AMC Networks - 10-Q quarterly report FY2017 Q1

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q



þ	Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017



¨	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)

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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).



Large accelerated filer	þ	Accelerated filer	¨

Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨

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 April 28, 2017:



Class A Common Stock par value $0.01 per share	55,109,130
Class B Common Stock par value $0.01 per share	11,484,408

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.	Financial Statements.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)



	March 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	403,648		$	481,389
Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,388 and $6,064)	716,904			700,655
Amounts due from related parties, net	536			508
Current portion of program rights, net	461,005			441,130
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	71,894			72,661
Total current assets	1,653,987			1,696,343
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $287,422 and $272,148	169,223			166,636
Program rights, net	1,077,358			1,108,586
Deferred carriage fees, net	40,403			43,886
Intangible assets, net	478,760			485,809
Goodwill	662,076			657,708
Deferred tax asset, net	8,906			8,598
Other assets	379,341			313,029
Total assets	$	4,470,054		$	4,480,595
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	97,477		$	88,677
Accrued liabilities	300,200			284,429
Current portion of program rights obligations	276,083			300,845
Deferred revenue	46,902			53,643
Current portion of long-term debt	240,500			222,000
Current portion of capital lease obligations	4,449			4,584
Total current liabilities	965,611			954,178
Program rights obligations	397,995			398,175
Long-term debt	2,525,544			2,597,263
Capital lease obligations	34,161			35,282
Deferred tax liability, net	151,149			145,791
Other liabilities	121,280			132,219
Total liabilities	4,195,740			4,262,908
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	214,998			219,331
Stockholders’ equity (deficiency):
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 360,000 shares authorized, 62,696 and 62,409 shares issued and 55,751 and 57,079 shares outstanding, respectively	627			624
Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 90,000 shares authorized, 11,484 shares issued and outstanding	115			115
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 45,000 shares authorized; none issued	—			—
Paid-in capital	146,928			142,798
Accumulated earnings	431,626			295,409
Treasury stock, at cost (6,945 and 5,330 shares Class A Common Stock, respectively)	(366,653		)	(275,230		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(181,191		)	(193,798		)
Total AMC Networks stockholders’ equity (deficiency)	31,452			(30,082		)
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	27,864			28,438
Total stockholders’ equity (deficiency)	59,316			(1,644		)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficiency)	$	4,470,054		$	4,480,595

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Revenues, net (including revenues, net from related parties of $1,567 and $6,706, respectively)	$	720,189		$	706,579
Operating expenses:
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	298,612			274,274
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from related parties of $575 and $1,069, respectively)	163,709			153,901
Depreciation and amortization	23,493			19,632
Restructuring expense (credit)	2,704			(35		)
Total operating expenses	488,518			447,772
Operating income	231,671			258,807
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(30,500		)	(31,751		)
Interest income	3,493			722
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			(48,334		)
Miscellaneous, net	11,049			(837		)
Total other income (expense)	(15,958		)	(80,200		)
Income from operations before income taxes	215,713			178,607
Income tax expense	(73,082		)	(58,543		)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	142,631			120,064
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,414		)	(6,620		)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$	136,217		$	113,444

Net income per share attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders:
Basic	$	2.00		$	1.56
Diluted	$	1.98		$	1.55

Weighted average common shares:
Basic weighted average common shares	68,020			72,579
Diluted weighted average common shares	68,764			73,274

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$	142,631		$	120,064
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	9,864			15,385
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	319			(1,578		)
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities	4,021			—
Other comprehensive income, before income taxes	14,204			13,807
Income tax expense	(1,597		)	(1,899		)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	12,607			11,908
Comprehensive income	155,238			131,972
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,805		)	(7,032		)
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$	148,433		$	124,940

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$	142,631		$	120,064
Adjustments to reconcile income from operations to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	23,493			19,632
Share-based compensation expense related to equity classified awards	12,464			8,165
Amortization and write-off of program rights	199,517			170,821
Amortization of deferred carriage fees	4,401			3,940
Unrealized foreign currency transaction (gain) loss	(754		)	3,530
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts, net	(11,486		)	164
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts on indebtedness	2,282			2,247
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			48,334
Bad debt expense	961			528
Deferred income taxes	4,061			12,139
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	—			(852		)
Other, net	278			46
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, trade	(15,952		)	(9,442		)
Amounts due from related parties, net	(28		)	1,081
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(18,160		)	7,850
Program rights and obligations, net	(211,280		)	(192,194		)
Income taxes payable	57,627			37,398
Deferred revenue	(11,104		)	3,952
Deferred carriage fees, net	(430		)	(1,133		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(33,651		)	(68,886		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	144,870			167,384
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(20,206		)	(12,387		)
Investment in and loans to investees	(28,000		)	—
Net cash used in investing activities	(48,206		)	(12,387		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	—			982,500
Principal payments on long-term debt	(55,500		)	(691,449		)
Premium and fees paid on extinguishment of debt	—			(39,179		)
Payments for financing costs	—			(2,070		)
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units	(12,796		)	(10,413		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(91,423		)	—
Proceeds from stock option exercises	—			1,200
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	—			852
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(1,401		)	(1,086		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(11,712		)	(8,968		)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(172,832		)	231,387
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations	(76,168		)	386,384
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,573		)	95
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	481,389			316,321
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	403,648		$	702,800

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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”) own and operate entertainment businesses and assets. The Company is comprised of two operating segments:

•

National Networks: Includes activities of our programming businesses, which include our five programming networks, distributed in the U.S. and Canada. These programming networks include AMC, WE tv, BBC AMERICA, IFC, and SundanceTV in the U.S.; and AMC, IFC, and Sundance Channel in Canada. Our AMC Studios operations within the National Networks segment sells rights worldwide to its owned original programming. The National Networks operating segment also includes AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, the technical services business, which primarily services most of the programming networks included in the National Networks segment.

•

International and Other: Principally includes AMC Networks International (“AMCNI”), the Company’s international programming businesses consisting of a portfolio of channels in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Asia and Africa; IFC Films, the Company’s independent film distribution business; AMCNI- DMC, the broadcast solutions unit of certain networks of AMCNI and third-party networks; and various developing on-line content distribution initiatives.

Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMC Networks and its majority owned or controlled subsidiaries. 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, 2016 contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2016 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, 2017.

Adoption of Accounting Standards

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which became effective for the Company as of January 1, 2017. ASU 2016-09 amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation and simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification in the statement of cash flows. Under the new standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes in the reporting period in which they occur. Additionally, ASU 2016-09 requires that the Company present excess tax benefits in the statement of cash flows as an operating activity. The Company elected to apply this adoption prospectively, accordingly prior periods have not been adjusted. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Program Rights

The Company periodically reviews the programming usefulness of its licensed and owned original program rights based on a series of factors, including expected future revenue generation from airings on the Company’s networks and other exploitation opportunities, ratings, type and quality of program material, standards and practices, and fitness for exhibition through various forms of distribution. If it is determined that film or other program rights have no future programming usefulness, a write-off of the unamortized cost is recorded in technical and operating expense.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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 valuation of acquisition-related assets and liabilities, derivative assets and liabilities, certain stock compensation awards, the useful lives and methodologies used to amortize and assess recoverability of program rights, the estimated useful lives of intangible assets, valuation and recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets and income tax assets and liabilities.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles- Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 removes Step 2 of the current goodwill impairment test under ASC Topic 350 and replaces it with a simplified model. Under the simplified model, a goodwill impairment will be calculated as the difference between the carrying amount of a reporting unit and its fair value, but not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The amount of any impairment under the simplified model may differ from what would have been recognized under the two-step test. The ASU is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted for any impairment tests performed after a testing date of January 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. ASU 2016-16 simplifies the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory and includes requirements to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, therefore eliminating the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Any adjustments as a result of adoption are to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2016-16 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The guidance clarifies the way in which certain cash receipts and cash payments should be classified on the statement of cash flows and also how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the first quarter of 2018 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to record most of their leases on the balance sheet, which will be recognized as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The Company will be required to classify each separate lease component as an operating or finance lease at the lease commencement date. Initial measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability is the same for operating and finance leases, however expense recognition and amortization of the right-of-use asset differs. Operating leases will reflect lease expense on a straight-line basis similar to current operating leases. The straight-line expense will reflect the interest expense on the lease liability (effective interest method) and amortization of the right-of-use asset, which will be presented as a single line item in the operating expense section of the income statement. Finance leases will reflect a front-loaded expense pattern similar to the pattern for current capital leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 provides new guidance related to how an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also expands the required disclosures to include the disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into categories that depict how the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. During 2016, the FASB issued additional interpretive guidance relating to the standard which covered the topics of principal versus agent considerations and identifying performance obligations and licensing. The standard is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018. The two permitted transition methods under the standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the earliest period shown, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application.

