Earnings: AMC Network Up on Stronger Ad Sales, Especially at Flagship

Earnings: AMC Network Up on Stronger Ad Sales, Especially at Flagship

AMC Networks beat expectations Thursday, posting a 44.8 percent increase in net income on revenue of $326.2 million thanks in part to stronger advertising sales, led by flagship AMC.

The company posted a 19.5 percent increase in revenues to $326.2 million. Net income rose to $43.2 million (60 cents per diluted share), compared to $29.8 million (43 cents per share) in the first quarter of 2011.

The company had been expected to earn revenue of $303.9 million, according to the average estimate of analysts polled by FactSet Research.

As of 10:15 a.m. Thursday, shares of the stock were up 2.48 percent to $40.60.

Revenues were led by 20.8 percent growth at National Networks -- which include AMC, WE tv, IFC and Sundance Channel -- and a 3.8 percent increase in International and Other. Adjusted Operating Cash Flow totaled $126 million, an increase of 26.2 percent, or $26 million, versus the prior year period.

Growth in National Networks revenues was primarily led by a 29.7 percent increase in advertising revenues, with AMC leading the increase. The company boasted record ratings during the quarter for "The Walking Dead."

Dish Networks announced last week that it would drop AMC Networks from its lineup when their contract expires next month, saying renewal costs were too expensive and the AMC networks didn't generate enough ratings. But AMC accused Dish of threatening to drop it because it suffered a legal setback in a lawsuit in which AMC's indirect subsidiary, Voom HD, is suing Dish for breach of contract.

'Downton Abbey' star Brendan Coyle: 'A movie is a good idea'

'Downton Abbey' star Brendan Coyle: 'A movie is a good idea'

Downton Abbey star Brendan Coyle has admitted that he is not opposed to a film version.

Rumours of a movie based on the hit period drama, in which Coyle plays valet Mr. Bates, have recently circulated.

"If it's a great, great script, [I'd do it]," said Coyle. "You'd have to regard it on its own merit at the time."

He added: "It's a good idea. [Julian Fellowes] is a terrific writer, so it would have to be something, I imagine, completely removed from the series."

Coyle admitted that he has no clue what has led Downton to become a "cultural phenomenon".

"I don't know what tipped it over," he said. "Nobody does. There's always theories that in times of austerity we look to nostalgia for comfort. There's all those social theories.

"There's [also] something about the open-ended, rolling nature of the story lines. You don't know what is going to happen, it's not finite in the same way a classic novel is, so... you get engaged in it in a different way."

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley) has dismissed speculation that a film version is currently in the works.

"Julian Fellowes was at the Golden Globes and was... in conversation with people who work in films," he explained. "But to deduce from that that there is going to be a movie is a step too far. We'll have to do series three first and see what happens."

Coyle will next be seen in Sky1's Starlings which begins on Sunday (May 13) at 8pm.

Downton Abbey airs on ITV1 in the UK and on PBS in the US.

'Britain's Got Talent': Simon Cowell makes dig at 'Voice of Ireland'

'Britain's Got Talent': Simon Cowell makes dig at 'Voice of Ireland'

Simon Cowell made a dig against The Voice of Ireland in tonight's (May 10) Britain's Got Talent.

The judge spoke of his surprise to hear that semi-final winner Ryan O'Shaughnessy had not made it through to the latter stages of the Irish programme.

He stated: "They didn't put you through? Their loss is our gain."

O'Shaughnessy was at one point axed from Britain's Got Talent due to his contractual conflict with The Voice of Ireland and Universal Music.

However, he was later allowed to compete in the show after Universal freed him from the contract.

Cowell later added: "Even though I was teasing the other show, Universal Records were very kind with letting you out of your contract, so thank you."

Speaking about O'Shaughnessy's performance, he said: "You are believable. Your lyrics make sense, I listened to the lyrics. You're a brilliant songwriter and a brilliant singer. Maybe you can be the dark horse in this competition."

Ryan O'Shaughnessy joins Aquabatique, Jonathan & Charlotte, Ashleigh & Pudsey, Only Boys Aloud, Loveable Rogues, Nu Sxool, Sam Kelly, Kai & Natalia and Molly Rainford in the final.

Britain's Got Talent continues on Saturday (May 12) for the final, airing at 7.30pm on ITV1.

Russell Brand Hosting MTV Movie Awards

Russell Brand Hosting MTV Movie Awards

Russell Brand has been named the host of the 2012 MTV Movie Awards, which will air live on the network on June 3.

Brand previously played host for MTV for the 2008 and 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, where his flirtations with pop star Katy Perry led to their short-lived marriage.

"This MTV Movie Awards will be more impressive than 'The Avengers' and you won't have to wait an hour for someone to Hulk out," Brand said in a statement.

