Revenue during the quarter grew 7.46 percent to $729.60 million from $678.95 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter contracted 253 basis points over the previous year period to 50.02 percent. Total expenses were 85.78 percent of quarterly revenues, up from 76.38 percent for the same period last year. That has resulted in a contraction of 940 basis points in operating margin to 14.22 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $103.73 million, compared with $160.34 million in the previous year period.

Josh Sapan president and chief executive officer said: "2016 was a successful year for our company both financially and operationally, driven by our disciplined and focused strategy of investing in high-quality content and creating brands that have strong, growing, passionate and engaged audiences. 'The Walking Dead' remains the #1 show on television by a wide margin and is a powerful example of programming that we own and distribute that commands a loyal audience, attracts advertising revenue, and has significant ancillary revenues that will benefit our business for years to come. With a rapidly expanding studio business, we now have a growing portfolio of shows that we own that provide this kind of opportunity for our business."