9. Asset Impairments and Exit Activity Costs

During 2013, as a result of the reorganization and re-focus of our continuing businesses following the discontinuation of our non-branded entertainment media distribution and direct response television marketing operations, we impaired $4.4 million of media libraries and capitalized production costs, $1.5 million of advances, and $1.3 million of property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, and other investments. These noncash impairments reduced the carrying value of assets for our business and direct to consumer segments by $5.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively. We estimated the fair value of each impaired asset category using a traditional present value technique, relying upon various sources of information for our assumptions, such as estimated future sales, internal budgets and projections, and judgment about the related product’s future earnings potential (level 3 of the fair value hierarchy). We also recorded termination benefits of $2.5 million related to the termination of certain employees associated with our restructuring and future retirement benefits for one of our executive officers. These asset impairment and termination benefit charges were recorded in other general expense on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. Also included in other general expenses on our consolidated statements of operations are $1.3 million of expenses related to a brand study, recruiting for a new CEO, and other operating expenses that management believes are unique in 2013.

At December 31, 2013, the accrual liability associated with termination benefits consisted of the following:

The $2.2 million accrual balance at December 31, 2013 is expected to be paid $1.3 million in 2014, $ 0.5 million in 2015 and $0.4 million in 2015.