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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 29, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34063
Entity Registrant Name	LendingTree, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	26-2414818
Entity Address, Address Line One	11115 Rushmore Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Charlotte
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	28277
City Area Code	704
Local Phone Number	541-5351
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0001434621
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	TREE
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		13,063,927

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue	$ 283,084	$ 262,390
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	14,252	17,670
Selling and marketing expense	195,538	174,891
General and administrative expense	32,082	31,117
Product development	10,963	10,166
Depreciation	3,378	2,482
Amortization of intangibles	13,757	13,427
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122)	14,592
Severance	158	54
Litigation settlements and contingencies	329	(207)
Total costs and expenses	262,335	264,192
Operating income (loss)	20,749	(1,802)
Other (expense) income, net:
Interest expense, net	(4,834)	(5,468)
Other income	0	68
Income (loss) before income taxes	15,915	(7,202)
Income tax benefit	3,061	7,752
Net income from continuing operations	18,976	550
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(4,575)	(1,062)
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)	$ 14,401	$ (512)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	12,957	12,718
Diluted	14,158	14,186
Income per share from continuing operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 0.04
Diluted (in dollars per share)	1.34	0.04
Loss per share from discontinued operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.35)	(0.08)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	(0.32)	(0.07)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	1.11	(0.04)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ (0.04)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51,208,000	$ 60,243,000
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	93,000	96,000
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $2,021 and $1,466, respectively)	119,559,000	113,487,000
Prepaid and other current assets	17,375,000	15,516,000
Current assets of discontinued operations	84,000	84,000
Total current assets	188,319,000	189,426,000
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $19,294 and $17,979, respectively)	31,473,000	31,363,000
Goodwill	420,139,000	420,139,000
Intangible assets, net	167,823,000	181,580,000
Deferred income tax assets	90,725,000	87,664,000
Equity investment (Note 7)	80,000,000	0
Other non-current assets	28,665,000	29,849,000
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	9,476,000	7,948,000
Total assets	1,016,620,000	947,969,000
LIABILITIES:
Revolving credit facility	130,000,000	75,000,000.0
Accounts payable, trade	6,056,000	2,873,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	105,647,000	112,755,000
Current contingent consideration	14,183,000	9,028,000
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	36,400,000	31,050,000
Total current liabilities	292,286,000	230,706,000
Long-term debt	267,870,000	264,391,000
Non-current contingent consideration	8,159,000	24,436,000
Other non-current liabilities	24,748,000	26,110,000
Total liabilities	593,063,000	545,643,000
Commitments and contingencies
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock $.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,704,064 and 15,676,819 shares issued, respectively, and 13,062,746 and 13,035,501 shares outstanding, respectively	157,000	157,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,184,813,000	1,177,984,000
Accumulated deficit	(578,252,000)	(592,654,000)
Treasury stock; 2,641,318 shares	(183,161,000)	(183,161,000)
Total shareholders' equity	423,557,000	402,326,000
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,016,620,000	947,969,000
Common Stock
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Total shareholders' equity	157,000	157,000
Additional Paid-in Capital
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Total shareholders' equity	1,184,813,000	1,177,984,000
Accumulated Deficit
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Total shareholders' equity	(578,252,000)	(592,654,000)
Treasury Stock
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Total shareholders' equity	$ (183,161,000)	$ (183,161,000)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance (in dollars)	$ 2,021	$ 1,466
Accumulated depreciation of property and equipment	$ 19,294	$ 17,979
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized shares	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized shares	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	15,704,064	15,676,819
Common stock, outstanding shares	13,062,746	13,035,501
Treasury stock, shares	2,641,318	2,641,318

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 346,208	$ 154	$ 1,134,227	$ (610,482)	$ (177,691)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		15,428,000			2,618,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income	(512)			(512)		$ (512)
Non-cash compensation	14,053		14,053
Purchase of treasury stock	$ (3,976)				$ (3,976)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	17,501				18,000
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	$ (3,585)	$ 1	(3,586)
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes (in shares)		87,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	352,188	$ 155	1,144,694	(610,994)	$ (181,667)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		15,515,000			2,636,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	402,326	$ 157	1,177,984	(592,654)	$ (183,161)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		15,677,000			2,641,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income	14,401			14,401		$ 14,401
Non-cash compensation	11,917		11,917
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	(5,087)		(5,087)
Stockholders' Equity, Other	0		(1)	1
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes (in shares)		27,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 423,557	$ 157	$ 1,184,813	$ (578,252)	$ (183,161)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020		15,704,000			2,641,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)	$ 14,401	$ (512)
Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	4,575	1,062
Net income from continuing operations	18,976	550
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Loss on impairments and disposal of assets	530	468
Amortization of intangibles	13,757	13,427
Depreciation	3,378	2,482
Non-cash compensation expense	11,917	14,053
Deferred income taxes	(3,061)	(7,752)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122)	14,592
Bad debt expense	880	510
Amortization of debt issuance costs	582	483
Amortization of convertible debt discount	3,111	2,951
ROU asset amortization, offset by change in lease liabilities	(196)	35
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(6,952)	(27,534)
Prepaid and other current assets	(1,430)	(207)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(3,271)	5,653
Current contingent consideration	0	(1,000)
Income taxes receivable	65	4,288
Other, net	(862)	270
Net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations	29,302	23,269
Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Capital expenditures	(4,189)	(4,960)
Equity investment	(80,000)	0
Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations	(84,189)	(110,405)
Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Payments related to net-share settlement of stock-based compensation, net of proceeds from exercise of stock options	(5,087)	(3,585)
Contingent consideration payments	(3,000)	(3,000)
Net proceeds from revolving credit facility	55,000	60,000
Payment of debt issuance costs	(306)	(31)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	(3,976)
Other financing activities	(6)	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	46,601	49,408
Total cash used in continuing operations	(8,286)	(37,728)
Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations	(752)	(2,827)
Total cash used in discontinued operations	(752)	(2,827)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	(9,038)	(40,555)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	60,339	105,158
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	51,301	64,603
Non-cash investing activities:
Capital additions from tenant improvement allowance	0	852
ValuePenguin
Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(105,445)
QuoteWizard
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,262)	14,359
Ovation
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	141	(648)
SnapCap
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	$ (1)	$ 1,592

ORGANIZATION	3 Months Ended
ORGANIZATION	Mar. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
ORGANIZATION	ORGANIZATION Company Overview LendingTree, Inc. is currently the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC (collectively, "LendingTree" or the "Company"). LendingTree operates what it believes to be the leading online consumer platform that connects consumers with the choices they need to be confident in their financial decisions. The Company offers consumers tools and resources, including free credit scores, that facilitate comparison-shopping for mortgage loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, auto loans, credit cards, deposit accounts, personal loans, student loans, small business loans, insurance quotes and other related offerings. The Company primarily seeks to match in-market consumers with multiple providers on its marketplace who can provide them with competing quotes for loans, deposit products, insurance or other related offerings they are seeking. The Company also serves as a valued partner to lenders and other providers seeking an efficient, scalable and flexible source of customer acquisition with directly measurable benefits, by matching the consumer inquiries it generates with these providers. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LendingTree and all its wholly-owned entities, except Home Loan Center, Inc. ("HLC") subsequent to its bankruptcy filing on July 21, 2019 which resulted in the Company's loss of a controlling interest in HLC under applicable accounting standards. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Discontinued Operations The LendingTree Loans business, which consisted of originating various consumer mortgage loans through HLC (the "LendingTree Loans Business"), is presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows for all periods presented. The notes accompanying these consolidated financial statements reflect the Company's continuing operations and, unless otherwise noted, exclude information related to the discontinued operations. See Note 17—Discontinued Operations for additional information. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements, and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the Company's financial position for the periods presented. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020, or any other period. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 was derived from audited financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the "2019 Annual Report"). The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2019 Annual Report.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Estimates Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during any period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including discontinued operations, include: loan loss obligations; the recoverability of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets; the determination of income taxes payable and deferred income taxes, including related valuation allowances; fair value of assets acquired in a business combination; contingent consideration related to business combinations; litigation accruals; HLC ownership related claims; contract assets; various other allowances, reserves and accruals; and assumptions related to the determination of stock-based compensation. The Company considered the impact of COVID-19 on the assumptions and estimates used when preparing its quarterly financial statements including, but not limited to, our allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation allowances, contract asset and contingent consideration. These assumptions and estimates may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained. If economic conditions caused by COVID-19 do not recover as currently estimated by management, such future changes may have an adverse impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position and liquidity. Certain Risks and Concentrations LendingTree's business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on third-party technology providers, exposure to risks associated with online commerce security and credit card fraud. Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk at March 31, 2020, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, as disclosed in the consolidated balance sheet. Cash and cash equivalents are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits, but are maintained with quality financial institutions of high credit. The Company requires certain Network Partners to maintain security deposits with the Company, which in the event of non-payment, would be applied against any accounts receivable outstanding. Due to the nature of the mortgage lending industry, interest rate fluctuations may negatively impact future revenue from the Company's marketplace. Lenders and lead purchasers participating on the Company's marketplace can offer their products directly to consumers through brokers, mass marketing campaigns or through other traditional methods of credit distribution. These lenders and lead purchasers can also offer their products online, either directly to prospective borrowers, through one or more online competitors, or both. If a significant number of potential consumers are able to obtain loans and other products from Network Partners without utilizing the Company's services, the Company's ability to generate revenue may be limited. Because the Company does not have exclusive relationships with the Network Partners whose loans and other financial products are offered on its online marketplace, consumers may obtain offers from these Network Partners without using its services. Other than a support services office in India, the Company's operations are geographically limited to and dependent upon the economic condition of the United States. Litigation Settlements and Contingencies Litigation settlements and contingencies consists of expenses related to actual or anticipated litigation settlements. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-15, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 in the first quarter of 2020 using the prospective approach. Subsequent to the adoption of this ASU, capitalizable implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract are recorded within prepaid and other current assets and other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The expense related to these capitalized implementation costs are included within general and administrative expense on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, which removes, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Certain amendments must be applied prospectively while others are to be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 in the first quarter of 2020. See Note 15—Fair Value Measurements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge (Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test). Instead, an impairment charge will be based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value. This ASU is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 in the first quarter of 2020. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which requires entities to measure expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU introduces ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, which replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade receivables and certain other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. ASC Topic 326 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The guidance must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition. The Company adopted ASC Topic 326 as of January 1, 2020, which did not result in any cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit in the period of adoption. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to improve consistency among reporting entities. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in interim periods. Entities electing early adoption must adopt all amendments in the same period. Most amendments must be applied prospectively while others are to be applied on a retrospective basis for all periods presented or a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and whether to early adopt.

