3 Things to Watch When AMC Networks Reports Q2 Earnings Thursday

AMC Networks (AMCX) is set to report second quarter results before the opening bell on Thursday. Analysts expect earnings of $0.89 a share on sales of $589.7 million. Morningstar analyst Neil Macker will be keeping a close eye on the company’s television network segment, which includes the AMC channel that airs one of television’s most popular shows 'The Walking Dead.' ‘The key for AMC Networks is how it’s going to refresh its pipeline [of tv programming]’ he said. ‘They’ve lost two of the most popular shows over the past 12 months, including 'Breaking Bad' and 'Mad Men.' Newer shows like 'Humans' have done well, but Macker wants to hear about what the company is doing to bring in more critically acclaimed names that can produce the level of ratings 'Breaking Bad' once had. AMC will premiere 'Fear the Walking Dead' on August 23rd, reportedly a spinoff of the blowout hit 'The Walking Dead.' But Macker doesn’t think the new series will attract 19-20 million viewers for each episode, the type of numbers 'The Walking Dead' saw. TheStreet’s Scott Gamm reports from New York.