v3.6.0.2
Property and Equipment
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Property and Equipment
Note 8: Property and Equipment
December 31 (in millions)
Weighted-Average
Original Useful Life
As of December 31, 2016
2016

2015

Cable distribution system
11 years
$
34,028

$
32,586

Customer premise equipment
6 years
28,621

28,559

Other equipment
8 years
9,475

8,539

Buildings and leasehold improvements
29 years
12,550

10,829

Land
N/A
1,273

1,252

Property and equipment, at cost
 
85,947

81,765

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
49,694

48,100

Property and equipment, net
 
$
36,253

$
33,665


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, we capitalize 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 8: Property and Equipment
December 31 (in millions)
Weighted-Average
Original Useful Life
as of December 31, 2016
2016

2015

Buildings and leasehold improvements
30 years
$
7,543

$
6,543

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
11 years
4,158

3,457

Construction in process
N/A
1,176

1,339

Land
N/A
984

961

Property and equipment, at cost
 
13,861

12,300

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
3,350

2,779

Property and equipment, net
 
$
10,511

$
9,521


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.