Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets consisted of the following:
 December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
(in thousands)Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated Amortization and OtherNetGross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated Amortization and OtherNet
Goodwill$67,538 $— $67,538 $67,055 $— $67,055 
Indefinite-lived intangibles:
Cable franchise rights$64,334 $— $64,334 $64,334 $— $64,334 
FCC spectrum licenses12,122 — 12,122 12,122 — 12,122 
Railroad crossing rights and other557 — 557 526 — 526 
Total indefinite-lived intangibles77,013 — 77,013 76,982 — 76,982 
Finite-lived intangibles:
Subscriber relationships43,012 (30,792)12,220 42,447 (28,882)13,565 
Other intangibles537 (417)120 510 (389)121 
Total finite-lived intangibles43,549 (31,209)12,340 42,957 (29,271)13,686 
Total goodwill and intangible assets$188,100 $(31,209)$156,891 $186,994 $(29,271)$157,723 

Amortization expense was $1.9 million, $1.5 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Our finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the following estimated useful lives:
Estimated Useful Life
Subscriber relationships
3 - 10 years
Other intangibles
15 - 20 years

The following table summarizes expected amortization of intangible assets at December 31, 2025:
(in thousands)Amortization of Intangible Assets
2026$1,604 
20271,566 
20281,518 
20291,517 
20301,508 
2031 and thereafter4,627 
Total$12,340 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 26, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 20, 2025
2023Feb 21, 2024
2022Feb 22, 2023
2021Feb 28, 2022
2020Feb 25, 2021
2019Feb 26, 2020
2018Feb 28, 2019
2017Mar 15, 2018

About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures

Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.

Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.