The Company established an implementation team and performed an analysis of each of our revenue streams to assess the impact of the standard on our various revenue contracts, and analyze our current accounting policies and practices to identify

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

potential differences that would result from the implementation of the standard. To date, the Company has made significant progress toward completing its evaluation of the potential changes from adopting the standard on its financial reporting and disclosures. The Company has completed an initial assessment of each of its revenue streams and has begun drafting its revenue recognition policy under the new standard. However, there are a few areas that remain subject to further clarification with respect to the implementation of the new standard on certain of our revenue streams. The Company has been closely monitoring FASB activity related to the new standard, as well as working with various non-authoritative groups to conclude on industry specific interpretative issues.

While significant progress has been made, our final evaluation of the impact of the new revenue standard is ongoing and will continue throughout 2017, including making a final determination about our implementation approach.

Note 2. Net Income per Share

The following is a reconciliation between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding:



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017	2016
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	68,020	72,579
Effect of dilution:
Stock options	—	51
Restricted stock units	744	644
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	68,764	73,274

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, there were 388,000 stock options and 404,000 restricted stock units that would have been anti-dilutive to the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were no stock options or restricted stock units that would have been anti-dilutive to the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. Approximately 175,000 and 137,000 restricted stock units for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively, have been excluded from diluted weighted average common shares outstanding since a performance condition on these awards was not met in each of the respective periods. The Company did not include performance restricted stock units in the calculation of diluted EPS, since the performance conditions for these awards were not met.

Stock Repurchase Program

On March 4, 2016. the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $500 million of its outstanding shares of common stock (the “Stock Repurchase Program”). The Stock Repurchase Program has no pre-established closing date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company repurchased 1,615,386 shares of its Class A common stock at an average purchase price of approximately $56.60 per share. As of March 31, 2017, the Company has $185.3 million available for repurchase under the Stock Repurchase Program.

Note 3. Restructuring

The Company incurred restructuring expense primarily related to severance charges associated with the elimination of certain positions across the Company.

The following table summarizes the restructuring expense (credit) recognized by operating segment:



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017		2016
National Networks	$	54	$	30
International & Other	2,650		(65		)
Total restructuring expense (credit)	$	2,704	$	(35	)

Restructuring expense in the International and Other segment includes corporate headquarter related charges.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

The following table summarizes the accrued restructuring costs:



(In thousands)	Severance and employee-related costs			Other exit costs			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	12,106		$	205		$	12,311
Charges (credits)	2,718			(14		)	2,704
Cash payments	(12,349		)	(111		)	(12,460		)
Non-cash adjustments	—			17			17
Currency translation	—			1			1
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	2,475		$	98		$	2,573

Accrued liabilities for restructuring costs are included in accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017.

Note 4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The carrying amount of goodwill, by operating segment is as follows:



(In thousands)	National Networks			International and Other		Total
December 31, 2016	$	242,303		$	415,405	$	657,708
Amortization of “second component” goodwill	(636		)	—		(636		)
Foreign currency translation	—			5,004		5,004
March 31, 2017	$	241,667		$	420,409	$	662,076

The reduction of $0.6 million in the carrying amount of goodwill for the National Networks is due to the realization of a tax benefit for the amortization of “second component” goodwill at SundanceTV. Second component goodwill is the amount of tax deductible goodwill in excess of goodwill for financial reporting purposes. In accordance with the authoritative guidance at the time of the SundanceTV acquisition, the tax benefits associated with this excess are applied to first reduce the amount of goodwill, and then other intangible assets for financial reporting purposes, if and when such tax benefits are realized in the Company’s tax returns.

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)	March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Estimated Useful Lives
Amortizable intangible assets:
Affiliate and customer relationships	$	511,970	$	(141,613	)	$	370,357	10 to 25 years
Advertiser relationships	46,282		(10,250		)	36,032		11 years
Trade names	50,341		(7,019		)	43,322		12 to 20 years
Other amortizable intangible assets	10,119		(970		)	9,149		15 years
Total amortizable intangible assets	618,712		(159,852		)	458,860
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks	19,900		—			19,900
Total intangible assets	$	638,612	$	(159,852	)	$	478,760
(In thousands)	December 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Amortizable intangible assets:
Affiliate and customer relationships	$	509,992	$	(133,932	)	$	376,060
Advertiser relationships	46,282		(9,198		)	37,084
Trade names	49,720		(6,307		)	43,413
Other amortizable intangible assets	10,002		(791		)	9,211
Total amortizable intangible assets	615,996		(150,228		)	465,768
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks	20,041		—			20,041
Total intangible assets	$	636,037	$	(150,228	)	$	485,809

Aggregate amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $9.1 million and $9.9 million, respectively. Estimated aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the following five years is:



(In thousands)
Years Ending December 31,
2017	$	35,617
2018	35,641
2019	35,629
2020	35,624
2021	35,301

Note 5. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:



(In thousands)	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Interest	$	35,444	$	15,770
Employee related costs	75,913		122,590
Income taxes payable	100,318		43,083
Other accrued expenses	88,525		102,986
Total accrued liabilities	$	300,200	$	284,429

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

Note 6. Long-term Debt

The Company’s long-term debt consists of the following:



(In thousands)	March 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Senior Secured Credit Facility: ^(a)
Term Loan A Facility	$	1,202,500		$	1,258,000
Senior Notes:
5.00% Notes due April 2024	1,000,000			1,000,000
4.75% Notes due December 2022	600,000			600,000
Total long-term debt	2,802,500			2,858,000
Unamortized discount	(22,899		)	(23,675		)
Unamortized deferred financing costs	(13,557		)	(15,062		)
Long-term debt, net	2,766,044			2,819,263
Current portion of long-term debt	240,500			222,000
Noncurrent portion of long-term debt	$	2,525,544		$	2,597,263


(a)	The Company’s $500 million revolving credit facility remains undrawn at March 31, 2017. Total undrawn revolver commitments are available to be drawn for general corporate purposes of the Company.

Note 7. 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.

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 March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:



(In thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
At March 31, 2017:
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	28,022	$	—	$	—	$	28,022
Available for sale securities	9,785		—		—		9,785
Interest rate swap contracts	—		1,790		—		1,790
Foreign currency derivatives	—		5,370		—		5,370
Other derivatives	—		2,204		21,221		23,425
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap contracts	$	—	$	392	$	—	$	392
Foreign currency derivatives	—		2,571		—		2,571
At December 31, 2016:
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	65,384	$	—	$	—	$	65,384
Interest rate swap contracts	—		1,471		—		1,471
Foreign currency derivatives	—		6,096		—		6,096
Other derivatives	—		—		12,308		12,308
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap contracts	$	—	$	762	$	—	$	762
Foreign currency derivatives	—		3,147		—		3,147

The Company’s cash equivalents and available for sale securities are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices.

The Company’s interest rate swap contracts, foreign currency derivatives and the embedded derivative for the portion of interest on the RLJE Term Loans to be paid in shares of RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (“RLJE”) common stock (see Note 8) are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy and their fair values are determined based on a market approach valuation technique that uses readily observable market parameters and the consideration of counterparty risk.

On October 14, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), Digital Entertainment Holdings LLC (“DEH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and RLJE entered into a Credit and Guaranty agreement (the “RLJE Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which DEH provided term loans to RLJE (the “RLJE Term Loans”). In connection with the RLJE credit agreement, DEH received warrants to purchase at least 20 million shares of RLJE’s common stock, at a price of $3.00 per share (the “RLJE Warrants”). The RLJE Warrants held by the Company are classified within Level III of the fair value hierarchy and the Company determines the value of the RLJE Warrants using a Black Scholes option pricing model. Inputs to the model are stock price volatility, contractual warrant terms (remaining life of the warrants), exercise price, risk-free interest rate, and the RLJE stock price. The equity volatility used is based on the equity volatility of RLJE with an adjustment for the changes in the capital structure of RLJE. In arriving at the concluded value of the warrants, a discount for the lack of marketability (DLOM) of 32% was applied. The DLOM, which is unobservable, is determined using the Finnerty Average-Strike Put Option Marketability Discount Model (Finnerty Model), which was applied with a security-specific volatility for the warrants. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a gain of $8.9 million related to the RLJE Warrants which is included in Miscellaneous, net in the condensed consolidated statement of income.

At March 31, 2017, the Company does not have any other 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. These nonrecurring valuations primarily include the valuation of affiliate and customer relationships intangible assets, advertiser relationship 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.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

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)	March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Debt instruments:
Term Loan A Facility	$	1,191,165	$	1,202,500
5.00% Notes due April 2024	982,456		1,003,750
4.75% Notes due December 2022	592,423		603,750
	$	2,766,044	$	2,810,000



(In thousands)	December 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Debt instruments:
Term Loan A Facility	$	1,245,175	$	1,254,855
5.00% Notes due April 2024	981,949		1,002,500
4.75% Notes due December 2022	592,139		606,000
	$	2,819,263	$	2,863,355

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 8. Derivative Financial Instruments

Interest Rate Risk

To manage interest rate risk, the Company enters into interest rate swap contracts to adjust the amount of total debt that is subject to variable interest rates.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had interest rate swap contracts outstanding with notional amounts aggregating $300.0 million, which consist of interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts of $200.0 million that are designated as cash flow hedges and interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts of $100.0 million that are not designated as hedging instruments. The Company’s outstanding interest rate swap contracts have varying maturities ranging from July 2017 to October 2018. At March 31, 2017, the Company’s interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges were highly effective.

