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AMC Global Media Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net revenue fell 9%: Net revenue was $547 million, down 9% from the prior year. Operating income was $16 million against $64 million a year earlier. Source
  • Operating and free cash flow fell: Operating cash flow was $57 million, down 44%. Free cash flow was $43 million, down 55%, both against the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Domestic revenue fell 11%: Domestic Operations revenue was $470 million. Segment Adjusted Operating Income fell 52% to $61 million. Source
  • Four of top five MVPDs renewed: Distribution agreements were renewed with four of the top five domestic MVPDs in 12 months, including Comcast, DirecTV, DISH and YouTube. Source
  • One-time integration issue hit advertising: Advertising fell 11% to $109 million. The quarter included a one-time impact from a system integration issue that is now resolved. Source
  • Affiliate basic subscribers declined: Affiliate revenue fell 17% to $126 million. The release attributes this to basic subscriber declines but gives no subscriber count. Source
  • Leverage ratio rose to 4.1x: The leverage ratio was 4.1x on twelve-month Adjusted Operating Income, up from 3.4x in the first-quarter release. Net debt and finance leases were $1,285 million. Source
  • Netflix license described as cash source: Management described the Walking Dead streaming license as a meaningful source of cash flow for years to come. Source

“We are pleased to announce today an expansion of our relationship with a key long-term partner, Netflix.”

Kristin Dolan, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Netflix license cash receipts Source2026approximately $25 millionNew
Netflix license cash receipts Source2027 to 2030 annually, then 2031approximately $100 million a year; remaining amount in 2031New
Revenue recognized from Netflix license Source2026 and 2027$200 million to $225 million a yearNew
Revenue from Netflix license, present value SourceOver the license termapproximately $445 millionNew
Total Netflix license fee SourceFive-year license period$500 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Management said full-year guidance is being increased, without revised figures in the documents. Source
  • New guidance: A new revenue range for the Netflix license is given for 2026 and 2027. Source
  • New: A co-exclusive global streaming license for The Walking Dead Universe was agreed with Netflix, announced July 30, 2026. Source
  • New: From June 2026, non-employee directors receive part of their pay in cash-settled director stock units, which Adjusted Operating Income now excludes. Source
  • Ended: The Term Loan A balance was repaid and the revolving credit facility was terminated on May 12, 2026. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net revenue fell 9%: Net revenue was $547 million, down 9% from the prior year. Operating income was $16 million against $64 million a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted EPS turned negative: Diluted EPS was $(0.51) against $0.91 a year earlier. Adjusted EPS was $(0.28) against $0.69. Source
  • Operating and free cash flow fell: Operating cash flow was $57 million, down 44%. Free cash flow was $43 million, down 55%, both against the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Six-month revenue and profit declined: Six-month revenue was $1.09 billion, down 5.7%. Six-month Adjusted Operating Income was $115 million, down 46.2%. Source

Segments and regions

  • Domestic revenue fell 11%: Domestic Operations revenue was $470 million. Segment Adjusted Operating Income fell 52% to $61 million. Source
  • International revenue rose 4%: International revenue was $79 million, up 2% excluding favorable currency translation. Segment Adjusted Operating Income fell 3% to $14 million. Source
  • International subscription hit by JV exit: International subscription revenue fell 1%, or 3% excluding currency, due to the wind-down of a joint venture operating mainly in Poland and Africa. Source
  • International advertising rose 13%: International advertising rose 13% to $29 million, or 11% excluding currency. Fourth-quarter 2025 outperformance has since returned to normal levels. Source

“We renewed distribution agreements with major partners Comcast and YouTube.”

