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EX-32.B - EXHIBIT 32.B - ViacomCBS Inc.cbs_ex32b-093018.htm
EX-32.A - EXHIBIT 32.A - ViacomCBS Inc.cbs_ex32a-093018.htm
EX-31.B - EXHIBIT 31.B - ViacomCBS Inc.cbs_ex31b-093018.htm
EX-31.A - EXHIBIT 31.A - ViacomCBS Inc.cbs_ex31a-093018.htm
EX-12 - EXHIBIT 12 - ViacomCBS Inc.cbs_ex12-093018.htm
EX-3.B - EXHIBIT 3.B - ViacomCBS Inc.cbs_ex3b-093018.htm




 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018
OR
o
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 No.)
 
 
51 W. 52nd Street, New York, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)
10019
(Zip Code)
(212) 975-4321
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x    No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o    No x
Number of shares of common stock outstanding at October 31, 2018:
Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share— 37,507,526
Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share— 336,787,717
 




CBS CORPORATION
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 
 
Page
 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the
 Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) for the
 Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) at September 30, 2018
 and December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
 
 
 
 
 
 

- 2-



PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements.
CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues
$
3,263

 
$
3,171

 
$
10,490

 
$
9,771

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Operating
1,922

 
1,862

 
6,506

 
5,940

Selling, general and administrative
549

 
525

 
1,605

 
1,520

Depreciation and amortization
56

 
55

 
168

 
166

Restructuring and other corporate matters (Note 3)
46




90



Total costs and expenses
2,573

 
2,442

 
8,369

 
7,626

Operating income
690

 
729

 
2,121

 
2,145

Interest expense
(115
)
 
(116
)
 
(349
)
 
(336
)
Interest income
12

 
17

 
43

 
45

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Other items, net
(17
)
 
(19
)
 
(52
)
 
(56
)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and
equity in loss of investee companies
570

 
606

 
1,763

 
1,793

Provision for income taxes
(64
)
 
(172
)
 
(312
)
 
(479
)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax
(18
)
 
(16
)
 
(52
)
 
(45
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
488

 
418

 
1,399

 
1,269

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations,
net of tax (Note 13)

 
174

 

 
(871
)
Net earnings
$
488

 
$
592

 
$
1,399

 
$
398

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net earnings (loss) per common share:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
1.30


$
1.04


$
3.70


$
3.13

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
$


$
.43


$


$
(2.15
)
Net earnings
$
1.30


$
1.48


$
3.70


$
.98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
1.29


$
1.03


$
3.66


$
3.10

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
$


$
.43


$


$
(2.12
)
Net earnings
$
1.29


$
1.46


$
3.66


$
.97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Basic
375

 
401

 
378

 
405

Diluted
379


406


382


410

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends per common share
$
.18

 
$
.18

 
$
.54

 
$
.54

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

-3-



CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited; in millions)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net earnings
$
488

 
$
592

 
$
1,399

 
$
398

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative translation adjustments
(3
)
 
2

 
(17
)
 
4

Amortization of net actuarial loss
15

 
13

 
45

 
37

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
12

 
15

 
28

 
41

Total comprehensive income
$
500


$
607


$
1,427


$
439

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

-4-



CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)
 
At
 
At
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
182

 
 
 
$
285

 
Receivables, less allowances of $48 (2018) and $49 (2017)
 
3,697

 
 
 
3,697

 
Programming and other inventory (Note 4)
 
1,828

 
 
 
1,828

 
Prepaid income taxes
 

 
 
 
78

 
Prepaid expenses
 
137

 
 
 
194

 
Other current assets
 
196

 
 
 
191

 
Total current assets
 
6,040

 
 
 
6,273

 
Property and equipment
 
3,004

 
 
 
3,051

 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
1,782

 
 
 
1,771

 
Net property and equipment
 
1,222

 
 
 
1,280

 
Programming and other inventory (Note 4)
 
3,868

 
 
 
2,881

 
Goodwill
 
4,921

 
 
 
4,891

 
Intangible assets
 
2,650

 
 
 
2,666

 
Other assets
 
2,367

 
 
 
2,852

 
Total Assets
 
$
21,068




$
20,843

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
 


 
 
 


 
Current Liabilities:
 


 
 
 


 
Accounts payable
 
$
229

 
 
 
$
231

 
Accrued compensation
 
256

 
 
 
343

 
Participants’ share and royalties payable
 
1,110

 
 
 
986

 
Program rights
 
406

 
 
 
373

 
Income taxes payable
 
68

 
 
 

 
Commercial paper (Note 6)
 
374

 
 
 
679

 
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 6)
 
14

 
 
 
19

 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
1,536

 
 
 
1,341

 
Total current liabilities
 
3,993

 
 
 
3,972

 
Long-term debt (Note 6)
 
9,465

 
 
 
9,464

 
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations
 
1,226

 
 
 
1,328

 
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
 
563

 
 
 
480

 
Other liabilities
 
3,307

 
 
 
3,621

 
 
 


 
 
 


 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
 


 
 
 


 
 
 


 
 
 


 
Stockholders Equity:
 


 
 
 


 
Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; 375 shares authorized;
 38 (2018 and 2017) shares issued
 

 
 
 

 
Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; 5,000 shares authorized;
 835 (2018) and 834 (2017) shares issued
 
1

 
 
 
1

 
Additional paid-in capital
 
43,668

 
 
 
43,797

 
Accumulated deficit
 
(17,762
)
 
 
 
(18,900
)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 8)
 
(634
)
 
 
 
(662
)
 
 
 
25,273

 
 
 
24,236

 
Less treasury stock, at cost; 498 (2018) and 489 (2017) Class B shares
 
22,759

 
 
 
22,258

 
Total Stockholders Equity
 
2,514

 
 
 
1,978

 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
 
$
21,068

 
 
 
$
20,843

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

-5-


CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited; in millions)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
1,399

 
$
398

Less: Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
(871
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
1,399


1,269

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash flow
provided by operating activities from continuing operations:





Depreciation and amortization
168


166

Stock-based compensation
105


129

Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax and distributions
52


45

Change in assets and liabilities, net of investing and financing activities
(545
)

(674
)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations
1,179


935

Net cash flow provided by operating activities from discontinued operations
1


52

Net cash flow provided by operating activities
1,180


987

Investing Activities:





Investments in and advances to investee companies
(76
)

(67
)
Capital expenditures
(99
)

(112
)
Acquisitions (including acquired television library)
(29
)
 
(258
)
Proceeds from sale of investments

 
10

Proceeds from dispositions


11

Other investing activities
8

 
17

Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations
(196
)

(399
)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations
(23
)

(18
)
Net cash flow used for investing activities
(219
)

(417
)
Financing Activities:





(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net
(305
)

140

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes

 
889

Repayment of senior notes

 
(701
)
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio

 
40

Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio

 
(23
)
Payment of capital lease obligations
(12
)

(13
)
Payment of contingent consideration
(5
)
 
(7
)
Dividends
(208
)

(224
)
Purchase of Company common stock
(497
)

(1,111
)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation
(59
)

(89
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
23


81

Other financing activities
(1
)
 

Net cash flow used for financing activities
(1,064
)

(1,018
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(103
)

(448
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
(includes $24 (2017) of discontinued operations cash)
285


622

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
(includes $30 (2017) of discontinued operations cash)
$
182


$
174

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information





Cash paid for interest:
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
406

 
$
393

Discontinued operations
$

 
$
52

 
 
 
 
Cash (refunded) paid for income taxes:
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(19
)
 
$
321

Discontinued operations
$
(3
)
 
$
58

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

-6-



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, CBS Studios International, and CBS Television Distribution; Network 10; CBS Interactive; and CBS Films), Cable Networks (Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network and Smithsonian Networks), Publishing (Simon & Schuster) and Local Media (CBS Television Stations and CBS Local Digital Media).

Discontinued Operations-On November 16, 2017, the Company completed the disposition of CBS Radio Inc. (“CBS Radio”) through a split-off. CBS Radio has been presented as a discontinued operation in the Company’s consolidated financial statements (See Note 13).

Basis of Presentation-The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the more detailed financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Use of Estimates-The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts 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.

Revenues
Advertising Revenues-Advertising revenues are recognized when the advertising spots are aired on television or displayed on digital platforms. If there is a guarantee to deliver a targeted audience rating or number of impressions, the delivery of the advertising spots that achieve the guarantee represents the performance obligation and revenues are recognized based on the proportion of the audience rating or impressions delivered to the total guaranteed in the contract. Audience ratings and impressions are determined based on data provided by independent third-party companies. Advertising contracts, which are generally short-term, are billed monthly, with payments due shortly after the invoice date.

Advertising revenues are primarily generated by the Entertainment and Local Media segments.
Content Licensing and Distribution Revenues-Content licensing and distribution revenues are generated from the licensing of internally-produced television programming, fees from the distribution of third-party programming, and the publishing and distribution of consumer books.


-7-



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

Program Licensing and Distribution
For licenses of internally-produced television programming, each individual episode delivered represents a separate performance obligation and revenues are recognized when the episode is made available to the licensee for exhibition and the license period has begun. For license agreements containing multiple deliverables, revenues are allocated based on the relative standalone selling price of each episode of a television series, which is based on licenses for comparable series within the marketplace. Agreements to license programming are often long term, with collection terms ranging from one to five years.

The Company also distributes programs on behalf of third parties. In such arrangements, the Company generally obtains control of the program before selling it to the customer. Therefore, revenues from such distribution arrangements, which include both content licensing and advertising revenues, are recognized based on the gross amount of consideration received from the customer, with a participation expense recognized for the fees paid to the third-party producer.

Substantially all of the Company’s program licensing and distribution revenues are generated by the Entertainment segment, with the remainder generated by the Cable Networks segment.

Publishing
Publishing revenues are recognized when merchandise is shipped or electronically delivered to the consumer. Consumer print books are generally sold with a right of return. The Company records a returns reserve and corresponding decrease in revenue at the time of sale based upon historical trends. For publishing revenues, payments are due shortly after shipment or electronic delivery.

Affiliate and Subscription Fees-A majority of the Company’s affiliate and subscription fees are generated by the Cable Networks segment and consist of fees received from multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) for carriage of the Company’s cable networks and subscription fees for the Showtime digital streaming subscription offering. The Entertainment segment generates affiliate and subscription fees primarily from television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network and subscribers to CBS All Access, its owned streaming subscription service. In addition, the Local Media segment generates retransmission fees from MVPDs for carriage of the Company’s television stations.

The performance obligation for the Company’s affiliate agreements is a license to the Company’s programming provided through the continuous delivery of live linear feeds and, for agreements with MVPDs, also includes a license to programming for video on demand viewing. Affiliate and subscription fees are recognized over the term of the agreement as the Company continuously provides its customer with the right to use its programming. For agreements that provide for a variable fee, revenues are determined each month based on an agreed upon contractual rate applied to the number of subscribers to the customer’s service. For agreements that provide for a fixed fee, which primarily include agreements with television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network (“network affiliates”), revenues are recognized based on the relative fair value of the content provided over the term of the agreement, which is determined based on the fair value of the network affiliate’s service and the value of the Company’s programming. For affiliate and subscription fee revenues, payments are generally due monthly.

Noncurrent Receivables-Noncurrent receivables of $1.60 billion and $1.59 billion at September 30, 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively, are included in “Other assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and primarily relate to revenues recognized under long-term television licensing arrangements.


-8-



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

Deferred Revenues-Deferred revenues primarily consist of cash received related to advertising arrangements and the licensing of television programming for which the revenues have not yet been earned. Advertising revenues that have been deferred are recognized when the required audience rating or impressions are delivered and revenues deferred under licensing arrangements are recognized when the content is made available to the customer.
 
Deferred revenues are primarily short term and included within “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total deferred revenues were $259 million and $284 million at September 30, 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively. The change in deferred revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily reflects $178 million of revenues recognized that were included in deferred revenues at January 1, 2018, offset by cash payments received during the period for which the performance obligation was not satisfied prior to the end of the period.

Unrecognized Revenues Under Contract-As of September 30, 2018, unrecognized revenue attributable to unsatisfied performance obligations under the Company’s long-term contracts was $3.41 billion, of which $522 million is expected to be recognized for the remainder of 2018, $1.58 billion for 2019, $771 million for 2020, and $534 million thereafter. These amounts only include contracts subject to a guaranteed fixed amount or the guaranteed minimum under variable contracts. Such amounts change on a regular basis as the Company renews existing agreements or enters into new agreements. Unrecognized revenues under contract disclosed above do not include (i) contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, mainly consisting of the Company’s advertising contracts (ii) contracts for which variable consideration is determined based on the customer’s subsequent sale or usage, mainly consisting of affiliate and subscription fee agreements and (iii) long-term licensing agreements for multiple programs for which the Company’s right to invoice corresponds with the value of the programs provided to the customer.

Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share-Basic net 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 7 million stock options for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 4 million stock options for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

The table below presents a reconciliation of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Weighted average shares for basic EPS
375

 
401

 
378

 
405

Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based
compensation plans
4

 
5

 
4

 
5

Weighted average shares for diluted EPS
379

 
406

 
382

 
410

Other Liabilities-Other liabilities consist primarily of the noncurrent portion of residual liabilities of previously disposed businesses, participants’ share and royalties payable, program rights obligations, deferred compensation and other employee benefit accruals.


-9-



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

Additional Paid-In Capital-For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded dividends of $206 million and $221 million, respectively, as a reduction to additional paid-in capital as the Company had an accumulated deficit balance.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) 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 applied the modified retrospective method of adoption with the cumulative effect of the initial adoption of $261 million reflected as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2018. Prior periods continue to be presented under previous accounting guidance (See Note 12).

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (“net benefit cost”). This guidance requires the Company to present the service cost component of net benefit cost in the same line items on the statement of operations as other compensation costs of the related employees. All of the other components of net benefit cost are presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and below the subtotal of operating income. As a result of the adoption of this guidance, the Company presented $16 million and $47 million of net benefit costs in “Other items, net” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, representing the components of net benefit cost other than service cost. This guidance is required to be applied retrospectively and therefore, $22 million and $65 million of expenses, previously presented within operating income, have been reclassified to “Other items, net” for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting
During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the accounting for stock-based compensation which clarifies when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under this guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award as equity or liability changes as a result of the change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Clarifying the Definition of a Business
During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the accounting for business combinations which clarifies the definition of a business and assists entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under this guidance, when substantially all of the fair value of gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single asset (or group of similar assets), the assets acquired would not represent a business. In addition, in order to be considered a business, an acquisition would have to include at a minimum an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create an output. The amended guidance also narrows the definition of outputs by more

-10-



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

closely aligning it with how outputs are described in FASB guidance for revenue recognition. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory
During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted FASB amended guidance on the accounting for income taxes, which eliminates the exception in existing guidance that defers the recognition of the tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory until the transferred asset is sold to a third party. Under this guidance, an entity recognizes the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract
In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for implementation costs of a cloud computing arrangement that is considered to be a service contract. This guidance requires companies to follow the guidance for capitalizing costs associated with internal-use software to determine which costs to capitalize in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The guidance also specifies the financial statement presentation for capitalized implementation costs and the related amortization, as well as required financial statement disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans
In August 2018, the FASB issued amended guidance that eliminates, adds and clarifies certain disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, which is required to be applied retrospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted.

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements
In August 2018, the FASB issued amended guidance that eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. This guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In February 2018, the FASB issued amended guidance that permits an entity to reclassify the income tax effects of federal tax legislation enacted in December 2017 (the “Tax Reform Act”) on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.


