The Walking Dead 'Will Have a Long Life,' AMC Predicts

CBR

By Keith Rice

Published Feb 24, 2017

Like a zombie horde, the cable network thinks there's little that can stop the march of the hit drama.

Although death lurks at every turn for the survivors of "The Walking Dead," AMC assures the franchise itself will enjoy a long, and profitable, life.

AMC Networks reported better-than-anticipated fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday, due in part to the popularity of its stable of original content. And while "The Walking Dead" has experienced a ratings roller coaster in its seventh season, the hit zombie dram remains a primary driver of revenue and attention for the cable network. The series still holds the top spot with the key 18-49 demographic with no signs of giving up the crown.

"The show continues to have creative strength and command a large and loyal audience, which has in turn attracted ad revenue to our great benefit," said AMC CEO Josh Sapan. 'The Walking Dead' remains the No. 1 show on television among younger viewers by a very wide margin. Beyond advertising, 'The Walking Dead' is illustrative of the benefits of owned franchise content.”

"'The Walking Dead' is a franchise that will deliver ancillary revenues over different distribution platforms for many years to come as it does today," he continued. "And we believe it will have a long life that accrues to our strategic position and financial benefit.”

That should be music to the ears of the franchise's legions of fans. AMC clearly views the series as a vital anchor for its expanding portfolio of original dramas, like "Preacher," "Better Call Saul," "Fear the Walking Dead" and the upcoming "The Terror."

Airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC, “The Walking Dead” stars Andrew Lincoln, , Norman Reedus, Chandler Riggs, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan, and Danai Gurira.

(via The Hollywood Reporter)