AMC Networks owns a large chunk of the basic cable landscape and is presently invested in niche streaming services and has no plans to amalgamate them into one big competitor.
AMC Networks currently owns the AMC, IFC, We TV, BBC America, WEtv and Sundance TV networks, but also runs four niche streamers catering to specific demographics – Acorn TV (British dramas), Shudder (horror), Sundance Now (indies), and Urban Movie Channel (African American-targeted programming).
In addition, many of their existing shows such as The Walking Dead, Better Call Saul and Killing Eve are licensed out to the likes of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.
Speaking on a recent conference call about the company’s long-term plans, AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan says it plans to keep their franchises inhouse, starting with the second The Walking Dead spin-off series debuting next year, and aims to deliver quality content to its range of “targeted, hyper-focus SVOD services” which are becoming more important.