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Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2024
or
☐
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number:
1-35106
AMC Networks Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
27-5403694
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
11 Penn Plaza,
New York,
NY
10001
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(
212
)
324-8500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
AMCX
The
NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
þ
No
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes
þ
No
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
þ
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
☐
No
þ
The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of November 1, 2024:
Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $
9,207
and $
9,488
)
647,601
664,396
Current portion of program rights, net
9,136
7,880
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
212,599
380,518
Total current assets
1,685,713
1,623,370
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $
449,533
and $
403,708
135,084
159,237
Program rights, net
1,775,628
1,802,653
Intangible assets, net
226,758
268,558
Goodwill
559,200
626,496
Deferred tax assets, net
13,307
11,456
Operating lease right-of-use assets
64,513
71,163
Other assets
365,206
406,854
Total assets
$
4,825,409
$
4,969,787
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
88,964
$
89,469
Accrued liabilities
305,614
385,838
Current portion of program rights obligations
220,210
301,221
Deferred revenue
68,682
65,736
Current portion of long-term debt
7,500
67,500
Current portion of lease obligations
34,523
33,659
Total current liabilities
725,493
943,423
Program rights obligations
152,588
150,943
Long-term debt, net
2,335,061
2,294,249
Lease obligations
69,119
87,240
Deferred tax liabilities, net
152,310
160,383
Other liabilities
57,382
74,306
Total liabilities
3,491,953
3,710,544
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
185,182
185,297
Stockholders' equity:
Class A Common Stock, $
0.01
par value,
360,000
shares authorized,
66,730
and
66,670
shares issued and
32,614
and
32,077
shares outstanding, respectively
667
667
Class B Common Stock, $
0.01
par value,
90,000
shares authorized,
11,484
shares issued and outstanding
Treasury stock, at cost (
34,117
and
34,593
shares Class A Common Stock, respectively)
(
1,408,832
)
(
1,419,882
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(
229,154
)
(
232,831
)
Total AMC Networks stockholders' equity
1,117,049
1,048,051
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests
31,225
25,895
Total stockholders' equity
1,148,274
1,073,946
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
4,825,409
$
4,969,787
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Revenues, net
$
599,614
$
636,954
$
1,822,009
$
2,033,029
Operating expenses:
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
287,746
284,900
840,049
933,590
Selling, general and administrative
191,622
187,232
588,679
567,136
Depreciation and amortization
23,097
28,009
75,416
79,629
Impairment and other charges
—
5,400
96,819
30,282
Restructuring and other related charges
3,496
10,563
6,427
22,537
Total operating expenses
505,961
516,104
1,607,390
1,633,174
Operating income
93,653
120,850
214,619
399,855
Other income (expense):
Interest expense
(
45,123
)
(
38,757
)
(
121,180
)
(
115,304
)
Interest income
9,303
11,686
27,480
26,944
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
(
352
)
—
(
105
)
—
Miscellaneous, net
8,850
(
2,211
)
5,153
12,518
Total other expense
(
27,322
)
(
29,282
)
(
88,652
)
(
75,842
)
Income from operations before income taxes
66,331
91,568
125,967
324,013
Income tax expense
(
19,891
)
(
23,671
)
(
54,433
)
(
82,725
)
Net income including noncontrolling interests
46,440
67,897
71,534
241,288
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(
5,058
)
(
4,473
)
(
13,583
)
(
4,015
)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders
$
41,382
$
63,424
$
57,951
$
237,273
Net income per share attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders:
Basic
$
0.93
$
1.44
$
1.31
$
5.42
Diluted
$
0.76
$
1.44
$
1.21
$
5.40
Weighted average common shares:
Basic
44,607
43,951
44,381
43,786
Diluted
56,149
44,041
49,038
43,905
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net income including noncontrolling interests
$
46,440
$
67,897
$
71,534
$
241,288
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment
20,563
(
27,860
)
4,997
(
6,216
)
Comprehensive income
67,003
40,037
76,531
235,072
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(
6,655
)
(
3,389
)
(
14,903
)
(
4,053
)
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders
$
60,348
$
36,648
$
61,628
$
231,019
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Class A
Common
Stock
Class B
Common
Stock
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total AMC Networks Stockholders’
Equity
Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Total Stockholders' Equity
Balance, June 30, 2024
$
667
$
115
$
374,353
$
2,335,526
$
(
1,408,832
)
$
(
248,120
)
$
1,053,709
$
28,383
$
1,082,092
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders
—
—
—
41,382
—
—
41,382
—
41,382
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,245
1,245
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment to redemption fair value
—
—
(
2,784
)
—
—
—
(
2,784
)
—
(
2,784
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
—
—
—
—
—
18,966
18,966
1,597
20,563
Share-based compensation expenses
—
—
5,776
—
—
—
5,776
—
5,776
Balance, September 30, 2024
$
667
$
115
$
377,345
$
2,376,908
$
(
1,408,832
)
$
(
229,154
)
$
1,117,049
$
31,225
$
1,148,274
Class A
Common
Stock
Class B
Common
Stock
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total AMC Networks Stockholders’
Equity
Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Total Stockholders' Equity
Balance, June 30, 2023
$
666
$
115
$
366,553
$
2,279,490
$
(
1,419,882
)
$
(
219,276
)
$
1,007,666
$
32,585
$
1,040,251
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders
—
—
—
63,424
—
—
63,424
—
63,424
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
417
417
Distributions to noncontrolling member
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(
317
)
(
317
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
—
—
—
—
—
(
26,776
)
(
26,776
)
(
1,084
)
(
27,860
)
Share-based compensation expenses
—
—
6,378
—
—
—
6,378
—
6,378
Tax withholding associated with shares issued under employee stock plans
—
—
(
6
)
—
—
—
(
6
)
—
(
6
)
Balance, September 30, 2023
$
666
$
115
$
372,925
$
2,342,914
$
(
1,419,882
)
$
(
246,052
)
$
1,050,686
$
31,601
$
1,082,287
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Class A
Common
Stock
Class B
Common
Stock
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total AMC Networks Stockholders’
Equity
Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Total Stockholders' Equity
Balance, December 31, 2023
$
667
$
115
$
378,877
$
2,321,105
$
(
1,419,882
)
$
(
232,831
)
$
1,048,051
$
25,895
$
1,073,946
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders
—
—
—
57,951
—
—
57,951
—
57,951
Net income attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
10,203
10,203
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment to redemption fair value
—
—
(
8,312
)
—
—
—
(
8,312
)
—
(
8,312
)
Distributions to noncontrolling member
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(
6,193
)
(
6,193
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
—
—
—
—
—
3,677
3,677
1,320
4,997
Share-based compensation expenses
—
—
20,308
—
—
—
20,308
—
20,308
Common stock issued under employee stock plans
—
—
(
8,902
)
(
2,148
)
11,050
—
—
—
—
Tax withholding associated with shares issued under employee stock plans
—
—
(
4,626
)
—
—
—
(
4,626
)
—
(
4,626
)
Balance, September 30, 2024
$
667
$
115
$
377,345
$
2,376,908
$
(
1,408,832
)
$
(
229,154
)
$
1,117,049
$
31,225
$
1,148,274
Class A
Common
Stock
Class B
Common
Stock
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total AMC Networks Stockholders’
Equity
Non-redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Total Stockholders' Equity
Balance, December 31, 2022
$
661
$
115
$
360,251
$
2,105,641
$
(
1,419,882
)
$
(
239,798
)
$
806,988
$
46,825
$
853,813
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders
—
—
—
237,273
—
—
237,273
—
237,273
Net loss attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(
13,111
)
(
13,111
)
Distributions to noncontrolling member
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(
2,151
)
(
2,151
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
—
—
—
—
—
(
6,254
)
(
6,254
)
38
(
6,216
)
Share-based compensation expenses
—
—
19,908
—
—
—
19,908
—
19,908
Tax withholding associated with shares issued under employee stock plans
5
—
(
7,234
)
—
—
—
(
7,229
)
—
(
7,229
)
Balance, September 30, 2023
$
666
$
115
$
372,925
$
2,342,914
$
(
1,419,882
)
$
(
246,052
)
$
1,050,686
$
31,601
$
1,082,287
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests
$
71,534
$
241,288
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
75,416
79,629
Non-cash impairment and other charges
96,819
24,882
Share-based compensation expenses related to equity classified awards
20,308
19,671
Non-cash restructuring and other related charges
1,641
11,916
Amortization and write-off of program rights
641,706
626,685
Amortization of deferred carriage fees
18,362
15,662
Unrealized foreign currency transaction (gain) loss
(
5,311
)
7,778
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness
5,375
5,876
Deferred income taxes
(
9,857
)
2,973
Other, net
(
562
)
(
2,775
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade (including amounts due from related parties, net)
18,012
48,570
Prepaid expenses and other assets
184,066
141,596
Program rights and obligations, net
(
691,545
)
(
844,332
)
Deferred revenue
2,847
(
65,548
)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities
(
111,304
)
(
182,732
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
317,507
131,139
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
(
24,252
)
(
28,392
)
Return of capital from investees
1,379
696
Proceeds from sale of investments
—
8,565
Other investing activities, net
2,706
(
103
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(
20,167
)
(
19,234
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of
10.25
% Senior Secured Notes due 2029, net
862,969
—
Proceeds from the issuance of
4.25
% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029, net
139,437
—
Tender and redemption of
4.75
% Senior Notes due 2025
(
774,729
)
—
Principal payments on Term Loan A Facility
(
233,750
)
(
25,313
)
Repurchase of
4.25
% Senior Notes due 2029
(
10,129
)
—
Payments for financing costs
(
10,450
)
(
342
)
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units
(
4,626
)
(
7,229
)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations
(
3,461
)
(
3,134
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(
18,000
)
(
47,546
)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests
—
(
1,343
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(
52,739
)
(
84,907
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations
244,601
26,998
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
1,200
(
1,813
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
570,576
930,002
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
816,377
$
955,187
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
Note 1.
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business
AMC Networks Inc. ("AMC Networks") and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Company," "we," "us," or "our") own and operate entertainment businesses and assets. The Company is comprised of
two
operating segments:
•
Domestic Operations:
Includes our
five
national programming networks, our streaming services, our AMC Studios operation and our film distribution business. Our programming networks are AMC, WE tv, BBC AMERICA ("BBCA"), IFC, and SundanceTV. Our streaming services consist of AMC+ and our targeted subscription streaming services (Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK, and HIDIVE). Our AMC Studios operation produces original programming for our programming services and third parties and also licenses programming worldwide. Our film distribution business includes IFC Films, RLJ Entertainment Films and Shudder. The operating segment also includes AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, our technical services business, which primarily services the programming networks.
•
International
: AMC Networks International ("AMCNI"), our international programming businesses consisting of a portfolio of channels distributed around the world.
In 2024, the Company updated the name of its previously titled "International and Other" operating segment to "International" due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023, which was the sole component of the operating segment that comprised “Other.” This update does not constitute a change in segment reporting, but rather an update in name only. Prior period segment information contained in this report includes the results of the 25/7 Media business through the date of divestiture.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMC Networks and its subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained or variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Investments in business entities in which the Company lacks control but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2023 contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (our "2023 Form 10-K") filed with the SEC. The condensed consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, such financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented.
The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for future interim periods or for the full year ending December 31, 2024.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include the useful lives and methodologies used to amortize and assess recoverability of program rights, the estimated useful lives of intangible assets and the valuation and recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications were made to the prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.
7
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The Company will incorporate the required disclosure updates for the 2025 annual financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which expands disclosures about a public entity’s reportable segments and requires more enhanced information about a reportable segment’s expenses, interim segment profit or loss, and how a public entity’s chief operating decision maker uses reported segment profit or loss information in assessing segment performance and allocating resources. The Company will incorporate the required disclosure updates for the 2024 annual financial statements.
Note 2.
Revenue Recognition
Transaction Price Allocated to Future Performance Obligations
As of September 30, 2024, other than contracts for which the Company has applied the practical expedients, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to future performance obligations was
not material
to our consolidated revenues.
Contract Balances from Contracts with Customers
The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers.
(In thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Balances from contracts with customers:
Accounts receivable (including long-term receivables within Other assets)
$
714,894
$
750,390
Contract assets, short-term (included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets)
Revenue recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 relating to the contract liabilities at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $
46.5
million
and $
102.6
million, respectively
.
During the second quarter of 2024, we recognized revenues of $
13.4
million for a one-time retroactive adjustment reported and paid by a third party, for which our performance obligation was satisfied in a prior period.
In October 2023, the Company entered into an agreement enabling it to sell certain customer receivables to a financial institution on a recurring basis for cash. The transferred receivables will be fully guaranteed by a bankruptcy-remote entity and the financial institution that purchases the receivables will have no recourse to the Company's other assets in the event of non-payment by the customers. The Company can sell an indefinite amount of customer receivables under the agreement on a revolving basis, but the outstanding balance of unpaid customer receivables to the financial institution cannot exceed the initial program limit of $
125.0
million at any given time. As of
September 30, 2024,
the Company had not yet sold any customer receivables under this agreement.
8
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
Note 3.