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 or our subsidiaries’ respective functional currencies (non-functional currency risk), such as affiliation agreements, programming contracts, certain accounts payable and trade receivables (including intercompany amounts) that are denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency.

Other Derivatives

The RLJE Warrants held by the Company meet the definition of a derivative and are included in Other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the portion of interest on the RLJE Term Loans to be paid in shares of RLJE common stock is an embedded derivative. Both the RLJE Warrants and the embedded derivative for the portion of future interest to be paid in shares of RLJE common stock are remeasured at the end of each period with changes in fair value recorded in the condensed consolidated statement of income. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a gain of $11.1 million related to these derivatives, which is included in Miscellaneous, net in the condensed consolidated statement of income.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

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	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Assets:
Interest rate swap contracts	Other assets	$	1,790	$	1,471
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Assets:
Foreign currency derivatives	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,449	$	1,684
Foreign currency derivatives	Other assets	3,921		4,412
Other derivatives	Other assets	23,425		12,308
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap contracts	Accrued liabilities	$	392	$	762
Foreign currency derivatives	Accrued liabilities	594		952
Foreign currency derivatives	Other liabilities	1,977		2,195

The amounts of gains and losses related to the Company’s derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments are as follows:



(In thousands)	Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in OCI					Location of Gain or (Loss) in Earnings	Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (a)
	Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016				2017		2016
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
Interest rate swap contracts	$	321	$	(1,741	)	Interest expense	$	2	$	(163	)


(a)	There were no gains or losses recognized in earnings related to any ineffective portion of hedging relationships or related to any amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

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 or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2017			2016
Derivatives not designated as hedging relationships:
Interest rate swap contracts	Interest expense	$	2		$	(181	)
Foreign currency derivatives	Miscellaneous, net	(267		)	52
Other derivatives	Miscellaneous, net	11,117			—
Total		$	10,852		$	(129	)

Note 9. Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, income tax expense was $73.1 million, representing an effective tax rate of 34%. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the tax benefit from domestic production activities deduction of $5.9 million, tax benefit from foreign subsidiary earnings indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. of $4.1

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

million, state income tax expense of $3.4 million and tax expense of $2.3 million for an increase in valuation allowances for foreign taxes.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, income tax expense was $58.5 million, representing an effective tax rate of 33%. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the tax benefit from domestic production activities deduction of $5.3 million, tax benefit from foreign subsidiary earnings indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. of $3.5 million, state income tax expense of $3.2 million and tax expense of $2.0 million for an increase in valuation allowances for foreign taxes.

At March 31, 2017, the Company had foreign tax credit carry forwards of approximately $37 million, expiring on various dates from 2017 through 2027. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, $0.4 million relating to amortization of tax deductible second component goodwill was realized as a reduction in tax liability (as determined on a ‘with-and-without’ approach).

Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s contractual obligations not reflected on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet increased $35.1 million to $1.4 billion. The increase relates primarily to payment guarantees to a production service company for certain production related costs

Legal Matters

On December 17, 2013, Frank Darabont (“Darabont”), Ferenc, Inc., Darkwoods Productions, Inc., and Creative Artists Agency, LLC (together, “Plaintiffs”), filed a complaint in New York Supreme Court 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 Plaintiffs asserted claims for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, for an accounting and for declaratory relief. On August 19, 2015, Plaintiffs filed their First Amended Complaint (the “Amended Complaint”), in which they retracted their claims for wrongful termination and failure to apply production tax credits in calculating Plaintiffs’ contingent compensation. Plaintiffs also added a claim that Darabont is entitled to a larger share, on a percentage basis, of contingent compensation than he is currently being accorded. On September 26, 2016, Plaintiffs filed their note of issue and certificate of readiness for trial, which included a claim for damages of $280 million or more and indicated that the parties have completed fact and expert discovery. The parties each filed motions for summary judgment. The Court set June 9, 2017 as the date for oral argument of the summary judgment motions. The Company has opposed the claims in the Complaint, the Amended Complaint and all subsequent complaints. The Company believes that the asserted claims are without merit, denies the allegations and continues to defend the case vigorously. 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 is party to various lawsuits and claims in the ordinary course of business, including the matter described above. 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 11. Equity Plans

On March 9, 2017, AMC Networks granted 578,901 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and 458,962 performance restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) to certain executive officers and employees under the AMC Networks Inc. 2016 Employee Stock Plan. The RSUs vest ratably over a three-year period and the vesting criteria for 175,299 RSUs include the achievement of certain performance targets by the Company. The PRSUs vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.

The target number of PRSUs granted represents the right to receive a corresponding number of shares, subject to adjustment based on the performance of the Company against target performance criteria for a three-year period. The number of shares issuable at the end of the applicable measurement period ranges from 0% to 200% of the target PRSU award.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, 505,935 RSUs of AMC Networks Class A Common Stock previously issued to employees of the Company vested. On the vesting date, 218,641 RSUs were surrendered to the Company to cover the required statutory tax withholding obligations and 287,294 new shares of AMC Networks Class A Common Stock were issued in respect of the remaining RSUs. The units surrendered to satisfy the employees’ statutory minimum tax withholding obligations for the applicable income and other employment tax had an aggregate value of $12.8 million, which has been reflected as a financing activity in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

Share-based compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expense, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016 was $12.5 million and $8.2 million, respectively.

As of March 31, 2017, there was $126.2 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 2.8 years.

Note 12. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The following table summarizes activity related to redeemable noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2017.



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
December 31, 2016	$	219,331
Net earnings	5,564
Distributions	(9,897		)
March 31, 2017	$	214,998

Note 13. Related Party Transactions

Members of the Dolan Family, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including trusts for the benefit of the Dolan Family, collectively beneficially own all of the AMC Networks outstanding Class B Common Stock and own approximately 2% of the AMC Networks’ outstanding Class A Common Stock. Such shares of the AMC Networks Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, collectively, represent approximately 68% of the aggregate voting power of AMC Networks’ outstanding common stock. Members of the Dolan Family are also the controlling stockholders of The Madison Square Garden Company (“MSG”) and MSG Networks Inc. (“MSG Networks”). Prior to June 21, 2016, members of the Dolan Family were also the controlling stockholders of Cablevision Systems Corporation (“Cablevision”).

On June 21, 2016, Cablevision was acquired by a subsidiary of Altice N.V. and a change in control occurred which resulted in members of the Dolan Family no longer being controlling stockholders of the surviving company, Altice USA. Accordingly, Altice USA is not a related party of AMC Networks.

The Company and its related parties routinely enter into transactions with each other in the ordinary course of business. Revenues, net from related parties amounted to $1.6 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Amounts charged to the Company, included in selling, general and administrative expenses, pursuant to transactions with its related parties amounted to $0.6 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

On June 16, 2016, AMC Networks entered into an arrangement with the Dolan Family Office, LLC (“DFO”), MSG and MSG Networks providing for the sharing of certain expenses associated with executive office space which will be available to Charles F. Dolan (the Executive Chairman and a director of the Company and a director of MSG and MSG Networks), James L. Dolan (the Executive Chairman and a director of MSG and MSG Networks and a director of the Company), and the DFO which is controlled by Charles F. Dolan. The Company’s share of office expenses is not material.

Note 14. Cash Flows

The Company’s non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental data are as follows:



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017	2016
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Increase in capital lease obligations	—	10,983
Treasury stock not yet settled	5,988	—
Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid	3,362	2,722
Supplemental Data:
Cash interest paid	8,605	46,436
Income taxes paid, net	7,498	5,600

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

Note 15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table details the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss:



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Currency Translation Adjustment			Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges			Gains (Losses) on Available for Sale Investments			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Beginning balance	$	(194,189	)	$	391		$	—		$	(193,798	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	9,864			321			4,021			14,206
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			(2		)	—			(2		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income, before income taxes	9,864			319			4,021			14,204
Income tax expense	—			(117		)	(1,480		)	(1,597		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	9,864			202			2,541			12,607
Ending balance	$	(184,325	)	$	593		$	2,541		$	(181,191	)



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Currency Translation Adjustment			Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges			Gains (Losses) on Available for Sale Investments		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Beginning balance	$	(136,434	)	$	377		$	—	$	(136,057	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	15,385			(1,741		)	—		13,644
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			163			—		163
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes	15,385			(1,578		)	—		13,807
Income tax (expense) benefit	(2,477		)	578			—		(1,899		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	12,908			(1,000		)	—		11,908
Ending balance	$	(123,526	)	$	(623	)	$	—	$	(124,149	)

Amounts reclassified to net earnings for gains and losses on cash flow hedges designated as hedging instruments are included in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Note 16. Segment Information

The Company classifies its operations into two operating segments: National Networks and International and Other. These operating segments represent strategic business units that are managed separately.

