AMC Networks is betting that the “Netflix Effect” can bring its magic to a sizable portion of its lineup. A whole batch of shows from AMC are heading to Netflix in a new deal between the companies.
AMC said Tuesday that it has inked a deal with the streaming giant that will bring the prior seasons of 13 different series to the platform. Most of the shows will launch on Netflix on Aug. 19, with two others to become available in early 2025.
AMC describes the deal as a “curated selection” of shows, which will be available for 12 months. AMC has licensed shows to Netflix before, including The Walking Dead, Mad Men, Halt and Catch Fire, and of course Breaking Bad, which saw its linear viewership on AMC rise after prior seasons debuted on Netflix (Netflix also released a Breaking Bad movie in 2019, thanks in part to the success on the streamer).
The company seems to be betting that the new deal can deliver a similar result. The shows will be “AMC-branded” on Netflix, though what that looks like is not entirely clear.
“This agreement puts our high-quality shows in front of the vast audience of Netflix subscribers with the AMC brand clearly represented. These curated titles are also being strategically windowed to drive interest in current and upcoming seasons on our direct-to-consumer and partner platforms,” said Kristin Dolan, CEO of AMC Networks, in a statement. “We believe this significant expansion of our Netflix relationship will drive viewership and engagement on Netflix, while also raising awareness and interest in our award-winning content on AMC-branded and partner platforms across our distribution ecosystem.”
The shows debuting next month are: The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 1, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire Season 1, Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches Season 1, Monsieur Spade Season 1, A Discovery of Witches Seasons 1-3, Dark Winds Seasons 1-2, Fear the Walking Dead Seasons 1-8, Gangs of London Seasons 1-2, Into the Badlands Seasons 1-3, Kevin can F*** Himself Seasons 1-2, Preacher Seasons 1-4, That Dirty Black Bag Season 1 and The Terror Season 1.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 1 and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Season 1 will release on Netflix on Jan 13. 2025. AMC notes that the shows will be available commercial-free, even on Netflix’s ad tier.
AMC has been willing to get creative when it comes to licensing its programming to streamers. A year ago it cut a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, creating an “AMC+ Picks” section on the streaming platform … but only for two months. That deal was described as a “programming pop-up.” The deal with Netflix appears more expansive, even if it too has an end date.
Should viewership for AMC’s shows rise, however, either on the AMC linear channel or in the form of AMC+ subscriptions, one can imagine the partnership continuing. Netflix, of course, has not been shy when it comes to talking about what it calls “The Netflix Effect,” in which it can drive viewership or create cultural moments around TV programming.
Breaking Bad was arguably the textbook example. Now AMC is seeing if it can replicate that magic.