View Filing Data

Print Document View Excel Document

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 02, 2020
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity File Number	1-33741
Entity Registrant Name	A. H. Belo Corp
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-3765318
Entity Address, Address Line One	P. O. Box 224866
Entity Address, City or Town	Dallas
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75222-4866
City Area Code	214
Local Phone Number	977-7342
Title of 12(b) Security	Series A Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	AHC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001413898
Amendment Flag	false
Series A
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,941,340
Series B
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,469,083

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Net Operating Revenue:
Total net operating revenue	$ 40,343	$ 46,589
Operating Costs and Expense:
Employee compensation and benefits	19,016	21,124
Other production, distribution and operating costs	20,992	22,184
Newsprint, ink and other supplies	3,271	4,747
Depreciation	1,765	2,386
Amortization	64	76
Gain on sale/disposal of assets, net	(5)
Total operating costs and expense	45,103	50,517
Operating loss	(4,760)	(3,928)
Other income, net	1,352	829
Loss Before Income Taxes	(3,408)	(3,099)
Income tax benefit	(1,787)	(964)
Net Loss	$ (1,621)	$ (2,135)
Per Share Basis
Net loss, basic and diluted	$ (0.08)	$ (0.10)
Number of common shares used in the per share calculation:
Basic and diluted	21,410,423	21,594,262
Advertising And Marketing Services [Member]
Net Operating Revenue:
Total net operating revenue	$ 19,327	$ 24,041
Circulation [Member]
Net Operating Revenue:
Total net operating revenue	16,414	17,273
Printing, Distribution And Other [Member]
Net Operating Revenue:
Total net operating revenue	$ 4,602	$ 5,275

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net Loss	$ (1,621)	$ (2,135)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Amortization of actuarial losses	219	63
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	219	63
Total Comprehensive Loss	$ (1,402)	$ (2,072)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 43,934	$ 48,626
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $804 and $671 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)	14,946	18,441
Inventories	2,677	2,573
Prepaids and other current assets	9,249	5,164
Total current assets	70,806	74,804
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	344,046	343,893
Less accumulated depreciation	(327,205)	(325,440)
Property, plant and equipment, net	16,841	18,453
Operating lease right-of-use assets	22,483	21,371
Intangible assets, net	255	319
Deferred income taxes, net	36	50
Long-term note receivable	22,400	22,400
Other assets	3,631	3,648
Total assets	136,452	141,045
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,989	6,103
Accrued compensation and benefits	5,295	7,407
Other accrued expense	6,222	5,930
Contract liabilities	14,283	12,098
Total current liabilities	30,789	31,538
Long-term pension liabilities	21,657	23,039
Long-term operating lease liabilities	23,694	23,120
Other post-employment benefits	1,339	1,347
Other liabilities	4,351	4,264
Total liabilities	81,830	83,308
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; Authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued
Treasury stock, Series A, at cost; 1,913,860 shares held at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019	(13,443)	(13,443)
Additional paid-in capital	494,389	494,389
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(32,075)	(32,294)
Accumulated deficit	(394,482)	(391,148)
Total shareholders’ equity	54,622	57,737
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	136,452	141,045
Series A
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; Authorized 125,000,000 shares	209	209
Series B
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; Authorized 125,000,000 shares	$ 24	$ 24

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 804	$ 671
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Series A
Common stock, shares, issued	20,855,200	20,854,975
Series B
Common stock, shares, issued	2,469,083	2,469,308
Treasury Stock \| Series A
Treasury stock Series A, shares held	1,913,860	1,913,860

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member] Series A	Common Stock [Member] Series B	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock Series A	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018			$ 233	$ 494,389		$ (12,601)	$ (37,641)	$ (393,582)	$ 50,798
Beginning Balance, Shares Common Stock at Dec. 31, 2018	20,854,728	2,469,555
Beginning Balance, Treasury Stock at Dec. 31, 2018					(1,697,370)
Net loss								(2,135)	(2,135)
Other comprehensive income							63		63
Shares repurchased, shares					(83,529)
Shares repurchased						(340)			(340)
Conversion of Series B to Series A, shares	11	(11)
Dividends declared								(1,720)	(1,720)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2019			233	494,389		(12,941)	(37,578)	(397,437)	46,666
Ending Balance, Shares Common Stock at Mar. 31, 2019	20,854,739	2,469,544
Ending Balance, Shares Treasury Stock at Mar. 31, 2019					(1,780,899)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019			233	494,389		(13,443)	(32,294)	(391,148)	57,737
Beginning Balance, Shares Common Stock at Dec. 31, 2019	20,854,975	2,469,308
Beginning Balance, Treasury Stock at Dec. 31, 2019					(1,913,860)
Net loss								(1,621)	(1,621)
Other comprehensive income							219		219
Conversion of Series B to Series A, shares	225	(225)
Dividends declared								(1,713)	(1,713)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2020			$ 233	$ 494,389		$ (13,443)	$ (32,075)	$ (394,482)	$ 54,622
Ending Balance, Shares Common Stock at Mar. 31, 2020	20,855,200	2,469,083
Ending Balance, Shares Treasury Stock at Mar. 31, 2020					(1,913,860)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.08	$ 0.08

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Operating Activities
Net loss	$ (1,621)	$ (2,135)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,829	2,462
Net periodic pension and other post-employment benefit	(1,154)	(818)
Bad debt expense	296	400
Deferred income taxes	14	(786)
Gain on sale/disposal of assets, net	(5)
Loss on investment related activity	18
Changes in working capital and other operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	3,199	2,105
Inventories, prepaids and other current assets	(4,189)	(1,309)
Other assets	(1)	1,001
Accounts payable	(1,114)	(1,609)
Compensation and benefit obligations	(2,112)	(3,362)
Other accrued expenses	78	595
Contract liabilities	2,185	704
Other post-employment benefits	(17)	(14)
Net cash provided by operating activities	(2,594)	(2,766)
Investing Activities
Purchases of assets	(390)	(180)
Sales of assets	5
Net cash used for investing activities	(385)	(180)
Financing Activities
Dividends paid	(1,713)	(1,726)
Shares repurchased		(340)
Net cash used for financing activities	(1,713)	(2,066)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(4,692)	(5,012)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	48,626	55,313
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	43,934	50,301
Supplemental Disclosures
Income tax paid, net (refund)	5	9
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Dividends payable	$ 1,713	$ 1,723