The Company generally allocates all corporate overhead costs within operating expenses to the Company’s two operating segments based upon their proportionate estimated usage of services, including such costs as executive salaries and benefits, costs of maintaining corporate headquarters, facilities and common support functions (such as human resources, legal, finance, strategic planning and information technology) as well as sales support functions and creative and production services.

The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating segment adjusted operating income (“AOI”), a non-GAAP measure, defined as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense or benefit, impairment charges, and restructuring expense or credit. The Company has presented the components that reconcile adjusted operating income to operating income, an accepted GAAP measure, and other information as to the continuing operations of the Company’s operating segments below.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	National Networks		International and Other			Inter-segment eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues, net
Advertising	$	247,542	$	20,070		$	—		$	267,612
Distribution	367,605		86,727			(1,755		)	452,577
Consolidated revenues, net	$	615,147	$	106,797		$	(1,755	)	$	720,189
Operating income (loss)	$	249,607	$	(19,217	)	$	1,281		$	231,671
Share-based compensation expense	9,908		2,556			—			12,464
Restructuring expense	54		2,650			—			2,704
Depreciation and amortization	8,404		15,089			—			23,493
Adjusted operating income	$	267,973	$	1,078		$	1,281		$	270,332
Capital expenditures	$	5,135	$	15,071		$	—		$	20,206
(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
(In thousands)	National Networks		International and Other			Inter-segment eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues, net
Advertising	$	263,852	$	22,825		$	—		$	286,677
Distribution	334,783		86,223			(1,104		)	419,902
Consolidated revenues, net	$	598,635	$	109,048		$	(1,104	)	$	706,579
Operating income (loss)	$	266,732	$	(8,436	)	$	511		$	258,807
Share-based compensation expense	6,221		1,944			—			8,165
Restructuring expense (credit)	30		(65		)	—			(35		)
Depreciation and amortization	7,969		11,663			—			19,632
Adjusted operating income	$	280,952	$	5,106		$	511		$	286,569
Capital expenditures	$	1,980	$	10,407		$	—		$	12,387

Inter-segment eliminations are primarily licensing revenues recognized between the National Networks and International and Other segments as well as revenues recognized by AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology for transmission revenues recognized from the International and Other operating segment.



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017			2016
Inter-segment revenues
National Networks	$	(1,724	)	$	(944	)
International and Other	(31		)	(160		)
	$	(1,755	)	$	(1,104	)

The table below summarizes revenues based on customer location:



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017		2016
Revenues
United States	$	600,055	$	574,334
Europe	78,675		93,962
Other	41,459		38,283
	$	720,189	$	706,579

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)

The table below summarizes property and equipment based on asset location:



(In thousands)	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Property and equipment, net
United States	$	108,890	$	104,939
Europe	39,342		39,976
Other	20,991		21,721
	$	169,223	$	166,636

Note 17. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

Debt of AMC Networks includes $600 million of 4.75% senior notes due December 2022 and $1 billion of 5.00% senior notes due April 2024. All outstanding senior notes issued by AMC Networks are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of its existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). All Guarantor Subsidiaries are owned 100% by AMC Networks. The outstanding notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor Subsidiaries on a joint and several basis.

Set forth below are condensed consolidating financial statements presenting the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows of (i) the Parent Company, (ii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis (as such guarantees are joint and several), (iii) the direct and indirect non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Parent Company (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”) on a combined basis and (iv) reclassifications and eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis.

Basis of Presentation

In presenting the condensed consolidating financial statements, the equity method of accounting has been applied to (i) the Parent Company’s interests in the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and (ii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries’ interests in the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, even though all such subsidiaries meet the requirements to be consolidated under GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions between the Parent Company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries have been eliminated, as shown in the column “Eliminations.”

The accounting basis in all subsidiaries, including goodwill and identified intangible assets, have been allocated to the applicable subsidiaries.

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)



Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Parent Company		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	523	$	262,256	$	140,869		$	—		$	403,648
Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts)	—		559,982		156,922			—			716,904
Amounts due from related parties, net	—		536		—			—			536
Current portion of program rights, net	—		322,957		138,048			—			461,005
Prepaid expenses, other current assets and intercompany receivable	16		177,967		16,450			(122,539		)	71,894
Total current assets	539		1,323,698		452,289			(122,539		)	1,653,987
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	—		108,318		60,905			—			169,223
Investment in affiliates	3,120,330		805,401		—			(3,925,731		)	—
Program rights, net	—		913,013		164,345			—			1,077,358
Long-term intercompany notes receivable	—		431,140		678			(431,818		)	—
Deferred carriage fees, net	—		39,336		1,067			—			40,403
Intangible assets, net	—		177,861		300,899			—			478,760
Goodwill	—		68,518		593,558			—			662,076
Deferred tax asset, net	—		—		8,906			—			8,906
Other assets	1,790		133,612		243,939			—			379,341
Total assets	$	3,122,659	$	4,000,897	$	1,826,586		$	(4,480,088	)	$	4,470,054
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	135	$	55,547	$	41,795		$	—		$	97,477
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable	143,519		125,579		153,641			(122,539		)	300,200
Current portion of program rights obligations	—		205,501		70,582			—			276,083
Deferred revenue	—		35,935		10,967			—			46,902
Current portion of long-term debt	240,500		—		—			—			240,500
Current portion of capital lease obligations	—		2,713		1,736			—			4,449
Total current liabilities	384,154		425,275		278,721			(122,539		)	965,611
Program rights obligations	—		366,515		31,480			—			397,995
Long-term debt, net	2,525,544		—		—			—			2,525,544
Capital lease obligations	—		5,949		28,212			—			34,161
Deferred tax liability, net	153,594		—		(2,445		)	—			151,149
Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable	27,915		82,828		442,355			(431,818		)	121,280
Total liabilities	3,091,207		880,567		778,323			(554,357		)	4,195,740
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		—		214,998			—			214,998
Stockholders’ equity:
AMC Networks stockholders’ equity	31,452		3,120,330		805,401			(3,925,731		)	31,452
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		—		27,864			—			27,864
Total stockholders’ equity	31,452		3,120,330		833,265			(3,925,731		)	59,316
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,122,659	$	4,000,897	$	1,826,586		$	(4,480,088	)	$	4,470,054

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)



Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Parent Company		Guarantor Subsidiaries	Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries	Eliminations		Consolidated
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	565		320,950	159,874	—		481,389
Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts)	—		537,751	162,904	—		700,655
Amounts due from related parties, net	—		508	—	—		508
Current portion of program rights, net	—		307,050	134,080	—		441,130
Prepaid expenses, other current assets and intercompany receivable	948		151,175	15,961	(95,423	)	72,661
Total current assets	1,513		1,317,434	472,819	(95,423	)	1,696,343
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	—		104,272	62,364	—		166,636
Investment in affiliates	3,029,922		784,024	—	(3,813,946	)	—
Program rights, net	—		947,657	160,929	—		1,108,586
Long-term intercompany notes receivable	—		432,099	817	(432,916	)	—
Deferred carriage fees, net	—		42,656	1,230	—		43,886
Intangible assets, net	—		180,297	305,512	—		485,809
Goodwill	—		69,154	588,554	—		657,708
Deferred tax asset, net	—		—	8,598	—		8,598
Other assets	1,471		116,608	194,950	—		313,029
Total assets	3,032,906		3,994,201	1,795,773	(4,342,285	)	4,480,595
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	—		40,033	48,644	—		88,677
Accrued liabilities and intercompany payable	71,680		182,667	125,505	(95,423	)	284,429
Current portion of program rights obligations	—		226,474	74,371	—		300,845
Deferred revenue	—		42,782	10,861	—		53,643
Current portion of long-term debt	222,000		—	—	—		222,000
Current portion of capital lease obligations	—		2,645	1,939	—		4,584
Total current liabilities	293,680		494,601	261,320	(95,423	)	954,178
Program rights obligations	—		365,262	32,913	—		398,175
Long-term debt, net	2,597,263		—	—	—		2,597,263
Capital lease obligations	—		6,647	28,635	—		35,282
Deferred tax liability, net	145,364		—	427	—		145,791
Other liabilities and intercompany notes payable	26,681		97,769	440,685	(432,916	)	132,219
Total liabilities	3,062,988		964,279	763,980	(528,339	)	4,262,908
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		—	219,331	—		219,331
Stockholders’ equity:
AMC Networks stockholders’ (deficiency) equity	(30,082	)	3,029,922	784,024	(3,813,946	)	(30,082	)
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		—	28,438	—		28,438
Total stockholders’ (deficiency) equity	(30,082	)	3,029,922	812,462	(3,813,946	)	(1,644	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficiency) equity	3,032,906		3,994,201	1,795,773	(4,342,285	)	4,480,595

