AMC is getting an image problem – but hopefully only an image problem.
Just months ago, it engaged in lengthy, public negotiations with Matthew Weiner, whose "Mad Men" brought the network almost instant respect for its original programming when it debuted in 2007.
Last week, it lost Frank Darabont as the showrunner of its biggest hit, "The Walking Dead." And this week it finds itself negotiating over the fifth and likely final season of the critically adored "Breaking Bad," even as the show dramatically ups its viewership.
Also read: 'Walking Dead' Gets a New Showrunner
The network is getting a new reputation to go along with its existing one for top-notch drama -- this time for messy negotiations. The high profile of its shows has attracted unusual scrutinty of its talks.
In an interview with TheWrap, AMC President Charlie Collier (pictured above with "Breaking Bad" stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul) said people don't need to worry about the fate of their favorite shows -- because the bold, risk-taking spirit that got them on the air in the first place still pervades.
"Even when we've had tough and public negotiations," Collier said, "we always did it with a goal in mind which was to serve the viewer premium television."
He said the network has succeeded so far by ignoring convention, and can keep doing it.
"Here's a network that has questioned everything that networks have done conventionally and succeeded. Would anyone tell you to take a moody period piece and turn it into a serialized drama on cable? And then would they tell you to take a modern-day story about a high chemistry teacher who deals crystal meth and make that you're follow up ad-supported lead?
"And the answer is no, but we did it."
AMC established its scripted drama credentials with the debut of "Mad Men" in 2007 and "Breaking Bad" the next year. "Mad Men" won three consecutive Emmys for best drama, and "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston matched that with three best dramatic actor Emmys.
But current talks over the fifth and probably final season of "Breaking Bad" became tense enough at one point that the show approached at least one other network, FX, about a possible move.
While he declined to talk specifics, Collier said he is optimistic a deal will be reached to keep the show on AMC -- just as the network struck a deal with Matthew Weiner (right, with Collier) to keep him running "Mad Men" through its seventh and final season.
But getting to the Weiner deal was tough. At a low point in the negotiations, he was asked to eliminate six characters over three seasons -- an example of the kind of cost-cutting that could make a real difference in the quality of a show.