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Note 1: Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards Description of Business. A. H. Belo Corporation and subsidiaries are referred to collectively herein as “A. H. Belo” or the “Company.” The Company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the leading local news and information publishing company in Texas. The Company has commercial printing, distribution and direct mail capabilities, as well as a presence in emerging media and digital marketing. While focusing on extending the Company’s media platforms, A. H. Belo delivers news and information in innovative ways to a broad range of audiences with diverse interests and lifestyles. The Company publishes The Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com), Texas’ leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes, and various niche publications targeting specific audiences. Its newspaper operations also provide commercial printing and distribution services to several large national newspapers. In addition, the Company has the capabilities of a full-service strategy, creative and media agency that focuses on strategic and digital marketing, and data intelligence that provide a measurable return on investment to its clients. COVID-19 Pandemic. Currently, the rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) globally has resulted in increased travel restrictions, and disruption and shutdown of businesses. The Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, impacts from quarantines, market downturns and changes in customer behavior related to the pandemic and impacts on its workforce if the spread of the virus widens and becomes of longer duration. The Company has been following the recommendations of local government and health authorities to minimize exposure risk for employees, including the temporary closure of some of the Company’s offices and having employees work remotely. Employees, including financial reporting staff, have been working remotely since on or about March 10, 2020. Even as the stay-at-home orders were lifted in Texas, the Company’s corporate offices have not re-opened and personnel have continued to work from home. If the virus were to affect a significant number of the workforce employed in printing operations, the Company may experience delays or be unable to produce, print and deliver its publications and other third-party print publications on a timely basis. In addition, one or more printing customers, distribution partners, service providers or suppliers may experience financial distress, file for bankruptcy protection, go out of business, or suffer disruptions in its business due to the coronavirus outbreak. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts the Company’s results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and will include emerging information concerning the severity and length of the coronavirus pandemic and the actions taken by governments and private businesses to contain the coronavirus. The coronavirus is likely to have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition at least for the near term. The full impact of COVID-19 is not yet known and is rapidly evolving. The outbreak and any preventative or protective actions that the Company has taken and may continue to take, or may be imposed on the Company by governmental intervention, in respect of this virus may result in a period of disruption to the Company’s financial reporting capabilities, its printing operations, and its operations generally. COVID-19 is impacting, and may continue to impact, the Company’s customers, distribution partners, advertisers, production facilities, and third parties, and could result in a loss of advertising revenue or supply chain disruption. Basis of Presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include adjustments of a normal recurring nature which, in the Company’s opinion, are necessary to present fairly the interim consolidated financial information as of and for the periods indicated. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. All dollar amounts presented herein, except share and per share amounts, are in thousands, unless the context indicates otherwise. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist as of the date the financial statements are published, and (iii) the reported amount of net operating revenues and expenses recognized during the periods presented. Adjustments made with respect to the use of estimates often relate to improved information not previously available. Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of financial statements; accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased uncertainty in management’s estimates and assumptions affecting these interim consolidated financial statements. Areas where significant estimates are used include pension and other post-employment benefit obligation assumptions, income taxes, leases, self-insured liabilities, and long-lived assets impairment review. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-15 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. This update clarifies the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement, or hosting arrangement, that is a service contract. Costs for implementation activities incurred during the application development stage will be capitalized depending on the nature of the costs, while costs incurred during the preliminary project and post implementation stages will be expensed as the activities are performed. The capitalized implementation costs will be expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 prospectively as of January 1, 2020, and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. New Accounting Pronouncements. The FASB issued the following accounting pronouncements and guidance, which may be applicable to the Company but have not yet become effective. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 – Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This update requires financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. Since June 2016, the FASB issued clarifying updates to the new standard including changing the effective date for smaller reporting companies. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this update and has not yet determined its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14 – Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This update modifies the annual disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by removing disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifying the specific requirements of disclosures and adding disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard retrospectively as of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, but does not expect a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12 – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes specific exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 in order to reduce the complexity of its application. ASU 2019-12 also improves consistency and simplifies existing guidance by clarifying and amending certain specific areas of Topic 740. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this update and has not yet determined its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
Segment Reporting	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Note 2: Segment Reporting Based on the Company’s structure and organizational chart, the Company’s chief operating decision-maker (the “CODM”) is its Chief Executive Officer, Robert W. Decherd. In the third quarter of 2019, in conjunction with a strategic change to move to a single decision-making reporting structure and based on how the Company’s CODM makes decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance, the Company determined it has one reportable segment. Historical financial information by segment has been recast and reported as one segment. See Note 4 – Revenue for disaggregated revenue by source.

Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Note 3: Acquisitions

In April 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets of Cubic, Inc. for a cash purchase price of $2,356, net of $213 cash acquired. Transaction costs related to the purchase were a component of other production, distribution and operating costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and totaled $92, of which $0 and $23 were incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The new entity Cubic Creative, Inc. (“Cubic Creative”) is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This acquisition added creative strategy services, which complement service offerings currently available to A. H. Belo clients. The expected benefit from providing these additional services was attributed to goodwill, all of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The table below sets forth the finalized allocation of the purchase price.



		Estimated Fair Value
Working capital, net of acquired cash	$	228
Property, plant and equipment		25
Other intangible assets - customer relationships		510
Goodwill		1,593
Total	$	2,356

Operating results of the business acquired have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations from the acquisition date forward. Pro forma results of the Company, assuming the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported. The fair value of the assets acquired would be classified as Level III assets (unobservable inputs) in the fair value hierarchy. In the third quarter of 2019, in conjunction with the Company’s organizational changes, the Company conducted an impairment review of goodwill and long-lived assets. As a result, the Company’s goodwill was fully impaired in the third quarter of 2019. As of January 1, 2020, Cubic Creative’s operations were fully incorporated into The Dallas Morning News.

