AMC Networks is considering signing more “pop-up” deals similar to the one it struck to get on Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, AMC CEO Kristin Dolan said at the Content London event on Thursday.
The network signed an experimental deal with Max in August to stream more than 200 episodes from seven AMC programs from September 1 through October 30 to promote its shows. The pop-up channel was called AMC+ Picks on Max and hosted select episodes from hit AMC series Fear the Walking Dead, Killing Eve, Gangs of New York, A Discovery of Witches, Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire, and Ride With Norman Reedus.
AMC launched season one of Dark Winds on Max shortly after the second season debuted on AMC and AMC+.
“We didn’t put current seasons on there, but we got a lot of exposure for our content,” said Dolan, according to Deadline.
The network’s content was popular during its two-month run on Max, accounting for “seven of the top ten shows that were being streamed on Max,” according to Dolan. AMC Network content streamed on Max’s ad-free and ad-supported tiers for no extra charge, though episodes ran without advertisements.
The unusual deal was mutually beneficial for both companies and could serve as a model for how different shows may end up on different services. Max snagged premium content for its members, while AMC promoted its programs on a competitor’s platform as new seasons readied to debut. The success of the trial on Max prompted AMC Networks to explore more streaming services to host its pop-up channel.
“We expect to do a lot more of this, and we are actively talking to pretty much everybody,” said Dolan. “Because we’re not vertically integrated by being a broadcaster or owned by a distributor, we can dance with anyone that’s interested in dancing with us – and I say that in the most collegial way. It does help us present on a larger stage, and everything comes back to the quality and the value of the content we produce. If we can put ourselves out there, it lends us to more linear viewing and subscription.”
Now this raises the question will companies like Netflix and Max be wiling to strike a deal with AMC.
AMC Networks was not immediately available to comment on which streaming services it’s eyeing next or if another deal with Max is possible.
Image credit: AMC Networks