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AMC Networks Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results

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AMC Networks reported its Q3 2022 financial results, showcasing a 44% increase in paid streaming subscribers, reaching 11.1 million, alongside a 41% surge in streaming revenue. However, net revenues declined 16% to $682 million due to reduced content licensing and advertising revenues. Operating income fell 20% to $151 million, with diluted EPS at $1.94, reflecting a 23.9% decrease year-over-year. The company maintained a focus on transforming into a consumer-focused premium content provider, backed by strong digital distribution growth, notably through its partnership with Roku.

Positive
  • Streaming subscribers rose 44% to 11.1 million.
  • Streaming revenue grew 41%, indicating strong digital engagement.
  • Successful premiere of 'Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire', renewed for a second season.
Negative
  • Net revenues decreased 16% to $682 million.
  • Operating income declined 20% to $151 million.
  • Diluted EPS fell 23.9% to $1.94.

NEW YORK, Nov. 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMC Networks Inc. ("AMC Networks" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: AMCX) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022.

Chief Executive Officer Christina Spade said: "Our strong content engagement is driving positive momentum throughout 2022. Our focus to transform to a consumer-focused multi-platform premium content company is taking hold with strong digital distribution growth. We have 11.1 million paid subscribers as of the end of the third quarter, representing 44% growth from the prior year and streaming revenue growth of 41%. Our ability to break through the competition with our highly-engaging content, as we further reconstitute our revenue mix, positions us well for long-term success and value creation."

Operational Highlights:

  • Expanding distribution partnership with Roku with the addition of 11 FAST channels programmed by AMC Networks
  • Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire premiered in October and is the biggest new series in AMC+ history and the #1 new drama on ad-supported cable in 2022; renewed for a second season
  • Premiering Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, the next series in the Anne Rice Immortal Universe, on AMC+ and AMC on January 8, 2023
  • Developing three new series in The Walking Dead Universe:
    • The Walking Dead: Dead City, featuring Maggie and Negan in a post-apocalyptic Manhattan led by Jeffery Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan
    • Norman Reedus-led, Daryl Dixon series set in Paris
    • The continuing journey of Rick and Michonne, led by Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira
  • Expanded distribution of the AMC+ premium streaming services in Australia, New Zealand and Spain

Financial Highlights – Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2022:

  • Streaming subscribers grew 44% from the prior year to 11.1 million subscribers as of September 30, 2022
  • Net revenues decreased 16% from the prior year to $682 million, largely driven by the timing of content licensing revenues, lower affiliate and advertising revenues, and unfavorable foreign currency translation, partly offset by streaming revenue growth of 41%
  • Operating income decreased 20% from the prior year to $151 million; Adjusted Operating Income(1) decreased 14% to $194 million, due to lower revenues, partly offset by lower content and marketing investments and strategic cost discipline, with a margin of 28%
  • Diluted EPS of $1.94; Adjusted EPS(1) of $2.09
  • Net cash provided by operating activities of $19 million; Free Cash Flow(1) of $4 million

(1)See page 4 of this earnings release for a discussion of non-GAAP financial measures used in this release. This discussion includes the definition of Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted EPS and Free Cash Flow.
  


Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2022  2021  Change  2022   2021  Change
Net Revenues$681,843 $810,766  (15.9)% $2,132,025  $2,273,899  (6.2)%
Operating Income$150,677 $188,326  (20.0)% $478,557  $426,290  12.3%
Adjusted Operating Income$194,305 $224,691  (13.5)% $601,031  $713,307  (15.7)%
             
Diluted Earnings Per Share$1.94 $2.55  (23.9)% $6.23  $5.39  15.6%
Adjusted Earnings Per Share$2.09 $2.68  (22.0)% $6.69  $9.11  (26.6)%
            
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$19,417 $(87,183) 122.3% $36,591  $43,984  (16.8)%
Free Cash Flow$4,368 $(101,297) 104.3% $(25,151) $(891) n/m 


Segment Results:

(dollars in thousands)

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2022   2021  Change  2022   2021  Change
Net Revenues:           
Domestic Operations$587,389  $682,746  (14.0)% $1,814,034  $1,895,730  (4.3)%
International and Other 99,270   129,940  (23.6)%  334,892   389,384  (14.0)%
Inter-segment Eliminations (4,816)  (1,920) (150.8)%  (16,901)  (11,215) (50.7)%
Total Net Revenues$681,843  $810,766  (15.9)% $2,132,025  $2,273,899  (6.2)%
            
Operating Income (Loss):           
Domestic Operations$186,609  $213,299  (12.5)% $573,943  $517,874  10.8%
International and Other 8,291   15,564  (46.7)%  39,733   32,365  22.8%
Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations (44,223)  (40,537) (9.1)%  (135,119)  (123,949) (9.0)%
Total Operating Income$150,677  $188,326  (20.0)% $478,557  $426,290  12.3%
            
Adjusted Operating Income (Loss):           
Domestic Operations$206,701  $231,076  (10.5)% $635,409  $723,749  (12.2)%
International and Other 13,310   22,109  (39.8)%  55,509   70,777  (21.6)%
Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations (25,706)  (28,494) 9.8%  (89,887)  (81,219) (10.7)%
Total Adjusted Operating Income$194,305  $224,691  (13.5)% $601,031  $713,307  (15.7)%
                      
                      


Domestic Operations
Third Quarter Results:

  • Domestic Operations' revenues decreased 14% from the prior year to $587 million
    • Distribution and other revenues decreased 16% to $407 million
      • Content licensing revenues decreased 63% to $58 million due to the timing and availability of deliveries in the quarter
      • Subscription revenues grew 8% due to increased streaming revenues primarily driven by streaming subscriber growth and contractual affiliate rate increases, partially offset by declines in the linear subscriber universe
        • Streaming revenues increased 41% with quarter end total subscribers of 11.1 million
        • Affiliate revenues declined in the mid-single-digits due to basic subscriber declines
    • Advertising revenues decreased 10% to $180 million due to lower linear ratings, softer scatter and direct response markets and fewer original hours in the third quarter, partially offset by digital and advanced advertising revenue growth
  • Operating income decreased 13% to $187 million
  • Adjusted Operating Income, with a margin of 35%, decreased 11% to $207 million, reflecting revenue performance, partially offset by lower programming and marketing investments for the quarter

International and Other
Third Quarter Results:

  • International and Other revenues decreased 24% from the prior year to $99 million; excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, 16% decrease
    • Distribution and other revenues decreased 22% to $82 million, primarily due to the timing of productions at 25/7 Media and unfavorable foreign currency translation at AMCNI; excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, 15% decrease
    • Advertising revenues decreased 31% to $17 million, primarily due to the impact of the planned wind-down of two channels in the U.K., the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, and softer ratings in the U.K.; excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, 20% decrease
  • Operating income decreased 47% to $8 million
  • Adjusted Operating Income decreased 40% to $13 million, reflecting lower revenue and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation; excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, 36% decrease

Other Matters
Stock Repurchase Program & Outstanding Shares

As previously disclosed, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized a program to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. The Stock Repurchase Program has no pre-established closing date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. During the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Company did not repurchase any shares. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had $135 million of authorization remaining for repurchase under the Stock Repurchase Program.

As of October 28, 2022, the Company had 31,495,577 shares of Class A Common Stock and 11,484,408 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

Please see the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2022, which will be filed later today, for further details regarding the above matters.

Description of Non-GAAP Measures

The Company defines Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as operating income (loss) before share-based compensation expense or benefit, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other charges (including gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses), restructuring and other related charges, cloud computing amortization, and including the Company’s proportionate share of adjusted operating income (loss) from majority-owned equity method investees. From time to time, we may exclude the impact of certain events, gains, losses, or other charges (such as significant legal settlements) from AOI that affect our operating performance. Because it is based upon operating income (loss), Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) also excludes interest expense (including cash interest expense) and other non-operating income and expense items. The Company believes that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense or benefit allows investors to better track the performance of the various operating units of the business without regard to the effect of the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash.

The Company believes that Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the business segments and the Company on a consolidated basis. Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors, analysts, and peers to compare performance in the industry.

Internally, the Company uses net revenues and Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) measures as the most important indicators of its business performance and evaluates management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of performance presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Since Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. For a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), please see pages 7-8 of this release.

The Company defines Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and cash distributions to noncontrolling interests, all of which are reported in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company believes the most comparable GAAP financial measure of its liquidity is net cash provided by operating activities. The Company believes that Free Cash Flow is useful as an indicator of its overall liquidity, as the amount of Free Cash Flow generated in any period is representative of cash that is available for debt repayment, investment, and other discretionary and non-discretionary cash uses. The Company also believes that Free Cash Flow is one of several benchmarks used by analysts and investors who follow the industry for comparison of its liquidity with other companies in the industry, although the Company’s measure of Free Cash Flow may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. For a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to Free Cash Flow, please see page 9 of this release.

