Dramatic Pilot Builds on Networks Unique Programming Blueprint to Create Cinematic Original Series for Television
New York, New York – November 13, 2006 – In an effort to further develop and define its distinct cinematic blueprint for bold original television programming, AMC announced today that it has reached an agreement with Vince Gilligan (X-Files writer/producer/director) and Sony Television to develop Breaking Bad into a one hour dramatic pilot. In the tradition of generations of films that chronicle the anti-hero, the pilot, written by Gilligan, follows the story of a desperate man with nothing to lose and what he is willing to do for his familys survival. With production slated for early 2007, Gilligan will also executive produce and direct. Noted film and tv producer Mark Johnson ("The Chronicles of Narnia," "What Lies Beneath," "Donnie Brasco," "The Astronaut's Wife," "The Natural") will executive produce along with Gilligan.
Todays announcement marks the second dramatic pilot announced recently by AMC, with the first, Matthew Weiners (The Sopranos) Mad Men, now slated to premiere as a series in Summer 2007. Breaking Bad also joins a flurry of original programming activity at the network in the last few months, which includes a series of development deals with television and film heavyweights, such as William Finkelstein (Law & Order, L.A. Law); Vic Levin (Mad About You); Peter OFallon (Blade television show); Phoef Sutton (Cheers, Boston Legal); Will Rokos (Monsters Ball); Warren Ellis (Graphic Novelist – including Transmetropolitan, Global Frequency); Steven Katz (Interview with a Vampire, Shadow of the Vampire); and Richard Kelley (Donnie Darko).
"AMC is committed to creating an environment where the quality and focus of our original programming matches the iconic films that the network has showcased for over 20 years, stated AMC General Manager and Executive Vice President Charlie Collier. The common thread of originals such as Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Broken Trail and Hustle is their cinematic quality. This is what makes AMCs original programming strategy unique within the television landscape. In an era when many networks often rely on reality television and game shows to supplement their original programming slate, it is gratifying to see that our vision for quality is resonating with key talent in the creative community.
"Vince's powerful script sets the stafe for a compelling seris," added AMC's Executive Vice President of Programming and Production Rob Sorcher. "AMC has now invested in building a content all-star team, with the goal of creating the highest quality original programming on television."
Using a programming formula that couples valuable iconic movies with the highest quality original content, AMC has seen its ratings dramatically grow in the last three years, providing record rating growth in every day part each year since 2002. The networks investment in its film library, programming specials and original content had a tremendous impact in 2004 and 2005, rewarding AMC with its best years ever. In 2006, AMC has continued its momentum. Bolstered by the success of the networks first-ever original movie event Broken Trail, as well as the critically acclaimed BBC drama Hustle and other top performances, the summer of 2006 ranked as AMCs best performing summer ever in primetime. In addition to experiencing a +20% increase in household delivery, AMC ranked as a top 10 cable network in prime Household and Men 25-54 deliveries.
About AMC
AMC, a division of Rainbow Media's Entertainment Services, which also includes WE: Women's Entertainment and IFC Companies, is a 24-hour, movie-based network, dedicated to the American movie fan. The network, which reaches over 86,000,000 homes, offers a comprehensive library of popular movies and a critically-acclaimed slate of original programming that is a diverse, movie-based mix of original series, documentaries and specials. AMC has garnered many of the industry's highest honors, including 14 Emmy awards. AMC is "TV for movie people."
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
A leader in the entertainment industry, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Rainbow creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic programming with linear networks including national networks – AMC, fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment; its regional programming service – Rainbow Sports Networks; on-demand networks including Mag Rack and sportskool; and the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere – the VOOM HD Networks. Rainbow's other businesses include its film distribution, production and exhibition division – IFC Entertainment; in addition to its advertising sales division – Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation – and its full service network programming origination and distribution company – Rainbow Network Communications.