(8) Segment Information

TripCo, through its ownership interests in TripAdvisor, is primarily engaged in the online commerce industries. TripCo identifies its reportable segments as (A) those operating segments that represent 10% or more of its consolidated annual revenue, annual adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted OIBDA”) or total assets and (B) those equity method affiliates whose share of earnings represent 10% or more of TripCo’s annual pre-tax earnings.

During the first quarter of 2019, as part of a continuous review of our business, we realigned our reportable segment information which our chief operating decision maker, or CODM, regularly assesses to evaluate performance for operating decision-making purposes, including evaluation and allocation of resources.

The revised segment reporting structure includes the following reportable segments: (1) Hotels, Media & Platform; and (2) Experiences & Dining. All prior period segment disclosure information has been reclassified to conform to the current reporting structure in this Form 10-Q. These reclassifications had no effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements in any period. 

TripCo evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, gross margin, and revenue or sales per customer equivalent. In addition, TripCo reviews nonfinancial measures such as unique website visitors, conversion rates and active customers, as appropriate.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2019, we have identified the following as reportable segments:

TripAdvisor’s accounting policies are the same as those described in the Company’s Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Performance Measures

TripAdvisor disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers into major products/revenue sources. TripAdvisor has determined that disaggregating revenue into these categories achieves the disclosure objective to depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Revenue is recognized primarily at a point in time for all reported segments.

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The following table provides information about the opening and closing balances of accounts receivable and contract assets from contracts with customers:

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Accounts receivable are recognized when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Contract assets are rights to consideration in exchange for services that TripAdvisor has transferred to a customer when that right is conditional on something other than the passage of time, such as commission payments that are contingent upon the completion of the service by the principal in the transaction. Contract liabilities generally include payments received in advance of performance under the contract, and are realized as revenue as the performance obligation to the customer is satisfied, which TripAdvisor presents as deferred revenue on its consolidated balance sheets. As of January 1, 2019, TripAdvisor had $63 million recorded as deferred revenue on its condensed consolidated balance sheet, of which $10 million and $56 million was recognized into revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. As of January 1, 2018, TripAdvisor had $59 million recorded as deferred revenue on its unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, of which $8 million and $53 million was recognized in revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.  The difference between the opening and closing balances of TripAdvisor’s deferred revenue primarily results from the timing differences between when TripAdvisor receives customer payments and the time in which TripAdvisor satisfies its performance obligations. The difference between the opening and closing balances of TripAdvisor’s contract assets primarily results from the timing difference between when TripAdvisor satisfies its performance obligations and the time when the principal completes the service in the transaction. There were no significant changes in contract assets or deferred revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 related to business combinations, impairments, cumulative catch-ups or other material adjustments.

For segment reporting purposes, TripCo defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation), adjusted for specifically identified non-recurring transactions. TripCo believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results, and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation and amortization, equity settled liabilities (including stock-based compensation), separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. TripCo generally accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current prices.

Adjusted OIBDA is summarized as follows:

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In addition, we do not report assets, capital expenditures and related depreciation expense by segment as our CODM does not use this information to evaluate operating segments. Accordingly, we do not regularly provide such information by segment to our CODM.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) before income taxes:

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