AMC Networks Plans Wider Focus on Horror, Expands Ad-Supported Streaming
variety.comBrian Steinberg Senior TV Editor AMC Networks plans to offer ad-supported versions to all of its targeted streaming services by the end of the 2024-2025 upfront market, part of a broader bid to give advertisers a potential perch in nearly every video venue.
AMC in late 2023 launched an ad-supported edition of its flagship AMC+ streaming venue, which comprises offerings from Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited.
Now, it wants to offer plans tied to those individual hubs, as well as other services, outside of an overarching AMC+ plan. This launch will introduce stand-alone ad-supported versions of Shudder, AcornTV, HIDIVE, ALLBLK, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited.
The company also operates several FAST channels that also feature commercials. Shudder is focused on horror; Acorn on series from Britain, Australia, Ireland, France and elsewhere; HIDIVE on Japanese anime; and ALLBLK on content tailored to Black consumers. “Our message to our partners is that we have really taken a lot of time and resources and done a lot of work to build out an infrastructure that meets you where you need to be,” says Kim Kelleher, AMC Networks’ chief commercial officer, during a recent interview. “We have put together our very fragmented audience across platforms in a way that should be seamless.” AMC enters TV’s upfront sales season facing many of the challenges of its larger counterparts.
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