REVENUE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

REVENUE

Revenue is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Home	$	79,174	$	63,437
Credit cards	51,586		54,506
Personal loans	31,509		32,531
Other Consumer	36,829		33,692
Total Consumer	119,924		120,729
Insurance	82,737		67,092
Other	1,249		11,132
Total revenue	$	283,084	$	262,390

The Company derives its revenue primarily from match fees and closing fees. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied and promised services have transferred to the customer. The Company's services are generally transferred to the customer at a point in time.

Revenue from Home products is primarily generated from upfront match fees paid by mortgage Network Partners that receive a loan request, and in some cases upfront fees for clicks or call transfers. Match fees and upfront fees for clicks and call transfers are earned through the delivery of loan requests that originated through the Company's websites or affiliates. The Company recognizes revenue at the time a loan request is delivered to the customer, provided that no significant obligations remain. The Company's contractual right to the match fee consideration is contemporaneous with the satisfaction of the performance obligation to deliver a loan request to the customer.

Revenue from Consumer products is generated by match and other upfront fees for clicks or call transfers, as well as from closing fees, approval fees and upfront service and subscription fees. Closing fees are derived from lenders on certain auto loans, business loans, personal loans and student loans when the lender funds a loan with the consumer. Approval fees are derived from credit card issuers when the credit card consumer receives card approval from the credit card issuer. Upfront service fees and

subscription fees are derived from consumers in the Company's credit services product. Upfront fees paid by consumers are recognized as revenue over the estimated time the consumer will remain a customer and receive services. Subscription fees are recognized over the period a consumer is receiving services.

The Company recognizes revenue on closing fees and approval fees at the point when a loan request or a credit card consumer is delivered to the customer. The Company's contractual right to closing fees and approval fees is not contemporaneous with the satisfaction of the performance obligation to deliver a loan request or a credit card consumer to the customer. As such, the Company records a contract asset at each reporting period-end related to the estimated variable consideration on closing fees and approval fees for which the Company has satisfied the related performance obligation, but are still pending the loan closing or credit card approval before the Company has a contractual right to payment. This estimate is based on the Company's historical closing rates and historical time between when a consumer request for a loan or credit card is delivered to the lender or card issuer and when the loan is closed by the lender or approved by the card issuer.

Revenue from the Company's Insurance products is primarily generated from upfront match fees, and upfront fees for website clicks or fees for calls. Match fees and upfront fees for clicks and call transfers are earned through the delivery of consumer requests that originated through the Company's websites or affiliates. The Company recognizes revenue at the time a consumer request is delivered to the customer, provided that no significant obligations remain. The Company's contractual right to the match fee consideration is contemporaneous with the satisfaction of the performance obligation to deliver a consumer request to the customer.

The contract asset recorded within prepaid and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets related to estimated variable consideration was $6.8 million and $6.5 million on March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The contract liability recorded within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets related to upfront fees paid by consumers in the Company's Consumer business was $0.7 million and $0.6 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recognized revenue of $0.5 million that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2019. During the first quarter of 2019, the Company recognized revenue of $0.3 million that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2018.

Revenue recognized in any reporting period includes estimated variable consideration for which the Company has satisfied the related performance obligations, but are still pending the occurrence or non-occurrence of a future event outside the Company's control (such as lenders providing loans to consumers or credit card approvals of consumers) before the Company has a contractual right to payment. The Company recognized increases to such revenue from prior periods of $0.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019.

CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH

Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents consist of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	51,208	$	60,243
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	93		96
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	$	51,301	$	60,339

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Credit Loss [Abstract]

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, previous loss history, current and expected economic conditions and the specific customer's current and expected ability to pay its obligation. Accounts receivable are considered past due when they are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms. Accounts receivable are written off when management deems them uncollectible.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
Balance, beginning of the period	$	1,466		$	1,143
Charges to earnings	880			510
Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable	(332		)	(288		)
Recoveries collected	7			5
Balance, end of the period	$	2,021		$	1,370

- Definition

The entire disclosure for credit loss on financial instrument measured at amortized cost basis, net investment in lease, off-balance sheet credit exposure, and available-for-sale debt security.

+ References + Details

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The balance of goodwill and intangible assets, net is as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019
Goodwill	$	903,227		$	903,227
Accumulated impairment losses	(483,088		)	(483,088		)
Net goodwill	$	420,139		$	420,139

Intangible assets with indefinite lives	$	10,142		$	10,142
Intangible assets with definite lives, net	157,681			171,438
Total intangible assets, net	$	167,823		$	181,580

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

The Company's goodwill at each of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consists of $59.3 million associated with the Home segment, $166.1 million associated with the Consumer segment, and $194.7 million associated with the Insurance segment.

Intangible assets with indefinite lives relate to the Company's trademarks.

Intangible Assets with Definite Lives

Intangible assets with definite lives relate to the following (in thousands):



	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Technology	$	116,200	$	(56,032	)	$	60,168
Customer lists	77,300		(13,979		)	63,321
Trademarks and tradenames	17,200		(7,292		)	9,908
Website content	51,000		(26,717		)	24,283
Other	5		(4		)	1
Balance at March 31, 2020	$	261,705	$	(104,024	)	$	157,681



	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Technology	$	116,200	$	(48,938	)	$	67,262
Customer lists	77,300		(12,452		)	64,848
Trademarks and tradenames	17,200		(6,407		)	10,793
Website content	51,000		(22,467		)	28,533
Other	5		(3		)	2
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	261,705	$	(90,267	)	$	171,438

Amortization of intangible assets with definite lives is computed on a straight-line basis and, based on balances as of March 31, 2020, future amortization is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):



	Amortization Expense
Remainder of current year	$	39,322
Year ending December 31, 2021	42,738
Year ending December 31, 2022	25,256
Year ending December 31, 2023	8,602
Year ending December 31, 2024	6,747
Thereafter	35,016
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	$	157,681

EQUITY INVESTMENTS	3 Months Ended
EQUITY INVESTMENTS	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
EQUITY INVESTMENT	EQUITY INVESTMENT On February 28, 2020, the Company acquired an equity interest in Stash Financial, Inc. (“Stash”) for $80.0 million. Stash is a consumer investing and banking platform. Stash brings together banking, investing, and education into one seamless experience offering a full-suite of personal investment accounts, Traditional and Roth IRAs, custodial investment accounts, and banking services, including checking accounts and debit cards with a Stock-Back^® rewards program. The Stash equity securities do not have a readily determinable fair value and, upon acquisition, the Company elected the measurement alternative to value its securities. The Stash equity securities will be carried at cost and subsequently marked to market upon observable market events with any gains or losses recorded in operating income in the consolidated statement of operations. As of March 31, 2020, there have been no observable market events that would result in upward or downward adjustments in the fair value and there have been no impairments to the original cost of $80.0 million.

BUSINESS ACQUISITION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

BUSINESS ACQUISITION

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

Changes in Contingent Consideration

In 2018, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of QuoteWizard.com, LLC (“QuoteWizard”) and Ovation Credit Services, Inc. (“Ovation”).

In 2017, the Company acquired certain assets of Snap Capital LLC, which does business under the name SnapCap (“SnapCap”) and all of the assets of Deposits Online, LLC, which does business under the name DepositAccounts.com (“DepositAccounts”).

The Company will make an earnout payment ranging from zero to $1.0 million based on the achievement of defined milestone targets for DepositAccounts, a payment of $3.0 million based on the achievement of certain defined earnings targets for SnapCap, payments ranging from zero to $4.4 million based on the achievement of certain defined operating metrics for Ovation, and payments ranging from zero to $46.8 million based on the achievement of certain defined performance targets for QuoteWizard.

Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration is summarized as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
QuoteWizard	$	(8,262	)	$	14,359
Ovation	141			(648		)
SnapCap	(1		)	1,592
DepositAccounts	—			(711		)
Total changes in fair value of contingent consideration	$	(8,122	)	$	14,592

As of March 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration for the QuoteWizard acquisition totaled $16.2 million, of which $8.0 million is included in current contingent consideration and $8.2 million is included in non-current contingent consideration in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration payments is determined using an option pricing model. The estimated value of the contingent consideration is based upon available information and certain assumptions, known at the time of this report, which management believes are reasonable.

As of March 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration for the Ovation acquisition totaled $3.2 million, which is included in current contingent consideration in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration payments is determined using an option pricing model. The estimated value of the contingent consideration is based upon available information and certain assumptions, known at the time of this report, which management believes are reasonable.

As of March 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration for the SnapCap acquisition totaled $2.9 million, which is included in current contingent consideration in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration payments is based on the $3.0 million achieved target discounted from the payment due date to March 31, 2020.

As of March 31, 2020, no liability has been recorded for the DepositAccounts acquisition in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for the remaining contingent consideration payment based on Federal Funds interest rates. The estimated fair value of the portion of the contingent consideration payments based on increases in interest rates is determined using a scenario approach based on the interest rate forecasts of Federal Open Market Committee participants. The estimated value of the contingent consideration is based upon available information and certain assumptions, known at the time of this report, which management believes are reasonable.

Any differences in the actual contingent consideration payments will be recorded in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accrued advertising expense	$	58,165	$	65,836
Accrued compensation and benefits	9,265		10,540
Accrued professional fees	3,315		1,560
Customer deposits and escrows	9,616		6,920
Contribution to LendingTree Foundation	3,333		3,333
Current lease liabilities	6,470		6,885
Other	15,483		17,681
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	105,647	$	112,755

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Basic and diluted income per share was determined based on the following share data (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020	2019
Weighted average basic common shares	12,957	12,718
Effect of stock options	628	686
Effect of dilutive share awards	104	161
Effect of Convertible Senior Notes and warrants	469	621
Weighted average diluted common shares	14,158	14,186

For the first quarter of 2020, the weighted average shares that were anti-dilutive, and therefore excluded from the calculation of diluted income per share, included options to purchase 0.1 million shares of common stock. For the first quarter of 2019, the weighted average shares that were anti-dilutive included options to purchase 0.4 million shares of common stock.

The 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due June 1, 2022 and the warrants issued by the Company in 2017 could be converted into the Company’s common stock, subject to certain contingencies. See Note 13—Debt for additional information.