Kristin Dolan, Chief Executive Officer

Distribution deals and licensing

  • Four of top five MVPDs renewed: Distribution agreements were renewed with four of the top five domestic MVPDs in 12 months, including Comcast, DirecTV, DISH and YouTube. Source
  • AMC keeps global rights for own services: Licensed Walking Dead shows stay with AMC Global Media for exhibition on its own streaming services worldwide. Source
  • Content licensing fell on delivery timing: Domestic content licensing revenue fell 34% to $56 million, which management attributed to the timing and availability of deliveries. Source

Costs and margins

  • Technical and SG&A costs edged up: Technical and operating costs were $289 million against $284 million. Selling, general and administrative costs were $225 million against $222 million. Source
  • Marketing rose with premiere timing: Management said the Domestic profit decline reflected increased marketing investments tied to the timing of premieres. Source
  • Depreciation and amortization fell: Depreciation and amortization was $16.8 million, against $26.4 million a year earlier. Source
  • Restructuring charges were smaller: Restructuring and other related charges were $1.3 million, including $0.8 million for the International plan and $0.5 million of severance. Source
  • Adjusted measure now covers director units: The share-based compensation adjustment to operating income now includes liability-classified awards, to keep periods comparable. Source

“We are increasing our guidance for the full year as we leverage the value of our IP, the importance of our studio and the strength of our partner relationships, particularly in the area of distribution.”

Kristin Dolan, Chief Executive Officer

Advertising and subscriber demand

  • One-time integration issue hit advertising: Advertising fell 11% to $109 million. The quarter included a one-time impact from a system integration issue that is now resolved. Source
  • Ratings and pricing weighed on advertising: Excluding the one-time impact, advertising declined in the mid-single digit percent area on lower ratings and marketplace pricing. Source
  • Affiliate basic subscribers declined: Affiliate revenue fell 17% to $126 million. The release attributes this to basic subscriber declines but gives no subscriber count. Source
  • Streaming revenue rose on price increases: Streaming revenue rose 6% to $180 million and was over a third of Domestic segment revenue. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Cash balance declined from year-end: Cash and cash equivalents were $464 million at June 30, 2026, against $502 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Leverage ratio rose to 4.1x: The leverage ratio was 4.1x on twelve-month Adjusted Operating Income, up from 3.4x in the first-quarter release. Net debt and finance leases were $1,285 million. Source
  • Repurchase authorization down to $87M: Remaining repurchase authorization was $87 million at June 30, after a $30 million accelerated share repurchase agreed May 8. Source
  • Class A shares outstanding fell: Class A shares outstanding were 29.8 million at July 24, 2026, against 32.4 million on May 1, 2026. Source

Strategy and IP licensing

  • Netflix license described as cash source: Management described the Walking Dead streaming license as a meaningful source of cash flow for years to come. Source
  • Management ties deal to IP and studio: Management pointed to the value of its IP, the importance of its studio, and partner relationships, particularly in distribution. Source
  • License start dates differ by territory: Start dates vary by territory and depend on expiry of existing AMC Global Media licenses, so terms begin at different times. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 July 2026

  • Walking Dead on AMC+ next year: The full Walking Dead series is due to start streaming on AMC+ for the first time early next year. Source
  • Accelerated repurchase settlement in Q4: Final settlement of the accelerated share repurchase is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, possibly earlier at the bank's election. Source
  • YouTube TV genre-package launch planned: Networks are to launch in YouTube TV genre packages in the future, in addition to current distribution. Source
  • Form 10-Q filed the same day: The Form 10-Q for the period was to be filed later on July 30, 2026, with further detail on these matters. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Capital expenditure Source$13.9 million in Q2 2026 (vs $7.1 million); $16.6 million for six months
Affiliate basic subscribers Sourcedeclined; count not stated

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Advertising faces lower ratings and marketplace pricing, partly offset by digital advertising growth. Source
  • Demand: Affiliate revenue is falling as basic subscribers decline. Source
  • Operational: A system integration issue affected advertising revenue in the quarter; management says it is now resolved. Source
  • Operational: Content licensing revenue depends on the timing and availability of deliveries, which moved in the quarter. Source
  • Financial: Marketing spend rose with premiere timing, weighing on segment profit. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: In May, management said it was tracking to plan across key metrics and reiterated the year's financial guidance.
  • Met: The plan announced in May was carried out: the Term Loan A was repaid and the credit facility terminated on May 12, 2026.
  • Not stated: The May plan to repurchase about $30 million of Class A stock was carried out as an accelerated share repurchase agreed May 8.
  • Not stated: Management cited the earlier-disclosed wind-down of a joint venture as the reason for lower International subscription revenue. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.