Revenue

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Revenue [Abstract]

Revenue

Note 4: Revenue

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied. This occurs when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services, typically at contract price or determined by stand-alone selling price. The Company has an estimated allowance for credits, refunds and similar obligations. Sales tax collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

Accounts receivable are reported net of a valuation reserve that represents an estimate of amounts considered uncollectible. The Company estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical write-off experience and the Company’s knowledge of the customers’ ability to pay amounts due. Accounts are written-off after all collection efforts fail; generally, after one year has expired. Expense for such uncollectible amounts is included in other production, distribution and operating costs. Credit terms are customary.

The table below sets forth revenue disaggregated by revenue source. Due to the third quarter 2019 change to a single decision-making reporting structure (see Note 2 – Segment Reporting), the Company determined that disaggregating revenue by print and digital products best aligned with the new Company structure. The 2019 amounts were recast for comparative purposes.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
			(Recast)
Advertising and Marketing Services
Print advertising	$	12,799	$	15,303
Digital advertising and marketing services		6,528		8,738
Total	$	19,327	$	24,041

Circulation
Print circulation	$	15,017	$	16,184
Digital circulation		1,397		1,089
Total	$	16,414	$	17,273

Printing, Distribution and Other	$	4,602	$	5,275

Total Revenue	$	40,343	$	46,589

Advertising and Marketing Services

Print advertising revenue represents sales of advertising space within the Company’s core and niche newspapers, as well as preprinted advertisements inserted into the Company’s core newspapers and niche publications or distributed to non-subscribers through the mail.

Digital advertising and marketing services revenue consists of strategic marketing management, consulting, creative services, targeted and multi-channel (programmatic) advertising placed on third-party websites, digital sales of banner, classified and native advertisements on the Company’s news and entertainment-related websites and mobile apps, social media management, search optimization, direct mail and the sale of promotional materials. The Company’s auto sales division offered targeted advertising to auto dealerships primarily in the North Texas region desiring to advertise their inventory on the cars.com platform through September 30, 2019.

Advertising and marketing services revenue is primarily recognized at a point in time when the ad or service is complete and delivered, based on the customers’ contract price. Barter advertising transactions are recognized at estimated fair value based on the negotiated contract price and the range of prices for similar advertising from customers unrelated to the barter transaction. The Company expenses barter costs as incurred, which is independent from the timing of revenue recognition. In addition, certain digital advertising revenue related to website access is recognized over time, based on the customers’ monthly rate. The Company typically extends credit to advertising and marketing services customers, although for certain advertising campaigns the customer may pay in advance.

For ads placed on certain third-party websites, the Company must evaluate whether it is acting as the principal, where revenue is reported on a gross basis, or acting as the agent, where revenue is reported on a net basis. Generally, the Company reports advertising revenue for ads placed on third-party websites on a net basis, meaning the amount recorded to revenue is the amount billed to the customer net of amounts paid to the publisher of the third-party website. The Company is acting as the agent because the publisher controls the advertising inventory.

Circulation

Print circulation revenue is generated primarily by selling home delivery subscriptions and from single copy sales to non-subscribers. Home delivery revenue is recognized over the subscription period based on the days of actual delivery over the total subscription days and single copy revenue is recognized at a point in time when the paper is purchased. Revenue is directly reduced for any non-payment for the grace period of home delivery subscriptions where the Company recorded revenue for newspapers delivered after a subscription expired.

Digital circulation revenue is generated by digital-only subscriptions and is recognized over the subscription period based on daily or monthly access to the content in the subscription period.

Payment of circulation fees is typically received in advance and deferred over the subscription period.

Printing, Distribution and Other

Printing, distribution and other revenue is primarily generated from printing and distribution of other newspapers, as well as production of preprinted advertisements for other newspapers. Printing, distribution and other revenue is recognized at a point in time when the product or service is delivered. The Company typically extends credit to printing and distribution customers.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue is recorded when cash payments are received in advance of the Company’s performance, including amounts which are refundable. The Company’s primary sources of deferred revenue are from circulation subscriptions and advertising paid in advance of the service provided. These up-front payments are recorded upon receipt as contract liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the revenue is recognized when the Company’s obligations under the terms of the contract are satisfied. In the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recognized $6,598 of revenue that was included in the contract liabilities balance as of December 31, 2019. The Company typically recognizes deferred revenue within 1 to 12 months.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

The Company generally expenses sales commissions and circulation acquisition costs when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within employee compensation and benefits expense and other production, distribution and operating costs expense, respectively.

The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount invoiced for services performed.

Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Note 5: Leases

Lease Accounting

The Company has various operating leases primarily for office space and other distribution centers, some of which include escalating lease payments and options to extend or terminate the lease. The Company’s leases have remaining terms of less than 1 year to 14 years. The Company determines if a contract is a lease at the inception of the arrangement.

Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date of lease agreements greater than one year based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In determining the present value of lease payments, the implicit rate was not readily determinable in the Company’s lease agreements. Therefore, the Company used an estimated secured incremental borrowing rate, based on the Company’s credit rating, adjusted for the weighted average term of each lease. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease costs are expensed as incurred. For leases with terms of 12 months or less, no asset or liability is recorded and lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The exercise of lease renewal options are at the Company’s sole discretion and options are recognized when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. The recognized right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as calculated do not assume renewal options. The Company does not have lease agreements with residual value guarantees, sale leaseback terms or material restrictive covenants. Additionally, the Company does not separately identify lease and nonlease components, such as maintenance costs.