Common Stock Repurchases

In each of February 2018 and February 2019, the board of directors authorized and the Company announced the repurchase of up to $100.0 million and $150.0 million, respectively, of LendingTree's common stock. During the first quarter of 2019, the Company purchased 17,501 shares of its common stock for aggregate consideration of $4.0 million. At March 31, 2020, approximately $179.7 million of the previous authorizations to repurchase common stock remain available.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Non-cash compensation related to equity awards is included in the following line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Cost of revenue	$	242	$	153
Selling and marketing expense	1,156		1,749
General and administrative expense	9,123		10,221
Product development	1,396		1,930
Total non-cash compensation	$	11,917	$	14,053

Stock Options

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options is as follows:



	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
			(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2020	777,871		$	69.87
Granted ^(b)	69,319		275.82
Exercised	(2,462	)	67.05
Forfeited	(193	)	332.65
Expired	(1,974	)	352.10
Options outstanding at March 31, 2020	842,561		86.11		4.54	$	99,017
Options exercisable at March 31, 2020	677,829		$	43.56	3.49	$	98,896

(a)

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company's closing stock price of $183.39 on the last trading day of the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares covered by in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holder had the option holder exercised these options on March 31, 2020. The intrinsic value changes based on the market value of the Company's common stock.


(b)	During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted stock options to certain employees with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $138.29, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which vesting periods include (a) three years from grant date and (b) four years from grant date.

For purposes of determining stock-based compensation expense, the weighted average grant date fair value per share of the stock options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the use of various key assumptions. The weighted average assumptions used are as follows:



Expected term ⁽¹⁾	6.00 - 6.25 years
Expected dividend ⁽²⁾	—
Expected volatility ⁽³⁾	52 - 53%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽⁴⁾	0.96%


(1)	The expected term of stock options granted was calculated using the "Simplified Method," which utilizes the midpoint between the weighted average time of vesting and the end of the contractual term. This method was utilized for the stock options due to a lack of historical exercise behavior by the Company's employees.


(2)	For all stock options granted in 2020, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.


(3)	The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock.


(4)	The risk-free interest rate is specific to the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for notes with comparable expected terms as the awards, in effect at the grant date.

Stock Options with Market Conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options with market conditions at target is as follows:



	Number of Options with Market Conditions	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
		(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2020	463,440	$	204.31
Granted^(b)	19,126	275.82
Exercised	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Expired	—	—
Options outstanding at March 31, 2020	482,566	207.14		7.52	$	—
Options exercisable at March 31, 2020	—	$	—	0.00	$	—

(a)


(b)	During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted stock options with a grant date fair value per share of $196.07, calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation model, which has a vesting date of March 31, 2024.

For purposes of determining stock-based compensation expense, the grant date fair value per share of the stock options was estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model, which requires the use of various key assumptions. The assumptions used are as follows:



Expected term ⁽¹⁾	7.00 years
Expected dividend ⁽²⁾	—
Expected volatility ⁽³⁾	51%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽⁴⁾	1.03%


(1)	The expected term of stock options with a market condition granted was calculated using the midpoint between the time of vesting and the end of the contractual term.


(2)	For all stock options with a market condition granted in 2020, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.


(3)	The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock.


(4)	The risk-free interest rate is specific to the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for notes with comparable expected terms as the awards, in effect at the grant date.

A maximum of 805,885 shares may be earned for achieving superior performance up to 167% of the target number of shares. As of March 31, 2020, performance-based nonqualified stock options with a market condition of 481,669 had been earned, which have a vest date of September 30, 2022.

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested restricted stock units ("RSUs") is as follows:



	RSUs
	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	144,939		$	267.85
Granted	97,375		276.84
Vested	(40,676	)	243.25
Forfeited	(4,181	)	265.80
Nonvested at March 31, 2020	197,457		$	277.42

Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested RSUs with performance conditions is as follows:



	RSUs with Performance Conditions
	Number of Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	14,647	$	210.55
Granted	—	—
Vested	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Nonvested at March 31, 2020	14,647	$	210.55

Restricted Stock Awards with Performance Conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested restricted stock awards ("RSAs") with performance conditions is as follows:



	RSAs with Performance Conditions
	Number of Awards		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	47,608		$	340.25
Granted	—		—
Vested	(5,951	)	340.25
Forfeited	—		—
Nonvested at March 31, 2020	41,657		$	340.25

Restricted Stock Awards with Market Conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested RSAs with market conditions at target is as follows:



	RSAs with Market Conditions
	Number of Awards	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	26,674	$	340.25
Granted	—	—
Vested	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Nonvested at March 31, 2020	26,674	$	340.25

A maximum of 44,545 shares may be earned for achieving superior performance up to 167% of the target number of shares. As of March 31, 2020, performance-based restricted stock awards with a market condition of 29,601 had been earned, which have a vest date of September 30, 2022.

INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Income tax benefit	$	3,061		$	7,752
Effective tax rate	(19.2		)%	107.6		%

For the first quarter of 2020, the effective tax rate varied from the federal statutory rate of 21% in part due to a tax benefit of $1.1 million recognized for excess tax benefits resulting from employee exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock in accordance with ASU 2016-09 and the effect of state taxes, as well as a tax benefit of $6.1 million for the impact of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act, as described below.

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the CARES Act. This legislation is an economic relief package in response to the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and includes various provisions that impact the Company, including, but not limited to, modifications for net operating losses, accelerated timeframe for refunds associated with prior minimum taxes and modifications of the limitation on business interest.

The Company revalued deferred tax assets related to net operating losses in light of the changes in the CARES Act, and recorded a net tax benefit of $6.1 million during the first quarter of 2020. These deferred tax assets are being revalued, as they will be carried back to 2016 and 2017, which are tax periods prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") when the federal statutory tax rate was 35% versus the 21% federal statutory tax rate in effect after the enactment of the TCJA.

For the first quarter of 2019, the effective tax rate varied from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a tax benefit of $6.0 million recognized for excess tax benefits resulting from employee exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock in accordance with ASU 2016-09 and the effect of state taxes.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Income tax (expense) benefit - excluding excess tax benefit on stock compensation and CARES Act	$	(4,097	)	$	1,749
Excess tax benefit on stock compensation	1,054			6,003
Income tax benefit from CARES Act	6,104			—
Income tax benefit	$	3,061		$	7,752

DEBT

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

DEBT

Convertible Senior Notes

On May 31, 2017, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due June 1, 2022 (the “Notes”) in a private placement. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 0.625% per year, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2017. The Notes will mature on June 1, 2022, unless earlier repurchased or converted.

The initial conversion rate of the Notes is 4.8163 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $207.63 per share). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events but will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change prior to the maturity of the Notes, the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate by a specified number of additional shares for a holder that elects to convert the Notes in connection with such fundamental change. Upon conversion, the Notes will settle for cash, shares of the Company’s stock, or a combination thereof, at the Company’s option. It is the intent of the Company to settle the principal amount of the Notes in cash and any conversion premium in shares of its common stock.

The Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness, including borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility, described below, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding February 1, 2022, the Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders thereof only under the following circumstances:

•

during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2017 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;


•	during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which, for each trading day of that period, the trading price (as defined in the Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for such trading day was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Common Stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or


•	upon the occurrence of specified corporate events including but not limited to a fundamental change.

Holders of the Notes were entitled to convert the Notes during the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2020, based on the last reported sales price of the Company's common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on December 31, 2019, being greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the Notes on each applicable trading day. Holders of the Notes are not entitled to convert the Notes during the calendar quarter ended June 30, 2020 as the last reported sales price of the Company's common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not

consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on March 31, 2020, was not greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the Notes on each applicable trading day.

On or after February 1, 2022, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes, holders of the Notes may convert all or a portion of their Notes regardless of the foregoing conditions.

The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to the maturity date and no sinking fund is provided for the Notes. Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change prior to the maturity date of the Notes, holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the Notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

If the market price per share of the Common Stock, as measured under the terms of the Notes, exceeds the conversion price of the Notes, the Notes could have a dilutive effect, unless the Company elects, subject to certain conditions, to settle the principal amount of the Notes and any conversion premium in cash.

The initial measurement of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash is separated into a debt and an equity component whereby the debt component is based on the fair value of a similar instrument that does not contain an equity conversion option. The separate components of debt and equity of the Company’s Notes were determined using an interest rate of 5.36%, which reflects the nonconvertible debt borrowing rate of the Company at the date of issuance. As a result, the initial components of debt and equity were $238.4 million and $61.6 million, respectively.

Financing costs related to the issuance of the Notes were approximately $9.3 million of which $7.4 million were allocated to the liability component and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt and $1.9 million were allocated to the equity component.

In the first three months of 2020, the Company recorded interest expense on the Notes of $4.0 million which consisted of $0.5 million associated with the 0.625% coupon rate, $3.1 million associated with the accretion of the debt discount, and $0.4 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs. In the first three months of 2019, the Company recorded interest expense on the Notes of $3.8 million which consisted of $0.5 million associated with the 0.625% coupon rate, $3.0 million associated with the accretion of the debt discount, and $0.3 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs. The debt discount is being amortized over the term of the debt.

As of March 31, 2020, the fair value of the Notes is estimated to be approximately $337.1 million using the Level 1 observable input of the last quoted market price on March 31, 2020.

A summary of the gross carrying amount, unamortized debt cost, debt issuance costs and net carrying value of the liability component of the Notes are as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Gross carrying amount	$	299,985	$	299,991
Unamortized debt discount	28,677		31,789
Debt issuance costs	3,438		3,811
Net carrying amount	$	267,870	$	264,391

Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions

On May 31, 2017, in connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into Convertible Note Hedge (the “Hedge”) and Warrant transactions with respect to the Company’s common stock. The Company used approximately $18.1 million of the net proceeds from the Notes to pay for the cost of the Hedge, after such cost was partially offset by the proceeds from the Warrant transactions.

On May 31, 2017, the Company paid $61.5 million to the counterparties for the Hedge transactions. The Hedge transactions cover approximately 1.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock, the same number of shares initially underlying the Notes, and are exercisable upon any conversion of the Notes. The Hedge Transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of the converted Notes, as the case may be, in the event that the market price per share of Common

Stock, as measured under the terms of the Hedge transactions, is greater than the strike price of the Hedge transactions, which initially corresponds to the initial conversion price of the Notes, or approximately $207.63 per share of Common Stock. The Hedge transactions will expire upon the maturity of the Notes.

On May 31, 2017, the Company sold to the counterparties, warrants (the "Warrants") to acquire 1.4 million shares of Common Stock at an initial strike price of $266.39 per share, which represents a premium of 70% over the reported sale price of the Common Stock of $156.70 on May 24, 2017. On May 31, 2017, the Company received aggregate proceeds of approximately $43.4 million from the sale of the Warrants.

If the market price per share of the Common Stock, as measured under the terms of the Warrants, exceeds the strike price of the Warrants, the Warrants could have a dilutive effect, unless the Company elects, subject to certain conditions, to settle the Warrants in cash.

The Hedge and Warrant transactions are indexed to, and potentially settled in, the Company's common stock and the net cost of $18.1 million has been recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

On December 10, 2019, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, LendingTree, LLC, entered into an amended and restated $500.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Amended Revolving Credit Facility") which amended and restated the Company's previous $350.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”). The Amended Revolving Credit Facility matures on December 10, 2024. Borrowings under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility can be used to finance working capital needs, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including to finance permitted acquisitions. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had a $130.0 million, 28-day borrowing outstanding under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility bearing interest at the LIBO rate option of 2.21%. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $75.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility at the LIBO rate option with a weighted average interest rate of 3.01%, consisting of a $50.0 million 31-day borrowing and a $25.0 million 31-day borrowing.

Up to $10.0 million of the Amended Revolving Credit Facility will be available for short-term loans, referred to as swingline loans. Under certain conditions, the Company will be permitted to add one or more term loans and/or increase revolving commitments under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility by an additional amount equal to the greater of $185.0 million or 100% of Consolidated EBITDA as defined, or a greater amount provided that a total consolidated senior secured debt to EBITDA ratio does not exceed 2.50 to 1.00. Additionally, up to $10.0 million of the Amended Revolving Credit Facility will be available for the issuance of letters of credit. At each of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding one letter of credit issued in the amount of $0.2 million.

The Company’s borrowings under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at annual rates that, at the Company’s option, will be either:


•	a base rate generally defined as the sum of (i) the greater of (a) the prime rate of Truist Bank, (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5% and (c) the LIBO rate (defined below) on a daily basis applicable for an interest period of one month plus 1.0% and (ii) an applicable percentage of 0.25% to 1.0% based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio; or


•	a LIBO rate generally defined as the sum of (i) the rate for Eurodollar deposits in the applicable currency and (ii) an applicable percentage of 1.25% to 2.0% based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio.

All swingline loans bear interest at the base rate defined above. Interest on the Company’s borrowings are payable quarterly in arrears for base rate loans and on the last day of each interest rate period (but not less often than three months) for LIBO rate loans.

The Amended Revolving Credit Facility contains a restrictive financial covenant, which initially limits the total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio to 4.5, with step downs to 4.0 over time, except that this may increase by 0.5 for the four fiscal quarters following a material acquisition. In addition, the Amended Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants in addition to events of default for a transaction of this type that, among other things, restrict additional indebtedness, liens, mergers or certain fundamental changes, asset dispositions, dividends, stock repurchases and other restricted payments, transactions with affiliates, sale-leaseback transactions, hedging transactions, loans and investments and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2020.

The Amended Revolving Credit Facility requires LendingTree, LLC to pledge as collateral, subject to certain customary exclusions, substantially all of its assets, including 100% of its equity in all of its domestic subsidiaries and 66% of the voting equity, and 100% of the non-voting equity, in all of its material foreign subsidiaries (of which there are currently none). The obligations under this facility are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by LendingTree, Inc. and material domestic subsidiaries of LendingTree, LLC, which guaranties are secured by a pledge as collateral, subject to certain customary exclusions, of 100% of each such guarantor's assets, including 100% of each such guarantor’s equity in all of its domestic subsidiaries and 66% of the voting equity, and 100% of the non-voting equity, in all of its material foreign subsidiaries (of which there are currently none).

The Company is required to pay an unused commitment fee quarterly in arrears on the difference between committed amounts and amounts actually borrowed under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility equal to an applicable percentage of 0.25% to 0.45% per annum based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio. The Company is required to pay a letter of credit participation fee and a letter of credit fronting fee quarterly in arrears. The letter of credit participation fee is based upon the aggregate face amount of outstanding letters of credit at an applicable percentage of 1.25% to 2.0% based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio. The letter of credit fronting fee is 0.125% per annum on the face amount of each letter of credit.

In addition to the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the original revolving credit facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, debt issuance costs of $2.8 million related to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility entered into on December 10, 2019 are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the Amended Revolving Credit Facility, and are included in prepaid and other current assets and other non-current assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

In the first three months of 2020, the Company recorded interest expense related to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility of $1.1 million which consisted of $0.6 million associated with borrowings bearing interest at the LIBO rate, $0.3 million in unused commitment fees, and $0.2 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs. In the first three months of 2019, the Company recorded interest expense related to the revolving credit facility of $2.1 million which consisted of $1.9 million associated with borrowing bearing interest at the LIBO rate, $0.1 million in unused commitment fees, and $0.1 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs.

CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
CONTINGENCIES	Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
CONTINGENCIES	CONTINGENCIES Overview LendingTree is involved in legal proceedings on an ongoing basis. In assessing the materiality of a legal proceeding, the Company evaluates, among other factors, the amount of monetary damages claimed, as well as the potential impact of non-monetary remedies sought by plaintiffs (e.g., injunctive relief) that may require it to change its business practices in a manner that could have a material and adverse impact on the Company's business. With respect to the matters disclosed in this Note 14, unless otherwise indicated, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of such non-monetary remedies. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had litigation settlement accruals of $0.6 million and $36.0 million in continuing operations and discontinued operations, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had litigation settlement accruals of $0.2 million and $31.0 million in continuing operations and discontinued operations, respectively. The litigation settlement accruals relate to litigation matters that were either settled or a firm offer for settlement was extended, thereby establishing an accrual amount that is both probable and reasonably estimable. See Note 17—Discontinued Operations for additional information.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Other than the 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes and the Warrants, as well as the equity interest in Stash, the carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments are equal to fair value at March 31, 2020. See Note 13—Debt for additional information on the 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes and the Warrants, and see Note 7—Equity Investment for additional information on the equity interest in Stash.

Contingent consideration payments related to acquisitions are measured at fair value each reporting period using Level 3 unobservable inputs. The changes in the fair value of the Company's Level 3 liabilities during the first quarters of 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
Contingent consideration, beginning of period	$	33,464		$	38,837
Transfers into Level 3	—			—
Transfers out of Level 3	—			—
Total net losses (gains) included in earnings (realized and unrealized)	(8,122		)	14,592
Purchases, sales and settlements:
Additions	—			—
Payments	(3,000		)	(4,000		)
Contingent consideration, end of period	$	22,342		$	49,429

The contingent consideration liability at March 31, 2020 is the estimated fair value of the earnout payments of the DepositAccounts, SnapCap, Ovation and QuoteWizard acquisitions.

The Company will make earnout payments ranging from zero to $1.0 million based on the achievement of defined milestone targets for DepositAccounts, a payment of $3.0 million based on the achievement of certain defined earnings targets for SnapCap, payments ranging from zero to $4.4 million based on the achievement of certain defined operating metrics for Ovation, and payments ranging from zero to $46.8 million based on the achievement of certain defined performance targets for QuoteWizard. See Note 8—Business Acquisitions for additional information on the contingent consideration for each of these respective acquisitions.

The significant unobservable inputs used to calculate the fair value of the contingent consideration are estimated future cash flows for the acquisitions, estimated customer growth rates, estimated date and likelihood of an increase in interest rates and the discount rate. Actual results will differ from the projected results and could have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of the contingent considerations. Additionally, as the liability is stated at present value, the passage of time alone will increase the estimated fair value of the liability each reporting period. Any changes in fair value will be recorded in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The following table provides quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements.



	Fair Value at March 31, 2020		Valuation Technique(s)	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)^(a)
	(in thousands)
Contingent consideration	$	22,342	Option pricing model	Operating results growth rate	8.7% - 37.1% (22.9%)
				Customer growth rate	0.7	%
				Discount rate	10.3% - 10.5% (10.4%)
			Scenario approach based on interest rate forecasts^(b)	Date and likelihood of an increase in interest rates	—
				Discount rate	—	%

(a) Discount rates were weighted by the relative undiscounted value of expected earnout payments. Other unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative maximum potential earnout payments.

(b) See discussion over DepositAccounts within Note 8—Business Acquisitions—Changes in Contingent Consideration.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company manages its business and reports its financial results through the following three operating and reportable segments: Home, Consumer and Insurance. Characteristics which were relied upon in making the determination of the reportable segments include the nature of the products, the organization's internal structure, and the information that is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company changed its reportable segments in the fourth quarter of 2019 and previously reported segment results have been revised to conform to the Company's reportable segments at March 31, 2020.

The Home segment includes the following products: purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, and real estate. The Consumer segment includes the following products: credit cards, personal loans, small business loans, student loans, auto loans, deposit accounts, and other credit products such as credit repair and debt settlement. The Insurance segment consists of insurance quote products. Revenue from the resale of online advertising space to third parties and revenue from home improvement referrals, and the related variable marketing and advertising expenses, are included within the Other category.

The following tables are a reconciliation of segment profit, which is the Company's primary segment profitability measure, to income before income taxes and discontinued operations. Segment cost of revenue and marketing expense represents the portion of selling and marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses, that are directly attributable to the segments' products. This measure excludes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses. For the Other category, segment cost of revenue and marketing expense also includes the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties.



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
	Home		Consumer		Insurance		Other			Total
	(in thousands)
Revenue	$	79,174	$	119,924	$	82,737	$	1,249		$	283,084
Segment cost of revenue and marketing expense	43,263		76,825		52,204		1,577			173,869
Segment profit	35,911		43,099		30,533		(328		)	109,215
Cost of revenue (exclusive of cost of advertising re-sold to third parties included above)										13,166
Brand and other marketing expense										22,755
General and administrative expense										32,082
Product development										10,963
Depreciation										3,378
Amortization of intangibles										13,757
Change in fair value of contingent consideration										(8,122		)
Severance										158
Litigation settlements and contingencies										329
Operating income										20,749
Interest expense, net										(4,834		)
Other income										—
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations										$	15,915



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	Home		Consumer		Insurance		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Revenue	$	63,437	$	120,729	$	67,092	$	11,132	$	262,390
Segment cost of revenue and marketing expense	39,516		66,755		39,228		10,373		155,872
Segment profit	23,921		53,974		27,864		759		106,518
Cost of revenue (exclusive of cost of advertising re-sold to third parties included above)									10,334
Brand and other marketing expense									26,355
General and administrative expense									31,117
Product development									10,166
Depreciation									2,482
Amortization of intangibles									13,427
Change in fair value of contingent consideration									14,592
Severance									54
Litigation settlements and contingencies									(207		)
Operating loss									(1,802		)
Interest expense, net									(5,468		)
Other income									68
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations									$	(7,202	)

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The LendingTree Loans Business is presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements. The LendingTree Loans Business originated various consumer mortgage loans through HLC. On June 6, 2012, the Company sold substantially all of the operating assets of HLC, including the LendingTree Loans Business, for $55.9 million in cash to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discover Financial Services ("Discover"). Discover generally did not assume liabilities of HLC that arose before the closing date, except for certain liabilities directly related to assets Discover acquired. Of the purchase price received, a portion was deposited in escrow in accordance with the purchase agreement with Discover for certain loan loss obligations that remained with HLC following the sale. During 2018, the remaining funds in escrow were released to HLC in accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement with Discover.