The Company defines Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share (“Adjusted EPS”), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as earnings per diluted share excluding the following items: amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets; impairment and other charges (including gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses); non-cash impairments of goodwill, intangible and fixed assets; restructuring and other related charges; and gains and losses related to the extinguishment of debt; as well as the impact of taxes on the aforementioned items. The Company believes the most comparable GAAP financial measure is earnings per diluted share. The Company believes that Adjusted EPS is one of several benchmarks used by analysts and investors who follow the industry for comparison of its performance with other companies in the industry, although the Company’s measure of Adjusted EPS may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. For a reconciliation of earnings per diluted share to Adjusted EPS, please see pages 10-11 of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including financial community and rating agency perceptions of the Company and its business, operations, financial condition and the industries in which it operates and the factors described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained therein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.

Conference Call Information

AMC Networks will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss its third quarter 2022 results. To listen to the call, please visit investors.amcnetworks.com.

About AMC Networks Inc.

AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically acclaimed content. Its brands include targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK and the anime-focused HIDIVE streaming service, in addition to AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, IFC Films and RLJE Films. AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind some of the biggest titles and brands known to a global audience, including The Walking Dead, the Anne Rice catalog and the Agatha Christie library. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and 25/7 Media, its production services business.

Contacts

Investor Relations Corporate Communications
Nicholas Seibert (646) 740-5749 Georgia Juvelis (917) 542-6390
nicholas.seibert@amcnetworks.com georgia.juvelis@amcnetworks.com


AMC NETWORKS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2022   2021   2022   2021 
Revenues, net$681,843  $810,766  $2,132,025  $2,273,899 
Operating expenses:       
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) 293,459   378,264   903,468   997,677 
Selling, general and administrative 207,972   220,011   670,444   610,164 
Depreciation and amortization 29,735   23,411   79,556   71,261 
Impairment and other charges          158,973 
Restructuring and other related charges    754      9,534 
Total operating expenses 531,166   622,440   1,653,468   1,847,609 
Operating income 150,677   188,326   478,557   426,290 
Other income (expense):       
Interest expense (34,308)  (31,413)  (97,085)  (97,674)
Interest income 3,625   2,264   8,552   7,614 
Loss on extinguishment of debt          (22,074)
Miscellaneous, net (1,546)  54   3,540   19,634 
Total other expense (32,229)  (29,095)  (84,993)  (92,500)
Income from operations before income taxes 118,448   159,231   393,564   333,790 
Income tax expense (28,456)  (40,744)  (103,118)  (77,980)
Net income including noncontrolling interests 89,992   118,487   290,446   255,810 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (5,326)  (7,836)  (18,163)  (22,253)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders$84,666  $110,651  $272,283  $233,557 
        
Net income per share attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders:    
Basic$1.96  $2.60  $6.32  $5.52 
Diluted$1.94  $2.55  $6.23  $5.39 
        
Weighted average common shares:       
Basic 43,238   42,506   43,070   42,308 
Diluted 43,732   43,440   43,707   43,332 


AMC NETWORKS INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
 Domestic Operations International and Other Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations Consolidated
Operating income (loss)$186,609 $8,291 $(44,223) $150,677
Share-based compensation expenses 3,155  537  3,358   7,050
Depreciation and amortization 12,141  4,482  13,112   29,735
Restructuring and other related charges        
Impairment and other charges        
Cloud computing amortization 5    2,047   2,052
Majority owned equity investees AOI 4,791       4,791
Adjusted operating income (loss)$206,701 $13,310 $(25,706) $194,305


  
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
 Domestic Operations International and Other Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations Consolidated
Operating income (loss)$213,299  $15,564 $(40,537) $188,326
Share-based compensation expenses 4,174   545  4,736   9,455
Depreciation and amortization 11,589   5,200  6,622   23,411
Restructuring and other related charges (135)  800  89   754
Impairment and other charges         
Cloud computing amortization      596   596
Majority owned equity investees AOI 2,149        2,149
Adjusted operating income (loss)$231,076  $22,109 $(28,494) $224,691
  
 
           



AMC NETWORKS INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
 Domestic Operations International and Other Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations Consolidated
Operating income (loss)$573,943 $39,733 $(135,119) $478,557
Share-based compensation expenses 10,000  1,758  12,104   23,862
Depreciation and amortization 37,716  14,018  27,822   79,556
Restructuring and other related charges        
Impairment and other charges        
Cloud computing amortization 17    5,306   5,323
Majority owned equity investees AOI 13,733       13,733
Adjusted operating income (loss)$635,409 $55,509 $(89,887) $601,031


