COMSCORE INC

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The accounting estimates and assumptions discussed in this section are those that we consider to be the most critical to an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations because they involve significant judgments and uncertainties. Actual results in these areas could differ from management's estimates. Refer to Footnote 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for further information on our most significant accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue under the core principle of depicting the transfer of promised goods and services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled. Significant judgments used in the determination of the amount and timing of our revenue recognition include the identification of distinct performance obligations and the allocation of contract consideration among individual performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling price ("SSP").

Performance obligations are identified by evaluating whether the promised goods and services are capable of being distinct and distinct within the context of the contract. We have a limited number of monetary contracts with MVPDs that involve both the purchase and sale of services with a single counterparty. Each contract is assessed to determine if the goods and services exchanged between the two parties represent distinct performance obligations which can entail significant judgment. The conclusion regarding whether goods and services exchanged are distinct determines whether consideration received from the counterparty is recognized as revenues (up to the SSP of the distinct goods or services), or as a reduction to the purchase price of the goods or services recorded in our cost of revenues.

The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative SSP. In most sales contracts, we bundle multiple products and very few are sold on a standalone basis. As a result, our SSP is not directly observable and we have to develop internal estimates using information that is reasonably available to us. Our SSP is primarily developed using an adjusted market approach supported by rate cards and pricing calculators that are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect the best available information. Bundled arrangements may include a combination of distinct goods and services where some are satisfied over time and others are satisfied at a point in time. Changes to the SSP will impact the amount of consideration allocated to each performance obligation, which could have an impact on the timing and amount of revenues recognized in future periods as our performance obligations are satisfied. The determination of SSP also impacts the amount of revenues we can recognize in transactions where consideration is exchanged with counterparties as described above.

Goodwill

The valuation of goodwill involves the use of management's estimates and assumptions and can have a significant impact on future operating results. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at least annually, as of October 1, by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value including goodwill recorded by the reporting unit.

We have one reporting unit. As such, we perform the impairment assessment for goodwill at the enterprise level. Goodwill is reviewed for possible impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below the carrying value. In assessing the possibility that our reporting unit's fair value has been reduced below its carrying value due to the occurrence of events or circumstances between annual impairment testing dates, we consider all available evidence including, but not limited to: (i) the results of our impairment testing from the most recent testing date (in particular, the magnitude of the excess of fair value over carrying value observed), (ii) downward revisions to internal forecasts, if any, (iii) declines in market capitalization below book value (and the magnitude and duration of those declines), if any, and (iv) changes in general industry, market and macroeconomic conditions.

We determine the fair value of our reporting unit using a combination of the income and market approaches. The results from each of these approaches are weighted appropriately taking into account the relevance and availability of data at the time we perform the valuation.

Under the income approach, the fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow model based on projected financial performance and discount rates that take into account an appropriate risk-adjusted return. The discounted cash flow model requires the use of various assumptions in developing the present value of projected cash flows, the following of which are significant to our analysis:

Projected financial performance: expected future cash flows and growth rates are based upon assumptions of our future revenue growth and operating costs. Actual results of operations and cash flows will likely differ from those utilized in our discounted cash flow analysis, and it is possible that those differences could be material.

Long-term growth rate: the long-term growth rate represents the rate at which our single reporting unit's earnings are expected to grow or losses to decrease. Our assumed long-term growth rate was based on projected long-term inflation and gross domestic product growth estimates for the countries in which we operate and a long-term growth estimate for our business and the industry in which we operate. The long-term growth rate selected for the 2024, 2023 and 2022 annual impairment analyses was 3.0%.

Discount rate: our reporting unit's future cash flows are discounted at a rate that is consistent with our average weighted cost of capital that is likely to be utilized by market participants. The weighted-average cost of capital is our estimate of the overall returns required by both debt and equity investors, weighted by their respective contributions of capital. We use discount rates that are commensurate with the risks and uncertainty inherent in our business and in our internally-developed forecasts. The discount rates selected for the 2024, 2023 and 2022 annual impairment analyses were 24.5%, 22.0% and 27.0%, respectively. Our selected discount rate was higher in 2024 in comparison to 2023 primarily due to the increase in company-specific risk premium ("CSRP"). The increase in CSRP was related to an increase in operational risk in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Under the market approach, the fair value is determined using certain financial metrics of publicly traded companies or historically completed transactions of comparable businesses. The selection of comparable businesses requires judgment and is based on the markets in which we operate giving consideration to, amongst other things, risk profiles, size and geography. The market approach may also be limited in instances where there is a lack of recently executed transactions of comparable businesses. We determine fair value primarily based on selected market multiples based on current and projected revenues compared to business enterprise value, with an estimated control premium as applicable.

During the third quarter of 2024, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the estimated fair value of our reporting unit was less than its carrying value. In our assessment, we considered changes in our stock price, market and equity capitalization, operating results and projections. We performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test in conjunction with the annual testing using a discounted cash flow model, supported by a market approach. Our reporting unit did not pass the goodwill impairment test, and as a result we recorded a $63.0 million non-cash impairment charge in the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Goodwill allocated to our single reporting unit as of December 31, 2024 was $246.0 million. The projected long-term cash flows used in our fair value estimate are consistent with our most recent operating plan as of the evaluation date and are dependent on the successful execution of our business plan, overall industry growth rates and the competitive environment.

We monitor for events and circumstances that could negatively impact the key assumptions in determining the fair value of our goodwill, including long-term growth projections, profitability, discount rates, volatility in our market capitalization, and general industry, market and macroeconomic conditions. The judgments and estimates described above could change in future periods. If the reporting unit's future performance falls below our expectations, or if there are negative revisions to our fair value assumptions, including those that are significant and discussed above, we may need to record a material, non-cash goodwill impairment charge in a future period.