The Company has a sublease with Denton Publishing Company for a remaining term of approximately three years. Additionally, the Company has various subleases with distributors, for distribution center space, with varying remaining lease terms of less than one year to two years and are cancellable with notice by either party. Sublease income is included in printing, distribution and other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2020, sublease income is expected to approximate $391 for the remainder of 2020, $314 in 2021, $223 in 2022, and $129 in 2023.

The Company recorded additional right-of-use assets and liabilities for three leases that commenced in the first quarter of 2020, with lease terms of three years. As of March 31, 2020, the Company did not have any significant operating leases that have not yet commenced.

The table below sets forth supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet information for the Company’s leases.



	Classification		March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets
Operating	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	22,483	$	21,371

Liabilities
Operating
Current	Other accrued expense	$	2,140	$	1,579
Noncurrent	Long-term operating lease liabilities		23,694		23,120
Total lease liabilities		$	25,834	$	24,699

Lease Term and Discount Rate
Operating leases
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)			11.0		11.7
Weighted average discount rate (%)			7.3		7.5

The table below sets forth components of lease cost and supplemental cash flow information for the Company’s leases.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Lease Cost
Operating lease cost	$	1,046	$	1,038
Short-term lease cost		4		46
Variable lease cost		138		90
Sublease income		(195)		(161)
Total lease cost	$	993	$	1,013

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for operating leases included in operating activities	$	1,017	$	998
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities		1,540		23,095

The table below sets forth the remaining maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities as of March 31, 2020.



Years Ending December 31,	Operating Leases
2020	$	2,854
2021		4,245
2022		4,142
2023		3,272
2024		2,467
Thereafter		22,121
Total lease payments		39,101
Less: imputed interest		13,267
Total lease liabilities	$	25,834

Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Intangible Assets

Note 6: Intangible Assets

In the third quarter of 2019, the Company reorganized all of its operations into a single decision-making reporting structure resulting in one reportable segment (see Note 2 – Segment Reporting). The table below sets forth intangible assets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.




	March 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
Intangible Assets
Cost	$	2,030	$	2,030
Accumulated Amortization		(1,775)		(1,711)
Net Carrying Value	$	255	$	319

The intangible assets include $1,520 of developed technology with an estimated useful life of five years, fully amortized in 2019, and $510 of customer relationships with estimated useful lives of two years and net carrying value of $255. Aggregate amortization expense was $64 and $76 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company performed a review of potential impairment indicators for its long-lived assets, including intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and right-of-use assets. Although the Company’s near-term operating results may be negatively impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, its overall financial forecasts have not had a material change that would indicate the Company’s carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable. However, the full impact of COVID-19 is not yet known and is rapidly evolving. The Company’s future assessment of its financial forecast could be negatively impacted, resulting in future impairment indicators of its long-lived assets.

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Mar. 31, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Note 7: Related Party Transactions In 2017, the Company extended a term note to eSite Analytics, Inc. (“eSite”) of $750. The note had a term of three years, matured February 8, 2020, and incurred interest at a rate of 5.5 percent. The note provided for quarterly interest and principal payments of approximately $60. In March 2019, the Company extended a line of credit of $200 to eSite. In November 2019, the $200 line of credit was rolled into the term note and the note was extended until September 30, 2022. As of December 31, 2019, the note receivable was $573. In addition, the Company owns shares of eSite. On February 13, 2020, eSite paid off their loan, including interest. The Company no longer accounts for its investment in eSite under the equity method of accounting, as the Company no longer has influence in eSite operations.

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 8: Income Taxes The Company calculated the income tax benefit for the 2020 and 2019 interim periods using an estimated annual effective tax rate based on its expected annual income (loss) before income taxes, adjusted for permanent differences, which it applied to the year-to-date loss before income taxes and specific events that are discretely recognized as they occur. The Company recognized income tax benefit of $1,787 and $964 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Effective income tax rates were 52.4 percent and 31.1 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2020, was due to the recognition of the 2018 net operating loss carryback permitted by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), partially offset by the effect of the Texas margin tax. The income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2019, was due to additional losses generated from operations and an increase in the deferred tax asset, partially offset by the effect of the Texas margin tax. In response to COVID-19, the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides numerous tax provisions and other stimulus measures, including temporary changes regarding the prior and future utilization of net operating losses, temporary changes to the prior and future limitations on interest deductions, temporary suspension of certain payment requirements for the employer portion of Social Security taxes, technical corrections from prior tax legislation for tax depreciation of certain qualified improvement property, and the creation of certain refundable employee retention credits. The Company will benefit from the temporary five-year net operating loss carryback provision and the technical correction for qualified leasehold improvements, which changes 39-year property to 15-year property, eligible for 100 percent tax bonus depreciation. Applying the technical correction to 2018 has resulted in reporting additional tax depreciation of $1,017 and increased the 2018 net operating loss to approximately $6,829. The loss will be carried back against 2014 taxes paid at the federal statutory rate of 35 percent that was previously in effect, resulting in an estimated cash refund of $2,345, recorded in prepaids and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020.

Pension and Other Retirement Plans

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Pension and Other Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Pension and Other Retirement Plans

Note 9: Pension and Other Retirement Plans

Defined Benefit Plans. The Company sponsors the A. H. Belo Pension Plans (the “Pension Plans”), which provide benefits to approximately 1,400 current and former employees of the Company. A. H. Belo Pension Plan I provides benefits to certain current and former employees primarily employed with The Dallas Morning News or the A. H. Belo corporate offices. A. H. Belo Pension Plan II provides benefits to certain former employees of The Providence Journal Company. This obligation was retained by the Company upon the sale of the newspaper operations of The Providence Journal. No additional benefits are accruing under the A. H. Belo Pension Plans, as future benefits were frozen.

No contributions are required to the A. H. Belo Pension Plans in 2020 under the applicable tax and labor laws governing pension plan funding.

Net Periodic Pension Benefit

The Company’s estimates of net periodic pension expense or benefit are based on the expected return on plan assets, interest on the projected benefit obligations and the amortization of actuarial gains and losses that are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Participation in and accrual of new benefits to participants has been frozen since 2007 and, accordingly, on-going service costs are not a component of net periodic pension expense (benefit).

