v3.10.0.1
Property and Equipment
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Property and Equipment
Note 11: Property and Equipment
December 31 (in millions)
Weighted-Average
Original Useful Life
as of December 31, 2018
 
2018

 
2017

Cable distribution system
11 years
 
$
38,380

 
$
36,046

Customer premise equipment
6 years
 
26,208

 
26,392

Other equipment
8 years
 
12,437

 
10,518

Buildings and leasehold improvements
30 years
 
14,188

 
12,346

Construction in process
N/A
 
2,991

 
1,752

Land
N/A
 
1,539

 
1,332

Property and equipment, at cost
 
 
95,743

 
88,386

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
 
51,306

 
49,916

Property and equipment, net
 
 
$
44,437

 
$
38,470


Property and equipment are stated at cost. We capitalize improvements that extend asset lives and expense repairs and maintenance costs as incurred. We record depreciation using the straight-line method over the asset’s estimated useful life. For assets that are sold or retired, we remove the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation and, unless the gain or loss on disposition is presented separately, we recognize it as a component of depreciation expense.
In accordance with the accounting guidance related to cable television companies, our Cable Communications segment capitalizes the costs associated with the construction of and improvements to our cable transmission and distribution facilities, including scalable infrastructure and line extensions; costs associated with acquiring and deploying new customer premise equipment; and costs associated with installation of our services. Costs capitalized include all direct costs for labor and materials, as well as various indirect costs. Costs incurred in connection with subsequent disconnects and reconnects are expensed as they are incurred.
We evaluate the recoverability of our property and equipment whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is based on the cash flows generated by the underlying asset groups, including estimated future operating results, trends or other determinants of fair value. If the total of the expected future undiscounted cash flows were less than the carrying amount of the asset group, we would recognize an impairment charge to the extent the carrying amount of the asset group exceeded its estimated fair value. Unless presented separately, the impairment charge is included as a component of depreciation expense.
NBCUniversal Media LLC [Member]  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Property and Equipment
Note 10: Property and Equipment
December 31 (in millions)
Weighted-Average
Original Useful Life
as of December 31, 2018
2018

2017

Buildings and leasehold improvements
31 years
$
8,877

$
8,124

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
11 years
5,501

4,843

Construction in process
N/A
2,676

1,506

Land
N/A
1,129

1,039

Property and equipment, at cost
 
18,183

15,512

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
4,994

4,166

Property and equipment, net
 
$
13,189

$
11,346


Property and equipment are stated at cost. We capitalize improvements that extend asset lives and expense repairs and maintenance costs as incurred. We record depreciation using the straight-line method over the asset’s estimated useful life. For assets that are sold or retired, we remove the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation and, unless the gain or loss on disposition is presented separately, we recognize it as a component of depreciation expense.
We evaluate the recoverability of our property and equipment whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is based on the cash flows generated by the underlying asset groups, including estimated future operating results, trends or other determinants of fair value. If the total of the expected future undiscounted cash flows were less than the carrying amount of the asset group, we would recognize an impairment charge to the extent the carrying amount of the asset group exceeded its estimated fair value. Unless presented separately, the impairment charge is included as a component of depreciation expense.