Inventories. The costs of feature films and television programs, including productionadvances to independent producers, interest on production loans, and distributionadvances to film licensors, are amortized on bases designed to write off costs in proportion to the expected flow of income.The cost of general release feature productions is divided between theatrical ion andtelevision ion, based on the proportion of net revenues expected to be derived from eachsource. The portion of the cost of feature productions allocated to theatrical ion is amortized generally by the application of tables which write off approximately 62% in26 weeks, 85% in 52 weeks, and 100% in 104 weeks after release. Costs of two theatricalproductions first released on a reserved-seat basis are amortized in the proportion thatrentals earned bear to the estimated final theatrical and television rentals. Because of thedepressed market for the licensing of feature films to television and poor acceptance bythe public of a number of theatrical films released late in the year, the company made aspecial provision for additional amortization of recent releases and those not yet licensedfor television to reduce such films to their currently estimated net realizable values.

Required:

a. Identify the main determinants for valuation of feature films, television programs, and general release featureproductions by Columbia Pictures.

b. Are the bases of valuation reasonable? Explain.

c. Indicate additional information on inventory valuation that an unsecured lender to Columbia Pictures wouldwish to obtain and any analyses the lender would wish to conduct.