The table below sets forth components of net periodic pension benefit, which are included in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Interest cost	$	1,559	$	1,974
Expected return on plans' assets		(2,941)		(2,867)
Amortization of actuarial loss		220		70
Net periodic pension benefit	$	(1,162)	$	(823)

Defined Contribution Plans. The A. H. Belo Savings Plan (the “Savings Plan”), a defined contribution 401(k) plan, covers substantially all employees of A. H. Belo. Participants may elect to contribute a portion of their pretax compensation as provided by the Savings Plan and the Internal Revenue Code. Employees can contribute up to 100 percent of their annual eligible compensation less required withholdings and deductions up to statutory limits. The Company provides an ongoing dollar-for-dollar match of eligible employee contributions, up to 1.5 percent of the employees’ compensation. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded expense of $220 and $213, respectively, for matching contributions to the Savings Plan.

Shareholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

Note 10: Shareholders’ Equity

Dividends. On March 5, 2020, the Company’s board of directors declared an $0.08 per share dividend to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 15, 2020, which is payable on June 5, 2020.

Treasury Stock. In 2019, the Company repurchased shares of its common stock pursuant to a publicly announced share repurchase program authorized by the Company’s board of directors. The agreement to repurchase the Company’s stock expired in the fourth quarter of 2019 and was not renewed.

Outstanding Shares. The Company had Series A and Series B common stock outstanding of 18,941,340 and 2,469,083, respectively, net of treasury shares at March 31, 2020. At December 31, 2019, the Company had Series A and Series B common stock outstanding of 18,941,115 and 2,469,308, respectively, net of treasury shares.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of actuarial gains and losses attributable to the A. H. Belo Pension Plans, gains and losses resulting from Pension Plans’ amendments and other actuarial experience attributable to other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) plans. The Company records amortization of the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss in other income, net in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains and losses are amortized over the weighted average remaining life expectancy of the OPEB plans and Pension Plans’ participants.

The table below set forth the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, as presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020						2019
	Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans		Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans
Balance, beginning of period	$	(32,294)	$	(32,443)	$	149	$	(37,641)	$	(38,003)	$	362
Amortization		219		220		(1)		63		70		(7)
Balance, end of period	$	(32,075)	$	(32,223)	$	148	$	(37,578)	$	(37,933)	$	355

Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Note 11: Earnings Per Share

The table below sets forth the net loss available to common shareholders and weighted average shares used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). The Company’s Series A and Series B common stock equally share in the distributed and undistributed earnings.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Earnings (Numerator)
Net loss available to common shareholders	$	(1,621)	$	(2,135)

Shares (Denominator)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)		21,410,423		21,594,262

Loss Per Share
Basic and diluted	$	(0.08)	$	(0.10)

There were no options or RSUs outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and 2019, that would result in dilution of shares or the calculation of EPS under the two-class method as prescribed under ASC 260 – Earnings Per Share.

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2020
Contingencies [Abstract]
Contingencies	Note 12: Contingencies Legal proceedings. From time to time, the Company is involved in a variety of claims, lawsuits and other disputes arising in the ordinary course of business. Management routinely assesses the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes in these matters, as well as the ranges of probable losses to the extent losses are reasonably estimable. Accruals for contingencies are recorded when, in the judgment of management, adverse judgments or outcomes are probable and the financial impact, should an adverse outcome occur, is reasonably estimable. The determination of likely outcomes of litigation matters relates to factors that include, but are not limited to, past experience and other evidence, interpretation of relevant laws or regulations and the specifics and status of each matter. Predicting the outcome of claims and litigation and estimating related costs and financial exposure involves substantial uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from estimates and accruals. In the opinion of management, liabilities, if any, arising from other currently existing claims against the Company would not have a material adverse effect on A. H. Belo’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Disposal of Assets	3 Months Ended
Disposal of Assets	Mar. 31, 2020
Disposal of Assets [Abstract]
Disposal of Assets	Note 13: Disposal of Assets In May 2019, the Company finalized a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Charter DMN Holdings, LP (the “Purchaser”) for the sale of the real estate assets in downtown Dallas, Texas, previously used as the Company’s headquarters for a sale price of $28,000. The sale price consisted of $4,597 cash received, after selling costs of approximately $1,000, and a two-year seller-financed promissory note (the “Promissory Note”) of $22,400, included in long-term note receivable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The sale provides the Company an additional $1,000 contingency payment if certain conditions are met; however, at this time the Company does not believe these conditions are probable. In the second quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a pretax gain of $25,908. Due to the offset by existing net operating loss carryforwards, the Company did not record any current tax expense related to the sale transaction. The Promissory Note is secured by a first lien deed of trust covering the property and bears interest payable in quarterly installments that began on July 1, 2019, continuing through its maturity on June 30, 2021, and includes a pre-payment feature. Interest will be accrued at 3.5 percent during the first year and at 4.5 percent during the second year. See Note 14 – Subsequent Events for additional information on deferring the April 1, 2020 interest payment. The Company has considered the request to defer an interest payment by the Purchaser on the collectibility of the note and management does not believe that as of March 31, 2020, the Promissory Note is impaired. Management continues to monitor the credit worthiness of the Purchaser and the value of the underlying collateral given current economic conditions. Notes receivable are recorded net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance, included in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company puts notes receivable on non-accrual status and provides an allowance against accrued interest if it is determined the likelihood of collecting substantially all of the note and accrued interest is not probable. Notes are written-off against the allowance when all possible means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Mar. 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 14: Subsequent Events The Company evaluates subsequent events at the date of the consolidated balance sheet as well as conditions that arise after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued. To the extent any events and conditions exist, disclosures are made regarding the nature of events and the estimated financial effects for those events and conditions. Currently, the rapid spread of COVID-19 globally has resulted in increased travel restrictions, and disruption and shutdown of businesses. Media has been designated an essential business, therefore the Company’s operations are continuing. The Company is experiencing an increase in digital subscriptions, which currently does not offset the loss of advertising revenue. On April 6, 2020, the Company announced that it is taking several actions in response to the financial impact of COVID-19. The Company will reduce operating and capital expenditures, and lower the quarterly dividend rate to $0.04 per share for future dividends declared. In addition, employees’ base compensation will be reduced Company-wide, and the annual bonus tied to financial metrics for eligible employees may be reduced if financial results are adversely affected. Beginning with the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, the board of directors’ compensation will be reduced and the board will be reduced in size by two. The Company continues to evaluate the future material impacts on its consolidated financial statements that may result from the actions taken by the Company and its customers in respect of this virus. The Purchaser of the Company’s former headquarters requested, and on April 3, 2020, the Company entered into a board-approved amendment to the Promissory Note deferring the Purchaser’s interest payment of $195 that was due April 1, 2020, and adding it to a second promissory note (the “Second Promissory Note”). In addition, the Second Promissory Note includes a 2019 real property tax reconciliation payment due from the Purchaser under the Purchase and Sale Agreement in the amount of $180. The Second Promissory Note, in the principal amount of $375, is secured by a second lien deed of trust covering the property and due June 30, 2021. On June 2, 2020, the Company’s board of directors declared a $0.04 per share dividend to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 14, 2020, which is payable on September 4, 2020.