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues, net	$	—		$	579,382		$	143,132		$	(2,325	)	$	720,189
Operating expenses:
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			221,754			77,617			(759		)	298,612
Selling, general and administrative	—			119,681			45,479			(1,451		)	163,709
Depreciation and amortization	—			10,204			13,289			—			23,493
Restructuring expense	—			2,704			—			—			2,704
Total operating expenses	—			354,343			136,385			(2,210		)	488,518
Operating income	—			225,039			6,747			(115		)	231,671
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(29,412		)	9,823			(7,418		)	—			(27,007		)
Share of affiliates’ income	235,774			3,145			—			(238,919		)	—
Miscellaneous, net	(112		)	431			10,615			115			11,049
Total other income (expense)	206,250			13,399			3,197			(238,804		)	(15,958		)
Income from operations before income taxes	206,250			238,438			9,944			(238,919		)	215,713
Income tax expense	(70,033		)	(2,664		)	(385		)	—			(73,082		)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	136,217			235,774			9,559			(238,919		)	142,631
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(6,414		)	—			(6,414		)
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$	136,217		$	235,774		$	3,145		$	(238,919	)	$	136,217



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues, net	$	—		$	554,326		$	154,737		$	(2,484	)	$	706,579
Operating expenses:
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			190,110			84,847			(683		)	274,274
Selling, general and administrative	—			114,357			41,348			(1,804		)	153,901
Depreciation and amortization	—			10,075			9,557			—			19,632
Restructuring expense (credit)	—			(70		)	35			—			(35		)
Total operating expenses	—			314,472			135,787			(2,487		)	447,772
Operating income	—			239,854			18,950			3			258,807
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(30,572		)	9,293			(9,750		)	—			(31,029		)
Share of affiliates’ income (loss)	246,047			(770		)	—			(245,277		)	—
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(48,334		)	—			—			—			(48,334		)
Miscellaneous, net	(79		)	(21		)	(734		)	(3		)	(837		)
Total other income (expense)	167,062			8,502			(10,484		)	(245,280		)	(80,200		)
Income from operations before income taxes	167,062			248,356			8,466			(245,277		)	178,607
Income tax expense	(53,618		)	(2,309		)	(2,616		)	—			(58,543		)
Net income including noncontrolling interests	113,444			246,047			5,850			(245,277		)	120,064
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(6,620		)	—			(6,620		)
Net income (loss) attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$	113,444		$	246,047		$	(770	)	$	(245,277	)	$	113,444

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income including noncontrolling interest	$	136,217		$	235,774	$	9,559		$	(238,919	)	$	142,631
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	9,864			—		9,864			(9,864		)	9,864
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps	319			—		—			—			319
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities	4,021			—		—			—			4,021
Other comprehensive income, before income taxes	14,204			—		9,864			(9,864		)	14,204
Income tax expense	(1,597		)	—		—			—			(1,597		)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	12,607			—		9,864			(9,864		)	12,607
Comprehensive income	148,824			235,774		19,423			(248,783		)	155,238
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—		(6,805		)	—			(6,805		)
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$	148,824		$	235,774	$	12,618		$	(248,783	)	$	148,433



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income including noncontrolling interest	$	113,444		$	246,047		$	5,850		$	(245,277	)	$	120,064
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2,845		)	(2,845		)	18,230			2,845			15,385
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps	(1,578		)	—			—			—			(1,578		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before income taxes	(4,423		)	(2,845		)	18,230			2,845			13,807
Income tax expense	(1,899		)	—			—			—			(1,899		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes	(6,322		)	(2,845		)	18,230			2,845			11,908
Comprehensive income	107,122			243,202			24,080			(242,432		)	131,972
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(7,032		)	—			(7,032		)
Comprehensive income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$	107,122		$	243,202		$	17,048		$	(242,432	)	$	124,940

AMC NETWORKS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(unaudited)



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(In thousands)	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	224,091		$	138,889		$	21,097		$	(239,207	)	$	144,870
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(15,645		)	(4,561		)	—			(20,206		)
Investment in and loans to investees	—			—			(28,000		)	—			(28,000		)
Increase to investment in affiliates	(57,926		)	(36,982		)	—			94,908			—
Net cash used in investing activities	(57,926		)	(52,627		)	(32,561		)	94,908			(48,206		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt	(55,500		)	—			—			—			(55,500		)
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units	(12,796		)	—			—			—			(12,796		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(91,423		)	—			—			—			(91,423		)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	—			(657		)	(744		)	—			(1,401		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(11,712		)	—			(11,712		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(159,719		)	(657		)	(12,456		)	—			(172,832		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from operations	6,446			85,605			(23,920		)	(144,299		)	(76,168		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(6,488		)	(144,299		)	4,915			144,299			(1,573		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	565			320,950			159,874			—			481,389
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	523		$	262,256		$	140,869		$	—		$	403,648



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Parent Company			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	204,100		$	193,453		$	19,383		$	(249,552	)	$	167,384
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	2			(8,151		)	(4,238		)	—			(12,387		)
Increase to investment in affiliates	(160,665		)	(72,411		)	(13,181		)	246,257			—
Net cash used in investing activities	(160,663		)	(80,562		)	(17,419		)	246,257			(12,387		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	982,500			—			—			—			982,500
Principal payments on long-term debt	(691,449		)	—			—			—			(691,449		)
Premium and fees paid on extinguishment of debt	(39,179		)	—			—			—			(39,179		)
Payments for financing costs	(2,070		)	—			—			—			(2,070		)
Deemed repurchases of restricted stock units	(10,413		)	—			—			—			(10,413		)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,200			—			—			—			1,200
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements	852			—			—			—			852
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	—			(597		)	(489		)	—			(1,086		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(8,968		)	—			(8,968		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	241,441			(597		)	(9,457		)	—			231,387
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from operations	284,878			112,294			(7,493		)	(3,295		)	386,384
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(5,844		)	(3,295		)	5,939			3,295			95
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	434			148,260			167,627			—			316,321
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	279,468		$	257,259		$	166,073		$	—		$	702,800


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 for our programming networks and our programming;

• demand for advertising inventory and our ability to deliver guaranteed viewer ratings;

• the highly competitive nature of the cable, telecommunications and digital programming industries;


•	our ability to maintain and renew distribution or affiliation agreements with multichannel video programming distributors;


•	the cost of, and our ability to obtain or produce, desirable programming content for our networks, other forms of distribution, including digital and licensing in international markets, as well as our independent film distribution businesses;


•	market demand for our owned original programming and our independent film content;

• the security of our program rights and other electronic data;

• the loss of any of our key personnel and artistic talent;

• changes in domestic and foreign laws or regulations under which we operate;

• economic and business conditions and industry trends in the countries in which we operate;

•fluctuations in currency exchange rates and interest rates;


•	changes in laws or treaties relating to taxation, or the interpretation thereof, in the U.S. or in the countries in which we operate;

• our substantial debt and high leverage;

• reduced access to capital markets or significant increases in costs to borrow;

• the level of our expenses;

• the level of our capital expenditures;

• 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;

•changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners and joint ventures;

• the outcome of litigation and other proceedings;

•whether pending uncompleted transactions, if any, are completed on the terms and at the times set forth (if at all);

• other risks and uncertainties inherent in our programming businesses;


•	financial community and rating agency perceptions of our business, operations, financial condition and the industry in which we operate;


•	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 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2016 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.

Introduction

Management’s discussion and analysis, or MD&A, of our results of operations and financial condition is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein and our 2016 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. 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 months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. Our discussion is presented on both a consolidated and operating segment basis. Our two operating segments are: (i) National Networks and (ii) International and Other.

Liquidity and Capital Resources. This section provides a discussion of our financial condition as of March 31, 2017, as well as an analysis of our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The discussion of our financial condition and liquidity includes summaries of (i) our primary sources of liquidity and (ii) our contractual obligations that existed at March 31, 2017 as compared to December 31, 2016.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. This section provides an update, if any, to our significant accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2016.

Business Overview

We manage our business through the following two operating segments:

•

National Networks: Includes activities of our programming businesses, which include our five programming networks, distributed in the U.S. and Canada. These programming networks include AMC, WE tv, BBC AMERICA, IFC, and SundanceTV in the U.S.; and AMC, IFC, and Sundance Channel in Canada. Our AMC Studios operations within the National Networks segment sell rights worldwide to its owned original programming. The National Networks operating segment also includes AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, the technical services business, which primarily services most of the programming networks included in the National Networks segment.

•

International and Other: Principally includes AMC Networks International (“AMCNI”), the Company’s international programming businesses consisting of a portfolio of channels in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Asia and Africa; IFC Films, the Company’s independent film distribution business; AMCNI – DMC, the broadcast solutions unit of certain networks of AMCNI and third party networks; and various developing on-line content distribution initiatives.