Net Income per Share
Net income per basic share is based upon net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock outstanding during the period. Net income per diluted share reflects the dilutive effects of AMC Networks' outstanding equity-based awards and the assumed conversion of the
4.25
% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 (the "Convertible Notes") issued in June 2024.
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders used for basic net income per share
$
41,382
$
63,424
$
57,951
$
237,273
Add: Convertible Notes interest expense, net of tax
1,144
—
1,260
—
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders used for diluted net income per share
$
42,526
$
63,424
$
59,211
$
237,273
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
44,607
43,951
44,381
43,786
Effect of dilution:
Restricted stock units
257
90
456
119
Convertible Notes
11,285
—
4,201
—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
56,149
44,041
49,038
43,905
Net income per share attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders:
Basic
$
0.93
$
1.44
$
1.31
$
5.42
Diluted
$
0.76
$
1.44
$
1.21
$
5.40
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024,
2.8
million
of restricted stock units ("RSUs") have been excluded from the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding, as their impact would have been antidilutive.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023,
1.9
million of RSUs have been excluded from diluted weighted average common shares outstanding, as their impact would have been antidilutive.
Stock Repurchase Program
The Company's Board of Directors previously authorized a program to repurchase up to
$
1.5
billion
of its outstanding shares of common stock (the "Stock Repurchase Program"). The Stock Repurchase Program has no pre-established termination date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did
no
t repurchase any shares of its Class A Common Stock. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had
$
135.3
million
of authorization remaining for repurchase under the Stock Repurchase Program.
Note 4.
Restructuring and Other Related Charges
Restructuring and other related charges were $
3.5
million for t
he three months ended September 30, 2024, consisting
primarily of severance and employee-related costs, and
$
6.4
million
for t
he nine months ended September 30, 2024, consisting
primarily of severance and employee-related costs, as well as content impairments in connection wit
h WE tv shifting to a reduced originals strategy.
Restructuring and other related charges were
$
10.6
million
and $
22.5
million for t
he three and nine months ended September 30, 2023
, respectively, related to a restructuring plan (the "Plan") that commenced on November 28, 2022. During the third quarter of 2023, the Company exited a portion of its office space in its corporate headquarters in New York and all of its office space in Silver Spring, Maryland and Woodland Hills, California. In connection with exiting a portion of the New York office, the Company recorded impairment charges of $
11.6
million, consisting of $
9.1
million for operating lease right-of use assets and $
2.5
million for leasehold improvements.
Fair values used to determine the impairment charge were determined using an income approach, specifically a discounted cash flow ("DCF") model. The DCF model includes significant assumptions about sublease income and enterprise specific discount rates. Given the uncertainty in determining assumptions underlying the DCF approach, actual results may differ from those used in the valuations. The remaining charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consisted primarily of severance and other personnel costs in connection with the Plan.
9
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
The following table summarizes the restructuring and other related charges recognized by operating segment:
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Domestic Operations
$
3,454
$
(
783
)
$
6,385
$
3,940
International
—
(
4
)
—
1,642
Corporate / Inter-segment eliminations
42
11,350
42
16,955
Total restructuring and other related charges
$
3,496
$
10,563
$
6,427
$
22,537
The following table summarizes the accrued restructuring and other related costs:
(In thousands)
Severance and Employee-Related Costs
Content Impairments and Other Exit Costs
Total
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
8,726
$
5,008
$
13,734
Charges
5,370
1,057
6,427
Cash payments
(
7,725
)
(
2,626
)
(
10,351
)
Non-cash adjustments
—
(
1,641
)
(
1,641
)
Other
(
902
)
(
103
)
(
1,005
)
Balance at September 30, 2024
$
5,469
$
1,695
$
7,164
Accrued restructuring and other related costs of $
7.2
million are included in Accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2024. Accrued restructuring and other related costs of $
12.1
million and $
1.6
million are included in Accrued liabilities and Other liabilities, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023.
Note 5.
Program Rights
Total capitalized produced and licensed content by predominant monetization strategy is as follows:
September 30, 2024
(In thousands)
Predominantly Monetized Individually
Predominantly Monetized as a Group
Total
Owned original program rights, net:
Completed
$
76,360
$
655,968
$
732,328
In-production and in-development
—
286,056
286,056
Total owned original program rights, net
$
76,360
$
942,024
$
1,018,384
Licensed program rights, net:
Licensed film and acquired series
$
384
$
574,710
$
575,094
Licensed originals
—
110,282
110,282
Advances and other production costs
—
81,004
81,004
Total licensed program rights, net
384
765,996
766,380
Program rights, net
$
76,744
$
1,708,020
$
1,784,764
Current portion of program rights, net
$
9,136
Program rights, net (long-term)
1,775,628
$
1,784,764
10
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Predominantly Monetized Individually
Predominantly Monetized as a Group
Total
Owned original program rights, net:
Completed
$
139,363
$
532,839
$
672,202
In-production and in-development
—
284,455
284,455
Total owned original program rights, net
$
139,363
$
817,294
$
956,657
Licensed program rights, net:
Licensed film and acquired series
$
973
$
599,607
$
600,580
Licensed originals
1,555
169,489
171,044
Advances and other production costs
—
82,252
82,252
Total licensed program rights, net
2,528
851,348
853,876
Program rights, net
$
141,891
$
1,668,642
$
1,810,533
Current portion of program rights, net
$
7,880
Program rights, net (long-term)
1,802,653
$
1,810,533
Amortization, including write-offs, of owned and licensed program rights, included in Technical and operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income, is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
(In thousands)
Predominantly Monetized Individually
Predominantly Monetized as a Group
Total
Predominantly Monetized Individually
Predominantly Monetized as a Group
Total
Owned original program rights
$
20,707
$
77,289
$
97,996
$
62,872
$
215,959
$
278,831
Licensed program rights
148
128,846
128,994
1,980
360,895
362,875
Program rights amortization
$
20,855
$
206,135
$
226,990
$
64,852
$
576,854
$
641,706
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
(In thousands)
Predominantly Monetized Individually
Predominantly Monetized as a Group
Total
Predominantly Monetized Individually
Predominantly Monetized as a Group
Total
Owned original program rights
$
21,116
$
63,800
$
84,916
$
101,947
$
165,547
$
267,494
Licensed program rights
485
110,898
111,383
2,620
356,571
359,191
Program rights amortization
$
21,601
$
174,698
$
196,299
$
104,567
$
522,118
$
626,685
For programming rights predominantly monetized individually or as a group, the Company periodically reviews the programming usefulness of licensed and owned original program rights based on several factors, including expected future revenue generation from airings on the Company's networks and streaming services and other exploitation opportunities, ratings, type and quality of program material, standards and practices, and fitness for exhibition through various forms of distribution. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a film predominantly monetized individually or a film group is less than its unamortized cost, the Company will write off the excess to technical and operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Program rights with no future programming usefulness are substantively abandoned resulting in the write-off of remaining unamortized cost.
There were
no
significant program rights write-offs included in technical and operating expenses f
or the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 or 2023.
11
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
In the normal course of business, the Company may qualify for tax incentives through eligible investments in productions. Receivables related to tax incentives earned on production spend as of September 30, 2024 consisted of $
150.6
million recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and $
57.8
million recorded in Other assets. Receivables related to tax incentives earned on production spend as of December 31, 2023 consisted of $
230.3
million recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and $
49.9
million recorded in Other assets.
Note 6.
Investments
The Company holds several investments in and loans to non-consolidated entities which are included in Other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Equity Method Investments
Equity method investments were
$
84.4
million
and $
83.1
million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Non-marketable Equity Securities
Investments in non-marketable equity securities were
$
43.9
million and $
41.6
million a
t September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
No
gains or losses were recorded on non-marketable equity securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, or the three months ended September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized impairment charges of $
1.7
million on certain investments, which are included in Miscellaneous, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
Note 7.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The carrying amount of goodwill, by operating segment is as follows:
(In thousands)
Domestic Operations
International
Total
December 31, 2023
$
348,732
$
277,764
$
626,496
Impairment charge
—
(
68,004
)
(
68,004
)
Foreign currency translation
—
708
708
September 30, 2024
$
348,732
$
210,468
$
559,200
Impairment and other charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 included a $
68.0
million goodwill impairment charge at AMCNI recorded in the second quarter of 2024, as further discussed below.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, accumulated impairment charges in the International segment totaled $
253.5
million and $
185.5
million, respectively, inclusive of the 25/7 Media impairment charges recorded in 2023 prior to the divestiture of that business in December 2023.
12
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
The following tables summarize information relating to the Company's identifiable intangible assets:
(In thousands)
September 30, 2024
Gross
Accumulated Amortization
Net
Estimated Useful Lives
Amortizable intangible assets:
Affiliate and customer relationships
$
622,236
$
(
459,881
)
$
162,355
6
to
25
years
Advertiser relationships
46,282
(
46,282
)
—
11
years
Trade names and other amortizable intangible assets
90,770
(
46,267
)
44,503
3
to
20
years
Total amortizable intangible assets
759,288
(
552,430
)
206,858
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks
19,900
—
19,900
Total intangible assets
$
779,188
$
(
552,430
)
$
226,758
(In thousands)
December 31, 2023
Gross
Accumulated Amortization
Net
Amortizable intangible assets:
Affiliate and customer relationships
$
618,778
$
(
421,968
)
$
196,810
Advertiser relationships
46,282
(
42,806
)
3,476
Trade names and other amortizable intangible assets
91,134
(
42,762
)
48,372
Total amortizable intangible assets
756,194
(
507,536
)
248,658
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks
19,900
—
19,900
Total intangible assets
$
776,094
$
(
507,536
)
$
268,558
Aggregate amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $
7.9
million
and $
9.8
million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $
26.1
million and $
30.7
million, respectively.
Excluding the $
15.7
million impairment charge associated with BBCA recorded in the second quarter of 2024, as discussed below, estimated aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the following five years is:
(In thousands)
Years Ending December 31,
2024
$
34,069
2025
30,748
2026
29,764
2027
24,979
2028
22,808
Impairment Test of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill
Impairment and other charges of $
96.8
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 primarily consisted of a $
68.0
million goodwill impairment charge at AMCNI and $
29.2
million of long-lived asset impairment charges at BBCA, both of which were recorded in the second quarter of 2024. Impairment and other charges of $
30.3
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consisted primarily of goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges of $
24.9
million at 25/7 Media.
13
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment at the reporting unit annually as of December 1, or more frequently upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred with respect to the Company's decline in stock price. Accordingly, the Company performed quantitative assessments for all reporting units. The fair values were determined using a combination of an income approach, using a DCF model and a market comparables approach. The DCF model includes significant assumptions about revenue growth rates, long-term growth rates, and enterprise specific discount rates. Additionally, the market comparables approach uses guideline company valuation multiples. Given the uncertainty in determining assumptions underlying the DCF approach, actual results may differ from those used in the valuation
s.
Based on the valuations performed, the Company concluded that the estimated fair value of the AMCNI reporting unit declined to less than its carrying amount. As a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of
$
68.0
million rel
ated to the AMCNI reporting unit, included in Impairment and other charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income. No impairment charges were required for our other reporting unit.
Additionally during the second quarter of 2024, given continued market challenges and linear declines, the Company determined that sufficient indicators of potential impairment of long-lived assets existed at BBCA, and concluded that the carrying amount of the BBCA asset group was not recoverable. The carrying value of the BBCA asset group exceeded its fair value, and accordingly an impairment charge of $
15.7
million was recorded for identifiable intangible assets and $
13.5
million for other long-lived assets, which is included in Impairment and other charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income within the Domestic Operations operating segment. Fair values were determined using a market approach.
During the second quarter of 2023, and prior to its divestiture in December 2023, the Company revised its outlook for the 25/7 Media business, resulting in lower expected future cash flows.
The Company performed a recoverability test and determined that the carrying amount of the 25/7 Media asset group was not recoverable. The carrying value of the asset group exceeded its fair value, therefore an impairment charge of $
23.0
million was recorded for identifiable intangible assets, which is included in Impairment and other charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income within the International operating segment. Fair values used to determine the impairment charge were determined using an income approach, specifically a DCF model, and a market comparables approach.
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company also determined that a triggering event had occurred with respect to the 25/7 Media reporting unit, which required an interim goodwill impairment test to be performed. Accordingly, the Company performed a quantitative assessment using an income approach, specifically a DCF model, and a market comparables approach. Based on the valuations performed, a $
1.9
million goodwill impairment charge was recorded, which is included in Impairment and other charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income within the International operating segment.
Note 8.
Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
(In thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Employee related costs
$
80,649
$
93,866
Participations and residuals
157,027
164,375
Interest
25,981
31,749
Other accrued expenses
41,957
95,848
Total accrued liabilities
$
305,614
$
385,838
14
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
Note 9.
