Second Quarter Highlights:
- Net revenues increased 3.8% to $711 million
- Operating income of $176 million; Adjusted Operating Income1 of $229 million
- Diluted EPS of $1.54; Adjusted EPS1 of $1.88
- 8 million shares repurchased for $153 million in second quarter 2017
New York, NY – August 3, 2017: AMC Networks Inc. (“AMC Networks” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AMCX) today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.
“Our financial and operating performance in the second quarter and for the year, thus far, has been strong and we remain on track to deliver on our full-year total company outlook,” said AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan. “The success of our long-term focus on investing in marquee content and in distinctive, vibrant brands that attract passionate and engaged fans is reinforced by our wide distribution on new virtual MVPDs, including most recently YouTube TV; being home to four of the top five dramas on basic cable; and with Emmy nominations that span our networks and genres, including nominations for AMC’s Better Call Saul, IFC’s Documentary Now! and BBC AMERICA’s Planet Earth II. In addition, we continue to partner with our traditional distributors on innovative initiatives that support the cable ecosystem, including our new AMC Premiere offering to Comcast Xfinity TV customers, and our AMC Studios co-production partnership with Charter.”
Second quarter net revenues increased 3.8%, or $26 million, to $711 million over the second quarter of 2016. The increase in net revenues reflected 5.6% growth at National Networks and a decrease of $7 million at International and Other. Operating income was $176 million, a decrease of 1.3%, or $2 million, versus the prior year period. The operating income decrease reflected an increase of 11.9% at National Networks more than offset by an increase of $23 million in operating loss at International and Other. As discussed in the “Other Matters” section of this release, second quarter results include the impact of impairment charges of $17 million related to AMCNI-DMC, the Company’s Amsterdam-based media logistics facility. Adjusted Operating Income1 totaled $229 million, an increase of 8.2%, or $17 million, versus the prior year period. National Networks adjusted operating income increased 12.5% and International and Other adjusted operating income decreased $7 million versus the prior year period.
For the six months ended June 30, 2017, net revenues increased 2.8%, or $39 million, to $1.431 billion, operating income decreased 6.7%, or $29 million, to $407 million, and adjusted operating income increased 0.2%, or $1 million, to $499 million.
- 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 (Loss) and Adjusted EPS.
Second quarter net income was $103 million ($1.54 per diluted share), compared with $77 million ($1.05 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2016. Second quarter Adjusted EPS2 was $126 million ($1.88 per diluted share), compared with $84 million ($1.15 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2016. The increase in adjusted EPS was primarily related to the increase in adjusted operating income and an increase in miscellaneous, net.
Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $239 million ($3.52 per diluted share), compared with $191 million ($2.60 per diluted share) in the prior year period.
For the six months ended June 30, 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $166 million, a decrease of $64 million versus the prior year period. The decrease was primarily the result of an increase in tax payments and working capital. Free Cash Flow2 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $113 million, a decrease of $83 million versus the prior year period. The decrease primarily reflects the decrease in net cash provided by operating activities as well as an increase in capital expenditures over the prior year period.
National Networks
National Networks principally consists of the Company’s five nationally distributed programming networks, AMC, WE tv, BBC AMERICA, IFC and SundanceTV; and AMC Studios, the Company’s television production business.
National Networks revenues for the second quarter 2017 increased 5.6% to $605 million, operating income increased 11.9% to $212 million, and adjusted operating income increased 12.5% to $232 million, all compared to the prior year period.
- 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 EPS and Free Cash Flow.
National Networks revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased 4.2% to $1.220 billion, operating income increased 1.2% to $461 million, and adjusted operating income increased 2.6% to $500 million, all compared to the prior year period.
Second quarter growth in revenues was led by a 7.8% increase in distribution revenues to $359 million. The increase in distribution revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in licensing revenues as well as an increase in affiliate fees. Advertising revenues increased 2.6% to $245 million. The increase in advertising revenues principally related to higher pricing partially offset by lower delivery.
The increase in second quarter operating income and adjusted operating income reflected the increase in revenues offset by an increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to higher programming expenses partially offset by a decrease in marketing expenses.
International and Other
International and Other principally consists of AMC Networks International, the Company’s international programming business; IFC Films, the Company’s independent film distribution business; and various developing digital content distribution initiatives.
