• by Wayne Friedman , February 26, 2015

Ad revenues grew 24.3% to $255 million. AMC’s “The Walking Dead” is a big factor -- the show continues to be TV’s top-scripted series among 18-49 viewers. So is the inclusion of BBC America into its fourth-quarter financial results.

Recent results for “Walking Dead” posted a Nielsen 6.9 rating among 18-49 viewers and 13.4 million overall viewers.

Distribution revenues from pay TV providers grew 15.3% to $245 million. Overall, revenue from its national TV networks -- AMC, WE tv, BBC America, IFC and SundanceTV -- grew 19.7% to $500 million.

International networks -- primarily as a result of its acquisition of Chellomedia -- grew to $110.3 million from $17.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

For the fourth quarter, total revenue grew 40% to $609.4 million, while net income more than doubled to $77.6 million. Full-year 2014 revenues for AMC Networks grew 37% to $2.2 billion, with net income down 10% to $260.8 million and operating income 72% higher to $190.3 million.

AMC's stock was up 2.2% to $70.69 in early-day trading. Analysts says the company’s profit and sales results beat expectations.