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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMC Networks and its subsidiaries in which a controlling voting interest is maintained or variable interest entities ("VIE's") in which the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Investments in business entities in which the Company lacks control but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include the useful lives and methodologies used to amortize and assess recoverability of program rights, the estimated useful lives of intangible assets and the valuation and recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to the prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method for all contracts not completed as of the date of adoption. The reported results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 reflect the application of the new standard, while the reported results for 2017 have not been adjusted to reflect the new standard and were prepared under prior revenue recognition accounting guidance.

The Company primarily earns revenue from the distribution of its programming services, including licensing of its programming and other content, and advertising. Revenue is recognized when, or as, performance obligations under the terms of a contract are satisfied, which generally occurs when, or as, control of the promised products or services is transferred to customers. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring products or services to a customer. The Company’s revenue recognition policies associated with each major source of revenue from contracts with customers are described in Note 3 Revenue Recognition.

Adoption of Lease Standard

The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach and effective date method. In addition, the Company elected the package of practical expedients, permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed for the carry forward of the historical classification of leases. The adoption of the new standard resulted in additional net lease assets of $180.0 million (which is net

of the historical deferred rent liability balance of $57.0 million) and lease liabilities of $237.0 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The new standard did not materially impact our consolidated net income or cash flows. See Note 15 for further discussion regarding leases.

Technical and Operating Expenses

Costs of revenues, including but not limited to programming expense, primarily consisting of amortization or write-offs of programming rights, such as those for original programming, feature films and licensed series, participation and residual costs, distribution and production related costs and program delivery costs, such as transmission, encryption, hosting and formatting are classified as technical and operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Advertising and Distribution Expenses

Advertising costs are charged to expense when incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Advertising costs were $180.3 million, $196.0 million and $200.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Marketing, distribution and general and administrative costs related to the exploitation of owned original programming are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Share-based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity-based instruments based on the grant date fair value of the portion of awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The cost is recognized in earnings over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award using a straight-line amortization method, except for restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors which vest 100%, and are expensed, at the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Foreign Currency

The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of most of the Company's international subsidiaries is the local currency. Assets and liabilities, including intercompany balances for which settlement is anticipated in the foreseeable future, are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Foreign currency equity balances are translated at historical rates. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated at average exchange rates for the respective periods. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income ("OCI") in the consolidated statements of stockholders' equity.

Transactions denominated in currencies other than subsidiaries' functional currencies are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Changes in exchange rates with respect to amounts recorded in the consolidated balance sheets related to these items will result in unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses based upon period-end exchange rates. The Company also records realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses upon settlement of the transactions. The Company recognized realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains (losses) of $11.1 million, $(6.8) million and $15.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are included in miscellaneous, net in the consolidated statements of income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company's cash investments are placed with money market funds and financial institutions that are investment grade as rated by Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Service. The Company selects money market funds that predominantly invest in marketable, direct obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, commercial paper, fully collateralized repurchase agreements, certificates of deposit, and time deposits.

The Company considers the balance of its investment in funds that hold securities that mature within three months or less from the date the fund purchases these securities to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents either approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments or are at fair value.

Accounts Receivable, Trade

The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of valuation allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable by evaluating the collectability of outstanding receivables and general factors such as length of time individual receivables are past due, historical collection experience, and the economic and competitive environment. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $273.0 million and $182.1 million, respectively, of accounts receivable contractually due in excess of one-year, which are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Program Rights

Rights to programming, including feature films and episodic series, acquired under license agreements are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. Such licensed rights along with the related obligations are recorded at the contract value when a license agreement is executed, unless there is uncertainty with respect to either cost, acceptability or availability. If such uncertainty exists, those rights and obligations are recorded at the earlier of when the uncertainty is resolved or the license period begins. Costs are amortized to technical and operating expense on a straight-line or accelerated basis over a period not to exceed the respective license periods.

Owned original programming costs, including estimated participation and residual costs, qualifying for capitalization as program rights are amortized to technical and operating expense over their estimated useful lives, commencing upon the first airing, based on attributable revenue for airings to date as a percentage of total projected attributable revenue, or ultimate revenue (individual-film-forecast-computation method). Projected attributable revenue is based on previously generated revenues for similar content in established markets, primarily consisting of distribution and advertising revenues, and projected program usage. Projected program usage is based on the Company's current expectation of future exhibitions taking into account historical usage of similar content. Projected attributable revenue can change based upon programming market acceptance, levels of distribution and advertising revenue and decisions regarding planned program usage. These calculations require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding revenue and planned usage. Accordingly, the Company periodically reviews revenue estimates and planned usage and revises its assumptions if necessary, which could impact the timing of amortization expense or result in a write-down to fair value. Any capitalized development costs for programs that the Company determines will not be produced are written off.