-11-



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

Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
In August 2017, the FASB issued amended guidance for hedge accounting, which expands the eligibility of hedging strategies that qualify for hedge accounting, modifies the recognition and presentation of hedges in the financial statements, and changes how companies assess hedge effectiveness. In addition, this guidance amends and expands disclosure requirements. This guidance, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for leases, which supersedes previous lease guidance. Under this guidance, for all leases with terms in excess of one year, including operating leases, the Company will be required to recognize on its balance sheet a lease liability and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The new guidance retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases and the classification criteria is substantially similar to previous guidance. Additionally, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed. This guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019. The Company is currently reviewing its lease portfolio, evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated balance sheet and is in the process of implementing new lease accounting software for administering its leases under the new guidance. The Company will apply the modified retrospective method of adoption as of January 1, 2019 and comparative periods will continue to be presented under existing lease guidance.
2) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
RSUs and PSUs
$
7

 
$
38

 
$
86

 
$
109

Stock options
7

 
6

 
19

 
20

Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes
14

 
44

 
105

 
129

Related tax benefit
(3
)
 
(17
)
 
(26
)
 
(50
)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit
$
11

 
$
27

 
$
79

 
$
79

Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 includes forfeitures of $28 million and accelerations of $6 million relating to changes in senior management, which are included in “Restructuring and other corporate matters” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company granted 3 million RSUs for CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock with a weighted average per unit grant-date fair value of $53.96. RSUs granted during the first nine months of 2018 generally vest over a one- to four-year service period. Compensation expense for RSUs is determined based upon the market price of the shares underlying the awards on the date of grant. For certain RSU awards the number of shares an employee earns ranges from 0% to 120% of the target award, based on the outcome of established performance conditions. Compensation expense is recorded based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company also granted 2 million stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $54.32. Stock options granted during the first nine months of 2018 vest over a

-12-



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

four-year service period and expire eight years from the date of grant. 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.

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs at September 30, 2018 was $201 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards at September 30, 2018 was $40 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years.
3) RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CORPORATE MATTERS
During the second quarter of 2018, 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 $25 million, reflecting $17 million of severance costs and $8 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $63 million, reflecting $54 million of severance costs and $9 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $30 million, reflecting $19 million of severance costs and $11 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs.
As of September 30, 2018, the cumulative settlements for the 2018, 2017 and 2016 restructuring charges were $67 million, of which $56 million was for severance costs and $11 million was for costs associated with contractual obligations and other related costs. The Company expects to substantially utilize its restructuring reserves by the end of 2019.
 
Balance at
 
2018
 
2018
 
Balance at
 
December 31, 2017
 
Charges
 
Settlements
 
September 30, 2018
Entertainment
 
$
45

 
 
 
$
6

 
 
 
$
(26
)
 
 
 
$
25

 
Cable Networks
 
1

 
 
 

 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 

 
Publishing
 
3

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
(2
)
 
 
 
2

 
Local Media
 
14

 
 
 
11

 
 
 
(7
)
 
 
 
18

 
Corporate
 
3

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
6

 
Total
 
$
66

 
 
 
$
25

 
 
 
$
(40
)
 
 
 
$
51

 
 
Balance at
 
2017
 
2017
 
Balance at
 
December 31, 2016
 
Charges
 
Settlements
 
December 31, 2017
Entertainment
 
$
17

 
 
 
$
44

 
 
 
$
(16
)
 
 
 
$
45

 
Cable Networks
 
4

 
 
 

 
 
 
(3
)
 
 
 
1

 
Publishing
 
1

 
 
 
5

 
 
 
(3
)
 
 
 
3

 
Local Media
 
6

 
 
 
12

 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
14

 
Corporate
 
2

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
3

 
Total
 
$
30

 
 
 
$
63

 
 
 
$
(27
)
 
 
 
$
66

 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded expenses of $46 million and $65 million, respectively, primarily for professional fees related to legal proceedings and the ongoing investigations at the Company. (See Note 14). The nine-month period also included professional fees related to the evaluation of a potential combination with Viacom Inc.

-13-



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

4) PROGRAMMING AND OTHER INVENTORY
 
At
 
At
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Acquired program rights
 
$
2,373

 
 
 
$
2,234

 
Acquired television library
 
99

 
 
 
99

 
Internally produced programming:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Released
 
2,481

 
 
 
1,780

 
In process and other
 
680

 
 
 
543

 
Publishing, primarily finished goods
 
63

 
 
 
53

 
Total programming and other inventory
 
5,696

 
 
 
4,709

 
Less current portion
 
1,828

 
 
 
1,828

 
Total noncurrent programming and other inventory
 
$
3,868

 
 
 
$
2,881

 

5) 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 CBS Corp. and the Chairman Emeritus of 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 was a director of CBS Corp. until his resignation on September 9, 2018. Mr. Andelman serves as a director of NAI. At September 30, 2018, NAI directly or indirectly owned approximately 79.7% of CBS Corp.’s voting Class A Common Stock, and owned approximately 10.4% of CBS Corp.’s Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock on a combined basis. NAI is controlled by Mr. Redstone through the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust (the “SMR Trust”), which owns 80% of the voting interest of NAI, and such voting interest of NAI held by the SMR Trust is voted solely by Mr. Redstone until his incapacity or death. The SMR Trust provides that in the event of Mr. Redstone’s death or incapacity, voting control of the NAI voting interest held by the SMR Trust will pass to seven trustees, who will include CBS Corp. director Ms. Shari Redstone. Mr. Andelman also currently serves as a trustee. No member of the Company’s management is a trustee of the SMR Trust. See “Legal Matters” in Note 14 for information regarding recently settled litigation involving the foregoing parties.

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 $76 million and $38 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $105 million and $111 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company leases production facilities, licenses feature films and purchases advertising spots from various subsidiaries of Viacom Inc. The total amounts for these transactions were $9 million and $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $21 million and $13 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


-14-



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

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 September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
 
At
 
At
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Receivables
 
$
40

 
 
 
$
93

 
Other assets (Receivables, noncurrent)
 
25

 
 
 
11

 
Total amounts due from Viacom
 
$
65

 
 
 
$
104

 
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 $14 million and $5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively and $67 million and $54 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, total amounts due from these joint ventures were $23 million and $27 million, 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.
6) BANK FINANCING AND DEBT
The following table sets forth the Company’s debt.

At
 
At

September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Commercial paper

$
374




$
679


Senior debt (2.30% - 7.875% due 2019 - 2045) (a)

9,433




9,426


Obligations under capital leases

46




57


Total debt

9,853




10,162


Less commercial paper

374




679


Less current portion of long-term debt

14




19


Total long-term debt, net of current portion

$
9,465




$
9,464


(a) At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the senior debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $60 million and $65 million, respectively, (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $44 million and $47 million, respectively, and (iii) a decrease in the carrying value of the debt relating to previously settled fair value hedges of $4 million and $3 million, respectively. The face value of the Company’s senior debt was $9.54 billion at both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.


-15-



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

At September 30, 2018, the Company classified $600 million of debt maturing in August 2019 as long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, reflecting its intent and ability to refinance this debt on a long-term basis.
Commercial Paper
The Company had outstanding commercial paper borrowings under its $2.5 billion commercial paper program of $374 million and $679 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, each with maturities of less than 90 days. The weighted average interest rate for these borrowings was 2.41% at September 30, 2018 and 1.88% at December 31, 2017.
Credit Facility
At September 30, 2018, the Company had a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) which expires in June 2021. 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 September 30, 2018, the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio was approximately 3.0x.

The Consolidated Leverage Ratio is 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 September 30, 2018, 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.
7) PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The components of net periodic cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans were as follows:
 
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Benefits
Three Months Ended September 30,
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Components of net periodic cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
7

 
$
7

 
$

 
$

Interest cost
38

 
48

 
3

 
4

Expected return on plan assets
(45
)
 
(50
)
 

 

Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) (a)
24

 
26

 
(4
)
 
(5
)
Net periodic cost
$
24

 
$
31

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)
 
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Benefits
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2018

2017

2018

2017
Components of net periodic cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
23

 
$
22

 
$

 
$

Interest cost
112

 
143

 
11

 
13

Expected return on plan assets
(135
)
 
(151
)
 

 

Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) (a)
72

 
77

 
(13
)
 
(16
)
Net periodic cost
$
72

 
$
91

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(3
)
(a) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings.

-16-



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

The service cost component of net periodic cost is presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations within operating income and all other components of net periodic cost are presented within “Other items, net.”
8) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
During the third quarter of 2018, the Company repurchased 1.8 million shares of its Class B Common Stock under its share repurchase program for $100 million, at an average cost of $55.13 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 9.4 million shares of its Class B Common Stock for $500 million, at an average cost of $52.94 per share, leaving $2.56 billion of authorization at September 30, 2018.

During the third quarter of 2018, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.18 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, resulting in total dividends of $68 million, which were paid on October 1, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company declared total per share cash dividends of $.54 on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, resulting in total dividends of $206 million.
On May 17, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors voted 11 to 3 in favor of a pro rata dividend of 0.5687 of a share of the Company’s voting Class A Common Stock for each share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date and conditioned the issuance of such dividend on Delaware court approval (the “May 2018 Stock Dividend”). In connection with the settlement agreement involving legal proceedings in the Delaware Court of Chancery, on September 9, 2018, the Board rescinded the May 2018 Stock Dividend. See “Legal Matters” in Note 14 for related information.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following tables summarize the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss.
 
Cumulative
Translation
Adjustments
 
Net Actuarial
Loss and Prior
Service Cost
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Loss
At December 31, 2017
$
159

 
$
(821
)
 
 
$
(662
)
 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
(17
)
 

 
 
(17
)
 
Reclassifications to net earnings

 
45

(a) 
 
45

 
Net other comprehensive income (loss)
(17
)
 
45


 
28

 
At September 30, 2018
$
142

 
$
(776
)

 
$
(634
)
 
 
Cumulative
Translation
Adjustments
 
Net Actuarial
Loss and Prior
Service Cost
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Loss
At December 31, 2016
$
151

 
$
(918
)
 
 
$
(767
)
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
4

 

 
 
4

 
Reclassifications to net earnings

 
37

(a) 
 
37

 
Net other comprehensive income
4

 
37

 
 
41

 
At September 30, 2017
$
155

 
$
(881
)
 
 
$
(726
)
 
(a)
Reflects amortization of net actuarial losses. See Note 7.
The net actuarial losses related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans included in other comprehensive income are net of tax provisions of $14 million and $24 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

-17-



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

9) INCOME TAXES
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.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018

2017

2018

2017
Provision for income taxes, including interest and before
other discrete items (a)
$
120

 
$
187

 
$
370

 
$
548

Impact of tax law changes (b)
(54
)
 

 
(54
)
 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation (c)


(10
)
 


(41
)
Other discrete items (d)
(2
)

(5
)

(4
)

(28
)
Provision for income taxes
$
64


$
172


$
312


$
479

Effective income tax rate
11.2
%

28.4
%

17.7
%

26.7
%
(a) The lower tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily reflects a reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% as a result of the enactment of new federal tax legislation in December 2017 (the “Tax Reform Act”).
(b) During the third quarter of 2018, in connection with the preparation of its 2017 federal tax return, the Company elected to utilize a federal tax law provision that was retroactively renewed in 2018. This tax law provision allowed the Company to immediately expense certain qualified production costs on its 2017 tax return. As a result, during the third quarter of 2018, the Company established a deferred tax liability associated with this deduction at the 2017 federal tax rate of 35%, and concurrently recorded a net tax benefit of $69 million, primarily reflecting the re-measurement of this deferred tax liability at the reduced federal corporate tax rate of 21% under the Tax Reform Act. This benefit was partially offset by a charge of $15 million to adjust the provisional amount of transition tax on cumulative foreign earnings and profits that resulted from the enactment of the Tax Reform Act in 2017. See discussion below.
(c) Reflects the difference between the tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense and the deduction on the tax return associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs. This difference occurs because stock-based compensation expense is recorded based on the grant-date fair value of the award, whereas the tax deduction is based on the fair value on the date the stock option is exercised or the RSU vests.
(d) For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily reflects tax benefits from the resolution of certain state income tax matters.
In December 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Reform Act containing significant changes to U.S. federal tax law, including a reduction in the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and a one-time transition tax on cumulative foreign earnings and profits. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a net provisional charge of $129 million, reflecting the estimated transition tax of $407 million on cumulative foreign earnings and profits, offset by an estimated benefit of $278 million to adjust the Company’s deferred income tax balances as a result of the reduced corporate income tax rate. The Tax Reform Act also includes a deduction for foreign derived intangible income and a tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”), which imposes a U.S. tax on certain income earned by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. The Company included the tax on GILTI in its tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a charge of $15 million to adjust the provisional amount of transition tax on cumulative foreign earnings and profits. The Company will complete its analysis of the Tax Reform Act within one year from its enactment. Such analysis will include finalizing and recording any additional adjustments to provisional estimates, as well as determining whether to treat the tax on GILTI as a period cost when incurred or as a component of deferred taxes.

-18-



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

10) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company’s carrying value of financial instruments approximates fair value, except for notes and debentures, which are not recorded at fair value. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying value of the Company’s senior debt was $9.43 billion and the fair value, which is estimated based on quoted market prices for similar liabilities (Level 2) and includes accrued interest, was $9.57 billion and $10.16 billion, respectively.

The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to modify its exposure to market risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange 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 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 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 September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the notional amount of all foreign exchange contracts was $391 million and $410 million, respectively.
Gains (losses) recognized on derivative financial instruments were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Financial Statement Account
Non-designated foreign exchange contracts
$

 
$
(9
)
 
$
13

 
$
(29
)
Other items, net
The fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments was not material to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for any of the periods presented.

-19-



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 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. 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 September 30, 2018
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency hedges
$

 
$
9

 
$

 
$
9

Total Assets
$

 
$
9

 
$

 
$
9

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation
$

 
$
375

 
$

 
$
375

Foreign currency hedges

 
1

 

 
1

Total Liabilities
$

 
$
376

 
$

 
$
376

At December 31, 2017
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency hedges
$

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
5

Total Assets
$

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
5

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation
$

 
$
363

 
$

 
$
363

Foreign currency hedges

 
10

 

 
10

Total Liabilities
$

 
$
373

 
$

 
$
373

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.
11) SEGMENT AND REVENUE INFORMATION
The following tables set forth the Company’s financial information 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.

Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended

September 30,
 
September 30,

2018
 
2017

2018
 
2017
Revenues:











Entertainment
$
2,151


$
1,815


$
7,232


$
6,346

Cable Networks
569


840


1,769


1,954

Publishing
240


228


607


595

Local Media
434

 
397

 
1,269

 
1,218

Corporate/Eliminations
(131
)

(109
)

(387
)

(342
)
Total Revenues
$
3,263


$
3,171


$
10,490


$
9,771


-20-



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

Revenues generated between segments primarily reflect advertising sales, content licensing and station affiliation fees. These transactions are recorded at market value as if the sales were to third parties and are eliminated in consolidation.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Intercompany Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
135

 
$
111

 
$
394

 
$
348

Cable Networks
2

 

 
2

 

Local Media
3

 
4

 
13

 
10

Total Intercompany Revenues
$
140

 
$
115

 
$
409

 
$
358

The Company presents operating income (loss) excluding costs for restructuring and other corporate matters, where applicable, (“Segment Operating Income”) as the primary measure of profit and loss for its operating segments in accordance with FASB guidance for segment reporting. 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.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
377

 
$
350

 
$
1,225

 
$
1,104

Cable Networks
248

 
296

 
734

 
801

Publishing
51

 
47

 
98

 
91

Local Media
124

 
106

 
370

 
358

Corporate
(64
)
 
(70
)
 
(216
)
 
(209
)
Restructuring and other corporate matters
(46
)
 

 
(90
)
 

Operating income
690


729


2,121


2,145

Interest expense
(115
)
 
(116
)
 
(349
)
 
(336
)
Interest income
12

 
17

 
43

 
45

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Other items, net
(17
)
 
(19
)
 
(52
)
 
(56
)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
and equity in loss of investee companies
570

 
606

 
1,763

 
1,793

Provision for income taxes
(64
)
 
(172
)
 
(312
)
 
(479
)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax
(18
)
 
(16
)
 
(52
)
 
(45
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
488

 
418

 
1,399

 
1,269

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
174

 

 
(871
)
Net earnings
$
488

 
$
592

 
$
1,399

 
$
398


-21-



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

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Depreciation and Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
31


$
29


$
92


$
85

Cable Networks
5


5


16


17

Publishing
1


2


4


5

Local Media
11

 
11

 
33

 
34

Corporate
8


8


23


25

Total Depreciation and Amortization
$
56


$
55


$
168


$
166

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Stock-based Compensation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
17

 
$
16

 
$
48

 
$
48

Cable Networks
4

 
3

 
10

 
9

Publishing
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

Local Media
3

 
3

 
9

 
9

Corporate (a)
(11
)
 
21

 
35

 
60

Total Stock-based Compensation
$
14

 
$
44

 
$
105

 
$
129

(a) Included in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are forfeitures of $28 million and accelerations of $6 million relating to changes in senior management.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2018

2017
 
2018

2017
Capital Expenditures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
19


$
25


$
56


$
63

Cable Networks
5


5


12


12

Publishing
2


1


4


2

Local Media
6

 
8

 
15

 
20

Corporate
5

 
5

 
12

 
15

Total Capital Expenditures
$
37

 
$
44

 
$
99

 
$
112

 
At
 
At
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
 
$
12,763

 
 
 
$
12,626

 
Cable Networks
 
3,008

 
 
 
2,878

 
Publishing
 
1,047

 
 
 
906

 
Local Media
 
3,996

 
 
 
4,042

 
Corporate/Eliminations
 
242

 
 
 
378

 
Discontinued operations
 
12

 
 
 
13

 
Total Assets
 
$
21,068

 
 
 
$
20,843

 

-22-



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

The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated into categories based on the nature of such revenues.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
Revenues by Type
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Advertising
$
1,263

 
$
1,106

 
$
4,323

 
$
4,008

Content licensing and distribution:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming
693

 
632

 
2,417

 
2,166

Publishing
240

 
228

 
607

 
595

Affiliate and subscription fees
1,008

 
1,145

 
2,976

 
2,835

Other
59

 
60

 
167

 
167

Total Revenues
$
3,263

 
$
3,171

 
$
10,490

 
$
9,771

12) ADOPTION OF “REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS”
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Codification 606 (“ASC 606”) on the recognition of revenues using the modified retrospective method applied to all contracts. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606 while prior periods have not been adjusted. The Company recorded an increase to accumulated deficit of $261 million as of January 1, 2018 reflecting the cumulative impact of the adoption of ASC 606.

The adoption of ASC 606 primarily resulted in two changes to the Company’s revenue recognition policies.

Revenues from Distribution Arrangements
Revenues from the Company’s distribution of third-party content are now recognized based on the gross amount of consideration received from the customer, with an offsetting participation expense recognized for the fees paid to the third party. Under previous accounting guidance, such revenues, which include content licensing and distribution revenues and advertising revenues, were recognized at the net amount retained by the Company after the payment of fees to the third party. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, revenues and operating expenses relating to such distribution arrangements were each $93 million and $217 million higher under ASC 606 than the amounts that would have been reported under previous accounting guidance, with no impact to operating income.

Revenues from the Renewal of Licensing Agreements
Revenues associated with the renewal of an existing license agreement are now recognized at the beginning of the renewal period. Under previous accounting guidance, these revenues were recognized upon the execution of such renewal. Content licensing and distribution revenue comparisons will continue to be impacted by fluctuations resulting from the timing of when Company-owned television series are made available for multiyear licensing agreements. Therefore, this change is not expected to have a material impact on the trend of the Company’s financial results. Additionally, historically, on an annual basis, revenues from renewals executed each year have approximated revenues associated with renewal periods that began in the same year.


-23-



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

The following table presents the amount by which each applicable financial statement line item on the Consolidated Statement of Operations would have decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 if license renewals were recognized under previous accounting guidance.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2018
 
September 30, 2018
Revenues
 
$
41

 
 
 
$
182

 
Operating expenses
 
19

 
 
 
82

 
Operating income
 
22

 
 
 
100

 
Less: Provision for income taxes
 
5

 
 
 
21

 
Net earnings from continuing operations
 
$
17

 
 
 
$
79

 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
 
$
.04

 
 
 
$
.21

 
In addition, the adoption of ASC 606 resulted in certain classification changes on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The primary change is the reclassification of the sales returns reserve relating to the publishing business to “Other current liabilities.” Such amount, which was $116 million at September 30, 2018, was previously presented as a reduction to receivables.

The following table presents the amount by which each applicable financial statement line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2018 would increase (decrease) if all of the above changes resulting from the adoption of ASC 606 were presented under previous accounting guidance.
Assets
 
Receivables, net
$
(89
)
Programming and other inventory (noncurrent)
$
(45
)
Other assets (noncurrent receivables)
$
386

 
 
Liabilities
 
Other current liabilities
$
(141
)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
$
46

Participants’ share and royalties payable
$
165

 
 
Accumulated deficit
$
182

ASC 606 also requires enhanced disclosures relating to the Company’s revenues from contracts with customers (See Note 1), including the disaggregation of revenues into categories (See Note 11).
13) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On November 16, 2017, the Company completed the split-off of CBS Radio through an exchange offer, in which the Company accepted 17.9 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock from its stockholders in exchange for the 101.4 million shares of CBS Radio common stock that it owned. Immediately following the exchange offer, each share of CBS Radio common stock was converted into one share of Entercom Communications Corp. (“Entercom”) Class A common stock upon completion of the merger.


-24-



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

The following table sets forth details of net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
 
Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2017

September 30, 2017
Revenues
 
$
300

 
 
 
$
856

 
Costs and expenses:
 


 
 
 
 
 
Operating
 
113

 
 
 
307

 
Selling, general and administrative
 
120

 
 
 
370

 
Market value adjustment (a)
 
(100
)
 
 
 
980

 
Restructuring charges (b)
 

 
 
 
7

 
Total costs and expenses
 
133

 
 
 
1,664

 
Operating income (loss)
 
167

 
 
 
(808
)
 
Interest expense
 
(21
)
 
 
 
(60
)
 
Other items, net
 

 
 
 
(1
)
 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
 
146

 
 
 
(869
)
 
Income tax (provision) benefit (c)
 
28

 
 
 
(2
)
 
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
$
174

 
 
 
$
(871
)
 
(a) During 2017, prior to its split-off, CBS Radio was measured each reporting period at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. The value of the transaction with Entercom was determined based on Entercom’s stock price at the closing of the transaction and therefore, the Company recorded a market value adjustment to adjust the carrying value of CBS Radio to the value indicated by the stock valuation of Entercom.
(b) Reflects restructuring charges associated with the reorganization of certain business operations, including severance costs and costs associated with exiting contractual obligations.
(c) Included in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 is a tax benefit of $45 million from the resolution of a tax matter in a foreign jurisdiction relating to a previously disposed business.
14) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Guarantees
The Company 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 September 30, 2018, the outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds approximated $107 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 and reasonably estimable.

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

-25-



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

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.
Litigation Settled in September 2018 Involving the Company and Its Controlling Stockholder, National Amusements, Inc., Among Others, in the Delaware Court of Chancery. On May 14, 2018, the Company and certain of the independent directors of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery against NAI, Ms. Shari Redstone, Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC (“NAIEH”) and the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust (the “SMR Trust”) (collectively, the “NAI Parties”). The verified complaint, as amended on May 23, 2018, alleged, among other things, that NAI, Mr. Sumner M. Redstone and Ms. Shari Redstone had breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s stockholders by abusing their control to threaten the independent corporate governance of the Company. The amended verified complaint sought a declaration that the May 2018 Stock Dividend (as defined below) was valid and permissible, a declaration that the Bylaw Amendments (as defined below) were invalid or were ineffective as of May 17, 2018 and an injunction against any action by any of the NAI Parties to interfere with the composition of the Board or to modify the Company’s governance documents before the issuance of any shares pursuant to the May 2018 Stock Dividend.
 
On May 16, 2018, each of NAI and NAIEH delivered to the Company a written consent to amend (the “Bylaw Amendments”) the Company’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”). On May 17, 2018, the Board voted 11 to 3 in favor of a pro rata dividend of 0.5687 of a share of the Company’s voting Class A Common Stock for each share of the Company's Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date and conditioned the issuance of such dividend on Delaware court approval (the “May 2018 Stock Dividend”).

On May 29, 2018, NAI, NAIEH and Ms. Shari Redstone filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery against the Company and certain of the Company’s directors. NAI’s verified complaint, as amended on June 25, 2018 and July 27, 2018, alleged, among other things, that the May 2018 Stock Dividend violated the Company’s bylaws and certificate of incorporation, and that the directors named as defendants had breached their fiduciary duties in approving the May 2018 Stock Dividend. The amended verified complaint sought a declaration that the Bylaw Amendments were valid, a declaration that the May 2018 Stock Dividend was invalid, an injunction against issuance and payment of the May 2018 Stock Dividend and any action by the defendants to carry out the May 2018 Stock Dividend, and other relief.
On June 7, 2018, the Court consolidated the aforementioned lawsuits under the consolidated action captioned In re CBS Corporation Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 2018-0342-AGB (Del. Ch.) (the “consolidated action”).
On May 31, 2018, Westmoreland County Employees’ Retirement System (“Westmoreland”), a purported beneficial owner of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, filed a class action complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery against NAI, NAIEH, Mr. David R. Andelman, Mr. Robert N. Klieger and Ms. Shari Redstone (the “Westmoreland lawsuit”), which alleged breaches of contractual obligations, implied obligations and fiduciary duties to the Company’s Class B Common Stock holders in connection with the Bylaw Amendments and interference with the issuance by the Board of the May 2018 Stock Dividend. Westmoreland’s complaint sought a declaratory judgment that the Company’s certificate of incorporation authorized the May 2018 Stock Dividend, that Westmoreland and the class were entitled to the May 2018 Stock Dividend, and that the Bylaw Amendments were invalid, as well as other relief. On September 14, 2018, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered a stipulation agreed to by the parties whereby the Westmoreland lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice as moot and the Court retained jurisdiction to consider any application for attorneys’ fees and expenses submitted by Westmoreland or its counsel.

-26-



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

On September 9, 2018, the Company entered into a settlement and release agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with NAI, NAIEH, the SMR Trust, Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, Ms. Shari Redstone and the other then members of the Board, among other parties. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, among other matters, the parties dismissed with prejudice all claims in the consolidated action. The Settlement Agreement includes mutual releases and covenants not to sue among the parties with respect to NAI’s and NAIEH’s investment in the Company, including the claims asserted in such action, subject to certain exceptions, and the Company has agreed to indemnify, and reimburse expenses of, certain parties, on the terms set forth in the Settlement Agreement, including with respect to the consolidated action and the defendants in the Westmoreland lawsuit. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Board rescinded the May 2018 Stock Dividend. In addition, NAI and NAIEH took action by written consent to amend the Company’s amended and restated bylaws.

Investigations and Related Matters. As announced on August 1, 2018, the Board has retained two law firms to conduct a full investigation of the allegations in recent press reports about the Company’s former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Leslie Moonves, CBS News and cultural issues at all levels of the Company. This investigation is ongoing. The Company has received subpoenas from the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Commission on Human Rights regarding the subject matter of this investigation and related matters. The New York State Attorney General’s Office has also requested information about these matters. The Company may receive additional related regulatory and investigative inquiries from these and other entities in the future. The Company is cooperating with the ongoing investigation and related inquiries.

On August 27, 2018, Gene Samit, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, filed a putative class action suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company, its former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and its then Chief Operating Officer, who has been appointed as the Company’s President and Acting Chief Executive Officer. This action is stated to be on behalf of a class of persons who acquired the Company’s securities between February 14, 2014 and July 27, 2018. This action seeks to recover damages arising during this time period allegedly caused by the defendants’ purported violations of the federal securities laws by allegedly making materially false and misleading statements or failing to disclose material information, as well as costs and expenses, and seeks remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On October 1, 2018, John Lantz, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, filed a putative class action suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company, certain current and former senior executives and the members of the Board immediately prior to September 9, 2018. This action is stated to be on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock between November 3, 2017 and July 27, 2018. This action seeks to recover damages arising during this time period allegedly caused by the defendants’ purported violations of the federal securities laws by allegedly making materially false and misleading statements or failing to disclose material information, as well as costs and expenses, and seeks remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.

Separation Agreement. On September 9, 2018, the Company entered into a separation and settlement agreement and releases (the “Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Leslie Moonves, pursuant to which Mr. Moonves resigned as a director and as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Company will contribute the aggregate amount of $20 million to one or more charitable organizations that support the #MeToo movement and equality for women in the workplace, which organizations are mutually agreed by the Company and Mr. Moonves. The Company has recorded the contribution of $20 million in “Restructuring and other corporate matters” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. In October 2018, the Company also contributed $120 million to a grantor trust. In the event the Board determines that the Company is entitled to terminate Mr. Moonves’s employment for cause

-27-



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

under his employment agreement and Mr. Moonves does not demand arbitration with respect to such determination, the assets of the grantor trust will be distributed to the Company and the Company will have no further obligations to Mr. Moonves. Any dispute related to the Board’s determination is subject to binding arbitration as set forth in the Separation Agreement. In the event of arbitration, the assets of the grantor trust will also be distributed to the Company upon a final determination in the arbitration that the Company was entitled to terminate Mr. Moonves’s employment for cause. The Board will make a determination whether the Company has grounds to terminate the employment of Mr. Moonves for cause under his employment agreement within thirty days following completion of the final report of the independent investigators in the ongoing internal investigation described above, but in no event later than January 31, 2019. In the event that the Board determines that the Company is not entitled to terminate Mr. Moonves’s employment for cause, or in the event of a final determination in arbitration that the Company is not entitled to terminate Mr. Moonves’s employment for cause, the assets of the grantor trust will be distributed to Mr. Moonves. The Company is currently unable to determine the amount of any such contingent distribution to Mr. Moonves and, accordingly, no accrual has been made in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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 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 September 30, 2018, the Company had pending approximately 31,500 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 31,660 as of December 31, 2017 and 32,760 as of September 30, 2017. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company received approximately 770 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 1,020 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. The Company’s total costs for the years 2017 and 2016 for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance recoveries and net of tax were approximately $57 million and $48 million, respectively. 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.
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 remained generally 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

-28-



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

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.
15) 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. 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 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Revenues
$
47

 
$
2

 
$
3,214

 
$

 
$
3,263

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
25

 
1

 
1,896

 

 
1,922

Selling, general and administrative
11

 
58

 
480

 

 
549

Depreciation and amortization
1

 
5

 
50

 

 
56

Restructuring and other corporate matters

 
46

 

 

 
46

Total costs and expenses
37

 
110

 
2,426

 

 
2,573

Operating income (loss)
10

 
(108
)
 
788

 

 
690

Interest (expense) income, net
(133
)
 
(130
)
 
160

 

 
(103
)
Other items, net
(7
)
 
(4
)
 
(6
)
 

 
(17
)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies
(130
)
 
(242
)
 
942

 

 
570

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
27

 
50

 
(141
)
 

 
(64
)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax
591

 
410

 
(18
)
 
(1,001
)
 
(18
)
Net earnings
$
488

 
$
218

 
$
783

 
$
(1,001
)
 
$
488

Total comprehensive income
$
500


$
219


$
781


$
(1,000
)
 
$
500


-29-



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

 
Statement of Operations
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Revenues
$
134

 
$
7

 
$
10,349

 
$

 
$
10,490

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
73

 
3

 
6,430

 

 
6,506

Selling, general and administrative
36

 
190

 
1,379

 

 
1,605

Depreciation and amortization
3

 
16

 
149

 

 
168

Restructuring and other corporate matters

 
71

 
19

 

 
90

Total costs and expenses
112

 
280

 
7,977

 

 
8,369

Operating income (loss)
22

 
(273
)
 
2,372

 

 
2,121

Interest (expense) income, net
(396
)
 
(378
)
 
468

 

 
(306
)
Other items, net
(23
)
 
8

 
(37
)
 

 
(52
)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies
(397
)
 
(643
)
 
2,803

 

 
1,763

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
82

 
133

 
(527
)
 