Long-term Debt
The following table summarizes the Company's long-term debt included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as follows:
(In thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Senior Secured Credit Facility:
(a)
Term Loan A Facility
$
373,750
$
607,500
Senior Notes:
4.75
% Senior Notes due August 2025
—
774,729
10.25
% Senior Secured Notes due January 2029
875,000
—
4.25
% Senior Notes due February 2029
985,010
1,000,000
4.25
% Convertible Senior Notes due February 2029
143,750
—
Total long-term debt
2,377,510
2,382,229
Unamortized discount
(
26,423
)
(
13,873
)
Unamortized deferred financing costs
(
8,526
)
(
6,607
)
Long-term debt, net
2,342,561
2,361,749
Current portion of long-term debt
7,500
67,500
Noncurrent portion of long-term debt
$
2,335,061
$
2,294,249
(a)
Represents the aggregate principal amount of the debt, with maturities of Term Loan A (Non-Extended) $
90.0
million due February 2026, Term Loan A (Extended) $
283.8
million due April 2028, and undrawn $
175.0
million Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) due April 2028. Total undrawn revolver commitments are available to be drawn for general corporate purposes of the Company.
4.25
% Senior Notes due 2029
In June 2024, the Company repurchased $
15.0
million of its outstanding
4.25
% Senior Notes due 2029 through open market repurchases, at a discount of $
4.9
million, and retired the repurchased notes. The Company recorded a $
4.7
million gain which reflects the discount, net of $
0.2
million to write off a portion of the unamortized discount and deferred financing costs associated with the notes. The $
4.7
million gain is included in Loss on extinguishment of debt, net within the condensed consolidated statements of income.
4.25
% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029
On June 21, 2024, the Company completed a private unregistered offering of $
143.8
million aggregate principal amount of its Convertible Notes, which amount includes the full exercise of the initial purchasers’ option to purchase additional Convertible Notes. The Company received net proceeds of $
139.4
million, after deducting initial purchasers' discounts. The Convertible Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the Company’s credit facilities and the Company’s
4.25
% Senior Notes due 2029 and
10.25
% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “Guarantors”), subject to certain exceptions, on a senior, unsecured basis.
The Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of June 21, 2024 (the “Convertible Notes Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (“Trustee”).
The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of
4.25
% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2025. The Convertible Notes will mature on February 15, 2029, unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or converted.
Subject to the terms of the Convertible Notes Indenture, the Convertible Notes may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 78.5083 shares of Class A common stock, par value $
0.01
per share, of the Company (“Class A Common Stock”) per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $
12.74
per share of Class A Common Stock). Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of Class A Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Class A Common Stock, at the Company’s election, as described in the Convertible Notes Indenture. Holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their Convertible Notes at their option at any time on or after November 15, 2028 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. Holders of the Convertible Notes will also have the right to convert the Convertible
15
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
Notes prior to November 15, 2028, but only upon the occurrence of specified events described in the Convertible Notes Indenture. The conversion rate is subject to antidilution adjustments if certain events occur.
Prior to August 20, 2027, the Convertible Notes will not be redeemable. On or after August 20, 2027, the Company may redeem for cash all or part of the Convertible Notes (subject to certain exceptions), at its option, if the last reported sale price of the Class A Common Stock has been at least
130
% of the conversion price then in effect for at least
20
trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any period of
30
consecutive trading days (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to
100
% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. No sinking fund is provided for the Convertible Notes.
If certain corporate events (each defined in the Convertible Notes Indenture as a “Make-Whole Fundamental Change”) occur prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, and a holder elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with such corporate event, the Company will, under certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for the Convertible Notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of Class A Common Stock as specified in the Convertible Notes Indenture. No adjustment to the conversion rate will be made if the price paid or deemed to be paid per share of Class A Common Stock in such corporate event is either less than $
10.19
per share or exceeds $
130.00
per share.
If a specified “Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Convertible Notes Indenture) occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, under certain circumstances each holder may require the Company to repurchase all or part of its Convertible Notes at a repurchase price equal to
100
% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date.
Under the Convertible Notes Indenture, the Convertible Notes may be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain events of default. In the case of an event of default with respect to the Convertible Notes arising from specified events of bankruptcy or insolvency of the Company or the Company’s Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in the Convertible Notes Indenture),
100
% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Convertible Notes will automatically become due and payable. If any other event of default with respect to the Convertible Notes under the Convertible Notes Indenture occurs or is continuing, the Trustee or holders of at least
25
% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Convertible Notes may declare the principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Convertible Notes to be immediately due and payable.
Amendment to Credit Agreement
On April 9, 2024, AMC Networks entered into Amendment No. 3 ("Amendment No. 3") to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2017 (as amended to date and by Amendment No. 3, the “Credit Agreement”), among AMC Networks and its subsidiary, AMC Network Entertainment LLC (“AMC Network Entertainment”), as the initial borrowers, certain of AMC Networks' subsidiaries, as restricted subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and an L/C Issuer.
In connection with Amendment No. 3, AMC Networks made a $
165.6
million partial prepayment of the Term Loan A facility under the Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan A Facility”), bringing the total principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan A Facility to $
425
million, and reduced the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) to $
175
million. In addition, pursuant to Amendment No. 3, the maturity date of $
325
million principal amount of loans under the Term Loan A Facility as well as all of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility has been extended to April 9, 2028. The maturity date of the remaining $
100
million principal amount of loans under the Term Loan A Facility continues to be February 8, 2026. Amendment No. 3 also includes certain other modifications to covenants and other provisions of the Credit Agreement. In connection with the $
165.6
million partial prepayment of the Term Loan A Facility and the modification of the revolving loan commitments, the Company recorded a charge of $
1.3
million to write off a portion of the unamortized discount and deferred financing costs associated with the Credit Agreement, which is included in Loss on extinguishment of debt, net within the condensed consolidated statements of income.
During each of the second and third quarters of 2024, the Company repaid $
8.1
million of borrowings under the Term Loan A Facility in accordance with the terms of the amended agreement. During the third quarter of 2024, the Company also voluntarily prepaid $
35.0
million of borrowings under the Term Loan A Facility. In connection with this prepayment, the Company recorded a charge of $
0.4
million to write-off a portion of the associated unamortized discount and deferred financing costs, which is included in Loss on extinguishment of debt, net within the condensed consolidated statements of income. In March 2024, the Company also repaid $
16.9
million of borrowings under the Term Loan A Facility in accordance with the previous agreement.
16
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
10.25
% Senior Secured Notes due 2029
On April 9, 2024, AMC Networks issued $
875
million aggregate principal amount of
10.25
% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “Secured Notes”). AMC Networks received net proceeds of $
863
million, after deducting initial purchasers' discounts. The Secured Notes are guaranteed by AMC Network Entertainment and AMC Networks' subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement.
The Secured Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2024 (the “Secured Notes Indenture”), among AMC Networks, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee.
The Secured Notes accrue interest at a rate of
10.25
% per annum and mature on January 15, 2029. Interest is payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 2024. The Secured Notes are AMC Networks’ general senior secured obligations, secured on a first-priority basis by substantially all of AMC Networks’ and the Guarantors’ assets and property, subject to certain liens permitted under the Secured Notes Indenture, and rank equally with all of AMC Networks’ existing and future senior indebtedness, senior in right of payment to AMC Networks’ future subordinated indebtedness and effectively senior to any of AMC Networks’ existing and future unsecured indebtedness or indebtedness that is secured by a lien ranking junior to the lien securing the Secured Notes, in each case, to the extent of the value of the collateral.
On or after January 15, 2026, AMC Networks may redeem the Secured Notes, at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning on January 15 of the years indicated below:
Year
Percentage
2026
105.125
%
2027
102.563
%
2028 and thereafter
100.000
%
In addition to the optional redemption of the Secured Notes described above, at any time prior to January 15, 2026, AMC Networks may redeem up to
40
% of the aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes at a redemption price equal to
110.250
% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, using the net proceeds of certain equity offerings. At any time prior to January 15, 2026, AMC Networks may also redeem up to
10
% of the aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes during any twelve month period at a redemption price equal to
103.000
% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.
Finally, at any time prior to January 15, 2026, AMC Networks may redeem the Secured Notes, at its option in whole or in part, at any time, at a redemption price equal to
100
% of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed plus the “Applicable Premium” calculated as described in the Secured Notes Indenture at the Treasury rate +
50
basis points, and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
Tender Offer and Redemption of
4.75
% Senior Notes due 2025
On April 22, 2024, AMC Networks completed a cash tender offer (the "Offer") to purchase any and all outstanding
4.75
% Senior Notes due 2025 and redeemed all
4.75
% Senior Notes due 2025 that remained outstanding after completion of the Offer at a price of
100.000
% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. In connection with the Offer and redemption, the Company recorded a charge of $
3.1
million to write off the remaining unamortized discount and deferred financing costs associated with the
4.75
% Senior Notes due 2025, which is included in Loss on extinguishment of debt, net within the condensed consolidated statements of income.
17
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
Note 10.
Leases
The following table summarizes the leases included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as follows:
(In thousands)
Balance Sheet Location
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Assets
Operating
Operating lease right-of-use assets
$
64,513
$
71,163
Finance
Property and equipment, net
9,060
9,884
Total lease assets
$
73,573
$
81,047
Liabilities
Current:
Operating
Current portion of lease obligations
$
29,456
$
28,971
Finance
Current portion of lease obligations
5,067
4,688
$
34,523
$
33,659
Noncurrent:
Operating
Lease obligations
$
58,508
$
72,797
Finance
Lease obligations
10,611
14,443
$
69,119
$
87,240
Total lease liabilities
$
103,642
$
120,899
Note 11.
Fair Value Measurement
The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity's pricing based upon their own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
•
Level I - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
•
Level II - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
•
Level III - Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.
18
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
The following table presents for each of these hierarchy levels, the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
(In thousands)
Level I
Level II
Level III
Total
At September 30, 2024:
Assets
Cash equivalents
$
191,597
$
—
$
—
$
191,597
Foreign currency derivatives
—
7,621
—
7,621
Liabilities
Foreign currency derivatives
—
1,662
—
1,662
At December 31, 2023:
Assets
Foreign currency derivatives
$
—
$
8,277
$
—
$
8,277
Liabilities
Foreign currency derivatives
—
2,295
—
2,295
The Company's cash equivalents (comprised of money market mutual funds) are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices.
The Company's foreign currency derivatives are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy as their fair values are determined based on a market approach valuation technique that uses readily observable market parameters and the consideration of counterparty risk.
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis that would be considered Level III.
Fair value measurements are also used in nonrecurring valuations performed in connection with acquisition accounting and impairment testing. These nonrecurring valuations primarily include the valuation of program rights, goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment. All of our nonrecurring valuations use significant unobservable inputs and therefore fall under Level III of the fair value hierarchy.
Credit Facility Debt and Senior Notes
The fair values of each of the Company's debt instruments are based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for instruments of the same remaining maturities.
The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments, excluding those that are carried at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, are summarized as follows:
(In thousands)
September 30, 2024
Carrying
Amount
Estimated
Fair Value
Debt instruments:
Term Loan A Facility
$
367,352
$
373,723
10.25
% Senior Secured Notes due 2029
861,099
899,063
4.25
% Senior Notes due 2029
974,938
709,207
4.25
% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029
139,172
130,456
$
2,342,561
$
2,112,449
19
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
(In thousands)
December 31, 2023
Carrying
Amount
Estimated
Fair Value
Debt instruments:
Term Loan A Facility
$
602,551
$
577,884
4.75
% Senior Notes due 2025
771,013
745,677
4.25
% Senior Notes due 2029
988,185
780,670
$
2,361,749
$
2,104,231
Fair value estimates related to the Company's debt instruments presented above are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgments and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Note 12.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency risk to the extent that we enter into transactions denominated in currencies other than one of our subsidiaries' respective functional currencies (non-functional currency risk), such as affiliation agreements, programming contracts, certain trade receivables and accounts payable (including intercompany amounts) that are denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency.
The fair values of the Company's derivative financial instruments included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
(In thousands)
Balance Sheet Location
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Assets:
Foreign currency derivatives
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
1,319
$
378
Foreign currency derivatives
Other assets
6,302
7,899
Liabilities:
Foreign currency derivatives
Accrued liabilities
$
788
$
1,065
Foreign currency derivatives
Current portion of program rights obligations
—
8
Foreign currency derivatives
Other liabilities
874
1,222
The amounts of gains and losses related to the Company's derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments are as follows:
(In thousands)
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Foreign currency derivatives
Miscellaneous, net
$
473
$
(
736
)
$
(
318
)
$
9,077
Note 13.
Income Taxes
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, income tax expense was $
19.9
million on income from operations before income taxes of $
66.3
million, and $
54.4
million on income from operations before income taxes of
20
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
$
126.0
million, respectively, representing an effective tax rate of
30
% and
43
%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was impacted by the $
68.0
million nondeductible goodwill impairment charge at AMCNI. Inclusive of the nondeductible goodwill impairment charge, items resulting in variances from the federal statutory rate of 21% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 primarily consisted of state and local income tax expense, tax expense from foreign operations, tax expense for an increase in the valuation allowance for foreign taxes and tax expense related to non-deductible compensation.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, income tax expense was $
23.7
million on income from operations before income taxes of $
91.6
million, and $
82.7
million on income from operations before income taxes of $
324.0
million, respectively, representing an effective tax rate of
26
% for both periods. The items resulting in variances from the federal statutory rate of 21% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily consisted of state and local income tax expense and tax expense related to non-deductible compensation.