Upon closing of the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of HLC on June 6, 2012, HLC ceased to originate consumer loans. Certain liability for losses on previously sold loans remains with HLC.

Litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees associated with ongoing related bankruptcy and legal proceedings against the Company are included in discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements.

Home Loan Center, Inc. Bankruptcy Filing

On June 21, 2019, the U.S. District Court of Minnesota entered judgment in ResCap Liquidating Trust v. Home Loan Center, Inc., against HLC for $68.5 million, see Litigation Related to Discontinued Operations below. The judgment against HLC exceeded the assets of HLC, which were $11.2 million at July 21, 2019, including cash of $5.9 million. On July 19, 2019, HLC appealed the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

On July 21, 2019, at the direction of the sole independent director of HLC, HLC voluntarily filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of California in San Jose, California (the “Bankruptcy Court”) in order to preserve assets for the benefit of all creditors of HLC. On September 16, 2019, the Bankruptcy Court converted the bankruptcy to Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code and appointed a Trustee to liquidate HLC's assets.

HLC’s filing under the Bankruptcy Code creates an automatic stay of enforcement of the judgment entered against HLC by the Minnesota court in ResCap Liquidating Trust v. Home Loan Center, Inc. described above and in Litigation Related to Discontinued Operations below. As a result of the voluntary petition, LendingTree, LLC was, as of the initial July 21, 2019

bankruptcy petition filing date, no longer deemed to have a controlling interest in HLC under applicable accounting standards. As a result, HLC and its consolidated subsidiary were deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of July 21, 2019. The effect of such deconsolidation was the elimination of the consolidated assets and liabilities of HLC (and its consolidated subsidiary) from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Upon deconsolidation, in the third quarter of 2019 the Company recognized a loss of $5.5 million which includes a net gain of $4.5 million related to the removal of HLC's (and its consolidated subsidiary's) assets and liabilities and the recognition of a liability of $10.0 million related to LendingTree LLC's ownership in HLC. No consideration was received by the Company as a result of the deconsolidation.

HLC has indicated that it believes that it has claims against HLC’s sole shareholder, LendingTree, LLC, and certain of its officers and directors, relating to the declaration of a dividend by HLC in January 2016 of $40.0 million. The Company is obligated to advance any expenses to the officers and directors related to these claims and to indemnify them to the maximum extent permitted by law. LendingTree, LLC believes the declaration of the dividend was proper, that the amounts paid to LendingTree, LLC following such declaration are not subject to recovery by HLC and that any claims by HLC relating to such dividend declaration are without merit. During the second quarter of 2020, LendingTree, LLC and HLC reached a verbal settlement agreement in the amount of $36.0 million for the release of any and all claims against the Company defendants by HLC, including the dividend claim. LendingTree estimates the range of potential losses related to the dividend matter to be $0.0 million to $40.0 million plus a potential award of prejudgment interest. An estimated liability of $36.0 million is included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2020 related to LendingTree LLC's ownership in HLC. HLC’s voluntary petition under the Bankruptcy Code does not represent an event of default under LendingTree, LLC’s Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 10, 2019 or the Company’s indenture dated May 31, 2017 with respect to the Company’s 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2022.

Litigation Related to Discontinued Operations

Residential Funding Company

ResCap Liquidating Trust v. Home Loan Center, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-1716 (U.S. Dist. Ct., Minn.), successor to Residential Funding Company, LLC v Home Loan Center, Inc., No. 13-cv-3451 (U.S. Dist. Ct., Minn.). On or about December 16, 2013, Home Loan Center, Inc. was served in the original captioned matter, which involves claims of Residential Funding Company, LLC ("RFC") for damages for breach of contract and indemnification for certain residential mortgage loans as well as residential mortgage-backed securitizations ("RMBS") containing mortgage loans. RFC asserted that, beginning in 2008, RFC faced massive repurchase demands and lawsuits from purchasers or insurers of the loans and RMBS that RFC had sold. RFC filed for bankruptcy protection in May 2012. Plaintiff alleged that, after RFC filed for Chapter 11 protection, hundreds of proofs of claim were filed, many of which mirrored the litigation filed against RFC prior to its bankruptcy.

In December 2013, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York entered an Order confirming the Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan Proposed by Residential Capital, LLC et al. and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors. Plaintiff then began filing substantially similar complaints against approximately 80 of the loan originators from whom RFC had purchased loans, including HLC, in federal and state courts in Minnesota and New York. In each case, plaintiff claimed that the defendant is liable for a portion of the global settlement in RFC’s bankruptcy.

Plaintiff asserted two claims against HLC: (1) breach of contract based on HLC’s alleged breach of representations and warranties concerning the quality and characteristics of the mortgage loans it sold to RFC; and (2) contractual indemnification for alleged liabilities, losses, and damages incurred by RFC arising out of purported defects in loans that RFC purchased from HLC and sold to third parties. Plaintiff alleged that the “types of defects” contained in the loans it purchased from HLC included “income misrepresentation, employment misrepresentation, appraisal misrepresentations or inaccuracies, undisclosed debt, and missing or inaccurate documents.” Plaintiff sought damages of up to $61.0 million plus attorney's fees and prejudgment interest.

HLC denied the material allegations of the complaint and asserted numerous defenses thereto. The matter went to trial in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the jury returned a verdict of $28.7 million in favor of plaintiff. On June 21, 2019, the U.S. District Court in Minnesota entered judgment against HLC for $68.5 million. The judgment is comprised of: (i) $28.7 million in damages awarded by the jury; (ii) $14.1 million in pre-verdict interest; (iii) $23.1 million in attorneys' fees and costs, and (iv) $2.6 million in post-verdict, prejudgment interest.

HLC’s filing under the Bankruptcy Code discussed above in Home Loan Center, Inc. Bankruptcy Filing creates an automatic stay of enforcement of the judgment entered against HLC by the U.S. District Court in Minnesota. On August 27, 2019, plaintiff filed a lawsuit captioned ResCap Liquidating Trust v. LendingTree, LCC, et al., Case No. 19-cv-2360 (U.S. Dist. Ct., Minn.), seeking to hold the Company liable for the judgment against HLC, under assumption of liability, agency and alter ego theories. The Company believes that these claims lack merit and intends to defend this action vigorously. On October 17, 2019, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the liability and agency claims, and oral arguments with respect to such motion were held on January 10, 2020. On March 20, 2020, the court denied the Company's motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, to compel arbitration, and on April 3, 2020, the Company appealed the court's findings with respect to the Company's request to compel arbitration of the first count of the lawsuit.

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. v. 1st Advantage Mortgage, LLC et al., Case No. 08-13555 (SCC), Adversary Proceeding No. 16-01342 (SCC) (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.). In February 2016, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. (“LBHI”) filed an Adversary Complaint against HLC and approximately 149 other defendants (the "Complaint"). In December 2018, LBHI amended its complaint against HLC. The amended complaint references approximately 370 allegedly defective mortgage loans sold by HLC with purported "Claim Amounts" totaling $40.2 million. LBHI alleges it settled all such claims and is seeking indemnification from HLC for LBHI’s purported losses and liabilities associated with such settlements, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys’ fees, litigation costs and other expenses. The amended complaint does not specify the amount of LBHI’s purported damages. On December 4, 2019, LBHI filed a $44.7 million proof of claim in HLC’s bankruptcy seeking recovery for the claims asserted in the lawsuit. The Company believes that these claims lack merit and understands that HLC intends to defend this action vigorously. HLC’s filing under the Bankruptcy Code discussed above in Home Loan Center, Inc. Bankruptcy Filing creates an automatic stay of this proceeding.

Financial Information of Discontinued Operations

The components of net loss reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
Revenue	$	—		$	—

Loss before income taxes	(6,102		)	(1,344		)
Income tax benefit	1,527			282
Net loss	$	(4,575	)	$	(1,062	)

Losses from discontinued operations included all activity of HLC prior to bankruptcy, including litigation settlements, contingencies and legal fees associated with legal proceedings.

The results of discontinued operations also include litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees associated with ongoing legal proceedings against LendingTree Inc. or LendingTree LLC that arose due to the LendingTree Loans Business or the HLC bankruptcy filing.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Estimates	Accounting Estimates Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during any period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including discontinued operations, include: loan loss obligations; the recoverability of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets; the determination of income taxes payable and deferred income taxes, including related valuation allowances; fair value of assets acquired in a business combination; contingent consideration related to business combinations; litigation accruals; HLC ownership related claims; contract assets; various other allowances, reserves and accruals; and assumptions related to the determination of stock-based compensation.
Certain Risks and Concentrations	Certain Risks and Concentrations LendingTree's business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on third-party technology providers, exposure to risks associated with online commerce security and credit card fraud. Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk at March 31, 2020, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, as disclosed in the consolidated balance sheet. Cash and cash equivalents are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits, but are maintained with quality financial institutions of high credit. The Company requires certain Network Partners to maintain security deposits with the Company, which in the event of non-payment, would be applied against any accounts receivable outstanding. Due to the nature of the mortgage lending industry, interest rate fluctuations may negatively impact future revenue from the Company's marketplace. Lenders and lead purchasers participating on the Company's marketplace can offer their products directly to consumers through brokers, mass marketing campaigns or through other traditional methods of credit distribution. These lenders and lead purchasers can also offer their products online, either directly to prospective borrowers, through one or more online competitors, or both. If a significant number of potential consumers are able to obtain loans and other products from Network Partners without utilizing the Company's services, the Company's ability to generate revenue may be limited. Because the Company does not have exclusive relationships with the Network Partners whose loans and other financial products are offered on its online marketplace, consumers may obtain offers from these Network Partners without using its services. Other than a support services office in India, the Company's operations are geographically limited to and dependent upon the economic condition of the United States.
Litigation Settlements and Contingencies	Litigation Settlements and Contingencies Litigation settlements and contingencies consists of expenses related to actual or anticipated litigation settlements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-15, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 in the first quarter of 2020 using the prospective approach. Subsequent to the adoption of this ASU, capitalizable implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract are recorded within prepaid and other current assets and other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The expense related to these capitalized implementation costs are included within general and administrative expense on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, which removes, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Certain amendments must be applied prospectively while others are to be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 in the first quarter of 2020. See Note 15—Fair Value Measurements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge (Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test). Instead, an impairment charge will be based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value. This ASU is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 in the first quarter of 2020. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which requires entities to measure expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU introduces ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, which replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade receivables and certain other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. ASC Topic 326 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The guidance must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition. The Company adopted ASC Topic 326 as of January 1, 2020, which did not result in any cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit in the period of adoption. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to improve consistency among reporting entities. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in interim periods. Entities electing early adoption must adopt all amendments in the same period. Most amendments must be applied prospectively while others are to be applied on a retrospective basis for all periods presented or a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and whether to early adopt.

