is still evaluating the impact on its disclosures, it does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material impact on the remaining consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), which addresses the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate due to the enactment of the December 22, 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") on items within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The guidance will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles- Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The guidance will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.