The AMC+ gamble: Exclusivity, or alienation?

AMC’s new streaming bundle AMC+ has great features, limited audience

These days the cord cutters are likely spending as much money on the myriad streaming bundles as they would have with a traditional cable service. (Cable is still the home of 1000 channels with nothing on…) When it comes to AMC+, the issue is a bit different: Now there is exclusive content that will only be available on the streaming service that isn’t coming to television. And let’s be 100% honest: If you’re already paying for AMC, should AMC expect fans to upgrade in order to view their content?

2020 has been rough for people and television has been a massive – and much needed – escape. AMC+ and AMC Premiere offer subscribers access to all of the networks that are part of the AMC Networks family of channels, including Shudder, IFC and Sundance.

In the past, having AMC Premiere meant viewing new episodes of AMC shows early and without commercials. It was easy (“easy” being a relative term) to wait until Sunday for new episodes of The Walking Dead or Fear the Walking Dead because it was just a matter of patience. You didn’t have to worry that you wouldn’t be able to view the shows…until now.

Unfortunately, AMC is taking a risk by making certain content exclusive to AMC+ and AMC Premiere. Talking Dead is now only available to AMC+ and Premiere subscribers, and the upcoming The Walking Dead Holiday Special will also run via the streaming service and not on television. (As of this writing, at least)

It’s a gamble, to be sure.

With many people struggling to get by financially, household expenses are being examined with a fine tooth comb. If you already have AMC as part of your cable package or through a streaming service like Sling, paying to upgrade to AMC+ or Premiere could be a luxury that isn’t possible.

When Talking Dead returned three weeks earlier than planned, airing on November 1 instead of November 22, fans were elated about the news until the announcement came that it would only be available on AMC+ (and Premiere). The backlash came quickly, with fans protesting the move on social media. If you already have AMC through a provider, why force people to pay more for content that will only be available on the streaming service?

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. We already know that AMC decided to air The Walking Dead season 10 finale, TWD: World Beyond and Fear the Walking Dead season 6 in the fourth quarter so that Q4 profits would be strong and the network could finish on a high note. They could have spread content out over the long summer when fans were at home during quarantine, but they opted for a profit route.

While their decision is understandable (they’re a business, after all) it is disappointing and this new move to push viewers to subscribe to their streaming services feels all the more gutting as a result.

I’m hopeful that AMC sees the light and returns Talking Dead to Sunday nights on AMC for all viewers, and that The Walking Dead Holiday Special will be open to everyone. I don’t have AMC+ or AMC Premiere so I won’t be able to watch Talking Dead for the time being and I’ve made my peace with it, but for many fans part of the TWD experience is tuning in to see Chris Hardwick and his guests break down each episode.

I’d like to think that this is all an experiment, and that once we get out of 2020 the AMC executives will reverse this move and return things to normal. It’s fine to charge people to watch episodes early, but content should be available to everyone if they already pay for AMC.

What do you think about AMC limiting exclusive content to AMC+ and Premiere subscribers? Are you a subscriber, or do you fall into the category of someone who can’t/won’t pay for the streaming bundle? Let us know in the comments!