At September 30, 2024, the Company had foreign tax credit carry forwards of $
55.2
million, expiring on various dates from 2024 through 2034. These carryforwards have been reduced to zero by a valuation allowance of $
55.2
million as it is more likely than not that these carry forwards will not be realized.
During the second quarter of 2024, $
28.6
million of cash and cash equivalents, previously held by foreign subsidiaries, was repatriated to the United States. Our consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance of $
816.4
million, as of September 30, 2024, included $
142.9
million held by foreign subsidiaries. Of this amount, approximately $
35.0
million is expected to be repatriated to the United States with the remaining amount continuing to be reinvested in foreign operations. Tax expense related to the repatriated amount, as well as the expected remaining repatriation amount, has been accrued and we do not expect to incur any significant, additional taxes related to the remaining balance.
In December 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the Pillar Two Model Rules, which aim to reform international corporate taxation rules, including the implementation of a global minimum tax rate. The Company began the phased implementation of the Pillar Two Model Rules in the first quarter of 2024 and as of September 30, 2024, the Pillar Two minimum tax requirement is not expected to have a material impact upon the Company's results of operations or financial position for the year ending December 31, 2024.
Note 14.
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
As of September 30, 2024, the Company's contractual obligations not reflected on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet increased
$
180.8
million, as compared to December 31, 2023, to
$
1,054.4
million.
The increase was primarily driven by the execution of new long-term third-party service contracts.
Legal Matters
On August 14, 2017, Robert Kirkman, Robert Kirkman, LLC, Glen Mazzara, 44 Strong Productions, Inc., David Alpert, Circle of Confusion Productions, LLC, New Circle of Confusion Productions, Inc., Gale Anne Hurd, and Valhalla Entertainment, Inc. f/k/a Valhalla Motion Pictures, Inc. (together, the "Plaintiffs") filed a complaint in California Superior Court in connection with Plaintiffs’ rendering of services as writers and producers of the television series entitled The Walking Dead, as well as Fear the Walking Dead and/or Talking Dead, and the agreements between the parties related thereto (the "Walking Dead Litigation"). The Plaintiffs asserted that the Company had been improperly underpaying the Plaintiffs under their contracts with the Company and they asserted claims for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, inducing breach of contract, and liability for violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200. The Plaintiffs sought compensatory and punitive damages and restitution. On August 8, 2019, the judge in the Walking Dead Litigation ordered a trial to resolve certain issues of contract interpretation only. Following eight days of trial in February and March 2020, on July 22, 2020, the judge issued a Statement of Decision finding in the Company's favor on all
seven
matters of contract interpretation before the court in this first phase trial. On January 20, 2021, the Plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, eliminating
eight
named defendants and their claims under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200. On May 5, 2021, the Plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint, repleading in part their claims for alleged breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, inducing breach of contract, and certain breach of contract claims. On June 2, 2021, the Company filed a demurrer and motion to strike seeking to dismiss the claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and certain tort and breach of contract claims asserted in the third amended complaint. On July 27, 2021, the court granted in part and denied in part the Company's motion. On January 12, 2022, the Company filed a motion for summary adjudication of many of the remaining claims. On April 6, 2022, the court granted the Company’s summary adjudication motion in part, dismissing the Plaintiffs’ claims for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and inducing breach of contract. On January
21
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
26, 2023, the Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal of the court’s post-trial, demurrer, and summary adjudication decisions. On September 25, 2024, a hearing was held on the Plaintiffs’ appeals. On November 4, 2024, the appellate court issued a decision affirming the trial court’s decisions in favor of the Company in the 2021 first phase trial and the 2022 motion for summary judgment. The parties entered into an agreement to resolve through confidential binding arbitration the remaining claims in the litigation (consisting mainly of ordinary course profit participation audit claims), and as a result, the court formally dismissed the case. The arbitration to resolve the
two
remaining claims for breach of contract was held between October 16 through October 20, 2023. On March 12, 2024, the arbitral panel issued a decision awarding the Plaintiffs the sum of approximately $
7.8
million. The arbitral panel's decision did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
On November 14, 2022, the Plaintiffs filed a separate complaint in California Superior Court (the “MFN Litigation”) in connection with the Company’s July 16, 2021 settlement agreement with Frank Darabont (“Darabont”), Ferenc, Inc., Darkwoods Productions, Inc., and Creative Artists Agency, LLC (the “Darabont Parties”), which resolved litigations the Darabont Parties had brought in connection with Darabont's rendering services as a writer, director and producer of the television series entitled The Walking Dead and the agreement between the parties related thereto (the “Darabont Settlement”). Plaintiffs assert claims for breach of contract, alleging that the Company breached the most favored nations (“MFN”) provisions of Plaintiffs’ contracts with the Company by failing to pay them additional contingent compensation as a result of the Darabont Settlement (the “MFN Litigation”). Plaintiffs claim in the MFN Litigation that they are entitled to actual and compensatory damages in excess of $
200
million. The Plaintiffs also brought a cause of action to enjoin an arbitration the Company commenced in May 2022 concerning the same dispute. On December 15, 2022, the Company removed the MFN Litigation to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On January 13, 2023, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the MFN Litigation and informed the court that the Company had withdrawn the arbitration Plaintiffs sought to enjoin. On March 25, 2024, the Court issued a ruling denying the Company’s motion to dismiss and the parties are currently conducting discovery. The trial for this matter, initially scheduled for September 17, 2024, has been rescheduled to October 27, 2025
.
The Company believes that the asserted claims are without merit and will vigorously defend against them if they are not dismissed. At this time, no determination can be made as to the ultimate outcome of this litigation or the potential liability, if any, on the part of the Company.
The Company has been a party to actions and claims arising from alleged violations of the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (the “VPPA”) and analogous state laws. In addition to putative class actions, the Company faced a series of arbitration claims managed by multiple plaintiffs’ law firms. The class action complaints and the arbitration claims all alleged that the Company’s use of a Meta Platforms, Inc. pixel on the websites for certain of its subscription video services and channels violated the privacy protection provisions of the VPPA and its state law analogues. On October 27, 2023, the Company reached a settlement with multiple plaintiffs relating to their pending class actions alleging violations of the VPPA and analogous state laws with respect to the Company's subscription video services. On May 16, 2024, the class action settlement was approved by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Company has also reached settlements to resolve the arbitration claims. All of the settlements reached by the Company in connection with these matters were reimbursed by the Company’s insurance carriers.
The Company is party to various lawsuits and claims in the ordinary course of business, including the matters described above, as well as other lawsuits and claims relating to employment, intellectual property, and privacy and data protection matters. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and while the impact of these matters on the Company's results of operations in any particular subsequent reporting period could be material, management does not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company or the ability of the Company to meet its financial obligations as they become due.
Note 15.
Equity Plans
During the third quarter of 2024, AMC Networks granted
12,968
RSUs under the 2011 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors to a non-employee director that vested on the date of grant.
During the second quarter of 2024, AMC Networks granted
104,546
RSUs under the 2011 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors to non-employee directors that vested on the date of grant.
During the first quarter of 2024, AMC Networks granted
2,025,265
RSUs to certain executive officers and employees under the AMC Networks Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Employee Stock Plan, which vest ratably over a
three-year
period.
There were
no
RSU vests for employees during the three months ended September 30, 2024. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024,
914,296
RSUs
previously issued to employees of the Company vested. On the vesting dat
e,
377,717
RSUs
were surrendered to AMC Networks to cover the required statutory tax withholding obligations an
d
536,579
shares of
22
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
AMC Networks Class A Common Stock were issued. Units are surrendered to satisfy the employees' statutory minimu
m tax withholding obligations for the applicable income and other employment tax. The units surrendered during the
nine months ended September 30, 2024 h
ad an aggregate value of
$
4.6
million
,
which has been reflected as a financing activity in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
The Company recorded share-based compensation expenses of $
5.8
million and $
20.3
million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $
6.4
million and $
19.9
million (including $
0.2
million recorded as part of Restructuring and other related charges) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Share-based compensation expenses are recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of income as part of Selling, general and administrative expenses.
As of September 30, 2024, there was
$
30.2
million
of total unrecognized share-based compensation cost related to outstanding unvested share-based awards. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of approximately
2.0
years
.
Note 16.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
In connection with the Company's previous acquisitions of New Video Channel America L.L.C (owner of the cable channel BBCA) and RLJ Entertainment, the terms of the acquisition agreements provide the noncontrolling members with a right to put all of their noncontrolling interest to subsidiaries of the Company at a future time. Since the exercise of these put rights is outside the Company's control, the noncontrolling interest in each entity is presented as a redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of stockholders' equity on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.
The following tables summarize activity related to redeemable noncontrolling interest for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
$
180,065
Net earnings
3,813
Distributions
(
1,480
)
Adjustment to redemption fair value
2,784
September 30, 2024
$
185,182
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
June 30, 2023
$
241,486
Net earnings
4,056
Distributions
(
20,142
)
September 30, 2023
$
225,400
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
$
185,297
Net earnings
3,380
Distributions
(
11,807
)
Adjustment to redemption fair value
8,312
September 30, 2024
$
185,182
23
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
$
253,669
Net earnings
17,126
Distributions
(
45,395
)
September 30, 2023
$
225,400
On November 1, 2024, the Company closed a transaction with BBC Studios in which it acquired the remaining
50.1
% of the BBC America joint-venture that it had not previously owned for $
42.0
million in cash. The Company now owns
100
% of the BBC America business, with full operational control, and will continue to fully consolidate BBC America.
Assuming the transaction had closed on September 30, 2024, $
132.9
million of redeemable noncontrolling interest related to BBC America, and reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, would have been eliminated. Additionally, the Company’s future contractual programming commitments to BBC Studios would have been significantly reduced.
Note 17.
Related Party Transactions
The Company and its related parties enter into transactions with each other in the ordinary course of business. Revenues, net from related parties amounted to $
1.3
million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and $
3.9
million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Amounts charged to the Company, included in Selling, general and administrative expenses, pursuant to transactions with its related parties amounted to $
0.2
million and $
0.9
million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $
0.7
million and $
7.5
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Note 18.
Cash Flows
The following table details the Company's non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental data:
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Operating lease additions
$
8,269
$
3,171
Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid
1,651
2,243
Supplemental Data:
Cash interest paid
121,419
123,715
Income tax payments, net
9,970
28,829
Note 19.
Segment Information
The Company classifies its operations into
two
operating segments: Domestic Operations and International. These operating segments represent strategic business units that are managed separately.
In 2024, the Company updated the name of its previously titled "International and Other" operating segment to "International" due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023, which was the sole component of the operating segment that comprised “Other.” This update does not constitute a change in segment reporting, but rather an update in name only. Prior period segment information contained in this report includes the results of the 25/7 Media business through the date of divestiture.
The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating segment adjusted operating income ("AOI"). The Company defines AOI as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, cloud computing amortization, share-based compensation expenses or benefit, impairment and other charges (including gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses), restructuring and other related charges and including the Company’s proportionate share of adjusted operating income (loss) from majority-owned equity method investees.
The Company has presented the components that reconcile adjusted operating income to operating income, and other information as to the continuing operations of the Company's operating segments below.
