The Walking Dead Spinoff and Other AMC Shows Score Exciting New Streaming Deal - Here's What You Need to Know!

Highlights

Fear the Walking Dead and other popular shows will soon be available for streaming on a major platform, making it easier for fans to access their favorite content.

AMC Networks and Warner Bros. Discovery have joined forces to provide their highly acclaimed content to millions of Max subscribers in the U.S. Taking the leap into the streaming realm is a calculated move by AMC, allowing them to adapt to the evolving television industry and appeal to a broader audience.

Shows such as Fear the Walking Dead, a spin-off from The Walking Dead, now reside predominantly on streaming platforms rather than cable television. With the increasing popularity of streaming, cable subscriptions have become less common among consumers. AMC Plus offers Fear the Walking Dead for download at a cost, but the network is now taking steps to make it even more convenient for fans. Those who seek to access all of their horror-based content in a single location can now find it on one of the leading streaming platforms in the industry.

Though this is exciting news, fans should not become complacent. Once the AMC show starts streaming, it is important for fans to act swiftly. Multiple shows from the network will be available on Max under a dedicated section called "AMC+ Picks on Max," at no additional cost to both the ad-supported and ad-free tiers of Max. However, these shows will only be accessible for a limited period of time. Fear the Walking Dead, for instance, will be available from September 1 until October 31, perfectly timed for Halloween. "AMC Networks produces exceptional shows, and our objective is to make these shows accessible to as many viewers as possible, in ways that prioritize their needs," stated Dan McDermott, the head of entertainment for AMC Studios, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. "This promotional partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery presents a fantastic opportunity to deliver some of our most popular and critically acclaimed programming to millions of Max subscribers in the U.S. for a full two months."

The Walking Dead spin-off is not the only show finding a new home. Other noteworthy shows like Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire, Gangs of London, and A Discovery of Witches will also be available for streaming. These shows all share a commonality in being niche genre series that are likely to thrive on Max. The Last of Us fans, who enjoy apocalyptic series, are likely to eagerly consume a rehashed version of The Walking Dead. This move by AMC makes sense if they are aiming to attract viewers to their network. In recent years, the once influential network, known for shows like Breaking Bad and Mad Men, has struggled to compete with subscription-based platforms, making streaming the most accessible way to consume content. This strategic move is particularly significant considering the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. With no certainty about content creation until the strike ends, the network needs something to stay afloat. Production has come to a halt due to the dual strike, and once it is resolved, AMC will require a larger fan base to return for shows such as another The Walking Dead spin-off featuring Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus). Depending on the outcome of the strike, this move could prove advantageous. Streaming has effectively diminished residuals for writers and actors, and a decision that benefits everyone could potentially revive the relevance of cable. Only time will tell when this new strategy is implemented.

Fear the Walking Dead and others will start streaming on Max on September 1, 2023.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter