Streaming giants reportedly pursuing franchise licensing rights
Summary
– AMC is nearing a new licensing deal for The Walking Dead franchise
– CEO Kristin Dolan said several major companies are actively bidding for the rights
– AMC wants to keep co-exclusive access to parts of the franchise moving forward
AMC Global Media is moving closer to a major new licensing agreement involving The Walking Dead franchise.
During the company’s latest earnings call, AMC CEO Kristin Dolan confirmed that discussions surrounding the rights have generated significant interest from several major companies. While no specific bidders were named, Dolan described the current level of interest as large and enthusiastic.
AMC is reportedly prioritizing co-exclusive deals over fully granting the franchise to a single streaming platform. According to Dolan, keeping some level of control and direct access to The Walking Dead content remains important for the company moving forward.
Dolan explained that AMC is still exploring several possible structures for the deal. The company could split rights between domestic and international markets, divide the franchise among multiple partners, or reach a single larger agreement covering everything.
The Walking Dead remains one of AMC’s biggest properties despite the flagship series ending in 2022. The franchise continues through multiple spin-offs and has remained popular across streaming services worldwide.
Netflix was mentioned during the earnings discussion because of its long-standing relationship with AMC content. The streaming platform previously helped boost visibility for several AMC shows, including The Walking Dead and Mad Men.
AMC has also expanded its partnerships with streaming services in recent years, including HBO Max, Amazon, Roku, and other digital platforms. Company executives noted that discoverability and customer experience remain important factors alongside financial value when evaluating offers.
Executives also confirmed that any future Walking Dead licensing deal has not yet been included in AMC’s financial outlook for 2026. That means the company still expects the final agreement to have a significant impact on future revenue once completed.
The continued demand surrounding The Walking Dead shows the franchise still carries major value years after the original series finale aired on AMC.
