AMC Networks CEO: "The Walking Dead" Could Keep Creeping For Decades
by Dade Hayes
Nov. 2, 2017


Eight years after it began its steady shuffle to the top of the ratings charts, "The Walking Dead" has experienced occasional bumps in the ratings road. Even so, during a conference call with Wall Street analysts today to discuss AMC Networks’ strong third-quarter results, CEO Josh Sapan said the zombie phenomenon has a good shot to remain a top performer for many more years, if not decades.

“The use of the word ‘franchise,’ we don’t take lightly. It’s not a sloppy or casual word,” Sapan said. “We’ve studied the best. Some have been around 30, 40, 50 years. We have a chance for a lot of life in the franchise.”




Sapan said the franchise is “in great shape and the people who are managing that great shape are motivated.” He said gaming, merchandising and virtual reality represent new revenue horizons for the franchise.

Sapan also said the enduring strength of the franchise has enabled AMC Networks to roll out subscription offerings like AMC Premiere, its new ad-free service available on Comcast’s Xfinity platform.

http://deadline.com/2017/11/amc-networks-ceo-walking-dead-franchise-could-creep-for-decades-1202200220/

AMC President Says There are Plans for "The Walking Dead" to Continue for… 10 More Years?!
by John Squires
Sept. 14, 2018


The ratings have been dropping and fan interest seems to be at an all-time low, not to mention Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes) is leaving the series this coming season. And yet, despite all of this, AMC has never actually showed any signs of worry about the series’ future, with president and CEO Josh Sapan now insisting that the universe has 10+ years left in its sails.

As reported by Forbes, Sapan touched upon future plans at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference this week. “The Walking Dead is a universe… and we have a plan to manage over the next decade, plus. That plan is a careful plan to respect the world of the fans of that world,” Sapan noted, when asked about the series’ ratings issues.




Even with the ratings decline of late, it’s important to note that "The Walking Dead" is still a ratings monster, and "Fear the Walking Dead" continues to be a hit as well.

We’re assuming *both* series’ will be continuing for many, many years to come, and we can only assume that AMC also plans on expanding the franchise with more spin-offs and things of that nature.

The end may *seem* near, but apparently there’s no true end in sight.

https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3521734/amc-president-says-plans-walking-dead-continue-10-years/

AMC Networks CEO Says "The Walking Dead" Franchise has "Decades of Life Left"
by Etan Vlessing
Sept. 19, 2019


AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan on Thursday said "The Walking Dead" franchise is hardly dead, despite lower ratings in recent seasons.

"We have an awful lot of life left in The Walking Dead — I mean decades and decades of life left," Sapan told the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference in New York City during a session that was webcast.



The AMC Networks boss, inevitably asked by investors about the popular zombie drama's projected life cycle, said TV franchises, if managed properly, can run over generations. AMC Networks has tripled down on "The Walking Dead" franchise with a third series and has partnered with Universal Pictures on a theatrical movie.

"That's an indication of a vital heartbeat in the franchise," Sapan added.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amc-networks-ceo-walking-dead-franchise-has-decades-life-left-1240976