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]
Description of Business, Policy	Description of Business. A. H. Belo Corporation and subsidiaries are referred to collectively herein as “A. H. Belo” or the “Company.” The Company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the leading local news and information publishing company in Texas. The Company has commercial printing, distribution and direct mail capabilities, as well as a presence in emerging media and digital marketing. While focusing on extending the Company’s media platforms, A. H. Belo delivers news and information in innovative ways to a broad range of audiences with diverse interests and lifestyles. The Company publishes The Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com), Texas’ leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes, and various niche publications targeting specific audiences. Its newspaper operations also provide commercial printing and distribution services to several large national newspapers. In addition, the Company has the capabilities of a full-service strategy, creative and media agency that focuses on strategic and digital marketing, and data intelligence that provide a measurable return on investment to its clients.
COVID-19 Pandemic, Policy	COVID-19 Pandemic. Currently, the rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) globally has resulted in increased travel restrictions, and disruption and shutdown of businesses. The Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, impacts from quarantines, market downturns and changes in customer behavior related to the pandemic and impacts on its workforce if the spread of the virus widens and becomes of longer duration. The Company has been following the recommendations of local government and health authorities to minimize exposure risk for employees, including the temporary closure of some of the Company’s offices and having employees work remotely. Employees, including financial reporting staff, have been working remotely since on or about March 10, 2020. Even as the stay-at-home orders were lifted in Texas, the Company’s corporate offices have not re-opened and personnel have continued to work from home. If the virus were to affect a significant number of the workforce employed in printing operations, the Company may experience delays or be unable to produce, print and deliver its publications and other third-party print publications on a timely basis. In addition, one or more printing customers, distribution partners, service providers or suppliers may experience financial distress, file for bankruptcy protection, go out of business, or suffer disruptions in its business due to the coronavirus outbreak. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts the Company’s results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and will include emerging information concerning the severity and length of the coronavirus pandemic and the actions taken by governments and private businesses to contain the coronavirus. The coronavirus is likely to have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition at least for the near term. The full impact of COVID-19 is not yet known and is rapidly evolving. The outbreak and any preventative or protective actions that the Company has taken and may continue to take, or may be imposed on the Company by governmental intervention, in respect of this virus may result in a period of disruption to the Company’s financial reporting capabilities, its printing operations, and its operations generally. COVID-19 is impacting, and may continue to impact, the Company’s customers, distribution partners, advertisers, production facilities, and third parties, and could result in a loss of advertising revenue or supply chain disruption.
Basis of Presentation, Policy	Basis of Presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include adjustments of a normal recurring nature which, in the Company’s opinion, are necessary to present fairly the interim consolidated financial information as of and for the periods indicated. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. All dollar amounts presented herein, except share and per share amounts, are in thousands, unless the context indicates otherwise. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist as of the date the financial statements are published, and (iii) the reported amount of net operating revenues and expenses recognized during the periods presented. Adjustments made with respect to the use of estimates often relate to improved information not previously available. Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of financial statements; accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased uncertainty in management’s estimates and assumptions affecting these interim consolidated financial statements. Areas where significant estimates are used include pension and other post-employment benefit obligation assumptions, income taxes, leases, self-insured liabilities, and long-lived assets impairment review.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-15 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. This update clarifies the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement, or hosting arrangement, that is a service contract. Costs for implementation activities incurred during the application development stage will be capitalized depending on the nature of the costs, while costs incurred during the preliminary project and post implementation stages will be expensed as the activities are performed. The capitalized implementation costs will be expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 prospectively as of January 1, 2020, and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	New Accounting Pronouncements. The FASB issued the following accounting pronouncements and guidance, which may be applicable to the Company but have not yet become effective. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 – Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This update requires financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. Since June 2016, the FASB issued clarifying updates to the new standard including changing the effective date for smaller reporting companies. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this update and has not yet determined its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14 – Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This update modifies the annual disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by removing disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifying the specific requirements of disclosures and adding disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard retrospectively as of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, but does not expect a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12 – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes specific exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 in order to reduce the complexity of its application. ASU 2019-12 also improves consistency and simplifies existing guidance by clarifying and amending certain specific areas of Topic 740. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this update and has not yet determined its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Pension And Other Retirement Plans (Policy)	3 Months Ended
Pension And Other Retirement Plans (Policy)	Mar. 31, 2020
Pension and Other Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Pension, Policy	The Company’s estimates of net periodic pension expense or benefit are based on the expected return on plan assets, interest on the projected benefit obligations and the amortization of actuarial gains and losses that are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for pension and other postretirement benefit plans. This accounting policy may address (1) the types of plans sponsored by the entity, and the benefits provided by each plan (2) groups that participate in (or are covered by) each plan (3) how plan assets, liabilities and expenses are measured, including the use of any actuaries and (4) significant assumptions used by the entity to value plan assets and liabilities and how such assumptions are derived.

