Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA) reported earnings on Nov. 6. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Discovery Communications missed slightly on revenues and whiffed on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue contracted slightly and GAAP earnings per share shrank.

Gross margins expanded, operating margins dropped, net margins dropped.

Revenue details
 Discovery Communications recorded revenue of $1.08 billion. The 25 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $1.10 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.7% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.10 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.57. The 27 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.63 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.55 for Q3 were 6.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.59 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 72.5%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 40.8%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 19.1%, 250 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.22 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.82.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.56 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.78.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 245 members out of 273 rating the stock outperform, and 28 members rating it underperform. Among 85 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 79 give Discovery Communications a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Discovery Communications is hold, with an average price target of $54.67.