AMC and its affiliate networks took a bit of a hit in 2019's fourth quarter, with part of the loss contributed to the declining ratings of The Walking Dead.
CEO Josh Sapan posted a $9 million loss, citing lower ratings and higher programming costs for US shows, and higher streaming expenses across their four streaming services -- Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and UMC (Urban Movie Channel). Although the company did well internationally, increasing 1.6% to $785 million, American numbers were down 7.8%.
This domestic drop is a direct result of lower revenue and an increase in operating costs, which were not offset by ratings of The Walking Dead. Although the cable network didn't report a lucrative fourth quarter -- including disappointing numbers for Season 10 of The Walking Dead -- AMC reports the streaming services have reached a high of two million subscribers.
The Season 10 premiere of The Walking Dead returned very disappointing ratings, reaching only 4 million viewers. This was a 34% drop from the previous season, and the numbers have been declining ever since. Although Season 10 marked the start of a bad quarter for AMC, the ratings have been suffering for a while. The show has been plagued with behind the scenes drama, lawsuits and casting changes.
The Walking Dead stars Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, Cooper Andrews and Samantha Morton. It airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC.
The Walking Dead Ratings Drop Slices Into AMC's Profits
CEO Josh Sapan posted a $9 million loss, citing lower ratings and higher programming costs for US shows, and higher streaming expenses across their four streaming services -- Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and UMC (Urban Movie Channel). Although the company did well internationally, increasing 1.6% to $785 million, American numbers were down 7.8%.
This domestic drop is a direct result of lower revenue and an increase in operating costs, which were not offset by ratings of The Walking Dead. Although the cable network didn't report a lucrative fourth quarter -- including disappointing numbers for Season 10 of The Walking Dead -- AMC reports the streaming services have reached a high of two million subscribers.
The Season 10 premiere of The Walking Dead returned very disappointing ratings, reaching only 4 million viewers. This was a 34% drop from the previous season, and the numbers have been declining ever since. Although Season 10 marked the start of a bad quarter for AMC, the ratings have been suffering for a while. The show has been plagued with behind the scenes drama, lawsuits and casting changes.
The Walking Dead stars Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, Cooper Andrews and Samantha Morton. It airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC.
The Walking Dead Ratings Drop Slices Into AMC's Profits
