Equity Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Equity Plans

Equity Plans

In September 2021, AMC Networks granted 102,145 restricted stock units ("RSUs") under the AMC Networks Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Employee Stock Plan to its interim chief executive officer. The RSUs vest over a one-year period and the vesting criteria include the achievement of certain performance targets by the Company.

In June 2021, AMC Networks granted 29,916 RSUs under the 2011 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors to non-employee directors that vested on the date of grant.

In March 2021, AMC Networks granted 535,278 RSUs to certain executive officers and employees under the AMC Networks Inc. Amended and Restated 2016 Employee Stock Plan. The RSUs vest ratably over a three-year period and the vesting criteria for 178,764 RSUs include the achievement of certain performance targets by the Company.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, 617,051 RSUs and 368,296 performance restricted stock units (PRSUs) of AMC Networks Class A Common Stock previously issued to employees of the Company vested. On the vesting date, 263,671 RSUs and 168,712 PRSUs were surrendered to the Company to cover the required statutory tax withholding obligations and 353,380 RSU and 199,584 PRSU new shares of AMC Networks Class A Common Stock were issued. 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 $34.6 million, which has been reflected as a financing activity in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Share-based compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expense was $9.5 million and $39.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively and $12.4 million and $43.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

As of September 30, 2021, there was $39.1 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 1.8 years.