AMC Networks Inc. Reports First Quarter 2014 Results

First Quarter 2014 Highlights:

• Net revenues increased 37.3% to $525 million
• Operating income increased 15.8% to $148 million
• AOCF increased 11.3% to $167 million

New York, NY – May 8, 2014: AMC Networks Inc. (“AMC Networks” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AMCX) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

President and Chief Executive Officer Josh Sapan said: “AMC Networks continued to build momentum in the first quarter of 2014, with double digit increases in revenue and AOCF. At our national networks, our original programming performed well, driving attention for and strengthening our network brands, with series including IFC’s Spoils of Babylon, SundanceTV’s The Red Road, WE tv’s SWV: Reunited and AMC’s The Walking Dead, which grew 24% in total viewers for its fourth season and remains the highest rated show on television among the most coveted demographic. Having completed our acquisition of Chellomedia, we are quickly integrating those networks and are streamlining our operations. We view our now-robust international platform as a springboard for additional growth for the company in the years ahead as we continue to focus on creating and delivering maximum value for our shareholders.”

First quarter net revenues increased $143 million, or 37.3%, to $525 million over the first quarter of 2013, led by 20.7% growth at National Networks and an increase of $66 million at International and Other versus the prior year period.¹  As discussed in the “Other Matters” section of this release, revenue reflected the impact of the Chellomedia acquisition.  Adjusted Operating Cash Flow (“AOCF”)² totaled $167 million, an increase of 11.3% or $17 million versus the prior year period.  The AOCF increase resulted from 8.0% growth at National Networks and a $4 million decline in the AOCF deficit at International and Other.  Operating income was $148 million, an increase of 15.8% or $20 million versus the prior year period.  The operating income increase resulted from 15.9% growth at National Networks partially offset by a $2 million increase in the operating loss at International and Other.

First quarter net income from continuing operations was $72 million ($0.99 per diluted share), compared with $62 million ($0.85 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2013.  The increase resulted primarily from the growth in operating income.  Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share², which excludes the impact of the amortization of acquisition related intangible assets, was $1.04 per diluted share, compared with $0.96 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2013.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $75 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $112 million from the prior year period.  The increase was primarily related to the absence of cash income tax payments related to the VOOM HD settlement proceeds and improved operating performance.  Free Cash Flow³ for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $68 million, an increase of $114 million from the prior year period.  The results reflect the increase in net cash provided by operating activities as well as a decrease in capital expenditures over the prior year period.

¹ Following the Chellomedia acquisition, which closed in the first quarter of 2014, the Company reorganized its operating segments.  See the “Other Matters” section of this release for further details.

² See definition of Adjusted Operating Cash Flow (“AOCF”) and Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share included in the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures on page 3 of this earnings release.

³ See definition of Free Cash Flow included in the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures on page 3 of this earnings release.

 

Segment Results

(dollars in thousands)							Three Months Ended March 31,
							2014			2013			Change
Net revenues:
	National Networks					$448,680			$371,670			20.7%
	International and Other					76,578			10,422			634.8%
	Inter-segment eliminations					(704)			(131)			437.4%
Total net revenues							$524,554			$381,961			37.3%
AOCF:
	National Networks						$ 177,745			$164,594			8.0%
	International and Other						(11,047)			(15,394)			28.2%
	Inter-segment eliminations						409			966			(57.7%)
Total AOCF							$167,107			$ 150,166			11.3%

 

National Networks

National Networks principally consists of the Company’s four nationally distributed programming networks, AMC, WE tv, IFC and SundanceTV.

National Networks revenues for the first quarter 2014 increased 20.7% to $449 million, AOCF rose 8.0% to $178 million, and operating income grew 15.9% to $169 million, all compared to the prior year period.

Growth in revenues was primarily led by a 26.8% increase in advertising revenues to $208 million.  The increase in advertising revenues was due to strong demand for our original programming, primarily at AMC.  Distribution revenues increased 15.9% to $241 million. The growth in distribution revenues was primarily attributable to increases in affiliate fees as well as digital, licensing and home video revenues.

First quarter AOCF increased 8.0% to $178 million reflecting the increase in revenues partially offset by an increase in operating expenses.  The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to higher programming and marketing expenses compared to the prior year period.  The operating income increase reflected the growth in AOCF and a reduction in amortization expense.

International and Other

International and Other principally consists of Chellomedia and AMC/Sundance Channel Global, the Company’s international programming businesses; IFC Films, the Company’s independent film distribution business; and various developing online content distribution initiatives.

International and Other revenues for the first quarter of 2014 increased $66 million to $77 million, AOCF improved $4 million to a deficit of $11 million, and operating loss increased $2 million to $21 million, all compared to the prior year period.

First quarter revenues increased primarily as a result of the Company’s acquisition of Chellomedia.  First quarter AOCF principally reflected the increase in revenues partially offset by an increase in expenses, primarily related to Chellomedia.  Operating loss results reflected the AOCF performance as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization expense related to the Chellomedia acquisition.  See the “Other Matters” section of this release for further details.

Other Matters

Chellomedia Acquisition

As previously disclosed, on January 31, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of substantially all of Chellomedia, the international content division of Liberty Global plc, for €750 million (approximately $1.0 billion).  Results for Chellomedia are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of income from the acquisition date, January 31, 2014 to March 31, 2014.  The Company also incurred acquisition related costs of $14 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Please see the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2014 for further details.

Reorganization of Operating Segments

Following the Chellomedia acquisition, which closed in the first quarter of 2014, the Company reorganized its operating segments.  The results of AMC and Sundance Channel in Canada as well as AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, the Company’s network technical services business, are now included in the National Networks operating segment.  Previously, these operations were included in the International and Other operating segment.  The reorganization had no impact on the historical consolidated financial results previously reported by the Company.

Please see the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2014 for further details.

Description of Non-GAAP Measures

The Company defines Adjusted Operating Cash Flow (“AOCF”), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense or benefit and restructuring expenses or credits. Because it is based upon operating income (loss), AOCF 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 AOCF is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the business segments and the Company on a consolidated basis. AOCF 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 AOCF measures as the most important indicators of its business performance, and evaluates management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. AOCF 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 AOCF 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 AOCF to operating income (loss), please see page 7 of this release.

The Company defines Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share (“Adjusted EPS”), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as earnings excluding the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets per share.  The Company believes Adjusted EPS is relevant to investors because it allows them to evaluate the performance of the Company’s operations exclusive of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets that impact the comparability of results from period to period.  Since Adjusted EPS 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 EPS to Earnings Per Diluted Share, please see page 9 of this release.

The Company defines Free Cash Flow from Continuing Operations (“Free Cash Flow”), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash provided by operating activities (continuing operations) less capital expenditures (continuing operations), both of which are reported in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Net cash provided by operating activities excludes net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. 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 8 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 first quarter 2014 results.  To listen to the call, visit http://www.www.amcnetworks.com or dial 1-877-347-9170, using the following passcode: 33726035.

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 reportable operating segments: (i) National Networks, which principally includes AMC, WE tv, IFC and SundanceTV; and (ii) International and Other, which principally includes Chellomedia and AMC/Sundance Channel Global, our international programming businesses; 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.

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