"With his amazing ability to span the full spectrum of comedy from the most high to lowbrow, Russell’s smart, unpredictable wit uniquely connects him to our audience," MTV president Stephen Friedman said. "His rock-n-roll sensibility and fearlessness give us the perfect partner with whom to take a leap of faith with as we meld the worlds of movies and music together on one very special night."

Past hosts of the MTV Movie Awards have included Eddie Murphy, Jason Sudeikis, Aziz Ansari, Jimmy Fallon, Jessica Alba, Andy Samberg, Justin Timberlake, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Lisa Kudrow and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Brand, meanwhile, also launches his FX talk show, "Brand X With Russell Brand," on June 28.

Jimmy Fallon Comedy 'Guys With Kids' Gets NBC Series Order

Jimmy Fallon Comedy 'Guys With Kids' Gets NBC Series Order

Jimmy Fallon's comedy pilot "Guys With Kids" has been given the go-ahead by NBC with a 13-episode season order.

The multi-camera comedy stars Zach Cregger, Jesse Branford and Anthony Anderson as three thirty-something men who "enjoy the adventures of parenting despite the fact they haven't grown up themselves."

"Sopranos" alum Jamie Lynn Sigler, "The Cosby Show" alum Tempestt Bledsoe and Sara Rue also star.

"Late Night" funnyman Fallon is producing, along with Charlie Grandy, who penned the pilot, Amy Ozols, Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz.

Earlier Wednesday, the network also gave a series order to the Dick Wolf drama "Chicago Fire," and also renewed Wolf's "Law & Order: SVU" for a 14th season.On Monday, NBC gave the full-season go-ahead to the White House comedy "1600 Penn" starring Bill Pullman, as well as "Animal Practice," a conedy starring Justin Kirk ("Weeds") as a "House"-like veterinarian who loves animals even if he isn't crazy about their owners.

'Doctor Who': New series to premiere at 2012 Edinburgh TV Festival

'Doctor Who': New series to premiere at 2012 Edinburgh TV Festival

The new series of Doctor Who will premiere at the the 2012 Edinburgh International Television Festival.

The sci-fi drama's seventh series premiere - which features classic monsters the Daleks - will be screened at the event, which takes place from August 23 to August 25.

Last year, the episode 'Let's Kill Hitler' also premiered at the festival, airing on BBC One the following day.

BBC One is yet to confirm an air date for the new series of Doctor Who, though an autumn transmission is expected.

Who showrunner Steven Moffat will also take place in a Masterclass panel for his other BBC drama Sherlock, alongside co-creator Mark Gatiss and producer Sue Vertue.

Karen Gillan (Amy) and Arthur Darvill (Rory) will exit Doctor Who midway through the seventh series.

New companion Jenna-Louise Coleman will then join the show in the 2012 Christmas special, written by Moffat.

'Apprentice' Lord Sugar cans another candidate in graffiti task

'Apprentice' Lord Sugar cans another candidate in graffiti task

Apprentice candidate Laura Hogg has become the eighth contestant to be fired from this year's series.

The Scottish bridal shop owner was sent home by Lord Alan Sugar after making just £750 commission in this week's urban art sales challenge.

Hogg was part of Team Phoenix, who brought in a total of £4,442, including a £2,000 commission obtained from corporate client Renault by project manager Tom Gearing.

However, the Gabrielle Omar-led Sterling were able to bring in £4,579 despite failing to win a commission from Beefeater Gin, triumphing in the task by a margin of £137.

In the boardroom, Gearing was forced to take the blame for losing profitable artist Pure Evil due to what Nick Hewer called "a lack of a real desire to represent him". He was also scolded for choosing work by James Jessop instead, which was deemed too expensive and too large for buyers and failed to sell.

Gearing brought Hogg back into the boardroom after discovering that she sold the least pieces at their gallery. He also selected Jade Nash, arguing that she was indecisive about the move to represent Jessop and Bristol-based artist Copyright.

Lord Sugar immediately expressed his doubts about Hogg, saying: "Maybe you're just not a good sales person, maybe you're just not a good business person."

She responded by fighting off accusations from Gearing that she took a "backseat" in the challenge and declared: "I am a very good sales person, I just didn't work smart last night."

In his final summary, Sugar blamed Gearing for the "two massive big flaws" that cost Phoenix the task - the loss of Pure Evil and the selection of James Jessop. He then told Nash that she made a "big error" by not pushing forward an alternative artist when they lost Pure Evil.

However, he then turned to Hogg and said: "You think you're a good person, you're certainly a good talker. I'm not totally convinced that you should remain in the process so Laura - you're fired."

Speaking after her departure, Hogg admitted: "I'm feeling pretty gutted at the moment, especially since I am so confident in my own sales ability and I can't believe that's what sent me home."

The Apprentice continues Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One.