24
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Domestic Operations
International
Corporate / Inter-segment
Eliminations
Consolidated
Revenues, net
Subscription
$
316,002
$
48,510
$
—
$
364,512
Content licensing and other
81,102
2,742
(
4,335
)
79,509
Distribution and other
397,104
51,252
(
4,335
)
444,021
Advertising
133,139
22,454
—
155,593
Consolidated revenues, net
$
530,243
$
73,706
$
(
4,335
)
$
599,614
Operating income (loss)
$
129,978
$
8,702
$
(
45,027
)
$
93,653
Share-based compensation expenses
2,608
775
2,393
5,776
Depreciation and amortization
8,695
4,065
10,337
23,097
Restructuring and other related charges
3,454
—
42
3,496
Cloud computing amortization
3,272
—
—
3,272
Majority-owned equity investees AOI
2,182
—
—
2,182
Adjusted operating income (loss)
$
150,189
$
13,542
$
(
32,255
)
$
131,476
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Domestic Operations
International
Corporate / Inter-segment
Eliminations
Consolidated
Revenues, net
Subscription
$
332,135
$
56,173
$
—
$
388,308
Content licensing and other
61,916
22,150
(
1,842
)
82,224
Distribution and other
394,051
78,323
(
1,842
)
470,532
Advertising
147,147
19,275
—
166,422
Consolidated revenues, net
$
541,198
$
97,598
$
(
1,842
)
$
636,954
Operating income (loss)
$
161,627
$
7,985
$
(
48,762
)
$
120,850
Share-based compensation expenses
3,494
815
2,069
6,378
Depreciation and amortization
11,536
4,271
12,202
28,009
Impairment and other charges
5,400
—
—
5,400
Restructuring and other related charges (credits)
(
783
)
(
4
)
11,350
10,563
Cloud computing amortization
5
—
2,331
2,336
Majority-owned equity investees AOI
3,732
—
—
3,732
Adjusted operating income (loss)
$
185,011
$
13,067
$
(
20,810
)
$
177,268
25
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Domestic Operations
International
Corporate / Inter-segment
Eliminations
Consolidated
Revenues, net
Subscription
$
961,136
$
148,963
$
—
$
1,110,099
Content licensing and other
209,431
8,942
(
10,157
)
208,216
Distribution and other
1,170,567
157,905
(
10,157
)
1,318,315
Advertising
422,193
81,501
—
503,694
Consolidated revenues, net
$
1,592,760
$
239,406
$
(
10,157
)
$
1,822,009
Operating income (loss)
$
374,730
$
(
26,484
)
$
(
133,627
)
$
214,619
Share-based compensation expenses
8,586
2,446
9,276
20,308
Depreciation and amortization
29,522
12,241
33,653
75,416
Impairment and other charges
28,815
68,004
—
96,819
Restructuring and other related charges
6,385
—
42
6,427
Cloud computing amortization
10,103
—
—
10,103
Majority-owned equity investees AOI
9,715
—
—
9,715
Adjusted operating income (loss)
$
467,856
$
56,207
$
(
90,656
)
$
433,407
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Domestic Operations
International
Corporate / Inter-segment
Eliminations
Consolidated
Revenues, net
Subscription
$
1,013,419
$
170,143
$
—
$
1,183,562
Content licensing and other
246,093
76,668
(
6,816
)
315,945
Distribution and other
1,259,512
246,811
(
6,816
)
1,499,507
Advertising
475,359
58,163
—
533,522
Consolidated revenues, net
$
1,734,871
$
304,974
$
(
6,816
)
$
2,033,029
Operating income (loss)
$
523,645
$
10,422
$
(
134,212
)
$
399,855
Share-based compensation expenses
10,133
2,500
7,038
19,671
Depreciation and amortization
35,053
13,944
30,632
79,629
Impairment and other charges
5,400
24,882
—
30,282
Restructuring and other related charges
3,940
1,642
16,955
22,537
Cloud computing amortization
15
—
6,800
6,815
Majority-owned equity investees AOI
11,019
—
—
11,019
Adjusted operating income (loss)
$
589,205
$
53,390
$
(
72,787
)
$
569,808
Subscription revenues in the Domestic Operations segment include revenues related to the Company's streaming services of $
152.0
million and $
142.5
million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $
447.3
million and $
420.8
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Corporate overhead costs not allocated to the segments include costs such as executive salaries and benefits and costs of maintaining corporate headquarters, facilities and common support functions.
26
AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(unaudited)
Inter-segment eliminations are primarily licensing revenues recognized between the Domestic Operations and International segments.
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Inter-segment revenues
Domestic Operations
$
(
3,737
)
$
(
1,825
)
$
(
7,025
)
$
(
6,451
)
International
(
598
)
(
17
)
(
3,132
)
(
365
)
$
(
4,335
)
$
(
1,842
)
$
(
10,157
)
$
(
6,816
)
The table below summarizes revenues based on customer location:
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Revenues
United States
$
481,390
$
524,044
$
1,452,897
$
1,681,909
Europe
80,492
76,332
260,618
233,817
Other
37,732
36,578
108,494
117,303
$
599,614
$
636,954
$
1,822,009
$
2,033,029
One customer within the Domestic Operations segment accounted for approximately
16
% and
15
% of consolidated revenues, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, one customer within the Domestic Operations segment accounted for approximately
12
% and
13
%, respectively, of consolidated revenues.
The table below summarizes property and equipment based on asset location:
(In thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Property and equipment, net
United States
$
122,607
$
146,314
Europe
11,035
11,850
Other
1,442
1,073
$
135,084
$
159,237
27
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations there are statements concerning our future operating results and future financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "could," "potential," "continue," "intends," "plans" and similar words and terms used in the discussion of future operating results and future financial performance identify forward-looking statements. You 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 the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that may cause such differences to occur include, but are not limited to:
•
the level of our revenues;
•
market demand, including changes in viewer consumption patterns, for our programming networks, our subscription streaming services, our programming, and our production services;
•
demand for advertising inventory and our ability to deliver guaranteed viewer ratings;
•
the highly competitive nature of the cable, telecommunications, streaming and programming industries;
•
the cost of, and our ability to obtain or produce, desirable content for our programming services, other forms of distribution, including digital and licensing in international markets, as well as our film distribution businesses;
•
market demand for our owned original programming and our film content;
•
the loss of any of our key personnel and artistic talent;
•
the impact of strikes, including those related to the Writers, Directors, and Screen Actors guilds;
•
the security of our program rights and other electronic data;
•
our ability to maintain and renew distribution or affiliation agreements with distributors;
•
economic and business conditions and industry trends in the countries in which we operate, including fluctuations in inflation rates and recession risk;
•
fluctuations in currency exchange rates and interest rates;
•
changes in domestic and foreign laws or regulations under which we operate;
•
changes in laws or treaties relating to taxation, or the interpretation thereof, in the United States or in the countries in which we operate;
•
the impact of existing and proposed federal, state and international laws and regulations relating to data protection, privacy and security, including the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and other similar comprehensive privacy and security laws that have been or may be enacted in other states;
•
our substantial debt and high leverage;
•
reduced access to, or inability to access, capital or credit markets, or significant increases in costs to borrow;
•
the level of our expenses;
•
future acquisitions and dispositions of assets;
•
our ability to successfully acquire new businesses and, if acquired, to integrate, and implement our plan with respect to businesses we acquire;
•
problems we may discover post-closing with the operations, including the internal controls and financial reporting process, of businesses we acquire;
•
uncertainties regarding the financial results of equity method investees, issuers of our investments in marketable equity securities and non-marketable equity securities and changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners and joint ventures;
•
the outcome of litigation, arbitration and other proceedings;
•
whether pending uncompleted transactions, if any, are completed on the terms and at the times set forth (if at all);
•
financial community and rating agency perceptions of our business, operations, financial condition and the industry in which we operate;
•
the impact of pandemics or other health emergencies on the economy and our business;
•
events that are outside our control, such as political unrest in international markets, terrorist attacks, natural disasters and other similar events; and
•
the factors described under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "2023 Form 10-K"), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
We disclaim any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein, except as otherwise required by applicable federal securities laws.
28
Introduction
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, is a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein and our 2023 Form 10-K to enhance the understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of our operations. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to "we," "us," "our," "AMC Networks" or the "Company" refer to AMC Networks Inc., together with its subsidiaries. The MD&A is organized as follows:
Business Overview.
This section provides a general description of our business and our operating segments, as well as other matters that we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition and in anticipating future trends.
Consolidated Results of Operations.
This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Our discussion is presented on both a consolidated and segment basis.
Our two segments are: (i) Domestic Operations and (ii) International.
Liquidity and Capital Resources.
This section provides a discussion of our financial condition as of September 30, 2024, as well as an analysis of our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The discussion of our financial condition and liquidity also includes summaries of (i) our primary sources of liquidity and (ii) our contractual obligations that existed at September 30, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
. This section provides an update, if any, to our significant accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2023.
Business Overview
Financial Highlights
The tables presented below set forth our consolidated revenues, net, operating income (loss) and adjusted operating income (loss) ("AOI")
1
, for the periods indicated.
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Revenues, net
Domestic Operations
$
530,243
$
541,198
$
1,592,760
$
1,734,871
International
73,706
97,598
239,406
304,974
Inter-segment Eliminations
(4,335)
(1,842)
(10,157)
(6,816)
$
599,614
$
636,954
$
1,822,009
$
2,033,029
Operating Income (Loss)
Domestic Operations
$
129,978
$
161,627
$
374,730
$
523,645
International
8,702
7,985
(26,484)
10,422
Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations
(45,027)
(48,762)
(133,627)
(134,212)
$
93,653
$
120,850
$
214,619
$
399,855
Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)
Domestic Operations
$
150,189
$
185,011
$
467,856
$
589,205
International
13,542
13,067
56,207
53,390
Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations
(32,255)
(20,810)
(90,656)
(72,787)
$
131,476
$
177,268
$
433,407
$
569,808
1
Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section on page 44 for additional information, including our definition and our use of this non-GAAP financial measure, and for a reconciliation to its most comparable GAAP financial measure.
29
Segment Reporting
We manage our business through the following two operating segments:
•
Domestic Operations:
Includes our five programming networks, our streaming services, our AMC Studios operation and our film distribution business. Our programming networks are AMC, WE tv, BBC AMERICA ("BBCA"), IFC, and SundanceTV. Our streaming services consist of AMC+ and our targeted subscription streaming services (Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK, and HIDIVE). Our AMC Studios operation produces original programming for our programming services and third parties and also licenses programming worldwide. Our film distribution business includes IFC Films, RLJ Entertainment Films and Shudder. The operating segment also includes AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, our technical services business, which primarily services the programming networks.
•
International
: AMC Networks International ("AMCNI"), our international programming businesses consisting of a portfolio of channels distributed around the world.
In 2024, we updated the name of our previously titled "International and Other" operating segment to "International" due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023, which was the sole component of the operating segment that comprised “Other.” This update does not constitute a change in segment reporting, but rather an update in name only. Prior period segment information contained in this report includes the results of the 25/7 Media business through the date of divestiture.
Domestic Operations
In our Domestic Operations segment, we earn revenue principally from: (i) the distribution of our programming through our programming networks and streaming services, (ii) the sale of advertising, and (iii) the licensing of our original programming to distributors, including the distribution of programming of IFC Films.
Subscription revenue includes fees paid by distributors and consumers for our programming networks and streaming services. Subscription fees paid by distributors represent the largest component of distribution revenue. Substantially all of our subscription revenues for our programming networks are based on a per subscriber fee, commonly referred to as "affiliation agreements". The subscription revenues we earn vary from period to period, distributor to distributor and also vary among our programming services, but are generally based on the impact of renewals of affiliation agreements and upon the number of each distributor's subscribers who receive our programming, referred to as viewing subscribers. Subscription fees for our streaming services are typically based on a per subscriber fee and are generally paid by distributors and consumers on a monthly basis.
Under affiliation agreements with our distributors, we have the right to sell a specified amount of national advertising time on our programming networks. Our advertising revenues are more variable than subscription revenues because the majority of our advertising is sold on a short-term basis, not under long-term contracts. Our arrangements with advertisers provide for a set number of advertising units to air over a specific period of time at a negotiated price per unit. Additionally, in these advertising sales arrangements, our programming networks generally guarantee specified viewer ratings for their programming. Most of our advertising revenues vary based on the timing of our original programming series and the popularity of our programming as measured by Nielsen.
Content licensing revenue is earned from the licensing of original programming for digital, foreign and home video distribution and is recognized upon availability or distribution by the licensee, and, to a lesser extent, is earned through the distribution of AMC Studios produced series to third parties. Content licensing revenues vary based on the timing of availability of programming to distributors.
Programming expenses, included in technical and operating expenses, represent the largest expenses of the Domestic Operations segment and primarily consist of amortization of program rights, such as those for original programming, feature films and licensed series, as well as participation and residual costs. The other components of technical and operating expenses primarily include distribution and production related costs and program operating costs including cost of delivery, such as origination, transmission, uplinking and encryption.
The success of our business depends on original programming, both scripted and unscripted, across all of our programming services. These original series generally result in higher ratings for our networks and higher viewership on our streaming services. Among other things, higher audience ratings drive increased revenues through higher advertising revenues. The timing of exhibition and distribution of original programming varies from period to period, which results in greater variability in our revenues, earnings and cash flows from operating activities. There may be significant changes in the level of our technical and operating expenses due to the level of our content investment spend and the related amortization of content acquisition and/or original programming costs. Program rights that are predominantly monetized as a group are amortized based on projected usage, typically resulting in an accelerated amortization pattern and, to a lesser extent, program rights that are
30
predominantly monetized individually are amortized based on the individual-film-forecast-computation method.
Most original series require us to make significant up-front investments. Our programming efforts are not always commercially successful, which has in the past resulted and could in the future result in a write-off of program rights. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of program rights predominantly monetized individually, or a film group, is less than its unamortized cost, the Company will write off the excess to technical and operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Program rights with no future programming usefulness are substantively abandoned resulting in the write-off of remaining unamortized cost.
International
Our International segment consists of the operations of AMCNI, which earns revenue principally from the international distribution of programming and, to a lesser extent, the sale of advertising from our AMCNI programming networks. For the nine
months ended September 30, 2024, distribution revenues represented 66% of the revenues of the International segm
ent. Distribution revenue primarily includes subscription fees paid by distributors to carry our programming networks. Our subscription revenues are generally based on either a per-subscriber fee or a fixed contractual annual fee, under multi-year affiliation agreements. Subscription revenues are derived from the distribution of our programming networks primarily in Europe, and to a lesser extent, Latin America.
Programming expenses and program operating costs are included in technical and operating expenses, and represent the largest expense of the International segment. Programming expenses primarily consist of amortization of acquired content, costs of dubbing and sub-titling of programs, and production costs. Program operating costs include costs such as origination, transmission, uplinking and encryption of our linear AMCNI channels as well as content hosting and delivery costs at our various on-line content distribution initiatives. Our programming efforts are not all commercially successful, which has in the past resulted and could in the future result in a write-off of program rights. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of program rights predominantly monetized individually, or a film group, is less than its unamortized cost, the Company will write off the excess to technical and operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Program rights with no future programming usefulness are substantively abandoned, resulting in the write-off of remaining unamortized cost.
Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations
Corporate operations primarily consist of executive management and administrative support services, such as executive salaries and benefits costs, costs of maintaining corporate headquarters, facilities and common support functions. The segment financial information set forth below, including the discussion related to individual line items, does not reflect inter-segment eliminations unless specifically indicated.
Impact of Economic Conditions
Our future performance is dependent, to a large extent, on general economic conditions, including the impact of direct competition, our ability to manage our businesses effectively, and our relative strength and leverage in the marketplace, both with suppliers and customers. Additionally, changes in macroeconomic factors and circumstances, particularly high inflation and interest rates, and uncertainty regarding changes to inflation rates and interest rates, may adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position or our ability to refinance our indebtedness on terms favorable to us, or at all.
Capital and credit market disruptions, as well as other events such as pandemics or other health emergencies, inflation, international conflict and recession, have in the past caused and could in the future cause economic downturns, which have led and may lead to lower demand for our products, such as lower demand for television advertising and a decrease in the number of subscribers receiving our programming services. Events such as these have in the past adversely impacted, and may in the future adversely impact, our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
31
Consolidated Results of Operations
The amounts presented and discussed below represent 100% of each operating segment's revenues, net and expenses. Where we have management control of an entity, we consolidate 100% of such entity in our condensed consolidated statements of income notwithstanding that a third-party owns an interest, which may be significant, in such entity. The noncontrolling owner's interest in the operating results of consolidated subsidiaries are reflected in net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in our condensed consolidated statements of income.
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
The following table sets forth our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Change
2024
2023
Change
Revenues, net:
Subscription
$
364,512
$
388,308
(6.1)
%
$
1,110,099
$
1,183,562
(6.2)
%
Content licensing and other
79,509
82,224
(3.3)
%
208,216
315,945
(34.1)
%
Distribution and other
444,021
470,532
(5.6)
%
1,318,315
1,499,507
(12.1)
%
Advertising
155,593
166,422
(6.5)
%
503,694
533,522
(5.6)
%
Total revenues, net
599,614
636,954
(5.9)
%
1,822,009
2,033,029
(10.4)
%
Operating expenses:
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
287,746
284,900
1.0
%
840,049
933,590
(10.0)
%
Selling, general and administrative
191,622
187,232
2.3
%
588,679
567,136
3.8
%
Depreciation and amortization
23,097
28,009
(17.5)
%
75,416
79,629
(5.3)
%
Impairment and other charges
—
5,400
n/m
96,819
30,282
n/m
Restructuring and other related charges
3,496
10,563
(66.9)
%
6,427
22,537
(71.5)
%
Total operating expenses
505,961
516,104
(2.0)
%
1,607,390
1,633,174
(1.6)
%
Operating income
93,653
120,850
(22.5)
%
214,619
399,855
(46.3)
%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense
(45,123)
(38,757)
16.4
%
(121,180)
(115,304)
5.1
%
Interest income
9,303
11,686
(20.4)
%
27,480
26,944
2.0
%
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
(352)
—
n/m
(105)
—
n/m
Miscellaneous, net
8,850
(2,211)
500.3
%
5,153
12,518
(58.8)
%
Total other expense
(27,322)
(29,282)
(6.7)
%
(88,652)
(75,842)
16.9
%
Income from operations before income taxes
66,331
91,568
(27.6)
%
125,967
324,013
(61.1)
%
Income tax expense
(19,891)
(23,671)
(16.0)
%
(54,433)
(82,725)
(34.2)
%
Net income including noncontrolling interests
46,440
67,897
(31.6)
%
71,534
241,288
(70.4)
%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(5,058)
(4,473)
13.1
%
(13,583)
(4,015)
n/m
Net income attributable to AMC Networks' stockholders
$
41,382
$
63,424
(34.8)
%
$
57,951
$
237,273
(75.6)
%
Percentage changes in the table above deemed "n/m" are not meaningful.
Revenues, net
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Subscription revenues de
creased 4.9% in our Domestic Operations business due to a decline in affiliate revenues, partially offset by an increase in streaming revenues, and decreased 13.6% in our International business primarily due to the non-renewal of an AMCNI distribution agreement in the United Kingdom ("U.K.") in the fourth quarter of 2023. We expect linear subscriber declines to continue in our Domestic Operations business, consistent with the declines across the cable ecosystem.
32
Content licensing and other revenues decreased 87.6% in our International business due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023. Content licensing and other revenues increased 31.0% in our Domestic Operations business primarily due to the delivery of 13 AMC branded shows in connection with our new content licensing agreement with Netflix. We expect content licensing revenues to vary for the remainder of 2024 and in 2025 based on the timing and availability of our programming to distributors.
Advertising revenues decreased 9.5% in our Domestic Operations business primarily due to linear ratings declines and continued softness in the advertising market, partially offset by digital and advanced advertising revenue growth. The decrease in our Domestic Operations business was partially offset by a 16.5% increase in our International business, primarily due to continued digital and advanced advertising growth in the U.K and increased ratings and growth across Central and Northern European advertising markets. We expect advertising revenue to continue to decline as the advertising market gravitates toward other distribution platforms.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Subscription revenues de
creased 5.2% in our Domestic Operations business due to a decline in affiliate revenues, partially offset by an increase in streaming revenues, and decreased 12.4% in our International business primarily due to the non-renewal of an AMCNI distribution agreement in the U.K. in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Content licensing and other revenues decreased
14.9% in our Domestic Operations business due to the availability of deliveries in the period, and decreased 88.3% in our International business due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023.
Advertising revenues decreased 11.2% in our Domestic Operations business primarily due to linear ratings declines and continued softness in the advertising market, partially offset by digital and advanced advertising revenue growth. The decrease in our Domestic Operations business was partially offset by an increase of 40.1% in our International business, primarily due to the recognition of a one-time retroactive adjustment reported and paid by a third party for $13.4 million, digital and advanced advertising growth in the U.K. and increased ratings and growth across Central and Northern European advertising markets.
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)
The components of technical and operating expenses primarily include the amortization of program rights, such as those for original programming, feature films and licensed series, and other direct programming costs, such as participation and residual costs, distribution and production related costs and program delivery costs, such as transmission, encryption, hosting, and formatting.
There may be significant changes in the level of our technical and operating expenses due to original programming costs and/or content acquisition costs. As competition for programming increases, costs for content acquisition and original programming are expected to increase.
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) increased 7.7% in our Domestic Operations business primarily due to an increase in program rights amortization driven by the slate of AMC originals premiering over the last twelve months. Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased 35.4% in our International business primarily due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased 4.7% in our Domestic Operations business primarily due to the impacts in 2023 associated with the
delivery
of the remaining episodes of
Silo,
an AMC Studios produced series, and the early termination of an output agreement that resulted in the acceleration of program rights amortization into 2023, partially offset by an increase in program rights amortization driven by the slate of AMC originals premiering over the last twelve months. Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased 38.3% in our International business primarily due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
The components of selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include sales, marketing and advertising expenses, administrative costs and costs of non-production facilities.
There have been and may continue to be significant changes in the level of our selling, general and administrative expenses due to the timing of promotions and marketing of original programming series.
33
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 5.1% in our Domestic Operations business primarily due to higher employee related costs, partially offset by lower levels of marketing expenses related to the third quarter 2024 content slate, and decreased 18.0% in our International business primarily due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 6.0% in our Domestic Operations business primarily due to higher marketing and subscriber acquisition expenses and decreased 6.7% in our International business primarily due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023.
Impairment and other charges
Three months ended September 30, 2024
There were no impairment and other charges recorded during the third quarter of 2024.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
During the second quarter of 2024, we determined that the decline in our stock price was an indicator of potential impairment of goodwill. Accordingly, we performed quantitative assessments for all of our reporting units and concluded that the fair value of the AMCNI reporting unit declined to less than its carrying amount. As a result, we recognized an impairment charge of
$68.0 million
, which is included in Impairment and other charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
Additionally, during the second quarter of 2024, given continued market challenges and linear declines, we determined that sufficient indicators of potential impairment of long-lived assets existed at BBCA, and concluded that the carrying amount of the BBCA asset group was not recoverable. The carrying value of the BBCA asset group exceeded its fair value, and accordingly an impairment charge of $29.2 million was recorded for identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets, which is included in Impairment and other charges in the condensed consolidated statements of income within our Domestic Operations business.
Three months ended September 30, 2023
During the third quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a $5.4 million other charge.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
During the second quarter of 2023, given the impact of market challenges at 25/7 Media, we revised our outlook for the 25/7 Media business resulting in lower expected future cash flows. As a result, we determined that sufficient indicators of potential impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill existed at 25/7 Media and an impairment charge of $24.9 million was recorded. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a $5.4 million other charge.
Restructuring and other related charges
Three months ended September 30, 2024
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, restructuring and other related charges of
$3.5 million
primarily consisted
of severance and employee-related costs
in our Domestic Operations business
.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, restructuring and other related charges of $6.4 million primarily consisted
of severance and employee-related costs, as well as content impairments in connection with WE tv shifting to a reduced o
riginals strategy, in our Domestic Operations business.
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2023
Restructuring and other related charges were
$10.6 million
and $22.5 million for t
he three and nine months ended September 30, 2023
, respectively, related to a restructuring plan (the "Plan") that commenced on November 28, 2022. During the third quarter of 2023, the Company substantially completed the Plan and exited a portion of its office space in its corporate headquarters in New York and all of its office space in Silver Spring, Maryland and Woodland Hills, California. In connection with exiting a portion of the New York office, the Company recorded impairment charges of $11.6 million, consisting of $9.1 million for operating lease right-of use assets and $2.5 million for leasehold improvements. The remaining costs consisted primarily of severance and other employee-related costs.
34
Operating income
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The decrease in operating income was primarily attributable to a decrease in revenues, net of $37.3 million, partially offset by a reduction in total operating expenses of $10.1 million.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The decrease in operating income was primarily attributable to a decrease in revenues, net of $211.0 million and the $68.0 million goodwill impairment charge at AMCNI, partially offset by a decrease in technical and operating expenses of $93.5 million.
Interest expense
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in average interest rates associated with the 10.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 refinancing the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025, partially offset by the impact of a lower outstanding debt balance. Interest expense will continue to increase through the remainder of 2024, as compared to 2023, as a result of the refinancing and convertible note transactions described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in average interest rates associated with the 10.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 refinancing the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025, partially offset by the impact of a lower outstanding debt balance.
Interest income
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Interest income is primarily comprised of income generated from our money market mutual fund accounts and bank deposits. The decrease from the prior year can primarily be attributed to lower cash balances.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The increase from the prior year can primarily be attributed to interest received in connection with a one-time retroactive adjustment reported and paid by a third party.
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
Three months ended September 30, 2024
During the third quarter of 2024, we voluntarily prepaid $35.0 million of borrowings under the Term Loan A Facility, resulting in the recognition of a $0.4 million charge to write off a portion of the associated unamortized discount and deferred financing costs.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
During the third quarter of 2024, we voluntarily prepaid $35.0 million of borrowings under the Term Loan A Facility, resulting in the recognition of a $0.4 million charge to write off a portion of the associated unamortized discount and deferred financing costs.
In June 2024, we repurchased $15.0 million of our outstanding 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029 through open market repurchases, at a discount of $4.9 million, and retired the repurchased notes. We recorded a $4.7 million gain which reflects the discount, net of $0.2 million to write off a portion of the unamortized discount and deferred financing costs associated with the notes.
On April 22, 2024, we completed a cash tender offer (the "Offer") to purchase any and all outstanding 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025 and redeemed all 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025 that remained outstanding after completion of the Offer at a price of 100.000% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. In connection with the Offer and redemption, we recorded a charge of $3.1 million to write off the remaining unamortized discount and deferred financing costs associated with the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025.
35
On April 9, 2024, we entered into Amendment No. 3 ("Amendment No. 3") to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2017 (as amended to date and by Amendment No. 3, the "Credit Agreement"). In connection with Amendment No. 3, we made a $165.6 million partial prepayment of the Term Loan A facility under the Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan A Facility”), bringing the total principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan A Facility to $425 million, and reduced the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) to $175 million. In connection with the partial prepayment of the Term Loan A Facility and reduction of the revolving loan commitments, we recorded a charge of $1.3 million to write off a portion of the unamortized discount and deferred financing costs associated with the Credit Agreement.
Miscellaneous, net
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The increase in miscellaneous, net was primarily related to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The decrease in miscellaneous, net was primarily related to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and costs incurred in connection with the refinancing transactions in the second quarter of 2024.
Income tax expense
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, income tax expense was $19.9 million on income from operations before income taxes of $66.3 million, representing an effective tax rate of 30%. The items resulting in variances from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily consisted of state and local income tax expense, tax expense from foreign operations, tax expense for an increase in the valuation allowance for foreign taxes and tax expense related to non-deductible compensation.