Financial Results Overview

The tables presented below set forth our consolidated revenues, net, operating income (loss) and adjusted operating income (“AOI”), defined below, for the periods indicated.



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017			2016
Revenues, net
National Networks	$	615,147		$	598,635
International and Other	106,797			109,048
Inter-segment eliminations	(1,755		)	(1,104		)
Consolidated revenues, net	$	720,189		$	706,579
Operating income (loss)
National Networks	$	249,607		$	266,732
International and Other	(19,217		)	(8,436		)
Inter-segment eliminations	1,281			511
Consolidated operating income	$	231,671		$	258,807
AOI
National Networks	$	267,973		$	280,952
International and Other	1,078			5,106
Inter-segment eliminations	1,281			511
Consolidated AOI	$	270,332		$	286,569

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 depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense or benefit, impairment charges, and restructuring expense or credit.

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.

Internally, we use revenues, net and AOI measures as the most important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. AOI should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for 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 consolidated operating income to AOI for the periods indicated:



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017		2016
Operating income	$	231,671	$	258,807
Share-based compensation expense	12,464		8,165
Restructuring expense (credit)	2,704		(35		)
Depreciation and amortization	23,493		19,632
AOI	$	270,332	$	286,569

National Networks

In our National Networks segment, which accounted for 85% of our consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017, we earn revenue principally from the distribution of our programming and the sale of advertising. Distribution revenue primarily includes affiliation fees paid by distributors to carry our programming networks and license fees paid to us for the licensing of original programming for digital, foreign and home video distribution. Affiliation fees paid by distributors represent the largest component of distribution revenue. Our affiliation fee revenues are generally based on a per subscriber fee under multi-

year contracts, commonly referred to as “affiliation agreements,” which generally provide for annual affiliation rate increases. The specific affiliation fee revenues we earn vary from period to period, distributor to distributor and also vary among our networks, but are generally based upon the number of each distributor’s subscribers who receive our programming, referred to as viewing subscribers. The terms of certain other affiliation agreements provide that the affiliation fee revenues we earn are a fixed contractual monthly fee, which could be adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions of multichannel video programming systems by the distributor. Revenue from the licensing of original programming for digital and foreign distribution is recognized upon availability or distribution by the licensee.

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 affiliation fee revenues because the majority of our advertising is sold on a short-term basis, not under long-term contracts. Our advertising 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 for which our programming networks generally guarantee specified viewer ratings for their programming.

Our principal goal is to increase our revenues by increasing distribution and penetration of our services, and increasing our ratings. To do this, we must continue to contract for and produce high-quality, attractive programming. As competition for programming increases and alternative distribution technologies continue to emerge and develop in the industry, costs for content acquisition and original programming may increase. There is a concentration of subscribers in the hands of a few distributors, which could create disparate bargaining power between the largest distributors and us by giving those distributors greater leverage in negotiating the price and other terms of affiliation agreements.

Programming expense, included in technical and operating expense, represents the largest expense of the National Networks segment and primarily consists of amortization and write-offs of programming 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 expense primarily include distribution and production related costs and program operating costs, such as origination, transmission, uplinking and encryption.

To an increasing extent, the success of our business depends on original programming, both scripted and unscripted, across all of our networks. 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. We will continue to increase our investment in programming across all of our channels. There may be significant changes in the level of our technical and operating expenses due to the amortization of content acquisition and/or original programming costs and/or the impact of management’s periodic assessment of programming usefulness. Such costs will also fluctuate with the level of revenues derived from owned original programming in each period as these costs are amortized based on the film-forecast-computation method.

Most original series require us to make up-front investments, which are often significant amounts. Not all of our programming efforts are commercially successful, which could result in a write-off of program rights. If it is determined that programming rights have no future programming usefulness based on actual demand or market conditions, a write-off of the unamortized cost is recorded in technical and operating expense.

International and Other

Our International and Other segment primarily includes the operations of AMCNI, AMCNI – DMC, IFC Films and various developing on-line content distribution initiatives.

In our International and Other segment, which accounted for 15% of our consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017,we earn revenue principally from the international distribution of programming and, to a lesser extent, the sale of advertising. Distribution revenue primarily includes affiliation fees paid by distributors to carry our programming networks. Our affiliation fee revenues are generally based on either a per-subscriber fee or a fixed contractual annual fee, under multi-year affiliation agreements, which may provide for annual affiliation rate increases. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, distribution revenues represented 81% of the revenues of the International and Other segment. Most of these revenues are derived primarily from Europe and to a lesser extent, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Asia and Africa. The International and Other segment also includes IFC Films, our independent film distribution business where revenues are derived principally from theatrical, digital and licensing distribution.

Programming and program operating costs, included in technical and operating expense, represents the largest expense of the International and Other segment and primarily consists of amortization of acquired content, costs of dubbing and sub-titling of programs, and participation and residual 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. Not all of our programming efforts are commercially successful, which could result in a write-off of program rights. If it is determined that programming rights have limited, or no, future programming usefulness based on actual demand or market conditions, a write-off of the unamortized cost is recorded in technical and operating expense.

We view our investments in international expansion and our various developing on-line content distribution initiatives as important long-term strategies. We may experience an adverse impact to the International and Other segment’s operating results and cash flows in periods of increased investment by the Company in these aforementioned initiatives.

Corporate Expenses

We allocate corporate overhead within operating expenses to each segment based upon its proportionate estimated usage of services. 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.

Capital and credit market disruptions could cause economic downturns, which 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 networks from our distributors. Events such as these may adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

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 consolidated statements of operations notwithstanding that a third-party owns a significant interest in such entity. The noncontrolling owner’s interest in the operating results of majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries are reflected in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated statements of operations.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

The following table sets forth our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017					2016
(In thousands)	Amount			% of Revenues, net		Amount			% of Revenues, net		$ change			% change
Revenues, net	$	720,189		100.0	%	$	706,579		100.0	%	$	13,610		1.9	%
Operating expenses:
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	298,612			41.5		274,274			38.8		24,338			8.9
Selling, general and administrative	163,709			22.7		153,901			21.8		9,808			6.4
Depreciation and amortization	23,493			3.3		19,632			2.8		3,861			19.7
Restructuring expense (credit)	2,704			0.4		(35		)	—		2,739			n/m
Total operating expenses	488,518			67.8		447,772			63.4		40,746			9.1
Operating income	231,671			32.2		258,807			36.6		(27,136		)	(10.5	)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(27,007		)	(3.7	)	(31,029		)	(4.4	)	4,022			(13.0	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—		(48,334		)	(6.8	)	48,334			n/m
Miscellaneous, net	11,049			1.5		(837		)	(0.1	)	11,886			n/m
Total other income (expense)	(15,958		)	(2.2	)	(80,200		)	(11.4	)	64,242			(80.1	)
Net income from operations before income taxes	215,713			30.0		178,607			25.3		37,106			20.8
Income tax expense	(73,082		)	(10.1	)	(58,543		)	(8.3	)	(14,539		)	24.8
Net income including noncontrolling interests	142,631			19.8		120,064			17.0		22,567			18.8
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,414		)	(0.9	)	(6,620		)	(0.9	)	206			(3.1	)%
Net income attributable to AMC Networks’ stockholders	$	136,217		18.9	%	$	113,444		16.1	%	$	22,773		20.1	%

National Networks Segment Results

The following table sets forth our National Networks segment results for the periods indicated.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017				2016
(In thousands)	Amount		% of Revenues, net		Amount		% of Revenues, net		$ change			% change
Revenues, net	$	615,147	100.0	%	$	598,635	100.0	%	$	16,512		2.8	%
Operating expenses:
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	233,808		38.0		206,139		34.4		27,669			13.4
Selling, general and administrative	123,274		20.0		117,765		19.7		5,509			4.7
Depreciation and amortization	8,404		1.4		7,969		1.3		435			5.5
Restructuring expense	54		—		30		—		24			n/m
Operating income	$	249,607	40.6	%	$	266,732	44.6	%	$	(17,125	)	(6.4	)%
Share-based compensation expense	9,908		1.6		6,221		1.0		3,687			59.3
Restructuring expense	54		—		30		—		24			80.0
Depreciation and amortization	8,404		1.4		7,969		1.3		435			5.5
AOI	$	267,973	43.6	%	$	280,952	46.9	%	$	(12,979	)	(4.6	)%