+ References + Details

Shareholders' Equity (Policy)	3 Months Ended
Shareholders' Equity (Policy)	Mar. 31, 2020
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity, Policy	Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of actuarial gains and losses attributable to the A. H. Belo Pension Plans, gains and losses resulting from Pension Plans’ amendments and other actuarial experience attributable to other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) plans. The Company records amortization of the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss in other income, net in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gains and losses are amortized over the weighted average remaining life expectancy of the OPEB plans and Pension Plans’ participants.

Acquisitions (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Finalized Allocation Of Purchase Price



		Estimated Fair Value
Working capital, net of acquired cash	$	228
Property, plant and equipment		25
Other intangible assets - customer relationships		510
Goodwill		1,593
Total	$	2,356

Revenue (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Revenue [Abstract]

Disaggregated By Revenue Source



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
			(Recast)
Advertising and Marketing Services
Print advertising	$	12,799	$	15,303
Digital advertising and marketing services		6,528		8,738
Total	$	19,327	$	24,041

Circulation
Print circulation	$	15,017	$	16,184
Digital circulation		1,397		1,089
Total	$	16,414	$	17,273

Printing, Distribution and Other	$	4,602	$	5,275

Total Revenue	$	40,343	$	46,589

Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet Information for Leases



	Classification		March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets
Operating	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	22,483	$	21,371

Liabilities
Operating
Current	Other accrued expense	$	2,140	$	1,579
Noncurrent	Long-term operating lease liabilities		23,694		23,120
Total lease liabilities		$	25,834	$	24,699

Lease Term and Discount Rate
Operating leases
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)			11.0		11.7
Weighted average discount rate (%)			7.3		7.5

Schedule of Components of Lease Cost and Supplemental Cash Flow Information for Leases



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Lease Cost
Operating lease cost	$	1,046	$	1,038
Short-term lease cost		4		46
Variable lease cost		138		90
Sublease income		(195)		(161)
Total lease cost	$	993	$	1,013

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for operating leases included in operating activities	$	1,017	$	998
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities		1,540		23,095

Schedule of Remaining Maturities of Lease Liabilities



Years Ending December 31,	Operating Leases
2020	$	2,854
2021		4,245
2022		4,142
2023		3,272
2024		2,467
Thereafter		22,121
Total lease payments		39,101
Less: imputed interest		13,267
Total lease liabilities	$	25,834

Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Schedule of Identifiable Intangible Assets




	March 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
Intangible Assets
Cost	$	2,030	$	2,030
Accumulated Amortization		(1,775)		(1,711)
Net Carrying Value	$	255	$	319

Pension and Other Retirement Plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Pension and Other Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Periodic Pension Benefit



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Interest cost	$	1,559	$	1,974
Expected return on plans' assets		(2,941)		(2,867)
Amortization of actuarial loss		220		70
Net periodic pension benefit	$	(1,162)	$	(823)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020						2019
	Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans		Total		Defined benefit pension plans		Other post- employment benefit plans
Balance, beginning of period	$	(32,294)	$	(32,443)	$	149	$	(37,641)	$	(38,003)	$	362
Amortization		219		220		(1)		63		70		(7)
Balance, end of period	$	(32,075)	$	(32,223)	$	148	$	(37,578)	$	(37,933)	$	355

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share Reconciliation



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Earnings (Numerator)
Net loss available to common shareholders	$	(1,621)	$	(2,135)

Shares (Denominator)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)		21,410,423		21,594,262

Loss Per Share
Basic and diluted	$	(0.08)	$	(0.10)

Segment Reporting (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Narrative) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019 segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) - Cubic Creative, Inc.[Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition cash purchase price, net of cash acquired	$ 2,356
Cash acquired from acquisition	213
Business combination, transaction costs	$ 92
Business combination, transaction costs incurred		$ 0	$ 23

Acquisitions (Finalized Allocation Of Purchase Price) (Details) - Cubic Creative, Inc.[Member] $ in Thousands	Apr. 01, 2019 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital, net of acquired cash	$ 228
Property, plant, and equipment	25
Other intangible assets - customer relationships	510
Goodwill	1,593
Total	$ 2,356

Revenue (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Revenue (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Deferred revenue, revenue recognized	$ 6,598
Minimum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue remaining performance obligation expected timing of revenue recognition	1 month
Maximum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue remaining performance obligation expected timing of revenue recognition	12 months

Revenue (Disaggregated by Revenue Source) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 40,343	$ 46,589
Print Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	12,799	15,303
Digital Advertising and Marketing Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	6,528	8,738
Advertising And Marketing Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	19,327	24,041
Print Circulation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	15,017	16,184
Digital Circulation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,397	1,089
Circulation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	16,414	17,273
Printing, Distribution And Other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,602	$ 5,275

Leases (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Leases (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) contract
Number of operating leases commenced in first quarter of 2020 \| contract	3
Operating lease not yet commenced number of lease contract \| contract	0
Sublease [Member]
Sublease income expected for the remainder of 2020	$ 391
Sublease income expected in 2021	314
Sublease income expected in 2022	223
Sublease income expected in 2023	$ 129
Leases Commenced in First Quarter of 2020 [Member]
Operating lease term	3 years
Denton Publishing Company [Member] \| Sublease [Member]
Operating leases remaining terms	3 years
Minimum [Member]
Operating leases remaining terms	1 year
Operating lease term	1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Distributors Sublease [Member]
Operating leases remaining terms	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Operating leases remaining terms	14 years
Maximum [Member] \| Distributors Sublease [Member]
Operating leases remaining terms	2 years