The Company periodically reviews the programming usefulness of its licensed and owned original program rights based on several 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 limited, or no, future programming usefulness, the useful life is updated, which generally results in a write-off of the unamortized cost to technical and operating expense in the consolidated statements of income. See Note 6 for further discussion regarding program rights write-offs.

Investments

Investments in equity securities (excluding equity method investments) with readily determinable fair values are accounted for at fair value. The Company applies the measurement alternative to fair value for equity securities without readily determinable far values, which is to record the investments at cost, less impairment, if any, and subsequently adjust for observable price changes of identical or similar investments of the same issuer. All gains and losses related to equity securities are recorded in earnings as a component of miscellaneous, net, in the consolidated statements of income.

Investments in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not control and is not the primary beneficiary are equity method investments. Significant influence typically exists if the Company has a 20% to 50% ownership interest in a venture unless persuasive evidence to the contrary exists. Under this method of accounting, the Company records its proportionate share of the net earnings or losses of equity method investees and a corresponding increase or decrease to the investment balances. Cash payments to equity method investees such as additional investments, loans and advances and expenses incurred on behalf of investees as well as payments from equity method investees such as dividends, distributions and repayments of loans and advances are recorded as adjustments to investment balances. The Company applies the cumulative earnings approach for determining the cash flow presentation of cash distributions received from equity method investees. Distributions received are included in the consolidated statements of cash flows as operating activities, unless the cumulative distributions exceed the Company's portion of the cumulative equity in the net earnings of the equity method investment, in which case the excess distributions are deemed to be returns of the investment and are classified as investing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. See Note 8 for further discussion regarding investments.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Long-Lived Assets and Amortizable Intangible Assets

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Equipment under finance leases is recorded at the present value of the total minimum lease payments. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, with respect to equipment under finance leases and leasehold improvements, amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the assets' useful lives and reported in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of income.

Amortizable intangible assets established in connection with business combinations primarily consist of affiliate and customer relationships, advertiser relationships and tradenames. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives.

The Company reviews its long-lived assets (property and equipment, and amortizable intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected cash flows, undiscounted and without interest, is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but instead are tested annually for impairment and upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances.

The annual goodwill impairment test allows for the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. An entity may choose to perform the qualitative assessment on none, some or all of its reporting units or an entity may bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit and proceed directly to step one of the quantitative impairment test. If it is determined, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of a reporting unit is, more likely than not, less than its carrying value, the quantitative impairment test is required. The quantitative impairment test calculates any goodwill impairment as the difference between the carrying amount of a reporting unit and its fair value, but not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. See Note 10 for further discussion regarding goodwill impairment.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets established in connection with business combinations consist of trademarks. The impairment test for identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Deferred Carriage Fees

Deferred carriage fees, included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, represent amounts principally paid to multichannel video programming distributors to obtain additional subscribers and/or guarantee carriage of certain programming services and are amortized as a reduction of revenue over the period of the related affiliation arrangement (up to 10 years).

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial InstrumentsThe Company's derivative financial instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet based on their fair values. The Company's embedded derivative financial instruments which are clearly and closely related to the host contracts are not accounted for on a stand-alone basis. Changes in the fair values are reported in earnings or other comprehensive income depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. Derivative instruments are designated and accounted for as either a hedge of a recognized asset or liability (fair value hedge) or a hedge of a forecasted transaction (cash flow hedge). For derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in fair values are recognized in earnings and included in interest expense, for interest rate swap contracts and miscellaneous, net, for foreign currency and other derivative contracts. For derivatives designated as effective cash flow hedges, changes in fair values are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Changes in fair values related to fair value hedges as well as the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged item of a fair value hedge are also recognized in earnings.

Income Taxes

The Company's provision for income taxes is based on current period income, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities and estimates with regard to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions. Deferred tax assets are evaluated quarterly for expected future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management believes it is more likely than not that a portion will not be realized. The Company provides deferred taxes for the outside basis difference for its investment in partnerships and uses the deferral method to recognize the income tax benefit from investment tax credits. Global low taxed intangible income (“GILTI”) tax is treated as a period expense. Interest and penalties, if any, associated with uncertain tax positions are included in income tax expense.