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, income tax expense was $23.7 million on income from operations before income taxes of $91.6 million, representing an effective tax rate of 26%. The items resulting in variances from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily consisted of state and local income tax expense and tax expense related to non-deductible compensation.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, income tax expense was $54.4 million on income from operations before income taxes of $126.0 million, representing an effective tax rate of 43%. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was impacted by the $68.0 million nondeductible goodwill impairment charge at AMCNI. Inclusive of the nondeductible goodwill impairment charge, items resulting in variances from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily consisted of state and local income tax expense, tax expense from foreign operations, tax expense for an increase in the valuation allowance for foreign taxes and tax expense related to non-deductible compensation.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, income tax expense was $82.7 million on income from operations before income taxes of $324.0 million, representing an effective tax rate of 26%. The items resulting in variances from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily consisted of state and local income tax expense and tax expense related to non-deductible compensation.
36
Segment Results of Operations
Our segment operating results are presented based on how we assess operating performance and internally report financial information. We use segment adjusted operating income as the measure of profit or loss for our operating segments. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures section below for our definition of Adjusted Operating Income and a reconciliation from Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income on a segment and consolidated basis.
Domestic Operations
The following table sets forth our Domestic Operations segment results for the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Change
2024
2023
Change
Revenues, net:
Subscription
$
316,002
$
332,135
(4.9)
%
$
961,136
$
1,013,419
(5.2)
%
Content licensing and other
81,102
61,916
31.0
209,431
246,093
(14.9)
Distribution and other
397,104
394,051
0.8
1,170,567
1,259,512
(7.1)
Advertising
133,139
147,147
(9.5)
422,193
475,359
(11.2)
Total revenues, net
530,243
541,198
(2.0)
1,592,760
1,734,871
(8.2)
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)
(a)
253,974
236,595
7.3
740,533
779,838
(5.0)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(b)
128,262
123,324
4.0
394,086
376,847
4.6
Majority-owned equity investees AOI
2,182
3,732
(41.5)
9,715
11,019
(11.8)
Segment adjusted operating income
$
150,189
$
185,011
(18.8)
%
$
467,856
$
589,205
(20.6)
%
(a) Technical and operating expenses exclude cloud computing amortization
(b) Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude share-based compensation expenses and cloud computing amortization
Revenues, net
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Subscription revenues
decreased due to a 13.5% decline in affiliate revenues, partially offset by a 6.6% increase in streaming revenues. Affiliate revenues decreased primarily due to basic subscriber declines. Streaming revenues increased due to year-over-year subscriber growth and price increases. Subscription revenues include revenues related to the Company's streaming services of $152.0 million and $142.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Aggregate paid subscribers
2
to our streaming services increased 5.4% to 11.8 million at September 30, 2024 compared to 11.1 million at September 30, 2023.
Content licensing and other revenues
increased primarily due to the delivery of 13 AMC branded shows in connection with our new content licensing agreement with Netflix.
Advertising revenues decreased primarily due to linear ratings declines and continued softness in the advertising market, partially offset by digital and advanced advertising revenue growth.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Subscription revenues
decreased due to a 13.3% decline in affiliate revenues, partially offset by a 6.3% increase in streaming revenues. Affiliate revenues decreased primarily due to basic subscriber declines. Streaming revenues increased due to year-over-year subscriber growth and price increases. Subscription revenues include revenues related to the Company's streaming services of $447.3 million and $420.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Content licensing and other revenues
decreased due to the availability of deliveries in the period, including $56.1 million of revenue associated with the 2023 delivery of the remaining episodes of
Silo,
an AMC Studios produced series, and the impact of $20.3 million recognized in 2023 associated with the early termination of an output agreement that resulted in the acceleration of revenue into 2023. These decreases were partially offset by the delivery of 13 AMC branded shows in connection with our new content licensing agreement with Netflix in the third quarter of 2024, and the sale of our rights and interests to
Killing Eve
in the first quarter of 2024.
Advertising revenues decreased primarily due to linear ratings declines and continued softness in the advertising market, partially offset by digital and advanced advertising revenue growth.
2
A paid subscription is defined as a subscription to a direct-to-consumer service or a subscription received through distributor arrangements, in which we receive a fee for the distribution of our streaming services.
37
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) increased primarily due to an increase in program rights amortization driven by the slate of AMC originals premiering over the last twelve months.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased primarily due to the impacts in 2023 associated with the
delivery
of the remaining episodes of
Silo,
an AMC Studios produced series and the early termination of an output agreement that resulted in the acceleration of program rights amortization into 2023. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in program rights amortization driven by the slate of AMC originals premiering over the last twelve months.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher employee related costs, partially offset by lower levels of marketing expenses related to the third quarter 2024 content slate.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher marketing and subscriber acquisition expenses.
Segment adjusted operating income
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The decrease in segment adjusted operating income was primarily attributable to the revenue headwinds in our linear businesses.
International
The following table sets forth our International segment results for the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Change
2024
2023
Change
Revenues, net:
Subscription
$
48,510
$
56,173
(13.6)
%
$
148,963
$
170,143
(12.4)
%
Content licensing and other
2,742
22,150
(87.6)
8,942
76,668
(88.3)
Distribution and other
51,252
78,323
(34.6)
157,905
246,811
(36.0)
Advertising
22,454
19,275
16.5
81,501
58,163
40.1
Total revenues, net
73,706
97,598
(24.5)
239,406
304,974
(21.5)
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)
33,663
52,089
(35.4)
100,362
162,630
(38.3)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(a)
26,501
32,442
(18.3)
82,837
88,954
(6.9)
Segment adjusted operating income
$
13,542
$
13,067
3.6
%
$
56,207
$
53,390
5.3
%
(a) Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude share-based compensation expenses
Revenues, net
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Subscription revenues de
creased primarily due to the non-renewal of an AMCNI distribution agreement in the U.K. in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Content licensing and other revenues dec
reased due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023. 25/7 Media generated $19.5 million of content licensing and other revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Advertising revenues increased primarily due to continued digital and advanced advertising growth in the U.K, and increased ratings and growth across Central and Northern European advertising markets.
38
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Subscription revenues de
creased primarily due to the non-renewal of an AMCNI distribution agreement in the U.K. in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Content licensing and other revenues dec
reased due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023. 25/7 Media generated $68.8 million of content licensing and other revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Advertising revenues increased primarily due to the recognition of a one-time retroactive adjustment reported and paid by a third party for $13.4 million, digital and advanced advertising growth in the U.K, and increased ratings and growth across Central and Northern European advertising markets.
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased primarily due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023. 25/7 Media incurred $15.5 million of technical and operating expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2023. The remaining decrease was primarily attributable to content cost savings associated with the non-renewal of an AMCNI distribution agreement in the U.K. in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased primarily due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023. 25/7 Media incurred $53.7 million of technical and operating expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The remaining decrease was primarily attributable to content cost savings associated with the non-renewal of an AMCNI distribution agreement in the U.K. in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023, as well as a decrease in corporate overhead costs allocated to AMCNI. 25/7 Media incurred $3.2 million of selling, general and administrative expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023, partially offset by increased selling expenses at AMCNI, including commissions. 25/7 Media incurred $11.6 million of selling, general and administrative expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Segment adjusted operating income
Three months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The increase in segment adjusted operating income was primarily due to an increase in advertising revenues and a decrease in AMCNI selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by the impact of the non-renewal of an AMCNI distribution agreement in the U.K. and the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023. 25/7 Media generated $0.8 million of adjusted operating income during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024 vs. 2023
The increase in segment adjusted operating income was primarily due to the recognition of a one-time retroactive adjustment reported and paid by a third party for $13.4 million, partially offset by the impact of the non-renewal of an AMCNI distribution agreement in the U.K. and the divestiture of the 25/7 Media business on December 29, 2023. 25/7 Media generated $3.5 million of adjusted operating income during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
39
Corporate and Inter-segment Elimination
The following table sets forth our Corporate and Inter-segment Eliminations segment results for the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Change
2024
2023
Change
Revenues, net:
$
(4,335)
$
(1,842)
135.3
%
$
(10,157)
$
(6,816)
49.0
%
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)
(a)
(751)
(3,849)
(80.5)
(3,403)
(9,071)
(62.5)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(b)
28,671
22,817
25.7
83,902
75,042
11.8
Segment adjusted operating income
$
(32,255)
$
(20,810)
55.0
%
$
(90,656)
$
(72,787)
24.5
%
(a) Technical and operating expenses exclude cloud computing amortization
(b) Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude share-based compensation expenses and cloud computing amortization
Revenues, net
Revenue eliminations are primarily related to Domestic Operations revenues recognized for licensing sales to the International segment.
Technical and operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Technical and operating expense eliminations are primarily related to AMCNI programming amortization for content acquired from the Domestic Operations segment.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Corporate overhead costs not allocated to the segments include such costs as executive salaries and benefits, costs of maintaining corporate headquarters, facilities and common support functions.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 2023 increased primarily due to higher employee related costs, including additional compensation incurred in connection with an executive officer's separation agreement.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our operations typically generate positive net cash flow from operating activities. However, each of our programming businesses has substantial programming acquisition and production expenditure requirements.
Our primary source of cash typically includes cash flow from operations. Sources of cash also include amounts available under our Revolving Credit Facility and, subject to market conditions, access to capital and credit markets. Although we currently believe that amounts available under our Revolving Credit Facility will be available when and if needed, we can provide no assurance that access to such funds will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets. The obligations of the financial institutions under our Revolving Credit Facility are several and not joint and, as a result, a funding default by one or more institutions does not need to be made up by the others. As a public company, we may have access to capital and credit markets, although adverse conditions in the financial markets have in the past impacted, and are expected in the future to impact, access to those markets.
On April 9, 2024, AMC Networks entered into Amendment No. 3 ("Amendment No. 3") to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2017 (as amended to date and by Amendment No. 3, the “Credit Agreement”), among AMC Networks and its subsidiary, AMC Network Entertainment LLC (“AMC Network Entertainment”), as the initial borrowers, certain of AMC Networks' subsidiaries, as restricted subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and an L/C Issuer.
In connection with Amendment No. 3, AMC Networks made a partial prepayment of the Term Loan A Facility, bringing the total principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan A Facility to $425 million, and reduced the Revolving Credit Facility to $175 million. In addition, pursuant to Amendment No. 3, the maturity date of $325 million principal amount of loans under the Term Loan A Facility as well as all of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility has been extended to April 9, 2028. The maturity date of the remaining $100 million principal amount of loans under the Term Loan A Facility continues to be February 8, 2026. Amendment No. 3 also includes certain other modifications to covenants and other provisions of the Credit Agreement. In addition, we also voluntarily prepaid $35.0 million of borrowings under the Term Loan A Facility during the third quarter of 2024.
40
On April 9, 2024, AMC Networks issued $875 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% Senior Secured Notes due January 15, 2029 (the “Secured Notes”). AMC Networks received net proceeds of $863.0 million, after deducting initial purchasers' discounts. The Secured Notes are guaranteed by AMC Network Entertainment and AMC Networks' subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Agreement.
On April 22, 2024, AMC Networks completed a cash tender offer (the "Offer") to purchase any and all outstanding 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025 and redeemed all 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025 that remained outstanding after completion of the Offer at a price of 100.000% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.
On June 21, 2024, AMC Networks Inc. completed a private unregistered offering of $143.8 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Convertible Notes”), which amount includes the full exercise of the initial purchasers’ option to purchase additional Convertible Notes. AMC Networks received net proceeds of $139.4 million, after deducting initial purchasers' discounts. The Convertible Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the Company’s credit facilities and the Company’s 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029 and the Secured Notes, subject to certain exceptions, on a senior, unsecured basis.
In June 2024, the Company repurchased $15.0 million of its outstanding 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029 through open market repurchases, at a discount of $4.9 million, and retired the repurchased notes.
On November 1, 2024, the Company closed a transaction with BBC Studios in which it acquired the remaining 50.1% of the BBC America joint-venture that the Company had not previously owned for $42.0 million in cash. The Company now owns 100% of the BBC America business, with full operational control, and will continue to fully consolidate BBC America.
Assuming the transaction had closed on September 30, 2024, $132.9 million of redeemable noncontrolling interest related to BBC America, and reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, would have been eliminated. Additionally, the Company’s future contractual programming commitments to BBC Studios would have been significantly reduced.
During the second quarter of 2024, $28.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, previously held by foreign subsidiaries, was repatriated to the United States. Our consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance of $816.4 million, as of September 30, 2024, included $142.9 million held by foreign subsidiaries. Of this amount, approximately $35.0 million is expected to be repatriated to the United States with the remaining amount continuing to be reinvested in foreign operations. Tax expense related to the repatriated amount, as well as the expected remaining repatriation amount, has been accrued and we do not expect to incur any significant, additional taxes related to the remaining balance.
We believe that a combination of cash-on-hand, cash generated from operating activities, availability under our Revolving Credit Facility and our accounts receivable monetization program, borrowings under additional financing facilities and proceeds from the issuance of the new debt, will provide sufficient liquidity to service the principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, along with our other funding and investment requirements over the next twelve months and over the longer term. However, we do not expect to generate sufficient cash from operations to repay the entirety of the outstanding balances of our debt at the applicable maturity dates. As a result, we will be dependent upon our ability to access the capital and credit markets in order to repay, refinance, repurchase through privately negotiated transactions, open market repurchases, tender offers or otherwise or redeem the outstanding balances of our indebtedness.