Leases (Schedule of Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheet Information for Leases) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 22,483	$ 21,371
Operating lease liabilities current	$ 2,140	$ 1,579
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	us-gaap:OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent
Operating lease liabilities noncurrent	$ 23,694	$ 23,120
Total lease liabilities	$ 25,834	$ 24,699
Operating leases weighted average remaining lease term (years)	11 years	11 years 8 months 12 days
Operating leases weighted average discount rate	7.30%	7.50%

Leases (Schedule of Components of Lease Cost and Supplemental Cash Flow Information for Leases) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Lease, Cost [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 1,046	$ 1,038
Short-term lease cost	4	46
Variable lease cost	138	90
Sublease income	(195)	(161)
Total lease cost	993	1,013
Cash paid for operating leases included in operating activities	1,017	998
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities	$ 1,540	$ 23,095

Leases (Schedule of Remaining Maturities of Lease Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract]
2020	$ 2,854
2021	4,245
2022	4,142
2023	3,272
2024	2,467
Thereafter	22,121
Total lease payments	39,101
Less: imputed interest	13,267
Total lease liabilities	$ 25,834	$ 24,699

Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 segment	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments \| segment		1
Net carrying value	$ 255			$ 319
Amortization expense	64		$ 76
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets excluding goodwill	$ 510
Definite-lived intangibles, useful life	2 years
Net carrying value	$ 255
Developed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets excluding goodwill	$ 1,520
Definite-lived intangibles, useful life	5 years

Intangible Assets (Schedule of Identifiable Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Intangible Assets
Cost	$ 2,030	$ 2,030
Accumulated Amortization	(1,775)	(1,711)
Net Carrying Value	$ 255	$ 319

Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) - eSite Analytics, Inc. [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019
Notes receivable non current	$ 200	$ 750	$ 573
Related parties, notes receivable periodic payments		$ 60
Related parties, notes receivable term		3 years
Related party, interest rate on notes receivable		5.50%
Related parties, Notes Receivable maturity date	Sep. 30, 2022

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2020	Mar. 26, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax [Line Items]
Income tax benefit			$ (1,787)	$ (964)
Effective income tax rate			52.40%	31.10%
The CARES Act [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Temporary net operating loss carry back term			5 years
Additional tax depreciation	$ 1,017
Net operating loss			$ 6,829
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		39 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] \| The CARES Act [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	15 years
Leasehold improvements, percentage of eligibility for tax bonus depreciation	100.00%
Loss Carried Back to 2014 [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
U.S. corporate income tax rate					35.00%
Loss Carried Back to 2014 [Member] \| The CARES Act [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Estimated cash refund			$ 2,345

Pension and Other Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) employee	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
401(K) plan
Defined Contribution Plans
Maximum pretax contribution per employee	100.00%
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent	1.50%
Expense recognized	$ 220,000	$ 213,000
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of employee participants \| employee	1,400
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions
Estimated future employer contributions	$ 0

Pension and Other Retirement Plans (Schedule of Net Periodic Pension Benefit) (Details) - Pension Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost	$ 1,559	$ 1,974
Expected return on plans' assets	(2,941)	(2,867)
Amortization of actuarial loss	220	70
Net periodic pension benefit	$ (1,162)	$ (823)

Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - $ / shares	Mar. 05, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Dividends payable, amount per share	$ 0.08
Dividends payable, date declared	Mar. 05, 2020
Dividends payable, date of record	May 15, 2020
Dividends payable, date of payment	Jun. 05, 2020
Series A
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares, outstanding		18,941,340	18,941,115
Series B
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares, outstanding		2,469,083	2,469,308

Shareholders' Equity (Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	$ (32,294)	$ (37,641)
Amortization	219	63
Balance, end of period	(32,075)	(37,578)
Pension Plan [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	(32,443)	(38,003)
Amortization	220	70
Balance, end of period	(32,223)	(37,933)
Other Post-Employment Benefit Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	149	362
Amortization	(1)	(7)
Balance, end of period	$ 148	$ 355

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	0	0

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Share Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss available to common shareholders	$ (1,621)	$ (2,135)
Shares (Denominator)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)	21,410,423	21,594,262
Loss Per Share
Basic and diluted	$ (0.08)	$ (0.10)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Disposal of Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	May 17, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of real estate assets		$ 5
Gain on sale/disposal of assets, net		$ 5
Dallas, Texas [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale/disposal of assets, net			$ 25,908
Charter DMN Holdings, LP [Member] \| Dallas, Texas [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of real estate assets, amount	$ 28,000
Proceeds from sale of real estate assets	4,597
Real estate assets selling costs	1,000
Note receivable	$ 22,400
Notes receivable term	2 years
Additional contingency payment receivable if certain conditions are met	$ 1,000
Interest rate on promissory note during first year		3.50%
Interest rate on promissory note during second year		4.50%

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jun. 02, 2020 $ / shares	Apr. 06, 2020 item $ / shares	Apr. 03, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 05, 2020 $ / shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends payable, date declared				Mar. 05, 2020
Dividends payable, amount per share \| $ / shares				$ 0.08
Dividends payable, date of record				May 15, 2020
Dividends payable, date of payment				Jun. 05, 2020
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends payable, date declared	Jun. 02, 2020
Dividends payable, amount per share \| $ / shares	$ 0.04
Dividends payable, date of record	Aug. 14, 2020
Dividends payable, date of payment	Sep. 04, 2020
Subsequent Event [Member] \| COVID-19 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Reduced size of board of directors \| item		2
Future expected dividend rate \| $ / shares		$ 0.04
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Charter DMN Holdings, LP [Member] \| Second Promissory Note [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Note receivable \| $			$ 375
Note receivable, due date			Jun. 30, 2021
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Charter DMN Holdings, LP [Member] \| Second Promissory Note [Member] \| Deferred Purchaser's Interest Payment [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Note receivable \| $			$ 195
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Charter DMN Holdings, LP [Member] \| Second Promissory Note [Member] \| 2019 Real Property Tax Reconciliation Payment Due from Purchaser [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Note receivable \| $			$ 180