 
(312
)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax
1,714

 
1,166

 
(52
)
 
(2,880
)
 
(52
)
Net earnings
$
1,399

 
$
656

 
$
2,224

 
$
(2,880
)
 
$
1,399

Total comprehensive income
$
1,427


$
659


$
2,205


$
(2,864
)
 
$
1,427



-30-



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

 
Statement of Operations
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Revenues
$
40

 
$
3

 
$
3,128

 
$

 
$
3,171

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
23

 
1

 
1,838

 

 
1,862

Selling, general and administrative
13

 
59

 
453

 

 
525

Depreciation and amortization
1

 
6

 
48

 

 
55

Total costs and expenses
37

 
66

 
2,339

 

 
2,442

Operating income (loss)
3

 
(63
)
 
789

 

 
729

Interest (expense) income, net
(129
)
 
(123
)
 
153

 

 
(99
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(5
)
 

 

 

 
(5
)
Other items, net
(9
)
 
(11
)
 
1

 

 
(19
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies
(140
)
 
(197
)
 
943

 

 
606

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
43

 
62

 
(277
)
 

 
(172
)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax
689

 
369

 
(16
)
 
(1,058
)
 
(16
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
592

 
234

 
650

 
(1,058
)
 
418

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 
174

 

 
174

Net earnings
$
592

 
$
234

 
$
824

 
$
(1,058
)
 
$
592

Total comprehensive income
$
607

 
$
229

 
$
830

 
$
(1,059
)
 
$
607


-31-



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

 
Statement of Operations
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Revenues
$
124

 
$
8

 
$
9,639

 
$

 
$
9,771

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating
69

 
4

 
5,867

 

 
5,940

Selling, general and administrative
37

 
185

 
1,298

 

 
1,520

Depreciation and amortization
3

 
18

 
145

 

 
166

Total costs and expenses
109

 
207

 
7,310

 

 
7,626

Operating income (loss)
15

 
(199
)
 
2,329

 

 
2,145

Interest (expense) income, net
(378
)
 
(360
)
 
447

 

 
(291
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(5
)
 

 

 

 
(5
)
Other items, net
(27
)
 
(42
)
 
13

 

 
(56
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies
(395
)
 
(601
)
 
2,789

 

 
1,793

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
120

 
184

 
(783
)
 

 
(479
)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax
673

 
1,062

 
(45
)
 
(1,735
)
 
(45
)
Net earnings from continuing operations
398

 
645

 
1,961

 
(1,735
)
 
1,269

Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 
(871
)
 

 
(871
)
Net earnings
$
398

 
$
645

 
$
1,090

 
$
(1,735
)
 
$
398

Total comprehensive income
$
439

 
$
633

 
$
1,111

 
$
(1,744
)
 
$
439



-32-



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

 
Balance Sheet
 
At September 30, 2018
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
62

 
$

 
$
120

 
$

 
$
182

Receivables, net
21

 
1

 
3,675

 

 
3,697

Programming and other inventory
2

 
2

 
1,824

 

 
1,828

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
16

 
31

 
323

 
(37
)
 
333

Total current assets
101

 
34

 
5,942

 
(37
)
 
6,040

Property and equipment
34

 
220

 
2,750

 

 
3,004

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
17

 
179

 
1,586

 

 
1,782

Net property and equipment
17

 
41

 
1,164

 

 
1,222

Programming and other inventory
6

 
5

 
3,857

 

 
3,868

Goodwill
98

 
62

 
4,761

 

 
4,921

Intangible assets

 

 
2,650

 

 
2,650

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
47,000

 
16,332

 

 
(63,332
)
 

Other assets
160

 
5

 
2,202

 

 
2,367

Intercompany

 
758

 
31,330

 
(32,088
)
 

Total Assets
$
47,382

 
$
17,237

 
$
51,906

 
$
(95,457
)
 
$
21,068

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
5

 
$
2

 
$
222

 
$

 
$
229

Participants’ share and royalties payable

 

 
1,110

 

 
1,110

Program rights
3

 
2

 
401

 

 
406

Commercial paper
374

 

 

 

 
374

Current portion of long-term debt
2

 

 
12

 

 
14

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
356

 
282

 
1,259

 
(37
)
 
1,860

Total current liabilities
740

 
286

 
3,004

 
(37
)
 
3,993

Long-term debt
9,385

 

 
80

 

 
9,465

Other liabilities
2,655

 
225

 
2,216

 

 
5,096

Intercompany
32,088

 

 

 
(32,088
)
 

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock

 

 
126

 
(126
)
 

Common stock
1

 
123

 
590

 
(713
)
 
1

Additional paid-in capital
43,668

 

 
60,894

 
(60,894
)
 
43,668

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
(17,762
)
 
16,914

 
(10,262
)
 
(6,652
)
 
(17,762
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(634
)
 
20


58


(78
)
 
(634
)
 
25,273

 
17,057

 
51,406

 
(68,463
)
 
25,273

Less treasury stock, at cost
22,759

 
331

 
4,800

 
(5,131
)
 
22,759

Total Stockholders’ Equity
2,514

 
16,726

 
46,606

 
(63,332
)
 
2,514

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
47,382

 
$
17,237

 
$
51,906

 
$
(95,457
)
 
$
21,068


-33-



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

 
Balance Sheet
 
At December 31, 2017
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
173

 
$

 
$
112

 
$

 
$
285

Receivables, net
29

 
2

 
3,666

 

 
3,697

Programming and other inventory
3

 
3

 
1,822

 

 
1,828

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
130

 
28

 
341

 
(36
)
 
463

Total current assets
335


33


5,941


(36
)

6,273

Property and equipment
49

 
217

 
2,785

 

 
3,051

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
27

 
163

 
1,581

 

 
1,771

Net property and equipment
22


54


1,204



 
1,280

Programming and other inventory
3

 
4

 
2,874

 

 
2,881

Goodwill
98

 
62

 
4,731

 

 
4,891

Intangible assets

 

 
2,666

 

 
2,666

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
45,504

 
15,225

 

 
(60,729
)
 

Other assets
162

 
5

 
2,685

 

 
2,852

Intercompany

 
1,221

 
29,562

 
(30,783
)
 

Total Assets
$
46,124


$
16,604


$
49,663


$
(91,548
)
 
$
20,843

Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
1

 
$
30

 
$
200

 
$

 
$
231

Participants’ share and royalties payable

 

 
986

 

 
986

Program rights
4

 
4

 
365

 

 
373

Commercial paper
679

 

 

 

 
679

Current portion of long-term debt
2

 

 
17

 

 
19

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
352

 
269

 
1,099

 
(36
)
 
1,684

Total current liabilities
1,038


303


2,667


(36
)
 
3,972

Long-term debt
9,378

 

 
86

 

 
9,464

Other liabilities
2,947

 
234

 
2,248

 

 
5,429

Intercompany
30,783

 

 

 
(30,783
)
 

Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Preferred stock

 

 
126

 
(126
)
 

Common stock
1

 
123

 
590

 
(713
)
 
1

Additional paid-in capital
43,797

 

 
60,894

 
(60,894
)
 
43,797

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
(18,900
)
 
16,257

 
(12,224
)
 
(4,033
)
 
(18,900
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(662
)
 
18

 
76

 
(94
)
 
(662
)
 
24,236


16,398


49,462


(65,860
)
 
24,236

Less treasury stock, at cost
22,258

 
331

 
4,800

 
(5,131
)
 
22,258

Total Stockholders’ Equity
1,978

 
16,067

 
44,662

 
(60,729
)
 
1,978

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
46,124


$
16,604


$
49,663


$
(91,548
)
 
$
20,843


-34-



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

 
Statement of Cash Flows
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities
$
(357
)
 
$
(183
)
 
$
1,720

 
$

 
$
1,180

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in and advances to investee companies

 

 
(76
)
 

 
(76
)
Capital expenditures

 
(12
)
 
(87
)
 

 
(99
)
Acquisitions

 

 
(29
)
 

 
(29
)
Other investing activities
8

 

 

 

 
8

Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations
8

 
(12
)
 
(192
)
 

 
(196
)
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations
(23
)
 

 

 

 
(23
)
Net cash flow used for investing activities
(15
)
 
(12
)
 
(192
)
 

 
(219
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayments of short-term debt borrowings, net
(305
)
 

 

 

 
(305
)
Payment of capital lease obligations

 

 
(12
)
 

 
(12
)
Payment of contingent consideration

 

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Dividends
(208
)
 

 

 

 
(208
)
Purchase of Company common stock
(497
)
 

 

 

 
(497
)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing
shares for stock-based compensation
(59
)
 

 

 

 
(59
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
23

 

 

 

 
23

Other financing activities
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables
1,308

 
195

 
(1,503
)
 

 

Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities
261

 
195

 
(1,520
)
 

 
(1,064
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(111
)
 

 
8

 

 
(103
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
173

 

 
112

 

 
285

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
62

 
$

 
$
120

 
$

 
$
182


-35-



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

 
Statement of Cash Flows
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
CBS Corp.
 
CBS
Operations
Inc.
 
Non-
Guarantor
Affiliates
 
Eliminations
 
CBS Corp.
Consolidated
Net cash flow (used for) provided by operating activities
$
(851
)
 
$
(180
)
 
$
2,018

 
$

 
$
987

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Investments in and advances to investee companies

 

 
(67
)
 

 
(67
)
Capital expenditures

 
(15
)
 
(97
)
 

 
(112
)
Acquisitions (including acquired television library)

 

 
(258
)
 

 
(258
)
Proceeds from sale of investments

 

 
10

 

 
10

Proceeds from dispositions

 

 
11

 

 
11

Other investing activities
17

 

 

 

 
17

Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from continuing operations
17


(15
)

(401
)


 
(399
)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations
1

 
(4
)
 
(15
)
 

 
(18
)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities
18


(19
)

(416
)


 
(417
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net
140

 

 

 

 
140

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes
889

 

 

 

 
889

Repayment of senior notes
(701
)
 

 

 

 
(701
)
Proceeds from debt borrowings of CBS Radio

 

 
40

 

 
40

Repayment of debt borrowings of CBS Radio

 

 
(23
)
 

 
(23
)
Payment of capital lease obligations

 

 
(13
)
 

 
(13
)
Payment of contingent consideration

 

 
(7
)
 

 
(7
)
Dividends
(224
)
 

 

 

 
(224
)
Purchase of Company common stock
(1,111
)
 

 

 

 
(1,111
)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing
shares for stock-based compensation
(89
)
 

 

 

 
(89
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
81

 

 

 

 
81

Increase (decrease) in intercompany payables
1,545

 
199

 
(1,744
)
 

 

Net cash flow (used for) provided by financing activities
530

 
199

 
(1,747
)
 

 
(1,018
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(303
)



(145
)


 
(448
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
(includes $24 million of discontinued operations cash)
321

 

 
301

 

 
622

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
(includes $30 million of discontinued operations cash)
$
18


$


$
156


$

 
$
174


-36-



Item 2.
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 (the “Company” or “CBS Corp.”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

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 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 premium content to enhance its opportunities for revenue growth, which include exhibiting the Company’s content on multiple digital platforms, including the Company’s owned digital streaming services as well as third-party live television streaming offerings (“virtual MVPDs”); 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 - Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 versus Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Consolidated results of operations
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
2018

2017
 
$
 
%
 
GAAP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
3,263

 
$
3,171

 
$
92

 
3
 %
 
Operating income
$
690

 
$
729

 
$
(39
)
 
(5
)%
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
488

 
$
418

 
$
70

 
17
 %
 
Net earnings
$
488

 
$
592

 
$
(104
)
 
(18
)%
 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
1.29

 
$
1.03

 
$
.26

 
25
 %
 
Diluted EPS
$
1.29

 
$
1.46

 
$
(.17
)
 
(12
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP: (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating income
$
736

 
$
729

 
$
7

 
1
 %
 
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations
$
469

 
$
421

 
$
48

 
11
 %
 
Adjusted net earnings
$
469

 
$
450

 
$
19

 
4
 %
 
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
1.24

 
$
1.04

 
$
.20

 
19
 %
 
Adjusted diluted EPS
$
1.24

 
$
1.11

 
$
.13

 
12
 %
 
(a) See page 42 for reconciliations of adjusted results to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).
Revenues increased 3% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and were impacted by several noncomparable items including Showtime Networks’ distribution of the Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor pay-per-view boxing event in the third quarter of 2017 and the Company’s acquisition of Network 10 in the fourth quarter of 2017. Together these noncomparable items reduced the revenue growth by five percentage points. Underlying revenue growth was led by 79% growth from digital initiatives, which include the Company’s owned streaming subscription services and virtual MVPDs, 15% higher station affiliation fees and retransmission revenues, and higher political advertising sales as a result of the 2018 midterm elections. Also contributing to the revenue growth were content licensing and distribution revenues, which grew 8%.

-37-



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


Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 decreased 5% and included costs relating to corporate matters that affected the comparability of results. Adjusted operating income increased 1% from the three months ended September 30, 2017 reflecting the revenue growth partially offset by an increased investment in content, including a higher number of series produced for distribution on multiple platforms, including third-party services, and the expansion of the Company’s digital initiatives.

Net earnings from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 increased 17% from the same prior-year period and included a net tax benefit resulting from tax law changes. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations increased 11%, driven by a lower effective income tax rate in 2018 resulting from the enactment of new federal tax legislation in December 2017. Net earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $488 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, compared with $592 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, which included, in discontinued operations, a noncash gain to adjust the carrying value of CBS Radio Inc. (“CBS Radio”). Adjusted diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) increased 12% as a result of higher adjusted earnings and lower weighted average shares outstanding. Adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted diluted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. See page 42 for details of the discrete items excluded from financial results, and reconciliations of adjusted results to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.

Operational Highlights - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 versus Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Consolidated results of operations
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2018
 
2017
 
$
 
%
 
GAAP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
10,490

 
$
9,771

 
$
719

 
7
 %
 
Operating income
$
2,121

 
$
2,145

 
$
(24
)
 
(1
)%
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
1,399

 
$
1,269

 
$
130

 
10
 %
 
Net earnings
$
1,399

 
$
398

 
$
1,001

 
n/m

 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
3.66

 
$
3.10

 
$
.56

 
18
 %
 
Diluted EPS
$
3.66

 
$
.97

 
$
2.69

 
n/m

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP: (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating income
$
2,211

 
$
2,145

 
$
66

 
3
 %
 
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations
$
1,414

 
$
1,250

 
$
164


13
 %
 
Adjusted net earnings
$
1,414

 
$
1,318

 
$
96


7
 %
 
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
3.70

 
$
3.05

 
$
.65

 
21
 %
 
Adjusted diluted EPS
$
3.70

 
$
3.21

 
$
.49

 
15
 %
 
n/m - not meaningful
(a) See page 43 for reconciliations of adjusted results to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenues increased 7% reflecting growth across each of the Company’s main revenue streams. Advertising revenues increased 8%, primarily driven by the Company’s acquisition of Network 10 in the fourth quarter of 2017 and higher political advertising sales, partially offset by the absence of the National Semifinals and National Championship games of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship (“NCAA Tournament”), which the CBS Television Network broadcast in the second quarter of 2017 and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (“Turner”) broadcast in 2018. Content licensing and distribution revenues grew 10%, mainly as a result of growth from domestic and international licensing, including the start of the license periods for previously signed renewals of contracts for library programming. Content licensing and distribution revenues and advertising revenues also included higher revenues as a result of the adoption of a new revenue recognition standard in 2018, which resulted in revenues from the distribution of third-party content now being

-38-



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


recognized based on the gross amount of consideration received from the customer, with an offsetting increase to participation expenses (see “Adoption of New Revenue Standard”). Affiliate and subscription fees increased 5%, led by 22% higher station affiliation fees and retransmission revenues, as well as 77% growth from digital initiatives, including the Company’s owned streaming subscription services and virtual MVPDs. These increases were partially offset by Showtime Networks’ distribution of the Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor pay-per-view boxing event in the third quarter of 2017.

Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 decreased 1% from the same prior-year period and included costs for restructuring and other corporate matters that affected the comparability of results. Adjusted operating income increased 3%, reflecting the revenue growth, which was partially offset by an increased investment in content and digital initiatives.

Net earnings from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 increased 10%. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations increased 13%, driven by the higher adjusted operating income and a lower effective income tax rate in 2018. Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $1.40 billion, or $3.66 per diluted share, compared with $398 million, or $.97 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 which included, in discontinued operations, a noncash charge to adjust the carrying value of CBS Radio. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 15% as a result of higher earnings and lower weighted average shares outstanding. Adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted diluted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures. See page 43 for details of the discrete items excluded from financial results, and reconciliations of adjusted results to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.

The Company generated operating cash flow from continuing operations of $1.18 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with $935 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $1.08 billion compared with $823 million for the same prior-year period. These increases primarily reflect lower cash payments for income taxes and growth in affiliate and subscription fees, which were partially offset by an increased investment in content, including a higher number of series produced for distribution on multiple platforms. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow” on pages 60 - 61 for a reconciliation of net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to free cash flow.

Corporate Transitions

As announced on August 1, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has retained two law firms to conduct a full investigation of the allegations in recent press reports about the Company’s former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Leslie Moonves, CBS News and cultural issues at all levels of the Company. This investigation is ongoing. On September 9, 2018, the Company entered into a separation and settlement agreement and releases with Mr. Moonves, pursuant to which Mr. Moonves resigned as a director and as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. On September 9, 2018, effective upon Mr. Moonves’s separation from the Company, the Company appointed its then Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Joseph R. Ianniello, as President and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In October 2018, the Company announced the appointments of David Nevins as Chief Creative Officer, and Christina Spade as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Further, pursuant to a settlement and release agreement regarding the dismissal of all claims in the legal proceedings involving the Company and its controlling stockholder, National Amusements, Inc. (“NAI”), among others (the “Settlement Agreement”), on September 9, 2018, seven members of the Board resigned and the Board appointed six new members to the Board. Subsequently, on September 23, 2018, two directors who had served as members of the Board prior to September 9, 2018

-39-



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


resigned to pursue other interests, and, on October 21, 2018, another director resigned for health related reasons. The outcomes of investigations and any related legal proceedings, which are inherently unpredictable, and any associated costs, and the uncertainties arising from the transitions involving the Company’s senior executives and members of its Board, may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business. See “Legal Matters” for a description of the agreements and investigations and related legal proceedings referred to above.

Share Repurchases, Cash Dividends and Contingent Stock Dividend

During the third quarter of 2018, the Company repurchased 1.8 million shares of its Class B Common Stock under its share repurchase program for $100 million, at an average cost of $55.13 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 9.4 million shares of its Class B Common Stock for $500 million, at an average cost of $52.94 per share, leaving $2.56 billion of authorization at September 30, 2018.

During the third quarter of 2018, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.18 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, resulting in total dividends of $68 million, which were paid on October 1, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company declared total per share cash dividends of $.54 on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, resulting in total dividends of $206 million.

On May 17, 2018, the Board voted 11 to 3 in favor of a pro rata dividend of 0.5687 of a share of the Company’s voting Class A Common Stock for each share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date and conditioned the issuance of such dividend on Delaware court approval (the “May 2018 Stock Dividend”). In connection with the Settlement Agreement, on September 9, 2018, the Board rescinded the May 2018 Stock Dividend. See “Legal Matters” for related information.
Adoption of New Revenue Standard

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification 606 (“ASC 606”) on the recognition of revenues which primarily resulted in two changes to the Company’s revenue recognition policies.
Revenues from Distribution Arrangements
Revenues from the Company’s distribution of third-party content are now recognized based on the gross amount of consideration received from the customer, with an offsetting participation expense recognized for the fees paid to the third party. Under previous accounting guidance, such revenues, which include content licensing and distribution revenues and advertising revenues, were recognized at the net amount retained by the Company after the payment of fees to the third party. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, revenues and operating expenses relating to such distribution arrangements were each $93 million and $217 million higher under ASC 606 than the amounts that would have been reported under previous accounting guidance, with no impact to operating income.
Revenues from the Renewal of Licensing Agreements
Revenues associated with the renewal of an existing license agreement are now recognized at the beginning of the renewal period. Under previous accounting guidance, these revenues were recognized upon the execution of such renewal. Content licensing and distribution revenue comparisons will continue to be impacted by fluctuations resulting from the timing of when Company-owned television series are made available for multiyear licensing agreements. Therefore, this change is not expected to have a

-40-



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


material impact on the trend of the Company’s financial results. Additionally, historically, on an annual basis, revenues from renewals executed each year have approximated revenues associated with renewal periods that began in the same year.
The Company applied the modified retrospective method of adoption and therefore, prior periods continue to be presented under previous accounting guidance. The following tables present the Company’s revenues, operating income, net earnings from continuing operations, and diluted EPS from continuing operations, as well as the corresponding year-over-year comparisons, as if results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were recognized under ASC 606. These amounts are non-GAAP financial measures and are reconciled below to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that presenting its financial results for 2017 under ASC 606 is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view results for 2017 on a basis consistent with the 2018 presentation, and makes it easier to compare the Company’s year-over-year results.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2018 Reported vs.
 
 
2018 Reported
 
Reported
 
ASC 606 Adjustments
 
Under ASC 606
 
2017
Reported
 
2017
Under ASC 606
 
Revenues
 
$
3,263

 
$
3,171

 
 
$
40

 
 
$
3,211

 
 
3
 %
 
 
2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
690

 
$
729

 
 
$
(14
)
 
 
$
715

 
 
(5
)%
 
 
(3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from
continuing operations
 
$
488

 
$
418

 
 
$
(10
)
 
 
$
408

 
 
17
 %
 
 
20
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted EPS from
continuing operations
 
$
1.29

 
$
1.03

 
 
$
(.02
)
 
 
$
1.00

(a) 
 
25
 %
 
 
29
 %
 
(a) Amount does not sum as a result of rounding.
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2018 Reported vs.
 
 
2018 Reported
 
Reported
 
ASC 606 Adjustments
 
Under ASC 606
 
2017
Reported
 
2017
Under ASC 606
 
Revenues
 
$
10,490

 
$
9,771

 
 
$
173

 
 
$
9,944

 
 
7
 %
 
 
5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
2,121

 
$
2,145

 
 
$
(4
)
 
 
$
2,141

 
 
(1
)%
 
 
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings from
continuing operations
 
$
1,399

 
$
1,269

 
 
$
(3
)
 
 
$
1,266

 
 
10
 %
 
 
11
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted EPS from
continuing operations
 
$
3.66

 
$
3.10

 
 
$
(.01
)
 
 
$
3.09

 
 
18
 %
 
 
18
 %
 


-41-



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


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 included discrete items that were not part of the normal course of operations. The following tables present non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude the impact of these discrete items, reconciled to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that presenting its financial results adjusted for the impact of 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.
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Reported
 
Corporate Matters (a)
 
Tax Item (b)
 
Adjusted
 
Operating income
$
690

 
 
$
46

 
 

 
$
736

 
Interest expense
(115
)
 
 

 
 

 
(115
)
 
Interest income
12

 
 

 
 

 
12

 
Other items, net
(17
)
 
 

 
 

 
(17
)
 
Earnings before income taxes
570

 
 
46

 
 

 
616

 
Provision for income taxes
(64
)
 
 
(11
)
 
 
(54
)
 
(129
)
 
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax
(18
)
 
 

 
 

 
(18
)
 
Net earnings
$
488

 
 
$
35

 
 
$
(54
)
 
$
469

 
Diluted EPS
$
1.29

 
 
$
.09

 
 
$
(.14
)
 
$
1.24

 
(a) Primarily reflects professional fees of $45 million ($34 million, net of tax) related to legal proceedings and the ongoing investigations at the Company. This amount also includes a contribution of $20 million ($15 million, net of tax) to organizations dedicated to fostering safe and equitable work environments, offset by a reversal of incentive compensation relating to prior periods of $19 million ($14 million, net of tax) as a result of changes in senior management (See “Legal Matters”).
(b) Reflects a net tax benefit associated with changes in tax law (See “Provision for Income Taxes”).
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Reported
 
Extinguishment of Debt
 
Discontinued Operations Items (a)
 
Adjusted
 
Operating income
$
729

 
 
$

 
 
 
$

 
 
$
729

 
Interest expense
(116
)
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
(116
)
 
Interest income
17

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
17

 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(5
)
 
 
5

 
 
 

 
 

 
Other items, net
(19
)
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
(19
)
 
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
606

 
 
5

 
 
 

 
 
611

 
Provision for income taxes
(172
)
 
 
(2
)
 
 
 

 
 
(174
)
 
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax
(16
)
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
(16
)
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
418

 
 
3

 
 
 

 
 
421

 
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
174

 
 

 
 
 
(145
)
 
 
29

 
Net earnings
$
592

 
 
$
3

 
 
 
$
(145
)
 
 
$
450

 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
1.03

 
 
$
.01

 
 
 
$

 
 
$
1.04

 
Diluted EPS
$
1.46

 
 
$
.01

 
 
 
$
(.36
)
 
 
$
1.11

 
(a) Reflects a noncash gain of $100 million to adjust the carrying value of CBS Radio to the value indicated by the stock valuation of Entercom Communications Corp. (“Entercom”) and a tax benefit of $45 million from the resolution of a tax matter in a foreign jurisdiction relating to a previously disposed business.

-42-



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


 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Reported
 
Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters (a)
 
Tax Item (b)
 
Adjusted
 
Operating income
$
2,121

 
 
$
90

 
 

 
$
2,211

 
Interest expense
(349
)
 
 

 
 

 
(349
)
 
Interest income
43

 
 

 
 

 
43

 
Other items, net
(52
)
 
 

 
 

 
(52
)
 
Earnings before income taxes
1,763

 
 
90

 
 

 
1,853

 
Provision for income taxes
(312
)
 
 
(21
)
 
 
(54
)
 
(387
)
 
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax
(52
)
 
 

 
 

 
(52
)
 
Net earnings
$
1,399

 
 
$
69

 
 
$
(54
)
 
$
1,414

 
Diluted EPS
$
3.66

 
 
$
.18

 
 
$
(.14
)
 
$
3.70

 
(a) Primarily reflects restructuring charges of $25 million ($19 million, net of tax) and professional fees of $64 million ($49 million, net of tax) related to legal proceedings, the ongoing investigations at the Company and the evaluation of a potential combination with Viacom Inc. This amount also includes a contribution of $20 million ($15 million, net of tax) to organizations dedicated to fostering safe and equitable work environments, offset by a reversal of incentive compensation relating to prior periods of $19 million ($14 million, net of tax) as a result of changes in senior management (See “Legal Matters”).
(b) Reflects a net tax benefit associated with changes in tax law (See “Provision for Income Taxes”).
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
Reported
 
Extinguishment of Debt
Tax Items (a)
 
Discontinued Operations Items (b)
 
Adjusted
 
Operating income
$
2,145

 
 
$

 
 
$

 
 
 
$

 
 
$
2,145

 
Interest expense
(336
)
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
(336
)
 
Interest income
45

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
45

 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(5
)
 
 
5

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
Other items, net
(56
)
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
(56
)
 
Earnings from continuing operations
before income taxes
1,793

 
 
5

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
1,798

 
Provision for income taxes
(479
)
 
 
(2
)
 
 
(22
)
 
 
 

 
 
(503
)
 
Equity in loss of investee companies,
net of tax
(45
)
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
(45
)
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
1,269

 
 
3

 
 
(22
)
 
 
 

 
 
1,250

 
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of tax
(871
)
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
939

 
 
68

 
Net earnings
$
398

 
 
$
3

 
 
$
(22
)
 
 
 
$
939

 
 
$
1,318

 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
3.10

 
 
$
.01

 
 
$
(.05
)
 
 
 
$

 
 
$
3.05

 
Diluted EPS
$
.97

 
 
$
.01

 
 
$
(.05
)
 
 
 
$
2.29

 
 
$
3.21

 
(a) Reflects a tax benefit in the first quarter of 2017 from the resolution of certain state income tax matters.
(b) Reflects a noncash charge of $980 million to adjust the carrying value of CBS Radio to the value indicated by the stock valuation of Entercom; a restructuring charge of $7 million ($4 million, net of tax) at CBS Radio; and a tax benefit of $45 million from the resolution of a tax matter in a foreign jurisdiction relating to a previously disposed business.

-43-



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


Consolidated Results of Operations

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 versus Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Revenues
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
 
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Revenues by Type
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
$
 
%
 
Advertising
$
1,263

 
39
%
 
$
1,106

 
35
%
 
$
157

 
14
 %
 
Content licensing and distribution
933

 
28

 
860

 
27

 
73

 
8

 
Affiliate and subscription fees
1,008

 
31

 
1,145

 
36

 
(137
)
 
(12
)
 
Other
59

 
2

 
60

 
2

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
Total Revenues
$
3,263

 
100
%
 
$
3,171

 
100
%
 
$
92

 
3
 %
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
 
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Revenues by Type
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
$
 
%
 
Advertising
$
4,323

 
41
%
 
$
4,008

 
41
%
 
$
315

 
8
%
 
Content licensing and distribution
3,024

 
29

 
2,761

 
28

 
263

 
10

 
Affiliate and subscription fees
2,976

 
28

 
2,835

 
29

 
141

 
5

 
Other
167

 
2

 
167

 
2

 

 

 
Total Revenues
$
10,490

 
100
%
 
$
9,771

 
100
%
 
$
719

 
7
%
 
Advertising
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, advertising revenues increased 14% and 8%, respectively, driven by the Company’s acquisition of Network 10 in the fourth quarter of 2017 and higher political advertising sales associated with the U.S. midterm elections. Advertising revenues for 2018 also benefited from higher revenues from the distribution of third-party content, resulting from such revenues now being recognized at the gross amount of consideration received from the customer, with an offsetting increase to operating expenses, as a result of the adoption of a new revenue recognition standard (see “Adoption of New Revenue Standard”). Under previous guidance such distribution revenues were recognized at the net amount retained by the Company after the payment of fees to the third party. For the nine-month period, these increases were partially offset by the absence of the National Semifinals and National Championship games of the NCAA Tournament, which the CBS Television Network broadcast in the second quarter of 2017 and Turner broadcast in 2018. The National Semifinals and National Championship games of the NCAA Tournament are broadcast by the CBS Television Network every other year through 2032 under the current agreements with the NCAA and Turner. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 underlying CBS Television Network advertising was comparable with the same prior-year periods.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, advertising revenues are expected to continue to benefit from the acquisition of Network 10 and political advertising spending associated with the U.S. midterm elections. Additionally, the CBS Television Network’s upfront advertising sales for the 2018/2019 television broadcast season, which runs from the middle of September 2018 through the middle of September 2019, resulted in pricing and volume increases compared with the prior broadcast season, which are expected to benefit the Company’s advertising revenues during the 2018/2019 broadcast season. However, overall advertising revenues for the Company will be dependent on ratings for its programming and market conditions, including demand in the scatter advertising market, which is when advertisers purchase the remaining advertising spots closer to the broadcast of the related programming.

-44-



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


During the first nine months of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, the Company has experienced lower ratings, which was offset by higher pricing. Additionally, the comparison in the fourth quarter of 2018 will be impacted by the absence of CBS’s broadcast of four Thursday Night Football games in 2017. However, this will result in an improvement in the Company’s operating income margin.

Content Licensing and Distribution
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, content licensing and distribution revenues increased 8% and 10%, respectively, benefiting from higher revenues from the distribution of third-party content, resulting from such revenues now being recognized at the gross amount of consideration received from the customer, with an offsetting increase to participation expense, as a result of the adoption of a new revenue recognition standard (see “Adoption of New Revenue Standard”). Under previous guidance such distribution revenues were recognized at the net amount retained by the Company after the payment of fees to the third party. The increase for the three-month period also reflects higher domestic licensing and for the nine-month period reflects higher domestic and international licensing.