REVENUE (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

Revenue is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Home	$	79,174	$	63,437
Credit cards	51,586		54,506
Personal loans	31,509		32,531
Other Consumer	36,829		33,692
Total Consumer	119,924		120,729
Insurance	82,737		67,092
Other	1,249		11,132
Total revenue	$	283,084	$	262,390

CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Schedule of Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents consist of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	51,208	$	60,243
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	93		96
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	$	51,301	$	60,339

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Credit Loss [Abstract]

Reconciliation of allowance for doubtful accounts

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
Balance, beginning of the period	$	1,466		$	1,143
Charges to earnings	880			510
Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable	(332		)	(288		)
Recoveries collected	7			5
Balance, end of the period	$	2,021		$	1,370

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of balance of intangible assets, net

The balance of goodwill and intangible assets, net is as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019
Goodwill	$	903,227		$	903,227
Accumulated impairment losses	(483,088		)	(483,088		)
Net goodwill	$	420,139		$	420,139

Intangible assets with indefinite lives	$	10,142		$	10,142
Intangible assets with definite lives, net	157,681			171,438
Total intangible assets, net	$	167,823		$	181,580

Schedule of intangible assets with definite lives

Intangible assets with definite lives relate to the following (in thousands):



	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Technology	$	116,200	$	(56,032	)	$	60,168
Customer lists	77,300		(13,979		)	63,321
Trademarks and tradenames	17,200		(7,292		)	9,908
Website content	51,000		(26,717		)	24,283
Other	5		(4		)	1
Balance at March 31, 2020	$	261,705	$	(104,024	)	$	157,681



	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Technology	$	116,200	$	(48,938	)	$	67,262
Customer lists	77,300		(12,452		)	64,848
Trademarks and tradenames	17,200		(6,407		)	10,793
Website content	51,000		(22,467		)	28,533
Other	5		(3		)	2
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	261,705	$	(90,267	)	$	171,438

Schedule of amortization of intangible assets with definite lives for the next five years



	Amortization Expense
Remainder of current year	$	39,322
Year ending December 31, 2021	42,738
Year ending December 31, 2022	25,256
Year ending December 31, 2023	8,602
Year ending December 31, 2024	6,747
Thereafter	35,016
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	$	157,681

BUSINESS ACQUISITION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block]

Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration is summarized as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
QuoteWizard	$	(8,262	)	$	14,359
Ovation	141			(648		)
SnapCap	(1		)	1,592
DepositAccounts	—			(711		)
Total changes in fair value of contingent consideration	$	(8,122	)	$	14,592

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accrued advertising expense	$	58,165	$	65,836
Accrued compensation and benefits	9,265		10,540
Accrued professional fees	3,315		1,560
Customer deposits and escrows	9,616		6,920
Contribution to LendingTree Foundation	3,333		3,333
Current lease liabilities	6,470		6,885
Other	15,483		17,681
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	105,647	$	112,755

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of weighted average basic and diluted common shares

Basic and diluted income per share was determined based on the following share data (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020	2019
Weighted average basic common shares	12,957	12,718
Effect of stock options	628	686
Effect of dilutive share awards	104	161
Effect of Convertible Senior Notes and warrants	469	621
Weighted average diluted common shares	14,158	14,186

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Schedule of non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards

Non-cash compensation related to equity awards is included in the following line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
Cost of revenue	$	242	$	153
Selling and marketing expense	1,156		1,749
General and administrative expense	9,123		10,221
Product development	1,396		1,930
Total non-cash compensation	$	11,917	$	14,053

Summary of changes in outstanding stock options

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options is as follows:



	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
			(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2020	777,871		$	69.87
Granted ^(b)	69,319		275.82
Exercised	(2,462	)	67.05
Forfeited	(193	)	332.65
Expired	(1,974	)	352.10
Options outstanding at March 31, 2020	842,561		86.11		4.54	$	99,017
Options exercisable at March 31, 2020	677,829		$	43.56	3.49	$	98,896

(a)

(b)

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted stock options to certain employees with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $138.29, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which vesting periods include (a) three years from grant date and (b) four years from grant date

Schedule of stock option valuation assumptions



Expected term ⁽¹⁾	6.00 - 6.25 years
Expected dividend ⁽²⁾	—
Expected volatility ⁽³⁾	52 - 53%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽⁴⁾	0.96%


(1)	The expected term of stock options granted was calculated using the "Simplified Method," which utilizes the midpoint between the weighted average time of vesting and the end of the contractual term. This method was utilized for the stock options due to a lack of historical exercise behavior by the Company's employees.


(2)	For all stock options granted in 2020, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.


(3)	The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock.

(4)

The risk-free interest rate is specific to the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for notes with comparable expected terms as the awards, in effect at the grant date.



Expected term ⁽¹⁾	7.00 years
Expected dividend ⁽²⁾	—
Expected volatility ⁽³⁾	51%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽⁴⁾	1.03%


(1)	The expected term of stock options with a market condition granted was calculated using the midpoint between the time of vesting and the end of the contractual term.


(2)	For all stock options with a market condition granted in 2020, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.


(3)	The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock.

(4)

Schedule of changes in outstanding stock options with market conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options with market conditions at target is as follows:



	Number of Options with Market Conditions	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
		(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2020	463,440	$	204.31
Granted^(b)	19,126	275.82
Exercised	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Expired	—	—
Options outstanding at March 31, 2020	482,566	207.14		7.52	$	—
Options exercisable at March 31, 2020	—	$	—	0.00	$	—

(a)

(b)

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted stock options with a grant date fair value per share of $196.07, calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation model, which has a vesting date of March 31, 2024.

Schedule of changes in outstanding non-vested RSUs and restricted stock

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested restricted stock units ("RSUs") is as follows:



	RSUs
	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	144,939		$	267.85
Granted	97,375		276.84
Vested	(40,676	)	243.25
Forfeited	(4,181	)	265.80
Nonvested at March 31, 2020	197,457		$	277.42

Schedule of changes in outstanding nonvested RSUs and restricted stock with performance and market conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested RSUs with performance conditions is as follows:



	RSUs with Performance Conditions
	Number of Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	14,647	$	210.55
Granted	—	—
Vested	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Nonvested at March 31, 2020	14,647	$	210.55

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested RSAs with market conditions at target is as follows:



	RSAs with Market Conditions
	Number of Awards	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	26,674	$	340.25
Granted	—	—
Vested	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Nonvested at March 31, 2020	26,674	$	340.25

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested restricted stock awards ("RSAs") with performance conditions is as follows:



	RSAs with Performance Conditions
	Number of Awards		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	47,608		$	340.25
Granted	—		—
Vested	(5,951	)	340.25
Forfeited	—		—
Nonvested at March 31, 2020	41,657		$	340.25

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of income tax (expense) benefit



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Income tax benefit	$	3,061		$	7,752
Effective tax rate	(19.2		)%	107.6		%

Reconciliation of income tax (expense) benefit



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Income tax (expense) benefit - excluding excess tax benefit on stock compensation and CARES Act	$	(4,097	)	$	1,749
Excess tax benefit on stock compensation	1,054			6,003
Income tax benefit from CARES Act	6,104			—
Income tax benefit	$	3,061		$	7,752

DEBT (Table)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of the gross carrying amount, unamortized debt cost and net carrying value of the liability component of the Notes

A summary of the gross carrying amount, unamortized debt cost, debt issuance costs and net carrying value of the liability component of the Notes are as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Gross carrying amount	$	299,985	$	299,991
Unamortized debt discount	28,677		31,789
Debt issuance costs	3,438		3,811
Net carrying amount	$	267,870	$	264,391

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs

The changes in the fair value of the Company's Level 3 liabilities during the first quarters of 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
Contingent consideration, beginning of period	$	33,464		$	38,837
Transfers into Level 3	—			—
Transfers out of Level 3	—			—
Total net losses (gains) included in earnings (realized and unrealized)	(8,122		)	14,592
Purchases, sales and settlements:
Additions	—			—
Payments	(3,000		)	(4,000		)
Contingent consideration, end of period	$	22,342		$	49,429

Schedule of fair value measurement valuation

The following table provides quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements.



	Fair Value at March 31, 2020		Valuation Technique(s)	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)^(a)
	(in thousands)
Contingent consideration	$	22,342	Option pricing model	Operating results growth rate	8.7% - 37.1% (22.9%)
				Customer growth rate	0.7	%
				Discount rate	10.3% - 10.5% (10.4%)
			Scenario approach based on interest rate forecasts^(b)	Date and likelihood of an increase in interest rates	—
				Discount rate	—	%

(a) Discount rates were weighted by the relative undiscounted value of expected earnout payments. Other unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative maximum potential earnout payments.

(b) See discussion over DepositAccounts within Note 8—Business Acquisitions—Changes in Contingent Consideration.

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Mar. 31, 2019

Segment Information

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
	Home		Consumer		Insurance		Other			Total
	(in thousands)
Revenue	$	79,174	$	119,924	$	82,737	$	1,249		$	283,084
Segment cost of revenue and marketing expense	43,263		76,825		52,204		1,577			173,869
Segment profit	35,911		43,099		30,533		(328		)	109,215
Cost of revenue (exclusive of cost of advertising re-sold to third parties included above)										13,166
Brand and other marketing expense										22,755
General and administrative expense										32,082
Product development										10,963
Depreciation										3,378
Amortization of intangibles										13,757
Change in fair value of contingent consideration										(8,122		)
Severance										158
Litigation settlements and contingencies										329
Operating income										20,749
Interest expense, net										(4,834		)
Other income										—
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations										$	15,915



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	Home		Consumer		Insurance		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Revenue	$	63,437	$	120,729	$	67,092	$	11,132	$	262,390
Segment cost of revenue and marketing expense	39,516		66,755		39,228		10,373		155,872
Segment profit	23,921		53,974		27,864		759		106,518
Cost of revenue (exclusive of cost of advertising re-sold to third parties included above)									10,334
Brand and other marketing expense									26,355
General and administrative expense									31,117
Product development									10,166
Depreciation									2,482
Amortization of intangibles									13,427
Change in fair value of contingent consideration									14,592
Severance									54
Litigation settlements and contingencies									(207		)
Operating loss									(1,802		)
Interest expense, net									(5,468		)
Other income									68
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations									$	(7,202	)

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Schedule of revenue and net income (loss) of the discontinued operations

The components of net loss reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
Revenue	$	—		$	—

Loss before income taxes	(6,102		)	(1,344		)
Income tax benefit	1,527			282
Net loss	$	(4,575	)	$	(1,062	)

REVENUE - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 283,084	$ 262,390
Credit Cards
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	51,586	54,506
Personal Loans
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	31,509	32,531
Other Consumer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	36,829	33,692
Other Products And Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	1,249	11,132
Home Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	79,174	63,437
Consumer Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	119,924	120,729
Insurance Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 82,737	$ 67,092

REVENUE - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
REVENUE - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract asset	$ 6.8		$ 6.5
Contract liability	0.7		$ 0.6
Revenue recognized from prior period	0.5	$ 0.3
Estimated variable consideration, increase in revenue	$ 0.1	$ 0.9

CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH (Details - Balance Sheet) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51,208	$ 60,243
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	93	96
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	$ 51,301	$ 60,339	$ 64,603	$ 105,158

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the period	$ 1,466	$ 1,143
Bad debt expense	880	510
Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable	(332)	(288)
Recoveries collected	7	5
Balance, end of the period	$ 2,021	$ 1,370

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details - Balance Sheet) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 903,227	$ 903,227
Accumulated impairment losses	(483,088)	(483,088)
Net goodwill	420,139	420,139
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) [Abstract]
Intangible assets with indefinite lives	10,142	10,142
Intangible assets with definite lives, net	157,681	171,438
Total intangible assets, net	167,823	181,580
Consumer Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	166,100	166,100
Home Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	59,300	59,300
Insurance Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 194,700	$ 194,700

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details - Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 segment
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details - Definite Lived Intangibles) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Intangible assets with definite lives
Cost	$ 261,705	$ 261,705
Accumulated Amortization	(104,024)	(90,267)
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	157,681	171,438
Technology
Intangible assets with definite lives
Cost	116,200	116,200
Accumulated Amortization	(56,032)	(48,938)
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	60,168	67,262
Customer lists
Intangible assets with definite lives
Cost	77,300	77,300
Accumulated Amortization	(13,979)	(12,452)
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	63,321	64,848
Trademarks and tradenames
Intangible assets with definite lives
Cost	17,200	17,200
Accumulated Amortization	(7,292)	(6,407)
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	9,908	10,793
Website content
Intangible assets with definite lives
Cost	51,000	51,000
Accumulated Amortization	(26,717)	(22,467)
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	24,283	28,533
Other
Intangible assets with definite lives
Cost	5	5
Accumulated Amortization	(4)	(3)
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	$ 1	$ 2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details - 5yr Definite Lived Intangibles Amortization) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Amortization of intangible assets with definite lives computed on a straight-line basis
Remainder of current year	$ 39,322
2021	42,738
2022	25,256
2023	8,602
2024	6,747
Thereafter	35,016
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	$ 157,681	$ 171,438

EQUITY INVESTMENTS (Details) $ in Millions	Feb. 28, 2020 USD ($)
Stash
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investment, original cost	$ 80.0

BUSINESS ACQUISITION BUSINESS ACQUISITION (Details - Changes in Contingent Consideration) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Jun. 11, 2018	Jun. 14, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration payments	$ 3,000,000	$ 3,000,000
Current contingent consideration	14,183,000		$ 9,028,000
Non-current contingent consideration	8,159,000		$ 24,436,000
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122,000)	14,592,000
Ovation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current contingent consideration	3,200,000
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	141,000	(648,000)
QuoteWizard
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	16,200,000
Current contingent consideration	8,000,000.0
Non-current contingent consideration	8,200,000
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,262,000)	14,359,000
DepositAccounts
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	0
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	0	(711,000)
SnapCap
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current contingent consideration	2,900,000
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	$ (1,000)	$ 1,592,000
Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration				$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration				$ 46,800,000	$ 4,400,000	$ 1,000,000.0

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Details - Balance Sheet) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Accrued advertising expense	$ 58,165	$ 65,836
Accrued compensation and benefits	9,265	10,540
Accrued professional fees	3,315	1,560
Customer deposits and escrows	9,616	6,920
Contribution to LendingTree Foundation	3,333	3,333
Current lease liabilities	6,470	6,885
Other	15,483	17,681
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 105,647	$ 112,755

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Feb. 20, 2019	Feb. 21, 2018	May 31, 2017
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on convertible senior notes					0.625%
Calculation of weighted average common shares
Weighted average common shares, basic	12,957,000	12,718,000
Effect of dilutive securities
Effect of stock options (in shares)	628,000	686,000
Effect of dilutive share awards (in shares)	104,000	161,000
Effect of Convertible Senior Notes (in shares)	469,000	621,000
Weighted average common shares, diluted	14,158,000	14,186,000
Common stock repurchases
Value of common stock authorized to be repurchased			$ 150,000	$ 100,000
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)		17,501
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method		$ 3,976
Remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 179,700
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	100,000	400,000

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details - P&L Impact) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
Total non-cash compensation	$ 11,917	$ 14,053
Cost of revenue
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
Total non-cash compensation	242	153
Selling and marketing expense
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
Total non-cash compensation	1,156	1,749
General and administrative expense
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
Total non-cash compensation	9,123	10,221
Product development
Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards
Total non-cash compensation	$ 1,396	$ 1,930

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details - Stock Options Rollforward) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 24, 2017
Stock options, Grant Date Fair Value Valuation
Share price	$ 183.39	$ 156.70
Grant date fair value	$ 138.29
Aggregate stock options
Stock options, Shares
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	777,871
Granted (in shares)	69,319
Exercised (in shares)	(2,462)
Forfeited (in shares)	(193)
Expired (in shares)	(1,974)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	842,561
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	677,829
Stock options, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 69.87
Granted (in dollars per share)	275.82
Exercised (in dollars per share)	67.05
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	332.65
Expired (in dollars per share)	352.10
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	86.11
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 43.56
Stock options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding at the end of the period	4 years 6 months 14 days
Options exercisable at the end of the period	3 years 5 months 26 days
Stock options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at the end of the period	$ 99,017,000
Options exercisable at the end of the period	$ 98,896,000
Stock options, Grant Date Fair Value Valuation
Expected dividend rate	0.00%
Expected volatility, minimum	52.00%
Expected volatility, maximum	53.00%
Risk-free interest rate	0.96%
Expected dividends	$ 0
Market options
Stock options, Shares
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	463,440
Granted (in shares)	19,126
Exercised (in shares)	0
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Expired (in shares)	0
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	482,566
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	0
Stock options, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 204.31
Granted (in dollars per share)	275.82
Exercised (in dollars per share)	0
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	0
Expired (in dollars per share)	0
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	207.14
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding at the end of the period	7 years 6 months 7 days
Options exercisable at the end of the period	0 years
Stock options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at the end of the period	$ 0
Options exercisable at the end of the period	$ 0
Stock options, Grant Date Fair Value Valuation
Grant date fair value	$ 196.07
Expected term	P7Y
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	51.00%
Expected dividend rate	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.03%
Expected dividends	$ 0
Maximum number of shared to be earned	805,885
Percentage of target number of shares	167.00%
Performance Awards Earned	481,669
Minimum \| Aggregate stock options
Stock options, Grant Date Fair Value Valuation
Expected term	P6Y
Maximum \| Aggregate stock options
Stock options, Grant Date Fair Value Valuation
Expected term	P6Y3M
33% over a period of three years from the grant date \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Stock options, Grant Date Fair Value Valuation
Vesting period	3 years
25% over a period of four years from the grant date \| Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Stock options, Grant Date Fair Value Valuation
Vesting period	4 years

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details - RSA & RSU Rollforwards)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 $ / shares shares
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Nonvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions, Number of Shares
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	144,939
Granted (in shares)	97,375
Vested (in shares)	(40,676)
Forfeited (in shares)	(4,181)
Nonvested at the end of the period (in shares)	197,457
Nonvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 267.85
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	276.84
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	243.25
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	265.80
Nonvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 277.42
Restricted Stock Units with performance conditions
Nonvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions, Number of Shares
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	14,647
Granted (in shares)	0
Vested (in shares)	0
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Nonvested at the end of the period (in shares)	14,647
Nonvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 210.55
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0
Nonvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 210.55
Restricted Stock with performance conditions
Nonvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions, Number of Shares
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	47,608
Granted (in shares)	0
Vested (in shares)	(5,951)
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Nonvested at the end of the period (in shares)	41,657
Nonvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 340.25
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	340.25
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0
Nonvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 340.25
Restricted Stock with market conditions
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Maximum number of shared to be earned	44,545
Percentage of target number of shares	167.00%
Performance Awards Earned	29,601
Nonvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions, Number of Shares
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	26,674
Granted (in shares)	0
Vested (in shares)	0
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Nonvested at the end of the period (in shares)	26,674
Nonvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 340.25
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0
Nonvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 340.25

INCOME TAXES - Additional information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax benefit	$ 3,061	$ 7,752
Effective tax rates (as a percent)	(19.20%)	107.60%
Federal statutory income tax rate (as a percentage)	21.00%
Excess tax benefit on stock compensation	$ 1,054	$ 6,003
Impact of CARES Act	$ 6,104	0
Excess tax benefit on stock compensation		$ 6,000

INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of income tax (expense) benefit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax (expense) benefit - excluding excess tax benefit on stock compensation	$ (4,097)	$ 1,749
Excess tax benefit on stock compensation	1,054	6,003
Impact of CARES Act	6,104	0
Income tax benefit	$ 3,061	$ 7,752