The Company's Board of Directors has authorized a program to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of its outstanding shares of common stock (the "Stock Repurchase Program"). The Stock Repurchase Program has no pre-established termination date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company did not repurchase any of its Class A common stock. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $135.3 million of authorization remaining for repurchase under the Stock Repurchase Program.
Failure to raise significant amounts of funding to repay our outstanding debt obligations at their respective maturity dates would adversely affect our business. In such a circumstance, we would need to take other actions including selling assets, seeking strategic investments from third parties or reducing other discretionary uses of cash. For information relating to our outstanding debt obligations, refer to Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Debt Financing Agreements" of our 2023 Form 10-K. In addition, economic or market disruptions could lead to lower demand for our services, such as loss of subscribers and lower levels of advertising. These events would adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
The Revolving Credit Facility was not drawn upon at September 30, 2024. The total undrawn revolver commitment is available to be drawn for our general corporate purposes.
AMC Networks was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of September 30, 2024.
41
Cash Flow Discussion
The following table is a summary of cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the periods indicated:
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
317,507
$
131,139
Net cash used in investing activities
(20,167)
(19,234)
Net cash used in financing activities
(52,739)
(84,907)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations
$
244,601
$
26,998
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities
f
or the
nine months ended September 30, 2024
and 2023 amounted to
$317.5 million
and
$131.1 million
, respectively.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash provided by operating activities primarily resulted from $915.4 million of net income before amortization of program rights, depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash items, partially offset by payments for program rights of $691.5 million. Changes in all other assets and liabilities resulted in a net cash inflow of $93.6 million.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net cash provided by operating activities primarily resulted from $1,033.6 million of net income before amortization of program rights, depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash items, partially offset by payments for program rights of $844.3 million and restructuring initiatives of $101.6 million. Changes in all other assets and liabilities resulted in a net cash inflow of $43.4 million.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities
f
or the
nine months ended September 30, 2024
and 2023 amounted to
$20.2 million and $19.2 million, respectively.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash used in investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net cash used in investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $28.4 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of investments of $8.6 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities f
or the
nine months ended September 30, 2024
and 2023 amounted to
$52.7 million and $84.9 million, respectively.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash used in financing activities primarily related to long-term debt refinancing transactions, the Convertible Notes issuance, principal payments on the Term Loan A Facility and distributions to noncontrolling interests of $18.0 million.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of distributions to noncontrolling interests of $47.5 million, principal payments on the Term Loan A Facility of $25.3 million, taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for equity-based compensation of $7.2 million, and principal payments on finance leases of $3.1 million.
42
Free Cash Flow
3
The following table summarizes Free Cash Flow for the periods indicated:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
317,507
$
131,139
Less: capital expenditures
(24,252)
(28,392)
Free cash flow
$
293,255
$
102,747
The increase in free cash flow is reflective of our cost management measures, including remaining prudent with our investments in programming, and due to the timing of payments made in connection with our restructuring initiatives.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Restructuring initiatives
$
(10,351)
$
(101,590)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(18,000)
(47,546)
Contractual Obligations
As of September 30, 2024, our contractual obligations not reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet increased $180.8 million, as compared to December 31, 2023, to $1,054.4 million. The increase was primarily driven by the execution of new long-term third-party service contracts.
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
The following is a description of the terms and conditions of the guarantees with respect to the notes outstanding as of September 30, 2024 for which AMC Networks is the issuer.
Note Guarantees
Debt of AMC Networks as of September 30, 2024 included $875.0 million of 10.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2029, $985.0 million of 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029, and $143.8 million of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 (collectively, the “notes”). The notes were issued by AMC Networks and are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured basis, by each of AMC Networks’ existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions (each, a “Guarantor Subsidiary,” and collectively, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). The obligations of each Guarantor Subsidiary under its note guarantee are limited as necessary to prevent such note guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. A guarantee of the notes by a Guarantor Subsidiary is subject to release in the following circumstances: (i) any sale or other disposition of all of the capital stock of a Guarantor Subsidiary to a person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a restricted subsidiary, in compliance with the terms of the applicable indenture; (ii) the designation of a restricted subsidiary as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” under the applicable indenture; or (iii) the release or discharge of the guarantee (including the guarantee under the AMC Networks’ credit agreement) which resulted in the creation of the note guarantee (provided that such Guarantor Subsidiary does not have any preferred stock outstanding at such time that is not held by AMC Networks or another Guarantor Subsidiary).
Foreign subsidiaries of AMC Networks do not and will not guarantee the notes.
3
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section on page 44 for additional information, including our definition and our use of this non-GAAP financial measure, and for a reconciliation to its most comparable GAAP financial measure.
43
The following tables present the summarized financial information specified in Rule 1-02(bb)(1) of Regulation S-X for AMC Networks and each Guarantor Subsidiary. The summarized financial information has been prepared in accordance with Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X.
Summarized Financial Information
Income Statement
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Parent Company
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Parent Company
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenues
$
—
$
1,317,440
$
—
$
1,466,115
Operating expenses
—
1,084,303
—
1,107,533
Operating income
$
—
$
233,137
$
—
$
358,582
Income before income taxes
$
99,373
$
230,599
$
307,735
$
428,244
Net income
57,951
222,139
237,273
421,629
Balance Sheet
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Parent Company
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Parent Company
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets
Amounts due from subsidiaries
$
37
$
88,460
$
—
$
—
Current assets
7,469
1,325,373
61,931
1,156,533
Non-current assets
3,749,569
3,056,587
3,676,129
3,301,046
Liabilities and equity:
Amounts due to subsidiaries
$
51,296
$
1,422
$
54,627
$
2,456
Current liabilities
106,111
519,749
173,031
666,783
Non-current liabilities
2,533,879
212,357
2,516,977
224,051
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 2 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2023 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes in our significant accounting policies since December 31, 2023.
We discuss our critical accounting estimates in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in our 2023 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2023.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Internally, we use AOI and Free Cash Flow as the most important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators.
We evaluate segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating segment AOI. We define AOI, which is a financial measure that is not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), as operating income (loss) before share-based compensation expenses 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.
We believe that AOI is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance on both an operating segment and consolidated basis. AOI and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors, analysts and peers to compare performance in the industry. AOI should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for
44
operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities and other measures of performance and/or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Since AOI 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.
The following is a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to AOI for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
(In thousands)
Domestic Operations
International
Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations
Consolidated
Operating income (loss)
$
129,978
$
8,702
$
(45,027)
$
93,653
Share-based compensation expenses
2,608
775
2,393
5,776
Depreciation and amortization
8,695
4,065
10,337
23,097
Restructuring and other related charges
3,454
—
42
3,496
Cloud computing amortization
3,272
—
—
3,272
Majority owned equity investees AOI
2,182
—
—
2,182
Adjusted operating income (loss)
$
150,189
$
13,542
$
(32,255)
$
131,476
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
(In thousands)
Domestic Operations
International
Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations
Consolidated
Operating income (loss)
$
161,627
$
7,985
$
(48,762)
$
120,850
Share-based compensation expenses
3,494
815
2,069
6,378
Depreciation and amortization
11,536
4,271
12,202
28,009
Restructuring and other related charges (credits)
(783)
(4)
11,350
10,563
Impairment and other charges
5,400
—
—
5,400
Cloud computing amortization
5
—
2,331
2,336
Majority owned equity investees AOI
3,732
—
—
3,732
Adjusted operating income (loss)
$
185,011
$
13,067
$
(20,810)
$
177,268
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
(In thousands)
Domestic Operations
International
Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations
Consolidated
Operating income (loss)
$
374,730
$
(26,484)
$
(133,627)
$
214,619
Share-based compensation expenses
8,586
2,446
9,276
20,308
Depreciation and amortization
29,522
12,241
33,653
75,416
Restructuring and other related charges
6,385
—
42
6,427
Impairment and other charges
28,815
68,004
—
96,819
Cloud computing amortization
10,103
—
—
10,103
Majority owned equity investees AOI
9,715
—
—
9,715
Adjusted operating income (loss)
$
467,856
$
56,207
$
(90,656)
$
433,407
45
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
(In thousands)
Domestic Operations
International
Corporate / Inter-segment Eliminations
Consolidated
Operating income (loss)
$
523,645
$
10,422
$
(134,212)
$
399,855
Share-based compensation expenses
10,133
2,500
7,038
19,671
Depreciation and amortization
35,053
13,944
30,632
79,629
Restructuring and other related charges
3,940
1,642
16,955
22,537
Impairment and other charges
5,400
24,882
—
30,282
Cloud computing amortization
15
—
6,800
6,815
Majority owned equity investees AOI
11,019
—
—
11,019
Adjusted operating income (loss)
$
589,205
$
53,390
$
(72,787)
$
569,808
We define Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, all of which are reported in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
We believe the most comparable GAAP financial measure of our liquidity is net cash provided by operating activities. We believe that Free Cash Flow is useful as an indicator of our 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. We also believe 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 our industry, although our measure of Free Cash Flow may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies.
The following is a reconciliation of
net cash provided by operating activities
to Free Cash Flow for the periods indicated:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2024
2023
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
317,507
$
131,139
Less: capital expenditures
(24,252)
(28,392)
Free cash flow
$
293,255
$
102,747
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Fair Value of Debt
Based on the level of interest rates prevailing at September 30, 2024, the carrying value of our fixed rate debt of $1.98 billion was more than its fair value of $1.74 billion by $236.5 million. The fair value of these financial instruments is estimated based on reference to quoted market prices for these or comparable securities. A hypothetical 100 basis point decrease in interest rates prevailing at September 30, 2024 would decrease the estimated fair value of our fixed rate debt by $10.5 million to $1.73 billion.
Managing our Interest Rate Risk
To manage interest rate risk, we enter into interest rate swap contracts from time to time to adjust the amount of total debt that is subject to variable interest rates. Such contracts effectively fix the borrowing rates on floating rate debt to limit the exposure against the risk of rising rates. We do not enter into interest rate swap contracts for speculative or trading purposes and we only enter into interest rate swap contracts with financial institutions that we believe are credit worthy counterparties. We monitor the financial institutions that are counterparties to our interest rate swap contracts and to the extent possible diversify our swap contracts among various counterparties to mitigate exposure to any single financial institution. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we did not have any interest rate swap contracts outstanding.
As of September 30, 2024, we had $2.4 billion of debt outstanding (excluding finance leases), of which $373.8 million is outstanding under our loan facility and is subject to variable interest rates. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates prevailing at September 30, 2024 would increase our annual interest expense by $3.7 million. The interest rate paid on approximately 84% of our debt (excluding finance leases) as of September 30, 2024 is fixed.
46
Managing our Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency risk to the extent that we enter into transactions denominated in currencies other than our subsidiaries' respective functional currencies (non-functional currency risk), such as affiliation agreements, programming contracts, certain trade receivables and accounts payable (including intercompany amounts) that are denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency. Changes in exchange rates with respect to amounts recorded in our condensed consolidated balance sheets related to these items will result in unrealized (based upon period-end exchange rates) or realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses upon settlement of the transactions. Moreover, to the extent that our revenue, costs and expenses are denominated in currencies other than our respective functional currencies, we will experience fluctuations in our revenue, costs and expenses solely
as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company recognized gains of $8.5 million and $4.6 million
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and
losses of $3.3 million and $0.8 million
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, related to foreign currency transactions. Such amounts are included in miscellaneous, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
To manage foreign currency exchange rate risk, we enter into foreign currency contracts from time to time with financial institutions to limit our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We do not enter into foreign currency contracts for speculative or trading purposes.
We also are exposed to fluctuations of the U.S. dollar (our reporting currency) against the currencies of our operating subsidiaries when their respective financial statements are translated into U.S. dollars for inclusion in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of equity. Any increase (decrease) in the value of the U.S. dollar against any foreign currency that is the functional currency of one of our operating subsidiaries will cause us to experience unrealized foreign currency translation losses (gains) with respect to amounts already invested in such foreign currencies. Accordingly, we may experience a negative impact on our comprehensive income (loss) and equity with respect to our holdings solely as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including our principal executive officer (our Chief Executive Officer) and our principal financial officer (our Chief Financial Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation as of September 30, 2024, the Company's principal executive officer (our Chief Executive Officer) and principal financial officer (our Chief Financial Officer) concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
47
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
See Note 14, Commitments and Contingencies to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description of our legal proceedings.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The Company's Board of Directors has authorized a program to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of its outstanding shares of common stock (the "Stock Repurchase Program"). The authorization of up to $500 million was announced on March 7, 2016, an additional authorization of $500 million was announced on June 7, 2017, and an additional authorization of $500 million was announced on June 13, 2018. The Stock Repurchase Program has no pre-established termination date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company did not repurchase any of its Class A common stock. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had
$135.3 million
of authorization remaining for repurchase under the Stock Repurchase Program.
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48
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AMC Networks Inc.
Date:
November 8, 2024
By:
/s/ Patrick O'Connell
Patrick O'Connell
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date:
November 8, 2024
By:
/s/ Michael J. Sherin III
Michael J. Sherin III
Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
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