International and Other Segment Results

The following table sets forth our International Networks segment results for the periods indicated.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017					2016
(In thousands)	Amount			% of Revenues, net		Amount			% of Revenues, net		$ change			% change
Revenues, net	$	106,797		100.0	%	$	109,048		100.0	%	$	(2,251	)	(2.1	)%
Operating expenses:
Technical and operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)	67,838			63.5		69,745			64.0		(1,907		)	(2.7	)
Selling, general and administrative	40,437			37.9		36,141			33.1		4,296			11.9
Depreciation and amortization	15,089			14.1		11,663			10.7		3,426			29.4
Restructuring expense (credit)	2,650			2.5		(65		)	(0.1	)	2,715			n/m
Operating loss	$	(19,217	)	(18.0	)%	$	(8,436	)	(7.7	)%	$	(10,781	)	127.8	%
Share-based compensation expense	2,556			2.4		1,944			1.8		612			31.5
Restructuring expense (credit)	2,650			2.5		(65		)	(0.1	)	2,715			n/m
Depreciation and amortization	15,089			14.1		11,663			10.7		3,426			29.4
AOI	$	1,078		1.0	%	$	5,106		4.7	%	$	(4,028	)	(78.9	)%

Revenues, net

Revenues, net increased $13.6 million to $720.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The net change by segment was as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017			% of total		2016			% of total		$ change			% change
National Networks	$	615,147		85.4	%	$	598,635		84.7	%	$	16,512		2.8	%
International and Other	106,797			14.8		109,048			15.4		(2,251		)	(2.1	)
Inter-segment eliminations	(1,755		)	(0.2	)	(1,104		)	(0.2	)	(651		)	59.0
Consolidated revenues, net	$	720,189		100.0	%	$	706,579		100.0	%	$	13,610		1.9	%

National Networks

The increase in National Networks revenues, net was attributable to the following:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017		% of total		2016		% of total		$ change			% change
Advertising	$	247,542	40.2	%	$	263,852	44.1	%	$	(16,310	)	(6.2	)%
Distribution	367,605		59.8		334,783		55.9		32,822			9.8
	$	615,147	100.0	%	$	598,635	100.0	%	$	16,512		2.8	%

•

The decrease of $16.3 million in advertising revenues was driven by a decrease of $19.9 million at AMC due to lower ratings and the timing of our original programming, partially offset by an increase of $4.5 million at BBC AMERICA. 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. Due to these factors, we expect advertising revenues to vary from quarter to quarter.

•

Distribution revenues increased $32.8 million due to an increase of $19.4 million primarily from digital distribution revenues derived from our original programming, principally at AMC and SundanceTV, and an increase of $13.4 million in affiliation fee revenue across all of our networks resulting from an increase in rates. Distribution revenues vary based on the impact of renewals of affiliation agreements and the timing of availability of our programming to distributors. Because of these factors, we expect distribution revenues to vary from quarter to quarter.

International and Other

The decrease in International and Other revenues, net was attributable to the following:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017		% of total		2016		% of total		$ change			% change
Advertising	$	20,070	18.8	%	$	22,825	20.9	%	$	(2,755	)	(12.1	)%
Distribution	86,727		81.2		86,223		79.1		504			0.6
	$	106,797	100.0	%	$	109,048	100.0	%	$	(2,251	)	(2.1	)%

The decrease in advertising revenues was principally due to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation of $2.4 million. The increase in distribution revenues was driven by an increase in affiliation fee revenue of $3.5 million as a result of expanded distribution at AMCNI, partially offset by a decrease in other distribution revenue of $2.8 million principally at AMCNI - DMC. The net increase in distribution revenues at AMCNI was partially offset by a decrease at IFC Films due to the strong performance of certain titles in 2016 as compared to 2017. Foreign currency translation had an unfavorable impact of $3.2 million on distribution revenue.

Technical and operating expense (excluding depreciation and amortization)

The components of technical and operating expense primarily include the amortization and impairments or write-offs of program rights, such as those for original programming, feature films and licensed series, participation and residual costs, distribution and production related costs and program operating costs, such as origination, transmission, uplinking and encryption.

Technical and operating expense (excluding depreciation and amortization) increased $24.3 million to $298.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The net change by segment was as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017			2016			$ change			% change
National Networks	$	233,808		$	206,139		$	27,669		13.4	%
International and Other	67,838			69,745			(1,907		)	(2.7	)
Inter-segment eliminations	(3,034		)	(1,610		)	(1,424		)	88.4
Total	$	298,612		$	274,274		$	24,338		8.9	%
Percentage of revenues, net	41.5		%	38.8		%

National Networks

The increase in technical and operating expense in the National Networks segment was primarily attributable to an increase of $27.8 million in program rights amortization expense as a result of continued investment in our original programming.

There may be significant changes in the level of our technical and operating expenses due to content acquisition and/or original programming costs and/or the impact of management’s periodic assessment of programming usefulness. Such costs will also fluctuate with the level of revenues derived from owned original programming in each period as these costs are amortized based on the film-forecast-computation method. As additional competition for programming increases and alternate distribution technologies continue to develop in the industry, costs for content acquisition and original programming may increase.

International and Other

The decrease in technical and operating expense in the International and Other segment was primarily due to a decrease at AMCNI of $2.8 million due to a decrease in direct programming related costs, and a decrease at IFC Films of $1.3 million due to the timing of investment in the acquisition of films, partially offset by an increase of $2.2 million related to increased investment at our developing on-line content distribution business. Foreign currency translation had a favorable impact to the change in technical and operating expense of approximately $3.7 million.

Selling, general and administrative expense

The components of selling, general and administrative expense primarily include sales, marketing and advertising expenses, administrative costs and costs of facilities.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased $9.8 million to $163.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The net change by segment was as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017			2016			$ change		% change
National Networks	$	123,274		$	117,765		$	5,509	4.7	%
International and Other	40,437			36,141			4,296		11.9
Inter-segment eliminations	(2		)	(5		)	3		(60.0	)
Total	$	163,709		$	153,901		$	9,808	6.4	%
Percentage of revenues, net	22.7		%	21.8		%

National Networks

Selling, general and administrative expense in the National Networks segment increased $5.5 million principally as a result of an increase in sales and marketing costs of $2.3 million related to the promotion and marketing of original programming and a net increase in long-term incentive compensation expense of $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016.

There may be significant changes in the level of our selling, general and administrative expense from quarter to quarter and year to year due to the timing of promotion and marketing of original programming series and subscriber retention marketing efforts.

International and Other

Selling, general and administrative expense in the International and Other segment increased $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 due to an increase in sales and marketing

costs of $1.9 million at AMCNI and $1.6 million at our developing on-line content distribution business principally due to increased subscriber acquisition costs. Foreign currency translation had a favorable impact to the change in selling, general and administrative expense of approximately $1.9 million.

Restructuring expense

Restructuring expense of $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 relates to corporate headquarter severance charges in connection with the restructuring initiative launched during the second half of 2016.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $3.9 million to $23.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The net change by segment was as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017		2016		$ change		% change
National Networks	$	8,404	$	7,969	$	435	5.5	%
International and Other	15,089		11,663		3,426		29.4
	$	23,493	$	19,632	$	3,861	19.7	%

The increase in depreciation and amortization expense in the International and Other segment was attributable to accelerated depreciation of certain equipment at the AMCNI – DMC business. In addition, depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 included a decrease in an asset retirement obligation.

Operating Income



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017			2016			$ change			% change
National Networks	$	249,607		$	266,732		$	(17,125	)	(6.4	)%
International and Other	(19,217		)	(8,436		)	(10,781		)	127.8
Inter-segment Eliminations	1,281			511			770			150.7
	$	231,671		$	258,807		$	(27,136	)	(10.5	)%

The decrease in operating income at the National Networks segment was primarily attributable to an increase in technical and operating expense of $27.7 million and an increase in selling, general and administrative expense of $5.5 million, partially offset by an increase in revenues of $16.5 million. The decrease in operating income in the International and Other segment was primarily attributable to an increase in selling, general and administrative expense of $4.3 million, an increase in depreciation and amortization of $3.4 million, an increase in restructuring expense of $2.7 million and a decrease in revenue of $2.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in technical and operating expense of $1.9 million.

AOI

The following is a reconciliation of our consolidated operating income to AOI:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017		2016			$ change			% change
Operating income	$	231,671	$	258,807		$	(27,136	)	(10.5	)%
Share-based compensation expense	12,464		8,165			4,299			52.7
Restructuring expense (credit)	2,704		(35		)	2,739			n/m
Depreciation and amortization	23,493		19,632			3,861			19.7
AOI	$	270,332	$	286,569		$	(16,237	)	(5.7	)%

AOI decreased $16.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The net change by segment was as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017		2016		$ change			% change
National Networks	$	267,973	$	280,952	$	(12,979	)	(4.6	)%
International and Other	1,078		5,106		(4,028		)	(78.9	)
Inter-segment eliminations	1,281		511		770			150.7
AOI	$	270,332	$	286,569	$	(16,237	)	(5.7	)%

National Networks AOI decreased principally due to an increase in technical and operating expenses of $27.7 million resulting primarily from an increase in program rights amortization and an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.8 million, partially offset by an increase in revenue of $16.5 million. As a result of the factors discussed above impacting the variability in revenues and operating expenses, we expect AOI to vary from quarter to quarter.