For the remainder of 2018, the content licensing and distribution revenues comparison will continue to be impacted by fluctuations resulting from the timing of when Company-owned television series are made available for multiyear licensing agreements, and the new revenue recognition standard.
Affiliate and Subscription Fees
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, affiliate and subscription fees decreased 12%, reflecting Showtime Networks’ distribution of the Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor pay-per-view boxing event in the third quarter of 2017, which impacted the third quarter comparison by 27 percentage points. Underlying results reflect 79% growth from digital initiatives, including the Company’s owned streaming subscription services, CBS All Access and the Showtime digital streaming subscription offering, and virtual MVPDs, as well as 15% higher station affiliation fees and retransmission revenues.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, affiliate and subscription fees increased 5%, reflecting 22% higher station affiliation fees and retransmission revenues and 77% growth from digital initiatives, including CBS All Access, the Showtime digital streaming subscription offering, and virtual MVPDs. These increases were partially offset by the above-mentioned pay-per-view boxing event, which impacted the nine-month comparison by 11 percentage points.

Over the next few years, the Company expects to benefit from the renewal of several of its agreements with station affiliates and MVPDs, including virtual MVPDs. In addition, the Company’s existing agreements with station affiliates and MVPDs include annual contractual increases. Together, these factors are expected to result in continued growth in affiliate and subscription fees over the next several years.

International Revenues
The Company generated approximately 16% and 12% of its total revenues from international regions for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and generated 18% and 14% of its total revenues from international regions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increases in international revenues were primarily driven by the Company’s acquisition of Network 10 in the fourth quarter of 2017.

-45-



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


Operating Expenses
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
% of Operating Expenses
 
 
 
% of Operating Expenses
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Operating Expenses by Type
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
$
 
%
 
Programming
$
523

 
27
%
 
$
749

 
40
%
 
$
(226
)
 
(30
)%
 
Production
700

 
37

 
572

 
31

 
128

 
22

 
Participation, distribution and royalty
331

 
17

 
199

 
11

 
132

 
66

 
Other
368

 
19

 
342

 
18

 
26

 
8

 
Total Operating Expenses
$
1,922

 
100
%
 
$
1,862

 
100
%
 
$
60

 
3
 %
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
% of Operating Expenses
 
 
 
% of Operating Expenses
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Operating Expenses by Type
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
$
 
%
 
Programming
$
2,070

 
32
%
 
$
2,258

 
38
%
 
$
(188
)
 
(8
)%
 
Production
2,361

 
36

 
1,955

 
33

 
406

 
21

 
Participation, distribution and royalty
984

 
15

 
725

 
12

 
259

 
36

 
Other
1,091

 
17

 
1,002

 
17

 
89

 
9

 
Total Operating Expenses
$
6,506

 
100
%
 
$
5,940

 
100
%
 
$
566

 
10
 %
 
Programming
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the decreases in programming expenses of 30% and 8%, respectively, were primarily driven by costs associated with Showtime Networks’ distribution of the Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor pay-per-view boxing event in the third quarter of 2017, partially offset by costs for programming on Network 10, which was acquired in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Production
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the increases in production expenses of 22% and 21%, respectively, were primarily driven by an increased investment in content, including a higher number of series produced for distribution on multiple platforms, and the acquisition of Network 10 in the fourth quarter of 2017. The increase for the nine-month period also included costs associated with the increase in television licensing revenues.

Participation, Distribution and Royalty
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the increases in participation, distribution and royalty costs of 66% and 36%, respectively, were primarily driven by the adoption of new revenue recognition guidance, which resulted in revenues from the Company’s distribution of third-party content now being recognized based on the gross amount of consideration received from the customer, with an offsetting participation expense recognized for the fees paid to the third party. Under previous accounting guidance, such revenues were recognized at the net amount retained by the Company after the payment of fees to the third party. This change resulted in an increase to both revenues and participation expenses of $93 million and $217 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, with no impact on the Company’s operating income. The increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 also reflected higher participations and residuals associated with the increase in television licensing revenues.

-46-



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


Other
Other operating expenses primarily include compensation and costs associated with book sales, including printing and warehousing. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the increases in other expenses of 8% and 9%, respectively, primarily reflected expenses of Network 10, which was acquired in the fourth quarter of 2017, and higher costs associated with the Company’s digital initiatives.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
% of Revenues
 
2017
 
% of Revenues
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
549

 
 
17
%
 
 
$
525

 
 
17
%
 
 
 
5
%
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
% of Revenues
 
2017
 
% of Revenues
 
Increase/(Decrease)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
1,605

 
 
15
%
 
 
$
1,520

 
 
16
%
 
 
 
6
%
 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include expenses incurred for selling and marketing costs, occupancy and back office support. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the increases in SG&A expenses of 5% and 6%, respectively, were primarily driven by the Company’s acquisition of Network 10 in the fourth quarter of 2017 and higher advertising and marketing costs for series premieres.
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2018

2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
2018

2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
56

 
$
55

 
 
2
%
 
 
$
168

 
$
166

 
 
1
%
 
 

Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters
During the second quarter of 2018, 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 $25 million, reflecting $17 million of severance costs and $8 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 $25 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $63 million, reflecting $54 million of severance costs and $9 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $30 million, reflecting $19 million of severance costs and $11 million of costs associated with exiting contractual obligations and other related costs.
As of September 30, 2018, the cumulative settlements for the 2018, 2017 and 2016 restructuring charges were $67 million, of which $56 million was for severance costs and $11 million was for costs associated with contractual obligations and other related costs. The Company expects to substantially utilize its restructuring reserves by the end of 2019.

-47-



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


 
Balance at
 
2018
 
2018
 
Balance at
 
December 31, 2017
 
Charges
 
Settlements
 
September 30, 2018
Entertainment
 
$
45

 
 
 
$
6

 
 
 
$
(26
)
 
 
 
$
25

 
Cable Networks
 
1

 
 
 

 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 

 
Publishing
 
3

 
 
 
1

 
 
 
(2
)
 
 
 
2

 
Local Media
 
14

 
 
 
11

 
 
 
(7
)
 
 
 
18

 
Corporate
 
3

 
 
 
7

 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
6

 
Total
 
$
66

 
 
 
$
25

 
 
 
$
(40
)
 
 
 
$
51

 
 
Balance at
 
2017
 
2017
 
Balance at
 
December 31, 2016
 
Charges
 
Settlements
 
December 31, 2017
Entertainment
 
$
17

 
 
 
$
44

 
 
 
$
(16
)
 
 
 
$
45

 
Cable Networks
 
4

 
 
 

 
 
 
(3
)
 
 
 
1

 
Publishing
 
1

 
 
 
5

 
 
 
(3
)
 
 
 
3

 
Local Media
 
6

 
 
 
12

 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
14

 
Corporate
 
2

 
 
 
2

 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
3

 
Total
 
$
30

 
 
 
$
63

 
 
 
$
(27
)
 
 
 
$
66

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded expenses of $46 million and $65 million, respectively, primarily for professional fees related to legal proceedings and the ongoing investigations at the Company. (See “Legal Matters”). The nine-month period also included professional fees related to the evaluation of a potential combination with Viacom Inc.
Interest Expense/Income
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2018

2017

Increase/(Decrease)
 
2018

2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Interest expense
$
(115
)
 
$
(116
)
 
 
(1
)%
 
 
$
(349
)
 
$
(336
)
 
 
4
 %
 
 
Interest income
$
12

 
$
17

 
 
(29
)%
 
 
$
43

 
$
45

 
 
(4
)%
 
 
The following table presents the Company’s outstanding debt balances, excluding capital leases, and the weighted average interest rate as of September 30, 2018 and 2017:
 
At September 30,
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
2018
 
Interest Rate
 
2017
 
Interest Rate
 
Senior debt
$
9,433

 
 
4.26
%
 
 
$
9,039

 
 
4.43
%
 
 
Commercial paper
$
374

 
 
2.41
%
 
 
$
590

 
 
1.44
%
 
 

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the loss on early extinguishment of debt of $5 million
reflected a pre-tax loss associated with the redemption of the Company’s $300 million outstanding 4.625% senior notes due May 2018.

-48-



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


Other Items, Net
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018

2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Pension and postretirement benefit costs
$
(16
)
 
$
(22
)
 
$
(47
)
 
$
(65
)
 
Foreign exchange gains (losses)
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
5

 
Gain (loss) from investments

 
4

 
(3
)
 
4

 
Other items, net
$
(17
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(52
)
 
$
(56
)
 

Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance, the Company presents pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than service cost, within “Other items, net” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. All prior periods have been reclassified to conform to this presentation. (See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.)

Provision for Income Taxes
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.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Provision for income taxes, including
interest and before other discrete items (a)
$
120

 
$
187

 
(36
)%
 
$
370

 
$
548

 
(32
)%
 
Impact of tax law changes (b)
(54
)
 

 
 
 
(54
)
 

 
 
 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation (c)

 
(10
)
 


 

 
(41
)
 


 
Other discrete items (d)
(2
)
 
(5
)
 


 
(4
)
 
(28
)
 


 
Provision for income taxes
$
64

 
$
172

 
(63
)%
 
$
312

 
$
479

 
(35
)%
 
Effective income tax rate
11.2
%
 
28.4
%
 
 
 
17.7
%
 
26.7
%
 
 
 
(a) The lower tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily reflects a reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% as a result of the enactment of new federal tax legislation in December 2017 (the “Tax Reform Act”).
(b) During the third quarter of 2018, in connection with the preparation of its 2017 federal tax return, the Company elected to utilize a federal tax law provision that was retroactively renewed in 2018. This tax law provision allowed the Company to immediately expense certain qualified production costs on its 2017 tax return. As a result, during the third quarter of 2018, the Company established a deferred tax liability associated with this deduction at the 2017 federal tax rate of 35%, and concurrently recorded a net tax benefit of $69 million, primarily reflecting the re-measurement of this deferred tax liability at the reduced federal corporate tax rate of 21% under the Tax Reform Act. This benefit was partially offset by a charge of $15 million to adjust the provisional amount of transition tax on cumulative foreign earnings and profits that resulted from the enactment of the Tax Reform Act. (See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.)
(c) Reflects the difference between the tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense and the deduction on the tax return associated with the exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs. This difference occurs because stock-based compensation expense is recorded based on the grant-date fair value of the award, whereas the tax deduction is based on the fair value on the date the stock option is exercised or the RSU vests.
(d) For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily reflects tax benefits from the resolution of certain state income tax matters.


-49-



Management’s 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
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2018

2017

Increase/(Decrease)
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Equity in loss of investee companies,
net of tax
$
(18
)
 
$
(16
)
 
 
13
%
 
 
$
(52
)
 
$
(45
)
 
 
16
%
 
 

Net Earnings from Continuing Operations and Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Net earnings from continuing operations
$
488

 
$
418

 
 
17
%
 
 
$
1,399

 
$
1,269

 
 
10
%
 
 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
1.29

 
$
1.03

 
 
25
%
 
 
$
3.66

 
$
3.10

 
 
18
%
 
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, net earnings from continuing operations increased 17% and 10%, respectively, driven by the lower effective income tax rate in 2018. Diluted EPS from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 increased 25% and 18%, respectively, reflecting higher earnings and lower weighted average shares outstanding.

Net Earnings (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
The Company reported net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $174 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and a net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $871 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The Company recorded a noncash gain of $100 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and a noncash charge of $980 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, to adjust the carrying value of CBS Radio to the value indicated by the stock valuation of Entercom. (See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.)

Net Earnings and Diluted EPS
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2018

2017

Increase/(Decrease)
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Net earnings
$
488

 
$
592

 
 
(18
)%
 
 
$
1,399

 
$
398

 
 
n/m
 
 
Diluted EPS
$
1.29

 
$
1.46

 
 
(12
)%
 
 
$
3.66

 
$
.97

 
 
n/m
 
 
n/m - not meaningful

-50-



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


Segment Results of Operations
The Company presents operating income (loss) excluding costs for restructuring and other corporate matters, where applicable, (“Segment Operating Income”) as the primary measure of profit and loss for its operating segments in accordance with FASB guidance for segment reporting. 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 (loss) is presented in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
2018

2017
$
 
%
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
2,151

 
66
 %
 
 
$
1,815

 
57
 %
 
$
336

 
19
 %
 
Cable Networks
569

 
18

 
 
840

 
26

 
(271
)
 
(32
)
 
Publishing
240

 
7

 
 
228

 
7

 
12

 
5

 
Local Media
434

 
13

 
 
397

 
13

 
37

 
9

 
Corporate/Eliminations
(131
)
 
(4
)
 
 
(109
)
 
(3
)
 
(22
)
 
(20
)
 
Total Revenues
$
3,263

 
100
 %
 
 
$
3,171

 
100
 %
 
$
92

 
3
 %
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
% of Total
Segment
Operating
Income
 
 
% of Total
Segment
Operating
Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
2018
 
2017
$
 
%
 
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
377

 
51
 %
 
 
$
350

 
48
 %
 
$
27

 
8
 %
 
Cable Networks
248

 
34

 
 
296

 
41

 
(48
)
 
(16
)
 
Publishing
51

 
7

 
 
47

 
6

 
4

 
9

 
Local Media
124

 
17

 
 
106

 
15

 
18

 
17

 
Corporate
(64
)
 
(9
)
 
 
(70
)
 
(10
)
 
6

 
9

 
Total Segment Operating Income
736

 
100
 %
 
 
729

 
100
 %
 
7

 
1

 
Corporate matters
(46
)
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
(46
)
 
n/m

 
Total Operating Income
$
690

 


 
 
$
729

 


 
$
(39
)
 
(5
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
$
 
%
 
Depreciation and Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
31

 
$
29

 
$
2

 
7
 %
 
Cable Networks
5

 
5

 

 

 
Publishing
1

 
2

 
(1
)
 
(50
)
 
Local Media
11

 
11

 

 

 
Corporate
8

 
8

 

 

 
Total Depreciation and Amortization
$
56

 
$
55

 
$
1

 
2
 %
 


-51-



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


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
 
 
% of Total
Revenues
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
2018
 
2017
$
 
%
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
7,232

 
69
 %
 
 
$
6,346

 
65
 %
 
$
886

 
14
 %
 
Cable Networks
1,769

 
17

 
 
1,954

 
20

 
(185
)
 
(9
)
 
Publishing
607

 
6

 
 
595

 
6

 
12

 
2

 
Local Media
1,269

 
12

 
 
1,218

 
13

 
51

 
4

 
Corporate/Eliminations
(387
)
 
(4
)
 
 
(342
)
 
(4
)
 
(45
)
 
(13
)
 
Total Revenues
$
10,490

 
100
 %
 
 
$
9,771

 
100
 %
 
$
719

 
7
 %
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
% of Total
Segment
Operating
Income
 
 
% of Total
Segment
Operating
Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
2018
 
2017
$
 
%
 
Segment Operating Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
1,225

 
55
 %
 
 
$
1,104

 
52
 %
 
$
121

 
11
 %
 
Cable Networks
734

 
33

 
 
801

 
37

 
(67
)
 
(8
)
 
Publishing
98

 
5

 
 
91

 
4

 
7

 
8

 
Local Media
370

 
17

 
 
358

 
17

 
12

 
3

 
Corporate
(216
)
 
(10
)
 
 
(209
)
 
(10
)
 
(7
)
 
(3
)
 
Total Segment Operating Income
2,211

 
100
 %
 
 
2,145

 
100
 %
 
66

 
3

 
Restructuring and other corporate matters
(90
)
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
(90
)
 
n/m

 
Total Operating Income
$
2,121

 
 
 
 
$
2,145

 
 
 
$
(24
)
 
(1
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
$
 
%
 
Depreciation and Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Entertainment
$
92

 
$
85

 
$
7

 
8
 %
 
Cable Networks
16

 
17

 
(1
)
 
(6
)
 
Publishing
4

 
5

 
(1
)
 
(20
)
 
Local Media
33

 
34

 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
Corporate
23

 
25

 
(2
)
 
(8
)
 
Total Depreciation and Amortization
$
168

 
$
166

 
$
2

 
1
 %
 

-52-



Management’s 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 Studios International, CBS Television Distribution, Network 10, CBS Interactive and CBS Films)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Entertainment
2018