International and Other revenues for the second quarter of 2017 decreased $7 million to $111 million, operating loss increased $23 million to a loss of $31 million, and adjusted operating income decreased $7 million to $1 million, all compared to the prior year period.
International and Other revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2017 decreased $10 million to $218 million, operating loss increased $34 million to a loss of $50 million, and adjusted operating income decreased $11 million to $2 million, all compared to the prior year period.
Second quarter revenues reflect a decrease at AMC Networks International and IFC Films.
Second quarter operating loss and adjusted operating income reflected the decrease in revenue. Operating expenses were essentially flat as higher spending on the Company’s digital initiatives was offset by a decrease in expenses at AMC Networks International. The operating loss also reflects noncash impairment charges of $17 million related to AMCNI-DMC, the Company’s Amsterdam-based media logistics facility.
Other Matters
Stock Repurchase Program
On June 7, 2017, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized an increase of $500 million to its previously announced program to repurchase its outstanding shares of common stock. The new authorization was in addition to the $500 million authorization that was announced in March 2016. The Company will determine the timing and the amount of any repurchases based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, and other factors. The stock repurchase program has no pre-established closing date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. During the second quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 2.8 million shares for $153 million. From July 1, 2017 through July 28, 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 925,000 additional shares for $52 million. As of July 28, 2017, the Company had $480 million available under its stock repurchase authorization.
Debt
As previously disclosed, on July 28, 2017, the Company issued $800 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior notes due 2025. The Company used the proceeds of this offering to repay approximately $397 million of loans under its Term Loan A Facility and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering, with the remaining proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes. The Company also reduced its Term Loan A Facility to $750 million and extended the maturity date to July 2023.
RLJ Entertainment
As previously disclosed, on June 20, 2017, the Company announced that it had broadened its strategic partnership with RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (“RLJE”). As part of the announcement, the Company expanded the Tranche A Term Loan from $13 million to $23 million. In addition, the Company exercised $5 million of its Tranche A Warrants into RLJE common stock.
AMC Networks International – Digital Media Center
As previously disclosed, on July 14, 2017, the Company announced that it had entered into a sale and purchase agreement with TVT Ltd. (“TVT”) for the sale of AMC Networks International – Digital Media Center (“AMCNI-DMC”), the Company’s Amsterdam-based media logistics facility. Subsequent to the sale, TVT will continue to provide broadcast services to AMC Networks International. As a result of the transaction, the Company’s second quarter 2017 results reflect a pre-tax impairment charge of $17 million related to this business. Additionally, the Company will recognize a pre-tax loss of approximately $12 million on the sale of AMCNI–DMC in the third quarter of 2017. The loss on sale may vary due to the finalization of certain purchase price adjustments.
Please see the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017 for further details regarding the above matters.
Description of Non-GAAP Measures
The Company defines Adjusted Operating Income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense or benefit, and restructuring expense or credit. Because it is based upon operating income (loss), Adjusted Operating Income 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 is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the business segments and the Company on a consolidated basis. Adjusted Operating Income 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 measures as the most important indicators of its business performance, and evaluates management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. Adjusted Operating Income 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 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 Adjusted Operating Income to operating income (loss), please see page 8 of this release.
The Company defines Free Cash Flow (“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 Free Cash Flow to net cash provided by operating activities, 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; non-cash impairments of goodwill, intangible and fixed assets and investments; restructuring expense; 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 Adjusted EPS to earnings per diluted share, 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 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its second quarter 2017 results. To listen to the call, visit http://www.www.amcnetworks.com or dial 1-877-347-9170, using the following passcode: 54029156.
About AMC Networks Inc.
AMC Networks owns and operates several of cable television’s most recognized brands delivering high quality content to audiences and a valuable platform to distributors and advertisers. The Company manages its business through two operating segments: (i) National Networks, which principally includes AMC, WE tv, BBC AMERICA, IFC and SundanceTV; and AMC Studios, the Company’s television production business; and (ii) International and Other, which principally includes AMC Networks International, our international programming business; and IFC Films, the Company’s independent film distribution business. For more information on AMC Networks, please visit the Company’s website at http://www.www.amcnetworks.com.