Commitments and Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated. See Note 17 for further discussion regarding commitments and contingencies.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. Cash is invested in money market funds and bank time deposits. The Company monitors the financial institutions and money market funds where it invests its cash and cash equivalents with diversification among counterparties to mitigate exposure to any single financial institution. The Company's emphasis is primarily on safety of principal and liquidity and secondarily on maximizing the yield on its investments. As of December 31, 2019, two customers accounted for 16% and 10%, respectively, of the combined balances of consolidated accounts receivable, trade and receivables due in excess of one-year (included in other assets). As of December 31, 2018, two customers accounted for 13% and 12%, respectively, of the combined balances of consolidated accounts receivable, trade and receivables due in excess of one-year.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable Noncontrolling InterestsNoncontrolling interest with redemption features, such as put options, that are not solely within the Company's control are considered redeemable noncontrolling interests. Redeemable noncontrolling interests are considered to be temporary equity and are reported in the mezzanine section between total liabilities and stockholders' equity in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at the greater of their initial carrying amount, increased or decreased for contributions, distributions and the noncontrolling interest's share of net income or loss, or redemption value.

Net Income per Share

The consolidated statements of income present basic and diluted net income per share ("EPS"). Basic EPS is based upon net income divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the dilutive effects of AMC Networks outstanding equity-based awards.

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


(In thousands)	Years Ended December 31,
		2019		2018		2017
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	56,205		58,066		64,905
Effect of dilution:
Stock options	14		15		1
Restricted stock units	818		866		719
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	57,037		58,947		65,625

Common Stock of AMC Networks

Each holder of AMC Networks Class A Common Stock has one vote per share while holders of AMC Networks Class B Common Stock have ten votes per share. AMC Networks Class B shares can be converted to AMC Networks Class A Common Stock at any time with a conversion ratio of one AMC Networks Class A common share for one AMC Networks Class B common share. The AMC Networks Class A stockholders are entitled to elect 25% of the Company's Board of Directors. AMC Networks Class B stockholders have the right to elect the remaining members of the Company's Board of Directors. In addition, AMC Networks Class B stockholders are parties to an agreement which has the effect of causing the voting power of these AMC Networks Class B stockholders to be cast as a block.

Stock Repurchase Program

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized a program to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of its outstanding shares of common stock (the "Stock Repurchase Program"). The Stock Repurchase Program has no pre-established closing date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of its Class A common stock at an average purchase price of $54.24 per share. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has $488.8 million available for repurchase under the Stock Repurchase Program.


	Shares Outstanding
(In thousands)	Class A Common Stock	Class B Common Stock
Balance at December 31, 2016	57,079	11,484
Share repurchases	(7,790)	—
Employee and non-employee director stock transactions*	312	—
Balance at December 31, 2017	49,601	11,484
Share repurchases	(5,386)	—
Employee and non-employee director stock transactions*	534	—
Balance at December 31, 2018	44,749	11,484
Share repurchases	(1,302)	—
Employee and non-employee director stock transactions*	631	—
Balance at December 31, 2019	44,078	11,484

*Reflects common stock activity in connection with restricted stock units and stock options granted to employees, as well as in connection with the fulfillment of employees' statutory tax withholding obligations for applicable income and other employment taxes and forfeited employee restricted stock units.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities and loans, and requires entities to use a new forward-looking "expected loss" model that would generally result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. This ASU is effective for the first quarter of 2020. Adoption of the standard will be applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date to align our credit loss methodology with the new standard. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). ASU 2018-13 changes the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and is effective for the first quarter of 2020. ASU 2018-13 changes disclosure requirements related to transfers between Level I and II assets, as well as several aspects surrounding the valuation process and unrealized gains and losses related to Level III assets. The adoption of the modified disclosure requirements will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 amends current guidance to align the accounting for costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Capitalized implementation costs must be expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement and presented in the same line item in the income statement as the fees associated with the hosting element (service) of the arrangement. The changes in this standard are effective for the first quarter of 2020. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-02, Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials. ASU 2019-02 aligns the accounting for production costs of episodic television series with the accounting for production costs of films. In addition, ASU 2019-02 modifies certain aspects of the capitalization, impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 926-20 and the impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements in ASC 920-350. The changes in this standard are effective for the first quarter of 2020. The Company will adopt the updated accounting guidance prospectively in the first quarter of 2020. Following adoption, the Company will present all program rights, including capitalized costs of acquired programming rights, as noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 - Income Taxes. These changes are effective for first quarter of 2021 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements.