Covenant Book
Deterministic · 13 citations
AMC NETWORKS INC. 10.500% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2032 · Indenture dated July 3, 2025 · As-of 2025-12-31 · Generated 2026-04-23 18:00 UTC

AMC Networks Inc. 10.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 10.500% Senior Notes Due 2032

How close are we to breach?
2.39× vs >= 2.00×
0.0×1.0×2.0×2.00×
16% cushion
Where's the capacity?
$2.48 B
$0M ratio $2482M baskets
Breaks if …
Covenant quality
2.8 / 5
median HY
§ I

Executive Summary All three maintenance-equivalent covenants are running with meaningful cushion.

3 covenants · 0 breaches · 0 warnings
Covenant Headline Current Threshold Cushion Status
Debt Incurrence
§ 4.09
16% cushion to the coverage floor 2.39× >= 2.00× 16% Warning
Permitted Liens
§ 4.12
1 computable · Plus 38 qualitative lien carve-outs (unlimited / existing / refinancing) — standard HY patterns. $75M cap In Compliance
Restricted Payments
§ 4.07
Builder basket + qualitative RP carve-outs $400M gross cap In Compliance
Running at 2.39x against a 2.00x floor, with ~16% cushion. 16% drop in numerator triggers breach. Covenant Quality scored 2.8/5 (debt 3, liens 1, RPs 4).
§ II

Covenant EBITDA Build-Up Bottom-up from audited Net Income to the §1.01 defined figure. Every basket cap and ratio test downstream depends on this number.

FY2025 (12 months ended December 31, 2025)

Waterfall — Indenture Section 1.01 — 'Adjusted Operating Income'. Starting line is aggregate operating revenues less aggregate operating expenses (opex defined to exclude D&A, share-based compensation, restructuring, and investment write-offs — so those are implicit exclusions, not explicit add-backs from a GAAP operating-income starting line). Extracted by gemini_extract_ebitda_def.py (11 add-back clauses).

§1.01 Clause Component Sign Amount ($K) Running
start Aggregate Operating Revenues (Net Revenues) 10-K Consolidated Statement of Operations FY2025: Net Revenues = $2,311,801 thousand (page F-5)Starting line per indenture §1.01 is 'aggregate operating revenues' (not GAAP operating income). Subsequent components follow the indenture's revenue-less-adjusted-opex construction. = 2,311,801 2,311,801
(b) Aggregate Operating Expenses (ex-D&A, ex-SBC, ex-restructuring, ex-investment-writedowns) Plug: $2,311.801M revenues - $411.874M AOI = $1,899.927M indenture-adjusted opex (already net of the exclusions described in clause (b) verbatim text).Computed as a plug to reconcile with disclosed AOI of $411.874M (MD&A AOI reconciliation, page 58). The indenture definition already excludes D&A / SBC / restructuring / investment writedowns inside opex, so those do NOT appear as separate positive add-backs below (they are implicit exclusions built into this line). Refine on next covenant compliance certificate when bottom-up sub-ledgers become testable. - (1,899,927) 411,874
(b) exclusion — memo Depreciation and Amortization (already excluded in opex plug) 10-K: D&A FY2025 = $94,425 thousand (memo only; implicit in opex exclusion above)Memo line — set to 0 to avoid double-counting. The indenture construction treats D&A as an exclusion from opex rather than an additive add-back to operating income. + 0 411,874
(b) exclusion — memo Share-Based Compensation (already excluded in opex plug) 10-K: SBC FY2025 = $25,330 thousand (memo only)Memo line — set to 0, implicit in opex exclusion. + 0 411,874
(b) exclusion — memo Restructuring Charges and Credits (already excluded in opex plug) 10-K: Restructuring FY2025 = $26,536 thousand (memo only)Memo line — set to 0, implicit in opex exclusion. + 0 411,874
(b) exclusion — memo Investment Write-offs/Writedowns (already excluded in opex plug) 10-K: Impairment and other charges FY2025 = $97,784 thousand (memo only)Memo line — set to 0 to avoid double-counting with opex plug. Impairment is excluded from the indenture AOI via the clause-(b) carve-out. + 0 411,874
(c) Deferred Carriage Fee Amortization Not separately disclosed in FY2025 10-KNot separately disclosed — set to 0 pending detail in first post-issue covenant compliance certificate. + 0 411,874
proviso (A)/(B) Non-cash Management Fees Not separately disclosedNot material / not disclosed — set to 0. + 0 411,874
proviso (D) Qualified Receivables Financing Costs Not separately disclosedAMC does not disclose a Qualified Receivables Financing — set to 0. + 0 411,874
unlettered clause Non-recurring, non-cash items > $2.5M carve-out Exclusion from opex (not add-back)This is an exclusion-from-opex rule, not an additive add-back. Memo only; already captured implicitly in opex plug. + 0 411,874
unlettered clause Accelerated Programming Amortization normalization Not separately disclosedOptional normalization; not applied. + 0 411,874
unlettered clause Carriage Suspension Adjustment Not applied in FY2025Not applied — no disclosed carriage suspension adjustment in FY2025. + 0 411,874
TOTAL Covenant-basis Adjusted Operating Income (reconciled to reported AOI) = 411,874

Reconciliation

Indenture Section 1.01 — 'Adjusted Operating Income'. Starting line is aggregate operating revenues less aggregate operating expenses (opex defined to exclude D&A, share-based compensation, restructuring, and investment write-offs — so those are implicit exclusions, not explicit add-backs from a GAAP operating-income starting line). Extracted by gemini_extract_ebitda_def.py (11 add-back clauses). (this page) $411.87M
Management-reported EBITDA
per investor presentation
$411.87M
Δ +$0.00M
Revenue-less-adjusted-opex construction ties to the reported AOI ($411.874M) by design (opex line is a plug). True §1.01 bottom-up build (decomposing opex sub-ledgers and each exclusion) deferred to first post-issue compliance certificate. Smoke-test scope: starting-line + one opex plug + memo lines.
Filing source
AMC Networks Inc. Form 10-K for FY2025 (SEC EDGAR CIK 0001514991, accession 0001514991-26-000011, filed February 11, 2026)
§ 4.09

Debt Incurrence Limitation on Indebtedness

Warning 7 computable baskets
Definitional caveat Indebtedness per the indenture is broader than company-reported debt (includes Disqualified Stock, Attributable Indebtedness, guarantees, hedging, securitization). Consolidated EBITDA per §1.01 may differ from reported or "adjusted" EBITDA — see the build-up above. True covenant leverage can shift modestly when reconciled to defined terms.
Effective Headroom $2.48 B
$0MRatio headroom
+
$2482MComputable baskets
=
$2,482MTotal capacity
Ratio Tests § 4.09(a)
Test Current Threshold Cushion Capacity gauge Status
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
§ 4.09(a) [4]§ 4.09(a)The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, unless, after giving effect thereto, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the date of such incurrence is greater than or equal to 2.0 to 1.0 on a Pro Forma Basis
2.39× >= 2.00× 16%
Warning
Permitted Baskets — Computable § 4.09(b) · 7 dollar-quantified
Clause Basket Resolved Cap Formula Capacity Section
(1) Credit Facilities $1112M None
$1112M cap
4.09(b)(1)
(4) Purchase Money and Capital Lease Obligations $100M None
$100M cap
4.09(b)(4) [10]§ 4.09(b)(4)(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Finance Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary for fixed or capital assets, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, not to exceed $100.0 million at any time outstanding (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount)
(17) Guarantees of Acquisition Agreements $20M None
$20M cap
4.09(b)(17) [5]§ 4.09(b)(17)(17) Guarantees by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and joint ventures arising under purchase or other acquisition agreements in respect of acquisitions or other Investments otherwise constituting Permitted Investments; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all such Guarantees pursuant to this clause (17) following the issuance of the Notes does not exceed, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, $20.0 million in the aggregate at any time outstanding (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount).
(19) Special Purpose Producer Debt $250M None
$250M cap
4.09(b)(19) [6]§ 4.09(b)(19)so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time pursuant to this clause (19) shall not exceed $250,000,000 (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount)
(20) Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt $250M None
$250M cap
4.09(b)(20) [7]§ 4.09(b)(20)provided that Indebtedness incurred by Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed (together with any Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(20) of the following paragraph) $250.0 million (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount) (the “Non-Guarantor Sublimit”).
(21) General Debt Basket $500M None
$500M cap
4.09(b)(21) [8]§ 4.09(b)(21)(21) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, at any time outstanding not to exceed $500.0 million (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount)
(24) Guarantees of Unrestricted/Non-Guarantor/JV Debt $250M shared with Permitted Investments clause (18)
$250M cap
4.09(b)(24) [9]§ 4.09(b)(24)(24) any Guarantee by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the obligations or Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, or joint venture; provided that the aggregate amount of all such Guarantees, when combined with the aggregate amount of Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and joint ventures made pursuant to clause (18) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” does not exceed $250,000,000 at any time outstanding
Σ Computable basket capacity $2482M sum of 7 dollar-quantified clauses
Plus 18 qualitative baskets (unlimited / existing / refinancing / ratio-test) — not dollar-quantified here.
§ 4.12

Permitted Liens Limitation on Liens

In Compliance 1 computable
Permitted Baskets — Computable
Clause Basket Resolved Cap Formula Capacity Section
(38) General Liens Basket $75M the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 12.5% of Adjusted Operating Income as of the date of such Lien is granted determined on a Pro Forma Basis
$75M cap
1.01 (Permitted Liens)(38) [11]1.01 (Permitted Liens)(38)(38) additional Liens with respect to obligations, taken together with all other obligations with respect to which Liens have been granted pursuant to this clause (38), that do not exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 12.5% of Adjusted Operating Income as of the date of such Lien is granted determined on a Pro Forma Basis; and
Plus 38 qualitative lien carve-outs (unlimited / existing / refinancing) — standard HY patterns.
§ 4.07

Restricted Payments Limitation on Restricted Payments

In Compliance 1 computable
Permitted Baskets — Computable
Clause Basket Resolved Cap Formula Capacity Section
(7) Employee equity repurchases $2M None
$2M
4.07(b)(7) [12]§ 4.07(b)(7)provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (7) do not exceed in any calendar year the sum of (A) $1.5 million (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to sub-clause (B) of this clause (7)) of $10.0 million in any calendar year)
Builder Basket § 4.07(a)(C) · cumulative capacity since Issue Date
(i) 100.0% of Consolidated Net Income since Issue Date $89M
(iii) Fixed starter amount $400M
Total gross capacity $400M
Ratio-Conditional Gates unlimited if gate is open
Clause (8) · Ratio-based Restricted Payments
the Cash Flow Ratio does not exceed 3.00:1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis
<= 0.00× gate Not Tested
§ IV

Sources & Verbatim Citations Every computed figure traces to a specific clause and page in the source indenture.

13 citations · 1 source PDF
SOURCE   amc_networks_2032_indenture.html EXTRACTED   2026-04-23 18:00 UTC
  1. 1.01 · p. 10
    cumulative Adjusted Operating Income during the period commencing on January 1, 2025 and ending on the last day of the most recent month preceding the date of the proposed Restricted Payment for which financial information is available or, if cumulative Adjusted Operating Income for such period is negative, minus the amount by which cumulative Adjusted Operating Income is less than zero, plus
  2. 1.01 · p. 11
    the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) on or after January 1, 2025, plus
  3. 4.07(a) · p. 58
    (C) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the aggregate of all Restricted Payments that have been made since the Issue Date in reliance on this paragraph, would exceed the sum of (i) $400.0 million plus (ii) the net proceeds from any sale or issuance of Equity Interests by the Company to any Person (other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)
  4. 4.09(a) · p. 61
    The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, unless, after giving effect thereto, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the date of such incurrence is greater than or equal to 2.0 to 1.0 on a Pro Forma Basis
  5. 4.09(b)(17) · p. 63
    (17) Guarantees by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and joint ventures arising under purchase or other acquisition agreements in respect of acquisitions or other Investments otherwise constituting Permitted Investments; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all such Guarantees pursuant to this clause (17) following the issuance of the Notes does not exceed, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, $20.0 million in the aggregate at any time outstanding (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount).
  6. 4.09(b)(19) · p. 64
    so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time pursuant to this clause (19) shall not exceed $250,000,000 (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount)
  7. 4.09(a) · p. 61
    provided that Indebtedness incurred by Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed (together with any Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(20) of the following paragraph) $250.0 million (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount) (the “Non-Guarantor Sublimit”).
  8. 4.09(b)(21) · p. 64
    (21) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, at any time outstanding not to exceed $500.0 million (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount)
  9. 4.09(b)(24) · p. 64
    (24) any Guarantee by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the obligations or Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, or joint venture; provided that the aggregate amount of all such Guarantees, when combined with the aggregate amount of Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and joint ventures made pursuant to clause (18) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” does not exceed $250,000,000 at any time outstanding
  10. 4.09(b)(4) · p. 61
    (4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Finance Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary for fixed or capital assets, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, not to exceed $100.0 million at any time outstanding (plus, in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, any Additional Refinancing Amount)
  11. 1.01 · p. 25
    (38) additional Liens with respect to obligations, taken together with all other obligations with respect to which Liens have been granted pursuant to this clause (38), that do not exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 12.5% of Adjusted Operating Income as of the date of such Lien is granted determined on a Pro Forma Basis; and
  12. 4.07(b)(7) · p. 59
    provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (7) do not exceed in any calendar year the sum of (A) $1.5 million (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to sub-clause (B) of this clause (7)) of $10.0 million in any calendar year)
  13. 4.07(b)(8) · p. 59
    (8) any Restricted Payment so long as immediately after the making of such Restricted Payment, the Cash Flow Ratio does not exceed 3.00:1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis;
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