  
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
 Domestic Operations International and Other Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations Consolidated
Operating income (loss)$517,874 $32,365 $(123,949) $426,290
Share-based compensation expenses 17,105  2,689  19,369   39,163
Depreciation and amortization 36,678  14,477  20,106   71,261
Restructuring and other related charges 2,508  5,273  1,753   9,534
Impairment and other charges 143,000  15,973     158,973
Cloud computing amortization     1,502   1,502
Majority owned equity investees AOI 6,584       6,584
Adjusted operating income (loss)$723,749 $70,777 $(81,219) $713,307
  
 
          

AMC NETWORKS INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

CapitalizationSeptember 30, 2022 
Cash and cash equivalents$790,930 
   
Credit facility debt (a)$649,688 
Senior notes (a) 2,200,000 
Total debt$2,849,688 
   
Net debt$2,058,758 
   
Finance leases 23,807 
Net debt and finance leases$2,082,565 
   
 Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2022 
Operating Income (GAAP)$542,189 
Share-based compensation expense 32,624 
Depreciation and amortization 102,176 
Impairment and other charges 637 
Restructuring and other related charges 844 
Cloud computing amortization 6,227 
Majority owned equity investees 19,097 
Adjusted Operating Income (Non-GAAP)$703,794 
   
Leverage ratio (b) 3.0x


(a)Represents the aggregate principal amount of the debt.
(b)Represents net debt and finance leases divided by Adjusted Operating Income for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022. This ratio differs from the calculation contained in the Company's credit facility. No adjustments have been made for consolidated entities that are not 100% owned.
  

  

Free Cash FlowThree Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2022   2021   2022   2021 
Net cash provided by operating activities$19,417  $(87,183) $36,591  $43,984 
Less: capital expenditures (11,956)  (11,120)  (33,510)  (29,969)
Less: distributions to noncontrolling interests (3,093)  (2,994)  (28,232)  (14,906)
Free cash flow$4,368  $(101,297) $(25,151) $(891)
  
 
             

AMC NETWORKS INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
 Income from operations before income taxes Income tax expense Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders Diluted EPS attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders
Reported Results (GAAP)$118,448 $(28,456) $(5,326) $84,666 $1.94
Adjustments:         
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 10,235  (2,016)  (1,680)  6,539  0.15
Impairment and other charges           
Restructuring and other related charges           
Loss on extinguishment of debt           
Adjusted Results (Non-GAAP)$128,683 $(30,472) $(7,006) $91,205 $2.09


 Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
 Income from operations before income taxes Income tax expense Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders Diluted EPS attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders
Reported Results (GAAP)$159,231 $(40,744) $(7,836) $110,651 $2.55
Adjustments:         
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 10,214  (1,691)  (2,951)  5,572  0.12
Impairment and other charges           
Restructuring and other related charges 754  (387)  25   392  0.01
Loss on extinguishment of debt           
Adjusted Results (Non-GAAP)$170,199 $(42,822) $(10,762) $116,615 $2.68
                 

AMC NETWORKS INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
 Income from operations before income taxes Income tax expense Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders Diluted EPS attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders
Reported Results (GAAP)$393,564 $(103,118) $(18,163) $272,283 $6.23
Adjustments:         
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 31,195  (6,162)  (5,040)  19,993  0.46
Impairment and other charges           
Restructuring and other related charges           
Loss on extinguishment of debt           
Adjusted Results (Non-GAAP)$424,759 $(109,280) $(23,203) $292,276 $6.69


 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
 Income from operations before income taxes Income tax expense Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders Diluted EPS attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders
Reported Results (GAAP)$333,790 $(77,980) $(22,253) $233,557 $5.39
Adjustments:         
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 29,077  (4,661)  (8,928)  15,488  0.35
Impairment and other charges 158,973  (38,078)     120,895  2.79
Restructuring and other related charges 9,534  (1,419)  12   8,127  0.19
Loss on extinguishment of debt 22,074  (5,257)     16,817  0.39
Adjusted Results (Non-GAAP)$553,448 $(127,395) $(31,169) $394,884 $9.11

FAQ

What were the key financial highlights for AMC Networks in Q3 2022?

AMC Networks reported net revenues of $682 million and a 20% decline in operating income to $151 million for Q3 2022.

How many streaming subscribers did AMC Networks have at the end of Q3 2022?

As of September 30, 2022, AMC Networks had 11.1 million paid streaming subscribers.

What was the change in diluted earnings per share for AMC Networks in Q3 2022?

The diluted EPS for AMC Networks in Q3 2022 was $1.94, down 23.9% from the previous year.

What contributed to the decline in net revenues for AMC Networks in Q3 2022?

The decline in net revenues was primarily due to lower content licensing revenues and reduced advertising revenues.

What new series is AMC Networks launching, and when?

AMC Networks is set to premiere 'Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches' on January 8, 2023.

AMC Networks Inc.

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