DEBT (Details - Convertible Senior Notes) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017 USD ($) day $ / shares Rate shares	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes	$ 300,000	$ 299,985		$ 299,991
Annual interest rate on convertible senior notes \| Rate	0.625%
Initial conversion rate, shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes \| shares	4.8163
Initial conversion price per share \| $ / shares	$ 207.63
Conversion rate, sales price of common stock as a percentage of the conversion price \| Rate	130.00%
Threshold trading days \| day	5
Threshold consecutive trading days \| day	5
Conversion rate, sales price of common stock as a percentage of the conversion price, five business days \| Rate	98.00%
Cash repurchase at a price equal to the principal amount of the notes, Percentage \| Rate	100.00%
Nonconvertible debt borrowing rate at the date of issuance \| Rate	5.36%
Debt component of the principal amount of the Convertible Senior Notes	$ 238,400
Equity component of the principal amount of the Convertible Senior Notes	61,600
Financing costs related to the issuance of the Convertible Senior Notes	9,300
Debt issuance costs, liability component	7,400	3,438		3,811
Debt issuance costs, equity component	$ 1,900
Total interest expense on the Convertible Senior Notes		4,000	$ 3,800
Interest expense recognized associated with the 0.625% coupon rate		500	500
Amortization of convertible debt discount		3,111	2,951
Amortization of debt issuance costs		582	483
Long-term debt		267,870		264,391
Fair value of the Convertible Senior Notes using a Level 1 observable input		337,100
Unamortized debt discount		28,677		$ 31,789
Convertible Notes Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization of debt issuance costs		$ 400	$ 300

DEBT (Details - Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	May 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2020	May 24, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net proceeds from the Convertible Notes used to pay for the cost of the Convertible Note Hedge	$ 18.1
Payment of convertible note hedge transactions	$ 61.5
Number of shares covered by the hedge transactions	1.4
Initial conversion price per share	$ 207.63
Strike price of warrants sold	$ 266.39
Premium of warrant strike price over sales price of common stock	70.00%
Share price		$ 183.39	$ 156.70
Proceeds from the sale of warrants	$ 43.4

DEBT (Details - Revolving Credit Facility)		3 Months Ended
DEBT (Details - Revolving Credit Facility)	Dec. 10, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Oct. 26, 2018 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		$ 200,000		$ 200,000
Credit Agreement, Potential Additional Borrowing Capacity	$ 185,000,000.0
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities		$ 130,000,000		$ 75,000,000.0
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time		2.21%		3.01%
Ratio of Debt to EBITDA Step-Down	4.0
Ratio of Debt to EBITDA Increase	0.5
Interest Expense, Debt		$ 4,000,000.0	$ 3,800,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Fee		300,000	100,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs		582,000	483,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 500,000,000.0				$ 350,000,000.0
Revolving Credit Facility, term	5 years
Revolving Credit Facility, collateral, percent of assets	100.00%
Revolving Credit Facility, collateral, percent of equity	100.00%
Revolving Credit Facility, letter of credit fronting fee percentage	0.125%
Fees and expense paid to lenders at closing					$ 2,800,000
Line of Credit Facility, Collateral, Percent of Domestic Subsidiaries Equity	100.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Collateral, Percent of Voting Equity	66.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Collateral, Percent of Non-Voting Equity	100.00%
Swingline Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	$ 10,000,000.0
Letters of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	$ 10,000,000.0
Fed Funds Effective Rate Overnight Index Swap Rate [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Interest Expense, Debt		600,000	1,900,000
Minimum \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.25%
Revolving Credit Facility, letter of credit participation fee percentage	1.25%
Minimum \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, basis spread on variable rate	1.25%
Minimum \| Base Rate [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, basis spread on variable rate	0.25%
Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ratio of Debt to EBITDA to Increase Revolving Commitment	2.50
Ratio of Debt to EBITDA	4.5
Maximum \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.45%
Revolving Credit Facility, letter of credit participation fee percentage	2.00%
Maximum \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Maximum \| Base Rate [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest Expense, Debt		1,100,000	2,100,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs		$ 200,000	$ 100,000
Revolving Credit Facility, 31 Day Borrowing \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities				$ 50,000,000.0
Revolving Credit Facility, 32 Day Borrowing \| Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities				$ 25,000,000.0

CONTINGENCIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Contingencies
Accrued litigation liability	$ 0.6	$ 0.2
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale
Contingencies
Accrued litigation liability	$ 36.0	$ 31.0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Additional information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Jun. 11, 2018	Jun. 14, 2017	May 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Annual interest rate on convertible senior notes						0.625%
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 33,464,000	$ 38,837,000
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122,000)	14,592,000
Contingent consideration additions	0	0
Contingent consideration payments	(3,000,000)	(4,000,000)
Ending balance	22,342,000	49,429,000
Minimum
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Contingent consideration			$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Maximum
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Contingent consideration			$ 46,800,000	$ 4,400,000	$ 1,000,000.0
SnapCap
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Future Known Payment	3,000,000.0
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	$ (1,000)	$ 1,592,000

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Schedule of fair value measurement valuation (Details)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 11, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 14, 2017 USD ($)
Minimum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Maximum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration		$ 46,800,000	$ 4,400,000	$ 1,000,000.0
Fair Value \| Level 3
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	$ 22,342,000
Option pricing model \| Level 3 \| Customer growth rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, measurement input	0.007
Option pricing model \| Minimum \| Level 3 \| Operating results growth rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, measurement input	0.087
Option pricing model \| Minimum \| Level 3 \| Discount rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, measurement input	0.103
Option pricing model \| Maximum \| Level 3 \| Operating results growth rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, measurement input	0.371
Option pricing model \| Maximum \| Level 3 \| Discount rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, measurement input	0.105
Option pricing model \| Weighted average \| Level 3 \| Operating results growth rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, measurement input	0.229
Option pricing model \| Weighted average \| Level 3 \| Discount rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, measurement input	0.104
Scenario approach based on interest rate forecasts \| Level 3 \| Discount rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, measurement input	0

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments \| segment	3
Revenue	$ 283,084	$ 262,390
Cost of Revenue and Marketing Expense	173,869	155,872
Gross Profit	109,215	106,518
Other Cost of Operating Revenue	13,166	10,334
Other Selling and Marketing Expense	22,755	26,355
General and administrative expense	32,082	31,117
Product development	10,963	10,166
Depreciation	3,378	2,482
Amortization of intangibles	13,757	13,427
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122)	14,592
Restructuring Charges	158	54
Litigation Settlement, Expense	(329)	(207)
Operating Income (Loss)	20,749	(1,802)
Interest Expense	(4,834)	(5,468)
Other Income	0	68
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	15,915	(7,202)
Home Segment [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue	79,174	63,437
Cost of Revenue and Marketing Expense	43,263	39,516
Gross Profit	35,911	23,921
Consumer Segment [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue	119,924	120,729
Cost of Revenue and Marketing Expense	76,825	66,755
Gross Profit	43,099	53,974
Insurance Segment [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue	82,737	67,092
Cost of Revenue and Marketing Expense	52,204	39,228
Gross Profit	30,533	27,864
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue	1,249	11,132
Cost of Revenue and Marketing Expense	1,577	10,373
Gross Profit	$ (328)	$ 759

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details-Disposal Groups) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 04, 2019	Jan. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Jul. 21, 2019	May 31, 2017	Jun. 06, 2012
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value			$ 61,000
Assets				$ 1,016,620				$ 947,969
Revenue and net income (loss) of discontinued operations
Revenue				0		$ 0
Loss before income taxes				(6,102)		(1,344)
Income tax benefit				1,527		282
Loss from discontinued operations				(4,575)		$ (1,062)
Assets and liabilities of facilities reported as discontinued operations
Annual interest rate on convertible senior notes										0.625%
Lending Tree Loans \| Discover
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Asset purchase agreement proceeds from sale											$ 55,900
Home Loan Center, Inc.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Assets									$ 11,200
Assets and liabilities of facilities reported as discontinued operations
Cash									$ 5,900
Dividends		$ 40,000
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale [Member] \| Home Loan Center, Inc.
Assets and liabilities of facilities reported as discontinued operations
Loss recognized					$ 5,500
Net gain related to removal of HLC					4,500
Recognition of liability					$ 10,000
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale [Member] \| Obligation to Repurchase Receivables Sold \| Lending Tree Loans
Assets and liabilities of facilities reported as discontinued operations
Current liabilities				(36,000)
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale [Member] \| Discontinued Operations \| Minimum \| Obligation to Repurchase Receivables Sold \| Lending Tree Loans
Assets and liabilities of facilities reported as discontinued operations
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss				0
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale [Member] \| Discontinued Operations \| Maximum \| Obligation to Repurchase Receivables Sold \| Lending Tree Loans
Assets and liabilities of facilities reported as discontinued operations
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss				40,000
Pending Settlement \| Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale [Member] \| Discontinued Operations \| Obligation to Repurchase Receivables Sold \| Lending Tree Loans
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Settlement value of indemnification claim and other miscellaneous items				$ 36,000
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. Demand Letter
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 44,700						$ 40,200

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details - Loan Loss Obligations) $ in Millions			1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 04, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 21, 2019 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016 defendant	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) network_lender claim	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 loan
Loan Loss Obligations
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value				$ 61.0
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. Demand Letter
Loan Loss Obligations
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 44.7					$ 40.2
Loss Contingencies, Number of Loans Sold with Losses \| loan							370
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. Demand Letter \| Pending litigation or appeal
Loan Loss Obligations
Loss Contingency, Number of Defendants \| defendant			149
Residential Funding Co. v Home Loan Center \| Judicial Ruling
Loan Loss Obligations
Settlement offer		$ 68.5
Residential Funding Co. v Home Loan Center \| Judicial Ruling \| Damages
Loan Loss Obligations
Settlement offer		28.7
Residential Funding Co. v Home Loan Center \| Judicial Ruling \| Pre-Verdict Interest
Loan Loss Obligations
Settlement offer		14.1
Residential Funding Co. v Home Loan Center \| Judicial Ruling \| Attorney Fees
Loan Loss Obligations
Settlement offer		23.1
Residential Funding Co. v Home Loan Center \| Judicial Ruling \| Pre-Judgment Interest
Loan Loss Obligations
Settlement offer		$ 2.6
Residential Funding Company \| Pending litigation or appeal
Loan Loss Obligations
Loss Contingency, Number Of Loan Originators \| network_lender				80
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number \| claim				2
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale [Member] \| Minimum \| Obligation to Repurchase Receivables Sold \| Lending Tree Loans \| Discontinued Operations
Loan Loss Obligations
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss					$ 0.0
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale [Member] \| Maximum \| Obligation to Repurchase Receivables Sold \| Lending Tree Loans \| Discontinued Operations
Loan Loss Obligations
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss					40.0
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale [Member] \| Pending litigation or appeal \| Obligation to Repurchase Receivables Sold \| Lending Tree Loans \| Discontinued Operations
Loan Loss Obligations
Settlement offer					$ 36.0