Network to Feature Exclusive Premiere of Highly Anticipated New Series From AMC Networks “Fear the Walking Dead”
New York / London – 16 June 2015 – AMC Networks International (AMCNI) and BT Group today announced a new agreement to launch AMC in the UK this September, making it available exclusively to BT customers.
AMC is a leading US cable network, with a track record of top rating premium drama series, including “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men.” The multi-year agreement with BT will mark the debut for its UK channel, which will launch with the exclusive UK television premiere of the highly anticipated drama “Fear the Walking Dead” on BT TV.
AMC in the UK will showcase other soon to be announced dramas from AMC Networks in addition to series from other leading producers. The channel will also feature acclaimed films from the world’s most popular film libraries.
For BT this represents another step forward in enhancing its television platform, BT TV. In recent months BT TV has extended its content line-up by adding Netflix, Sky Sports 1&2 and a new BT Store service offering ‘Buy to Keep’ movies and TV box sets, including HBO titles like “Game of Thrones.” Last week BT also announced another innovation first with its new BT TV Ultra HD box and BT Sport Ultra HD channel, launching in August.
Today’s news follows significant expansion for AMC since the company launched the brand for the first time outside North America late last year. AMC is now seen on subscription television platforms in over 125 countries and territories throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Ed Carroll, AMC Networks COO, commented, “AMC has become synonymous with bold, dramatic original programming of the highest quality. We’re excited to partner with BT to launch AMC for the first time in the UK. This agreement highlights the strong demand for our channels and will enable us to continue developing a far-reaching platform for AMC’s original programming.”
Delia Bushell, Managing Director of BT TV and BT Sport, said, “We’re delighted to be launching AMC for the first time in the UK, enabling our viewers to watch series such as ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ exclusively from BT. AMC has showcased some of the biggest and most celebrated series on US television in recent years, including ‘Breaking Bad,’ and ‘Mad Men.’ We’re confident our viewers will enjoy AMC’s cinematic approach to storytelling and look forward to offering them an outstanding selection of TV series and films in the months ahead.”
About “Fear the Walking Dead”
“Fear the Walking Dead” is a new companion series to “The Walking Dead,” one of the world’s most successful dramas. Set in Los Angeles and focusing on new characters and storylines, the series stars Kim Dickens (Gone Girl, “Sons of Anarchy”) as Madison, Cliff Curtis (“Missing,” “Gang Related”) as Travis, Frank Dillane (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) as Nick and Alycia Debnam-Carey (Into the Storm) as Alicia. Also joining the cast as series regulars are Elizabeth Rodriguez (“Orange is the New Black”) as Liza and Mercedes Mason (Quarantine 2: Terminal) as Ofelia.
The series, which is currently in production in Vancouver and Los Angeles, is executive produced by Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero, David Alpert and showrunner David Erickson and produced by AMC Studios. Co-Executive Producer Adam Davidson, who directed the pilot, is also directing the second and third episodes. The series’ first season, consisting of six one-hour episodes, will premiere on AMC later in the year. A second season will premiere in 2016.
About AMC Global
AMC Global, a business unit of AMC Networks International, commemorates favourite films from every genre and decade and showcases acclaimed first run original programming to bring audiences something deeper, something richer, Something More. The network has created some of the most award-winning series of the past decade that have re-defined dramatic storytelling. In addition to being widely distributed throughout North America, AMC is available in over 125 countries. AMC Global is a premier entertainment destination that is available in HD and SD and across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.
About AMC Networks International:
AMC Networks International (AMCNI), the global division of AMC Networks, delivers entertaining and acclaimed programming that reaches subscribers in more than 140 countries and territories, including Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. AMCNI consists of global brands, Sundance Channel and AMC, as well as popular, locally recognized channels in various programming genres. For more information, visit: www.www.amcnetworks.com/amcni.
About BT
BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of five customer-facing lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Business, BT Consumer, BT Wholesale and Openreach.
For the year ended 31 March 2015, BT Group’s reported revenue was £17,979mwith reported profit before taxation of £2,645m.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit www.btplc.com