2017
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
2,151

 
$
1,815

 
$
336

 
19
 %
 
Segment Operating Income
$
377

 
$
350

 
$
27

 
8
 %
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
18
%
 
19
%
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
31

 
$
29

 
$
2

 
7
 %
 
Capital expenditures
$
19

 
$
25

 
$
(6
)
 
(24
)%
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the 19% increase in revenues reflects growth across each of the main revenue streams. Advertising revenues grew 16%, reflecting the acquisition of Network 10 in the fourth quarter of 2017. Network advertising for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was comparable with the same prior-year period. Affiliate and subscription fee revenues grew 32%, driven by higher station affiliation fees and revenues from digital initiatives, including CBS All Access and virtual MVPDs. Content licensing and distribution revenues increased 16%, benefiting from higher revenues from international licensing, as well as additional series produced for third-parties. Entertainment revenues also included higher revenues from distribution arrangements, with an offsetting increase to operating expenses, as a result of the adoption of a new revenue recognition standard in the first quarter of 2018. (See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.)
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, operating income increased 8%, driven by the higher revenues, partially offset by an increased investment in content and digital initiatives.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Entertainment
2018
 
2017
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
7,232

 
$
6,346

 
$
886

 
14
 %
 
Segment Operating Income
$
1,225

 
$
1,104

 
$
121

 
11
 %
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
17
%
 
17
%
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
$
6

 
$

 
$
6

 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
92

 
$
85

 
$
7

 
8
 %
 
Capital expenditures
$
56

 
$
63

 
$
(7
)
 
(11
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the 14% increase in revenues mainly reflected 36% growth in affiliate and subscription fee revenues, primarily as a result of higher station affiliation fees and growth from digital initiatives including CBS All Access and virtual MVPDs. Also contributing to the revenue increase was 10% growth in advertising revenues, driven by the acquisition of Network 10 in the fourth quarter of 2017, partially offset by the absence of the National Semifinals and National Championship games of the NCAA Tournament, which the CBS Television Network broadcast in the second quarter of 2017 and Turner broadcast in 2018. Underlying Network advertising was comparable with the same prior-year period. Content licensing and distribution revenues increased 11%, driven by growth from international licensing, as well as additional series produced for third parties, partially offset by lower domestic licensing. Entertainment revenues also included higher revenues from distribution arrangements, with an offsetting increase to operating expenses, as a result of the

-53-



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


adoption of a new revenue recognition standard in the first quarter of 2018. (See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, operating income increased 11% as a result of higher revenues, partially offset by an increased investment in content and digital initiatives. Restructuring charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily reflected severance costs and costs associated with exiting contractual obligations.
Cable Networks (Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network and Smithsonian Networks)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Cable Networks
2018

2017
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
569

 
$
840

 
$
(271
)
 
(32
)%
 
Segment Operating Income
$
248

 
$
296

 
$
(48
)
 
(16
)%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
44
%
 
35
%
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
5

 
$
5

 
$

 
 %
 
Capital expenditures
$
5

 
$
5

 
$

 
 %
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the 32% decrease in revenues was driven by Showtime Networks’ distribution of the Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor pay-per-view boxing event in the third quarter of 2017 and the timing of international licensing of Showtime original series, partially offset by growth from the Showtime digital streaming subscription offering. As of September 30, 2018, subscriptions totaled approximately 26 million for Showtime, the Company’s premium television network, and the Showtime digital streaming subscription offering combined, 50 million for CBS Sports Network and 31 million for Smithsonian Networks.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, operating income decreased 16% as a result of an increased investment in programming and higher advertising costs, including from the original series premieres of Who Is America? and Kidding on Showtime during the third quarter of 2018.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Cable Networks
2018
 
2017
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
1,769

 
$
1,954

 
$
(185
)
 
(9
)%
 
Segment Operating Income
$
734

 
$
801

 
$
(67
)
 
(8
)%
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
41
%
 
41
%
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
16

 
$
17

 
$
(1
)
 
(6
)%
 
Capital expenditures
$
12

 
$
12

 
$

 
 %
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the 9% decrease in revenues was driven by Showtime Networks’ distribution of the Floyd Mayweather/Conor McGregor pay-per-view boxing event in the third quarter of 2017, partially offset by higher licensing sales of Showtime original series and growth from the Showtime digital streaming subscription offering.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the 8% decrease in operating income was driven by an increased investment in programming, partially offset by growth from the Showtime digital streaming subscription offering.

-54-



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


Publishing (Simon & Schuster)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Publishing
2018

2017
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
240

 
$
228

 
$
12

 
5
 %
 
Segment Operating Income
$
51

 
$
47

 
$
4

 
9
 %
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
21
%
 
21
%
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
(1
)
 
(50
)%
 
Capital expenditures
$
2

 
$
1

 
$
1

 
100
 %
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the 5% increase in revenues reflects higher print book sales and digital audio sales. Bestselling titles in the third quarter of 2018 included Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward and Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon.
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the 9% increase in operating income primarily reflects the higher revenues.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Publishing
2018
 
2017
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
607

 
$
595

 
$
12

 
2
 %
 
Segment Operating Income
$
98

 
$
91

 
$
7

 
8
 %
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
16
%
 
15
%
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
4

 
$
5

 
$
(1
)
 
(20
)%
 
Capital expenditures
$
4

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
100
 %
 
n/m - not meaningful
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the 2% increase in revenues primarily reflected higher digital audio sales.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the 8% increase in operating income reflects the higher revenues.

-55-



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


Local Media (CBS Television Stations and CBS Local Digital Media)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Local Media
2018
 
2017
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
434

 
$
397

 
$
37

 
9
 %
 
Segment Operating Income
$
124

 
$
106

 
$
18

 
17
 %
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
29
%
 
27
%
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
11

 
$
11

 
$

 
 %
 
Capital expenditures
$
6

 
$
8

 
$
(2
)
 
(25
)%
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the 9% increase in revenues reflects 13% growth in retransmission revenues and higher advertising revenues, driven by political advertising sales associated with the U.S. midterm elections.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the 17% increase in operating income reflects the higher revenues.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, advertising revenues are expected to continue to benefit from increased political advertising sales associated with the U.S. midterm elections.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Local Media
2018
 
2017
 
$
 
%
 
Revenues
$
1,269

 
$
1,218

 
$
51

 
4
 %
 
Segment Operating Income
$
370

 
$
358

 
$
12

 
3
 %
 
Segment Operating Income as a % of revenues
29
%
 
29
%
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
$
11

 
$

 
$
11

 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
33

 
$
34

 
$
(1
)
 
(3
)%
 
Capital expenditures
$
15

 
$
20

 
$
(5
)
 
(25
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the 4% increase in revenues reflected 14% growth in retransmission revenues, partially offset by lower advertising sales primarily driven by the absence of the National Semifinals and National Championship games of the NCAA Tournament.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the 3% increase in operating income primarily reflects the higher revenues. Restructuring charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily reflected severance costs and costs associated with exiting contractual obligations.

-56-



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


Corporate
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Corporate
2018

2017
 
$
 
%
 
Segment Operating Loss
$
(64
)
 
$
(70
)
 
$
6

 
9
%
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
8

 
$
8

 
$

 
%
 
Capital expenditures
$
5

 
$
5

 
$

 
%
 
Corporate expenses include general corporate overhead, unallocated shared company expenses, and intercompany eliminations. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, corporate expenses decreased 9%, primarily reflecting lower compensation costs resulting from changes in senior management.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Corporate
2018
 
2017
 
$
 
%
 
Segment Operating Loss
$
(216
)
 
$
(209
)
 
$
(7
)
 
(3
)%
 
Restructuring charges
$
7

 
$

 
$
7

 
n/m

 
Depreciation and amortization
$
23

 
$
25

 
$
(2
)
 
(8
)%
 
Capital expenditures
$
12

 
$
15

 
$
(3
)
 
(20
)%
 
n/m - not meaningful
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, corporate expenses increased 3%. Restructuring charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily reflected severance and other related costs.
Financial Position
The balance sheet at September 30, 2018 is presented under ASC 606 while December 31, 2017 is presented under previous accounting guidance. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for the amount by which each balance sheet line item at September 30, 2018 was impacted by the adoption of ASC 606.
 
At
 
At
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30, 2018

December 31, 2017
 
$
 
%
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
182

 
 
 
$
285

 
 
$
(103
)
 
(36
)%
 
Receivables, net
 
3,697

 
 
 
3,697

 
 

 

 
Programming and other inventory
 
1,828

 
 
 
1,828

 
 

 

 
Prepaid income taxes (a)
 

 
 
 
78

 
 
(78
)
 
(100
)
 
All other current assets (b)
 
333

 
 
 
385

 
 
(52
)
 
(14
)
 
Total current assets
 
$
6,040

 
 
 
$
6,273

 
 
$
(233
)
 
(4
)%
 
(a) The decrease reflects the timing of income tax payments.
(b) The decrease is primarily due to the timing of deposits for acquired programming.

-57-



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


 
At
 
At
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
$
 
%
 
Programming and other inventory (a)
 
$
3,868

 
 
 
$
2,881

 
 
$
987

 
34
%
 
(a) The increase primarily reflects higher investment in programming, as well as the seasonality of the Company’s programming.
 
At
 
At
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
$
 
%
 
Other assets (a)
 
$
2,367

 
 
 
$
2,852

 
 
$
(485
)
 
(17
)%
 
(a) The decrease primarily reflects lower noncurrent receivables as a result of the adoption of ASC 606.
 
At
 
At
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
$
 
%
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
229

 
 
 
$
231

 
 
$
(2
)
 
(1
)%
 
Accrued compensation (a)
 
256

 
 
 
343

 
 
(87
)
 
(25
)
 
Participants’ share and royalties
payable (a)
 
1,110

 
 
 
986

 
 
124

 
13

 
Program rights
 
406

 
 
 
373

 
 
33

 
9

 
Income taxes payable (b)
 
68

 
 
 

 
 
68

 
n/m

 
Commercial paper
 
374

 
 
 
679

 
 
(305
)
 
(45
)
 
All other current liabilities (c)
 
1,550

 
 
 
1,360

 
 
190

 
14

 
Total current liabilities
 
$
3,993

 
 
 
$
3,972

 
 
$
21

 
1
 %
 
n/m - not meaningful
(a) The increase (decrease) primarily reflects the timing of payments.
(b) The increase reflects the timing of income tax payments.
(c) The increase primarily reflects the reclassification of the sales returns reserve to “Other current liabilities” as a result of the adoption of ASC 606.
 
At
 
At
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
$
 
%
 
Pension and postretirement benefit
obligations (a)
 
$
1,226

 
 
 
$
1,328

 
 
$
(102
)
 
(8
)%
 
(a) The decrease primarily reflects contributions to the Company’s non-qualified pension and other postretirement benefit plans to satisfy benefit payments due under these plans.
 
At
 
At
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
$
 
%
 
Other liabilities (a)
 
$
3,307

 
 
 
$
3,621

 
 
$
(314
)
 
(9
)%
 
(a) The decrease primarily reflects lower participation and residual liabilities as a result of the adoption of ASC 606, and the timing of payments.

-58-



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


Cash Flows
The changes in cash and cash equivalents were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase/(Decrease)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
1,179

 
$
935

 
 
$
244

 
Discontinued operations
1

 
52

 
 
(51
)
 
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
1,180

 
987

 
 
193

 
Net cash flow used for investing activities from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
(196
)
 
(399
)
 
 
203

 
Discontinued operations
(23
)
 
(18
)
 
 
(5
)
 
Net cash flow used for investing activities
(219
)
 
(417
)
 
 
198

 
Net cash flow used for financing activities
(1,064
)
 
(1,018
)
 
 
(46
)
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
$
(103
)
 
$
(448
)
 
 
$
345

 
Operating Activities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the increase in cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was primarily driven by lower cash payments for income taxes and growth in affiliate and subscription fees, which were partially offset by an increased investment in content, including a higher number of series produced for distribution on multiple platforms. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company received net income tax refunds of $19 million compared to net income tax payments of $321 million for the same prior-year period. The 2018 net refund was primarily due to a federal tax overpayment carryforward from 2017 and the receipt of refundable state film production tax credits.

Investing Activities
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018

2017
Investments in and advances to investee companies (a)
 
$
(76
)
 
 
 
$
(67
)
 
Capital expenditures
 
(99
)
 
 
 
(112
)
 
Acquisitions (including acquired television library) (b)
 
(29
)
 
 
 
(258
)
 
Other investing activities
 
8

 
 
 
38

 
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations
 
(196
)
 
 
 
(399
)
 
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations
 
(23
)
 
 
 
(18
)
 
Net cash flow used for investing activities
 
$
(219
)
 
 
 
$
(417
)
 
(a) Mainly includes the Company’s investment in The CW as well as its other domestic and international television joint ventures.
(b) 2017 includes a payment of $138 million for the acquisition of Network 10, which closed in the fourth quarter of 2017, as well as the acquisition of a television programming library.

-59-



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


Financing Activities
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term debt borrowings, net
 
$
(305
)
 
 
 
$
140

 
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes
 

 
 
 
889

 
Repayment of senior notes
 

 
 
 
(701
)
 
Repurchase of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock
 
(497
)
 
 
 
(1,111
)
 
Dividends
 
(208
)
 
 
 
(224
)
 
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation
 
(59
)
 
 
 
(89
)
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
23

 
 
 
81

 
All other financing activities, net
 
(18
)
 
 
 
(3
)
 
Net cash flow used for financing activities
 
$
(1,064
)
 
 
 
$
(1,018
)
 
Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures. Free cash flow reflects the Company’s net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities before operating cash flow from discontinued operations, and less capital expenditures; and adjusted free cash flow reflects the Company’s net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities before operating cash flow from discontinued operations and discretionary contributions to prefund the Company’s pension plans, and less capital expenditures. The Company’s calculations of free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow include capital expenditures because investment in capital expenditures is a use of cash that is directly related to the Company’s operations. Adjusted free cash flow excludes discretionary contributions to prefund the Company’s pension plans because management assesses the Company’s ability to generate operating cash flows without considering the impact from discretionary pension contributions, and decisions regarding the timing of pension plan funding are not dependent on the level of operating cash flows generated during the period. 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 and adjusted free cash flow provide 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 and adjusted free cash flow are significant measures 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 and adjusted 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 and adjusted free cash flow are among several components of incentive compensation targets for certain management personnel. In addition, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow are primary measures 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 and adjusted free cash flow are not measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, free cash flow and adjusted 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 (loss) as a measure of operating performance. Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow, as the Company calculates them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow as measures of liquidity have certain limitations, do not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and are not necessarily measures of the Company’s ability to fund its cash needs. When comparing free cash flow

-60-



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


and adjusted 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 or adjusted free cash flow.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company’s net cash flow provided by operating activities to free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow.
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
$
1,180

 
$
987

Capital expenditures
(99
)
 
(112
)
Less: Operating cash flow from discontinued operations
1

 
52

Free cash flow
1,080

 
823

Less: Discretionary pension plan contributions, net of tax

 
(64
)
Adjusted free cash flow
$
1,080

 
$
887


Repurchase of Company Stock, Cash Dividends and Contingent Stock Dividend
During the third quarter of 2018, the Company repurchased 1.8 million shares of its Class B Common Stock under its share repurchase program for $100 million, at an average cost of $55.13 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 9.4 million shares of its Class B Common Stock for $500 million, at an average cost of $52.94 per share, leaving $2.56 billion of authorization at September 30, 2018.

During the third quarter of 2018, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.18 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, resulting in total dividends of $68 million, which were paid on October 1, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company declared total per share cash dividends of $.54 on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, resulting in total dividends of $206 million.
On May 17, 2018, the Board voted 11 to 3 in favor of a pro rata dividend of 0.5687 of a share of the Company’s voting Class A Common Stock for each share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date and conditioned the issuance of such dividend on Delaware court approval (the “May 2018 Stock Dividend”). In connection with the Settlement Agreement, on September 9, 2018, the Board rescinded the May 2018 Stock Dividend. See “Legal Matters” for related information.

