AMC Networks Delivers Q4, Full-Year Revenue Gains

AMC Networks posted a 5.9-percent increase in 2018 revenues to a record $3 billion and recorded a 6.3-percent boost in Q4 revenues to $773 million.

“AMC Networks had a strong fourth quarter and a very successful 2018,” said Josh Sapan, president and CEO. “If there’s one headline for the year, it’s that AMC Networks continues to be a company that punches above its weight on almost every count, with a long history of having outsized impact and influence among our most important constituents, all to the benefit of our shareholders. We continue to have great success with our content, including BBC America’s Killing Eve, which emerged as the sleeper hit of 2018; and we ended the year with AMC having three of the top six dramas on basic cable. Our quality content is the key driver behind our expanding distribution across linear and other platforms. In addition, the strength of our balance sheet allows us to continue to pursue smart and strategic investments that are changing our business, including our acquisition last year of RLJ Entertainment, which includes the Acorn TV streaming service, and is meaningfully advancing our direct to consumer interests, a key priority as we continue to diversify our revenue and grow our business.”

In Q4, revenues at the U.S. networks dipped by 2.2 percent to $593 million, despite a 1.4 percent gain in ad revenues to $272 million. International and other revenues were up 48.6 percent to $188.4 million, as the period saw AMC Networks acquire RLJ Entertainment and Levity Entertainment Group. The company reported $43 million in restructuring expenses in Q4, with net profit falling to $72 million.

In 2018, U.S. network revenues were up 1.9 percent to $2.4 billion, while international and other revenues rose by 30.9 percent to $598.3 million. Net profit fell slightly to $446 million.