Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved consolidated revenue of $2.4 billion for the full year 2024, with a consolidated adjusted operating income (AOI) of $563 million and free cash flow of $331 million [11][34] - For Q4 2024, consolidated revenue was $599 million, with a consolidated operating loss of $254 million, including impairment and restructuring charges [35][34] - The company reported a decrease in consolidated revenue of 6% on an apples-to-apples basis, excluding certain one-time revenues from 2023 [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic operations revenues decreased 9% to $2.1 billion for the full year and decreased 11% to $520 million for Q4 [36] - Subscription revenue decreased 5% for the full year and 4% for Q4, primarily due to linear subscriber declines [36] - Streaming revenue grew by 7% for the year and 8% for the quarter, with a total of 12.4 million streaming subscribers, representing an 8% year-over-year increase [37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International revenues decreased 3% for the full year but increased 2% for Q4, with advertising revenues growing 16% and 12% for the full year and quarter, respectively [41] - Subscription revenues in the international segment declined 11% for the full year and 5% for Q4, attributed to the non-renewal of a distribution agreement in the UK [42] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on producing and curating high-quality content while managing its own platforms and maintaining strong relationships with distribution partners [18][58] - The strategy includes expanding access to AMC Plus through partnerships and bundling arrangements, which have driven healthy streaming subscriber additions [17][19] - The company aims to balance investments in programming with profitability, emphasizing the importance of high-quality scripted programming [62] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving full-year guidance for 2024 despite a challenging media environment, highlighting strong free cash flow generation [11][12] - The outlook for 2025 anticipates a decrease in total consolidated revenue of approximately 5%, with expectations of flat subscription revenue and continued streaming growth [48][49] - Management noted the importance of retaining subscribers and leveraging partnerships to enhance engagement and reduce churn [71][76] Other Important Information - The company ended the year with net debt of $1.6 billion and a consolidated net leverage ratio of 2.8 times, with a healthy cash position of approximately $1 billion in total liquidity [43][44] - The company plans to launch an ad-supported version of its Shudder streaming service later in the year [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Free cash flow outlook in the context of cash spending - Management indicated that the strategy remains focused on balancing programming investments with profitability, with a slight reduction in cash programming spend expected for 2025 due to efficiency improvements and timing of tax credit receivables [61][62][66] Question: Contribution of bundled partnerships and Netflix licensing to streaming growth - Management noted that both bundled partnerships and the Netflix licensing deal contributed to streaming subscriber growth, with expectations of healthy streaming revenue growth driven by price increases and expanded distribution [69][74] Question: Impact of licensing content to Netflix on viewership and linear ad revenue - Management clarified that while the Netflix partnership does not directly correlate with linear ad revenue, there is a positive effect on AMC Plus acquisition as viewers seek new seasons after watching earlier ones on Netflix [88][89] Question: Content licensing strategy and third-party projects - Management stated that the company primarily produces content for its own platforms but remains open to strategic opportunities for third-party production when financially beneficial [91][93]

AMC Networks (AMCX) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.64 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.79 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.72 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -18.99%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this owner of cable channels including AMC and IFC would post earnings of $0.86 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.91, delivering a surprise of 5.81%.Over t ...

AMC Networks undershot Wall Street forecasts in the fourth quarter, with advertising continuing to decline in the U.S. and affiliate revenue also hitting a slump. The company reported total revenue of $599 million, down 12% from the same period a year ago, and adjusted earnings per share of 64 cents declined from 72 cents. Wall Street analysts’ consensus outlook was for earnings of $1.05 per share and revenue of $611.3 million. In its domestic operations unit, AMC Networks said subscription revenue fell 4 ...

Financial Performance - For Q4 2024, net revenues decreased by 11.7% to $599 million, while full-year net revenues decreased by 10.7% to $2,421 million[7]. - The company experienced an operating loss of $254 million in Q4 2024, compared to an operating income of $388 million in the same quarter of the previous year[7]. - The Company reported net revenues of $599.3 million for Q4 2024, a decrease of 11.7% compared to $678.8 million in Q4 2023[33]. - Total operating expenses for Q4 2024 were $853.5 million, up 23.6% from $690.3 million in Q4 2023[33]. - The Company incurred a net loss attributable to stockholders of $284.5 million in Q4 2024, compared to a loss of $21.8 million in Q4 2023[33]. - Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $(39.6) million, a significant decline from $388.4 million in 2023[33]. - Free Cash Flow for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $375.6 million, compared to $203.9 million in 2023, indicating improved liquidity[35]. - The Company reported a significant increase in impairment and other charges, totaling $302.7 million in Q4 2024, compared to $66.4 million in Q4 2023[33]. - For the three months ended December 31, 2024, AMC Networks reported a net loss of $300.464 million, resulting in a diluted EPS of $(6.38)[53]. - For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the reported net loss was $174.497 million, leading to a diluted EPS of $(5.10)[56]. Cash Flow and Liquidity - AMC Networks reported a full-year free cash flow of $331 million, with expectations to increase to approximately $550 million over the 2024/2025 period[2]. - The Company’s cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2024 were $784.6 million, up from $570.6 million at the beginning of the year[35]. - Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2024, was $58,108, down from $72,780 in 2023, a decrease of about 20.1%[49]. - Free cash flow for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, was $330,840, an increase of 96.1% compared to $168,712 in 2023[49]. Revenue Streams - Streaming revenues increased by 7% to $603 million in Q4 2024, with streaming subscribers rising by 8% to 12.4 million compared to 11.4 million in Q4 2023[6]. - Domestic Operations' revenues decreased by 10.6% to $520 million in Q4 2024, while International revenues decreased by 13.9% to $85.6 million[8]. - The company signed multi-year agreements with major affiliates, including Charter and Amazon Prime Video Channels, for the distribution of its streaming services[6]. Impairment and Charges - Impairment and other charges totaled $399.5 million for the year, primarily due to goodwill impairment in Domestic Operations[16]. - Impairment and other charges for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, amounted to $399,513, significantly higher than $96,689 in 2023[42]. - Restructuring and related charges amounted to $49.464 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, contributing to the adjusted results[56]. Future Outlook and Strategy - AMC Networks plans to kick off 2025 with a robust slate of original programming, including several highly anticipated series[6]. - The Company plans to continue evaluating its operational strategies and may adjust its future outlook based on market conditions and performance metrics[28]. Shareholder Information - As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $135 million remaining under its Stock Repurchase Program, which authorizes up to $1.5 billion in share repurchases[19]. - The Company had 32,651,186 shares of Class A Common Stock and 11,484,408 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding as of February 7, 2025[20]. Debt and Financial Ratios - Total debt as of December 31, 2024, was $2,369,385, with net debt at $1,584,736[45]. - The leverage ratio as of December 31, 2024, was 2.8x, indicating a stable financial position[45]. - Total assets decreased from $4,969,787 in 2023 to $4,362,221 in 2024, a decline of approximately 12.2%[37]. - Total liabilities decreased from $3,710,544 in 2023 to $3,422,080 in 2024, a reduction of about 7.8%[37].

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMC Networks Inc. ("AMC Networks" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: AMCX) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. AMC Networks Chief Executive Officer Kristin Dolan said: "We are pleased and encouraged by our results in the fourth quarter and across all of 2024. We achieved our full-year guidance across all key financial metrics, including generating healthy free cash flow of $331 million. Our free cash flow performa ...

Analysts on Wall Street project that AMC Networks (AMCX) will announce quarterly earnings of $0.79 per share in its forthcoming report, representing an increase of 9.7% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $616.19 million, declining 9.2% from the same quarter last year.Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.Ahead of a company's earning ...

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AMCX) will host a conference call to discuss results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024 on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. AMC Networks will issue a press release reporting its results before the market opening. The conference call will be webcast live via the company’s website at investors.amcnetworks.com. To access the conference call via telephone, please pre-register for the call to obtain the dial-in numb ...