-61-



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


Capital Structure
The following table sets forth the Company’s debt.
 
At
 
At
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Commercial paper
 
$
374

 
 
 
$
679

 
Senior debt (2.30% – 7.875% due 2019 – 2045) (a)
 
9,433

 
 
 
9,426

 
Obligations under capital leases
 
46

 
 
 
57

 
Total debt
 
9,853

 
 
 
10,162

 
Less commercial paper
 
374

 
 
 
679

 
Less current portion of long-term debt
 
14

 
 
 
19

 
Total long-term debt, net of current portion
 
$
9,465

 
 
 
$
9,464

 
(a) At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the senior debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $60 million and $65 million, respectively, (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $44 million and $47 million, respectively, and (iii) a decrease in the carrying value of the debt relating to previously settled fair value hedges of $4 million and $3 million, respectively. The face value of the Company’s senior debt was $9.54 billion at both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

At September 30, 2018, the Company classified $600 million of debt maturing in August 2019 as long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, reflecting its intent and ability to refinance this debt on a long-term basis.
Commercial Paper
The Company had outstanding commercial paper borrowings under its $2.5 billion commercial paper program of $374 million and $679 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, each with maturities of less than 90 days. The weighted average interest rate for these borrowings was 2.41% at September 30, 2018 and 1.88% at December 31, 2017.

Credit Facility
At September 30, 2018, the Company had a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) which expires in June 2021. 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 September 30, 2018, the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio was approximately 3.0x.

The Consolidated Leverage Ratio is 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 September 30, 2018, 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

-62-



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


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 the Credit Facility, which had $2.49 billion of remaining availability at September 30, 2018; and access to capital markets are sufficient to fund its operating, investing and financing requirements for the next twelve months.

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.

The Company’s long-term debt obligations due over the next five years of $2.59 billion are expected to be funded by cash generated from operating activities and the Company’s ability to refinance its debt.

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.

Litigation Settled in September 2018 Involving the Company and Its Controlling Stockholder, National Amusements, Inc., Among Others, in the Delaware Court of Chancery.    On May 14, 2018, the Company and certain of the independent directors of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery against NAI, Ms. Shari Redstone, Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC (“NAIEH”) and the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust (the “SMR Trust”) (collectively, the “NAI Parties”). The verified complaint, as amended on May 23, 2018, alleged, among other things, that NAI, Mr. Sumner M. Redstone and Ms. Shari Redstone had breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s stockholders by abusing their control to threaten the independent corporate governance of the Company. The amended verified complaint sought a declaration that the May 2018 Stock Dividend (as defined below) was valid and permissible, a declaration that the Bylaw Amendments (as defined below) were invalid or were ineffective as of May 17, 2018 and an injunction against any action by any of the NAI Parties to interfere with the composition of the Board or to modify the Company’s governance documents before the issuance of any shares pursuant to the May 2018 Stock Dividend.

On May 16, 2018, each of NAI and NAIEH delivered to the Company a written consent to amend (the “Bylaw Amendments”) the Company’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”). On May 17, 2018, the Board voted 11 to 3 in favor of a pro rata dividend of 0.5687 of a share of the Company’s voting Class A Common Stock for each share of the Company's Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date and conditioned the issuance of such dividend on Delaware court approval (the “May 2018 Stock Dividend”).


-63-



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


On May 29, 2018, NAI, NAIEH and Ms. Shari Redstone filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery against the Company and certain of the Company’s directors. NAI’s verified complaint, as amended on June 25, 2018 and July 27, 2018, alleged, among other things, that the May 2018 Stock Dividend violated the Company’s bylaws and certificate of incorporation, and that the directors named as defendants had breached their fiduciary duties in approving the May 2018 Stock Dividend. The amended verified complaint sought a declaration that the Bylaw Amendments were valid, a declaration that the May 2018 Stock Dividend was invalid, an injunction against issuance and payment of the May 2018 Stock Dividend and any action by the defendants to carry out the May 2018 Stock Dividend, and other relief.
On June 7, 2018, the Court consolidated the aforementioned lawsuits under the consolidated action captioned In re CBS Corporation Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 2018-0342-AGB (Del. Ch.) (the “consolidated action”).
On May 31, 2018, Westmoreland County Employees’ Retirement System (“Westmoreland”), a purported beneficial owner of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, filed a class action complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery against NAI, NAIEH, Mr. David R. Andelman, Mr. Robert N. Klieger and Ms. Shari Redstone (the “Westmoreland lawsuit”), which alleged breaches of contractual obligations, implied obligations and fiduciary duties to the Company’s Class B Common Stock holders in connection with the Bylaw Amendments and interference with the issuance by the Board of the May 2018 Stock Dividend. Westmoreland’s complaint sought a declaratory judgment that the Company’s certificate of incorporation authorized the May 2018 Stock Dividend, that Westmoreland and the class were entitled to the May 2018 Stock Dividend, and that the Bylaw Amendments were invalid, as well as other relief. On September 14, 2018, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered a stipulation agreed to by the parties whereby the Westmoreland lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice as moot and the Court retained jurisdiction to consider any application for attorneys’ fees and expenses submitted by Westmoreland or its counsel.
On September 9, 2018, the Company entered into a settlement and release agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with NAI, NAIEH, the SMR Trust, Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, Ms. Shari Redstone and the other then members of the Board, among other parties. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, among other matters, the parties dismissed with prejudice all claims in the consolidated action. The Settlement Agreement includes mutual releases and covenants not to sue among the parties with respect to NAI’s and NAIEH’s investment in the Company, including the claims asserted in such action, subject to certain exceptions, and the Company has agreed to indemnify, and reimburse expenses of, certain parties, on the terms set forth in the Settlement Agreement, including with respect to the consolidated action and the defendants in the Westmoreland lawsuit. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Board rescinded the May 2018 Stock Dividend. In addition, NAI and NAIEH took action by written consent to amend the Company’s amended and restated bylaws.

Investigations and Related Matters. As announced on August 1, 2018, the Board has retained two law firms to conduct a full investigation of the allegations in recent press reports about the Company’s former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Leslie Moonves, CBS News and cultural issues at all levels of the Company. This investigation is ongoing. The Company has received subpoenas from the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Commission on Human Rights regarding the subject matter of this investigation and related matters. The New York State Attorney General’s Office has also requested information about these matters. The Company may receive additional related regulatory and investigative inquiries from these and other entities in the future. The Company is cooperating with the ongoing investigation and related inquiries.

On August 27, 2018, Gene Samit, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, filed a putative class action suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company, its former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and its then Chief Operating Officer, who

-64-



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


has been appointed as the Company’s President and Acting Chief Executive Officer. This action is stated to be on behalf of a class of persons who acquired the Company’s securities between February 14, 2014 and July 27, 2018. This action seeks to recover damages arising during this time period allegedly caused by the defendants’ purported violations of the federal securities laws by allegedly making materially false and misleading statements or failing to disclose material information, as well as costs and expenses, and seeks remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On October 1, 2018, John Lantz, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, filed a putative class action suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company, certain current and former senior executives and the members of the Board immediately prior to September 9, 2018. This action is stated to be on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock between November 3, 2017 and July 27, 2018. This action seeks to recover damages arising during this time period allegedly caused by the defendants’ purported violations of the federal securities laws by allegedly making materially false and misleading statements or failing to disclose material information, as well as costs and expenses, and seeks remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.

Separation Agreement. On September 9, 2018, the Company entered into a separation and settlement agreement and releases (the “Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Leslie Moonves, pursuant to which Mr. Moonves resigned as a director and as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Company will contribute the aggregate amount of $20 million to one or more charitable organizations that support the #MeToo movement and equality for women in the workplace, which organizations are mutually agreed by the Company and Mr. Moonves. The Company has recorded the contribution of $20 million in “Restructuring and other corporate matters” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. In October 2018, the Company also contributed $120 million to a grantor trust. In the event the Board determines that the Company is entitled to terminate Mr. Moonves’s employment for cause under his employment agreement and Mr. Moonves does not demand arbitration with respect to such determination, the assets of the grantor trust will be distributed to the Company and the Company will have no further obligations to Mr. Moonves. Any dispute related to the Board’s determination is subject to binding arbitration as set forth in the Separation Agreement. In the event of arbitration, the assets of the grantor trust will also be distributed to the Company upon a final determination in the arbitration that the Company was entitled to terminate Mr. Moonves’s employment for cause. The Board will make a determination whether the Company has grounds to terminate the employment of Mr. Moonves for cause under his employment agreement within thirty days following completion of the final report of the independent investigators in the ongoing internal investigation described above, but in no event later than January 31, 2019. In the event that the Board determines that the Company is not entitled to terminate Mr. Moonves’s employment for cause, or in the event of a final determination in arbitration that the Company is not entitled to terminate Mr. Moonves’s employment for cause, the assets of the grantor trust will be distributed to Mr. Moonves. The Company is currently unable to determine the amount of any such contingent distribution to Mr. Moonves and, accordingly, no accrual has been made in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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 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.


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


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 September 30, 2018, the Company had pending approximately 31,500 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 31,660 as of December 31, 2017 and 32,760 as of September 30, 2017. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company received approximately 770 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 1,020 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. The Company’s total costs for the years 2017 and 2016 for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance recoveries and net of tax were approximately $57 million and $48 million, respectively. 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 pending 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 remained generally 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.

Related Parties
See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.
Recent Pronouncements and Adoption of New Accounting Standards
See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies
See Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, for a discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies.


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


Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including “Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition,” contains 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,” “estimate” 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 or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: changes in the public acceptance of the Company’s content; advertising market conditions generally; changes in technology and its effect on competition in the Company’s markets; changes in the federal communications laws and regulations; the impact of piracy on the Company’s products; the impact of consolidation in the market for the Company’s content; the impact of negotiations or the loss of affiliation agreements or retransmission agreements; the outcomes of investigations and related legal actions, which are inherently unpredictable, and any associated costs; the uncertainties arising from transitions involving senior executives and directors of the Company; the impact of union activity, including possible strikes or work stoppages or the Company’s inability to negotiate favorable terms for contract renewals; other domestic and global economic, business, competitive and/or other regulatory factors affecting the Company’s businesses generally; and other factors described in the Company’s filings made under the securities laws, including, among others, those set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in the Company’s recent Current Reports on Form 8-K. 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 made only as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward‑looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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


Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
There have been no significant changes to market risk since reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) were effective, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.
The information set forth in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 1 of Part I of this report under the captions “Litigation Settled in September 2018 Involving the Company and Its Controlling Stockholder, National Amusements, Inc., Among Others, in the Delaware Court of Chancery” and “Investigations and Related Matters” is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.

The following updates the corresponding risk factors included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

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. At September 30, 2018, NAI directly or indirectly owned approximately 79.7% of the Company’s voting Class A Common Stock, and approximately 10.4% of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock on a combined basis. Mr. Sumner M. Redstone is the beneficial owner of the controlling interest in NAI and, accordingly, beneficially owns all such shares. Mr. 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. Mr. David R. Andelman is a director of NAI and was a director of the Company until his resignation on September 9, 2018. NAI is controlled by Mr. Redstone through the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust (the “SMR Trust”), which owns 80% of the voting interest of NAI, and such voting interest of NAI held by the SMR Trust is voted solely by Mr. Redstone until his incapacity or death. The SMR Trust provides that in the event of Mr. Redstone’s death or incapacity, voting control of the NAI voting interest held by the SMR Trust will pass to seven trustees, who will include CBS Corporation director Ms. Shari Redstone; Mr. David R. Andelman also currently serves as a trustee. No member of the Company’s management is a trustee of the SMR Trust.

Subject to the terms of the settlement and release agreement entered into by the Company and NAI, among others, on September 9, 2018, NAI is in a position to control the outcome of corporate actions that require, or may be accomplished by, stockholder approval, including amending the Company’s bylaws, the election or removal of directors and transactions involving a change of control. For example, the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws provide:
that the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company then entitled to vote generally in an election of directors, voting together as a single class, is required for the stockholders of the Company to amend, alter, change, repeal or adopt any bylaws of the Company;
that any or all of the directors of the Company may be removed from office at any time prior to the expiration of his or her term of office, with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of record of outstanding shares representing at least a majority of all the aggregate voting power of outstanding shares of stock of the Company then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class at a special meeting of stockholders called expressly for that purpose; and
that, in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, stockholders of the Company may act by written consent without a meeting if such stockholders hold the number of shares

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representing not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such actions at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

Accordingly, other stockholders who may have different interests are unable to affect the outcome of any such corporate actions for so long as NAI retains voting control.

NAI and Any Common Director May Face Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest

NAI has voting control of each of the Company and Viacom Inc. Mr. Redstone, the controlling stockholder through the SMR Trust, 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. This ownership overlap and this common director could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when the Company’s and Viacom Inc.’s 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 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. 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. Furthermore, CBS Corp.’s certificate of incorporation provides that neither the Company nor Viacom Inc. has any duty to refrain from engaging in the same or similar activities or lines of business as the other corporation, doing business with any potential or actual customer or supplier of the other corporation, or employing or soliciting for employment any officer or employee of the other corporation, and that no officer or director of either corporation shall be liable to the other corporation or the other corporation’s stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of any such activities of the Company or Viacom Inc., as the case may be. These provisions create the possibility that a corporate opportunity of one of such companies may be used for the benefit of the other company. If any such opportunity is directed to Viacom Inc., rather than the Company, the Company may be materially adversely affected.


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Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Company Purchases of Equity Securities
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 in open market purchases or other types of transactions (including accelerated stock repurchases or privately negotiated transactions). Since then, various increases totaling $16.4 billion have been approved and announced, including most recently, an increase to the share repurchase program to a total availability of $6.0 billion on July 28, 2016. Below is a summary of CBS Corp.’s purchases of its Class B Common Stock during the three months ended September 30, 2018 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
July 1, 2018 - July 31, 2018
 
.6

 
 
$
57.00

 
 
.6

 
 
 
$
2,624

 
August 1, 2018 - August 31, 2018
 
.7

 
 
$
53.13

 
 
.7

 
 
 
$
2,587

 
September 1, 2018 - September 30, 2018
 
.5

 
 
$
55.66

 
 
.5

 
 
 
$
2,557

 
Total
 
1.8

 
 
$
55.13

 
 
1.8

 
 
 
$
2,557

 

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Item 6.
Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description of Document
(3
)
 
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
 
(b)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of CBS Corporation (filed herewith).
(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 of CBS Corporation filed 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 of CBS Corporation filed 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)
Settlement and Release Agreement effective as of September 9, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Current Report on Form 8-K of CBS Corporation filed September 10, 2018) (File No. 001-09553).
 
(b)
Separation and Settlement Agreement and Releases effective as of September 9, 2018 between CBS Corporation and Leslie Moonves (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Current Report on Form 8-K of CBS Corporation filed September 10, 2018) (File No. 001-09553).
 
(c)
Letter Agreement dated as of September 9, 2018 between CBS Corporation and Joseph R. Ianniello (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Current Report on Form 8-K of CBS Corporation filed September 27, 2018) (File No. 001-09553).
 
(d)
Separation Agreement dated October 11, 2018 between CBS Corporation and Anthony G. Ambrosio (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of CBS Corporation filed October 12, 2018) (File No. 001-09553).
 
(e)
Separation Agreement dated September 21, 2018 between CBS Corporation and Gil D. Schwartz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Current Report on Form 8-K of CBS Corporation filed September 27, 2018) (File No. 001-09553).
 
(f)
Employment Agreement dated October 18, 2018 between CBS Corporation and Christina Spade (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of CBS Corporation filed October 19, 2018) (File No. 001-09553).
(12
)
 
Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios (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).
 
 
 

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(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
)
 
Interactive Data File
 
 
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.


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
CBS CORPORATION
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: November 1, 2018
/s/ Joseph R. Ianniello
 
Joseph R. Ianniello
President and Acting Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Date: November 1, 2018
/s/ Lawrence Liding
 
Lawrence Liding
Executive Vice President, Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer

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