Netflix and AMC Networks announced a multi-year licensing agreement that will make "The Walking Dead" exclusively available for streaming to Netflix customers. The deal also covers non-exclusive rights to AMC Networks shows including IFC's "Portlandia" and "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret," as well as several WE tv and Sundance Channel shows.
Netflix is already the streaming home of AMC's "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad." The deal makes past episodes of the additional shows available just before the premieres of new seasons.
Here's the release:
Beverly Hills, Calif. and New York, NY, October 7, 2011–Netflix Inc. and AMC Networks Inc. have reached a multi-year licensing agreement that will make prior seasons of AMC’s critically-acclaimed original series, The Walking Dead, available exclusively to Netflix members in the U.S. and Canada. Season 1 of The Walking Dead will be available today. Additional seasons of The Walking Dead, as well as certain future AMC and Sundance Channel programming, will be streaming instantly to Netflix members just prior to the premiere of subsequent seasons.
Netflix has also licensed non-exclusive rights in the U.S. to select scripted and unscripted shows, which will also be made available just before the following season debut. This includes programming from across the AMC Networks portfolio of AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, and WE tv. Specific series include IFC’s Portlandia and The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret; WE tv’s Braxton Family Values, My Fair Wedding, and Bridezillas; and Sundance Channel’s All On The Line with Joe Zee and Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys.
“Netflix is already the streaming home of “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” in the US and Latin America,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “We are delighted to be in business directly with AMC Networks. AMC’s programming sensibilities have struck a chord with our members and with the overall viewing public.”
AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan commented, “This agreement supports the cable 'ecosystem' by making our content available to Netflix nearly a year following the linear premiere, it brings our content to a wider audience, and it provides additional revenue to support production of new shows."