Revenue Performance - Domestic Operations revenue for Q3 2024 was $530.2 million, a decrease of 2.0% from $541.2 million in Q3 2023[96]. - International revenue for Q3 2024 was $73.7 million, down 24.4% from $97.6 million in Q3 2023[96]. - Total consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $1.82 billion, a decline of 10.4% compared to $2.03 billion for the same period in 2023[96]. - Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were $530.2 million, down 2.0% from $541.2 million in the same period of 2023[129]. - Total net revenues decreased by 24.5% to $73.7 million for Q3 2024 and by 21.5% to $239.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024[137]. Operating Income - Operating income for Domestic Operations in Q3 2024 was $130.0 million, a decrease of 19.5% from $161.6 million in Q3 2023[96]. - The company reported a total operating income of $93.7 million for Q3 2024, compared to $120.9 million in Q3 2023, reflecting a decrease of 22.5%[96]. - Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, decreased by 46.3% to $214,619,000 from $399,855,000 in the same period of 2023[109]. - Segment adjusted operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $150.2 million, down 18.8% from $185.0 million in the same period of 2023[129]. - Adjusted operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $433,407,000, down from $569,808,000 in 2023, indicating a decline of about 24%[170]. Subscription and Advertising Revenue - Subscription revenue remains the largest component of distribution revenue, primarily based on affiliation agreements with distributors[100]. - For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, subscription revenues decreased by 6.2% to $1,110,099,000 compared to $1,183,562,000 in the same period of 2023[109]. - Subscription revenues decreased by 4.9% to $316.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to a 13.5% decline in affiliate revenues[130]. - Subscription revenues decreased by 13.6% to $48.5 million for Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023, and by 12.4% to $149.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024[137]. - Advertising revenues decreased by 11.2% in the Domestic Operations business for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to linear ratings declines[111]. - Advertising revenues increased by 16.5% to $22.5 million for Q3 2024 and by 40.1% to $81.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, driven by digital advertising growth in the U.K. and improved ratings in Central and Northern Europe[137]. Expenses - Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased by 10.0% to $840,049,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $933,590,000 in 2023[109]. - Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 3.8% to $588,679,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $567,136,000 in 2023[109]. - Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) increased by 7.3% to $254.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024[132]. - Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 4.0% to $128.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to higher employee-related costs[134]. - Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 18.3% to $26.5 million for Q3 2024 and by 6.9% to $82.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024[140]. Net Income - Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders decreased by 75.6% to $57,951,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, down from $237,273,000 in 2023[109]. - The company’s net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $57.9 million, down from $237.3 million in 2023[162]. Cash Flow and Debt - Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $317.5 million, a significant increase from $131.1 million in 2023, reflecting a growth of 142.2%[150]. - Free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $293.3 million, up from $102.7 million in 2023, indicating an increase of 185.5%[155]. - Net cash used in financing activities decreased to $52.7 million in 2024 from $84.9 million in 2023, a reduction of 38%[152]. - As of September 30, 2024, the company had $2.4 billion in outstanding debt, with approximately 84% of it being fixed-rate debt[173]. - The carrying value of the company's fixed-rate debt was $1.98 billion, exceeding its fair value of $1.74 billion by $236.5 million as of September 30, 2024[172]. Impairments and Charges - An impairment charge of $68.0 million was recognized in the second quarter of 2024 due to a decline in the fair value of the AMCNI reporting unit[116]. - Impairment and other charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to $96,819,000, significantly higher than $30,282,000 in 2023, reflecting an increase of about 220%[170]. Acquisitions and Divestitures - The company divested its 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023, leading to a reclassification of its operating segments[99]. - AMC Networks acquired the remaining 50.1% of BBC America for $42 million, now owning 100% of the business[148].

Core Insights - AMC Networks' shares increased by 3% after reporting third-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations despite a 50% decline in 2024 to date [1][2] - Revenue for the quarter ending September 30 was $599.6 million, a 6% decrease compared to the previous year, while adjusted earnings per share fell to 91 cents from $1.85 [1][3] Revenue Breakdown - Streaming subscriber growth was a positive highlight, with a 5% increase resulting in a total of 11.8 million subscribers across services like AcornTV, Shudder, and AMC+ [3] - Streaming revenue rose by 5% to $152 million, although overall subscription revenue declined by 5% due to losses in linear subscriptions [3] Advertising and Affiliate Revenue - Both affiliate and advertising revenues experienced double-digit declines, with affiliate revenue down 13% to $164 million and advertising revenue falling 10% to $133 million [4] - The decline in advertising revenue was attributed to lower linear ratings and a challenging advertising market, although growth in digital and advanced advertising revenue was noted as a positive offset [4] Strategic Focus and Cash Flow - CEO Kristen Dolan emphasized the company's focus on programming, partnerships, and profitability, stating significant advancements in these areas during the quarter [5] - AMC Networks generated $293 million in free cash flow in 2024 and is on track to achieve a goal of approximately $500 million in cumulative free cash flow over two years [5]

Core Insights - AMC Networks reported revenue of $599.61 million for Q3 2024, a year-over-year decline of 5.9%, with EPS of $0.91 compared to $1.85 a year ago [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $597.9 million by 0.29%, while the EPS surprised by 5.81% against the consensus estimate of $0.86 [1] Revenue Performance - Domestic Operations revenue was $530.24 million, slightly above the average estimate of $526.20 million, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 2% [3] - Inter-segment eliminations reported revenue of -$4.34 million, worse than the average estimate of -$2.50 million, marking a year-over-year increase of 135.3% [3] - International and Other revenue was $73.71 million, slightly below the average estimate of $74.20 million, showing a significant year-over-year decline of 24.5% [3] Adjusted Operating Income - Adjusted Operating Income for Domestic Operations was $129.98 million, compared to the average estimate of $132.01 million [3] - Adjusted Operating Income for Inter-segment eliminations was -$45.03 million, worse than the average estimate of -$23.23 million [3] - Adjusted Operating Income for International and Other was $8.70 million, below the average estimate of $10.63 million [3] Stock Performance - AMC Networks shares have returned +5% over the past month, slightly outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.9% change [4] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell), indicating potential underperformance relative to the broader market in the near term [4]