International and Other AOI decreased due to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $3.7 million and a decrease in revenue of $2.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in technical and operating expenses of $1.9 million.

Interest expense, net

The decrease in interest expense, net is driven by a decrease in interest expense of $1.3 million primarily as a result of a decrease in the interest rate on our fixed rate debt due to the early redemption of our 7.75% Notes in March 2016 and an increase in interest income of $2.8 million recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017, in connection with increased cash balances for the three months ended March 31, 2017 versus the same period in 2016 as well as interest income earned on term loans entered into with RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (“RLJE”) in October 2016.

Loss on extinguishment of debt

The loss on extinguishment of debt for the three months ended March 31, 2016 of $48.3 million represents $39.2 million of premium paid and related fees on the early redemption of our 7.75% Notes as well as a write-off of the related unamortized discount of $8.2 million and unamortized deferred financing costs of $1.0 million.

Miscellaneous, net

The increase in miscellaneous, net of $11.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 is primarily driven by a gain on derivative instruments of $11.1 million related to the RLJE warrants and the portion of future interest on term loans with RLJE to be settled in shares of RLJE common stock.

Income tax expense

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, income tax expense was $73.1 million, representing an effective tax rate of 34%. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to tax benefit from the domestic production activities deduction of $5.9 million, tax benefit from foreign subsidiary earnings indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. of $4.1 million, state income tax expense of $3.4 million and tax expense of $2.3 million for an increase in valuation allowances for foreign taxes.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, income tax expense was $58.5 million, representing an effective tax rate of 33%. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to tax benefit from the domestic production activities deduction of $5.3 million, tax benefit from foreign subsidiary earnings indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. of $3.5 million, state income tax expense of $3.2 million and tax expense of $2.0 million for an increase in valuation allowances for foreign taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our operations have historically generated positive net cash flow from operating activities. However, each of our programming businesses has substantial programming acquisition and production expenditure requirements.

Sources of cash primarily include cash flow from operations, amounts available under our revolving credit facility and access to capital 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 other sources of capital such as the public bond markets.

On March 4, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $500 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. For the period April 1, 2017 through April 28, 2017, we repurchased approximately 642,000 additional shares for $37.9 million.

Our principal uses of cash include the acquisition and production of programming, investments and acquisitions, debt service, repurchases of outstanding debt and common stock and payments for income taxes. We continue to increase our investment in original programming, the funding of which generally occurs six to nine months in advance of a program’s airing. We expect this increased investment to continue in 2017. In addition, the required principal payments on our Term Loan A facility over the next twelve months will be $240.5 million.

As of March 31, 2017, our consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance includes approximately $92.5 million held by foreign subsidiaries, some of which have earnings that have not been subject to U.S. tax. Repatriation of earnings not previously subject to U.S. tax would generally require us to accrue and pay U.S. tax on such amount. Our consolidated financial statements provide for any related tax liability on amounts that may be repatriated, aside from undistributed earnings of certain of our foreign subsidiaries that are intended to be permanently reinvested or repatriated in a tax-free manner. The amount of such undistributed earnings was approximately $87.0 million as of March 31, 2017. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to these earnings is not practicable.

We believe that a combination of cash-on-hand, cash generated from operating activities and availability under our revolving credit facility 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 at maturity the entirety of the then outstanding balances of our debt. As a result, we will then be dependent upon our ability to access the capital and credit markets in order to repay or refinance the outstanding balances of our indebtedness. Failure to raise significant amounts of funding to repay these obligations at maturity 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.

Our level of debt could have important consequences on our business including, but not limited to, increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limiting the availability of our cash flow to fund future programming investments, capital expenditures, working capital, business activities and other general corporate requirements and limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate. 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 2016 Form 10-K.

In addition, economic or market disruptions could lead to lower demand for our services, such as 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 March 31, 2017. 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 March 31, 2017.

Cash Flow Discussion

The following table is a summary of cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31:



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2017			2016
Cash provided by operating activities	$	144,870		$	167,384
Cash used in investing activities	(48,206		)	(12,387		)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(172,832		)	231,387
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(76,168		)	386,384

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $144.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $167.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 primarily resulted from $377.8 million of net income before amortization of program rights, depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash items, which was partially offset by payments for program rights of $211.3 million, a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities of $33.7 million primarily related to lower employee related liabilities, an increase in prepaid expense and other assets of $18.2 million, an increase in accounts receivable, trade of $16.0 million primarily related to timing of cash receipts and a decrease in deferred revenue of $11.1 million. Additionally, net cash provided by operating

activities increased due to an increase in taxes payable of $57.6 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $167.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and primarily resulted from $388.8 million of net income before amortization of program rights, loss on extinguishment of debt, depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash items, which was partially offset by payments for program rights of $192.2 million, a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities of $68.9 million primarily related to lower employee related liabilities and an increase in accounts receivable, trade of $9.4 million primarily related to timing of cash receipts. Additionally, net cash provided by operating activities increased due to an increase in taxes payable of $37.4 million, an increase in deferred revenue of $4.0 million primarily related to advertising arrangements and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets of $7.9 million.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $48.2 million and $12.4 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, cash used in investing activities included investments of $28.0 million and capital expenditures of $20.2 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, capital expenditures totaled $12.4 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities amounted to $172.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $231.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, financing activities primarily consisted of purchases of our common stock of $91.4 million under our Stock Repurchase Program and scheduled repayments of principal on the Company’s Term A loan facility of $55.5 million. In addition, net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 includes taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for equity-based compensation of $12.8 million and distributions to noncontrolling interests of $11.7 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $231.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 consisted of cash provided by the issuance of $1.0 billion of 5.00% Notes, net of an issuance discount of $17.5 million, offset by principal payments on long term debt of $691.4 million which included the repayment of $654.0 million of the Company’s 7.75% Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer, as well as the scheduled repayment of principal on the Company’s Term A loan facility of $37.0 million. In addition, net cash used in financing activities included premium payments and fees for the tender offer of $39.2 million, taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for equity-based compensation of $10.4 million and distributions to noncontrolling interest of $9.0 million.

Contractual Obligations

As of March 31, 2017, our contractual obligations not reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet increased $35.1 million to $1.4 billion. The increase relates primarily to payment guarantees to a production service company for certain production related costs

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 2 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2016 Form 10-K. We discuss our critical accounting estimates in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in the same 2016 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes in our significant accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2016.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 to the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.


Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Fair Value of Debt

Based on the level of interest rates prevailing at March 31, 2017, the fair value of our fixed rate debt of $1.61 billion was more than its carrying value of $1.57 billion by approximately $33 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 March 31, 2017 would increase the estimated fair value of our fixed rate debt by approximately $66.0 million to approximately $1.7 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 creditworthy 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.

As of March 31, 2017, we had $2.8 billion of debt outstanding (excluding capital leases), of which $1.2 billion is outstanding under the credit facility and is subject to variable interest rates (before consideration of the interest rate swaps contracts described below).

As of March 31, 2017, we had interest rate swap contracts outstanding with notional amounts aggregating $300.0 million. The aggregate fair value of interest rate swap contracts at March 31, 2017 was a net asset of $1.4 million. As a result of these transactions, the interest rate paid on approximately 68% of the Company’s debt (excluding capital leases) as of March 31, 2017 is effectively fixed (57% being fixed rate obligations and 11% effectively fixed through utilization of these interest rate swap contracts). Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes $0.6 million of cumulative unrealized gains, net of tax, on the portion of floating-to-fixed interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges. At March 31, 2017, our interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges were highly effective, in all material respects.

A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates prevailing at March 31, 2017 would not have a material impact on our annual interest expense.

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 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 $0.4 million of foreign currency transaction gains, net for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Such amount is included in miscellaneous, net in the condensed consolidated statement of income.

To manage foreign currency exchange rate risk, we may 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 income (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 Chief Executive Officer and 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 March 31, 2017, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and 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 March 31, 2017, 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.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.

Since our 2016 Form 10-K, there have been no material developments in legal proceedings in which we are involved. See Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Set forth below is information concerning acquisitions of AMC Networks Class A Common Stock by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2017.



Period	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)		Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1, 2017 to January 31, 2017	565,443	$	54.68	565,443	$	245,842,819
February 1, 2017 to February 28, 2017	342,485	$	56.15	342,485	$	226,613,051
March 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017	707,458	$	58.34	707,458	$	185,339,837
Total	1,615,386	$	56.60	1,615,386


Item 6.	Exhibits.


(a)	Index to Exhibits.



31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32	Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



			AMC Networks Inc.

Date:	May 4, 2017	By:	/s/ Sean S. Sullivan
			Sean S. Sullivan
			Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

AMC Networks - 10-Q quarterly report FY2017 Q1

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	Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income	2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	4
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	5
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	36
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	37
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	38
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	38
Item 6. Exhibits	38
SIGNATURES	39