AMC'S "THE WALKING DEAD" TO LAUNCH STREAMING CHANNELS ON PLUTO TV

Pluto TV, owned by ViacomCBS, has closed a licensing deal with AMC Networks for four of its channels and programming. The deal is effective as of today, 1 May, and will give 22 million active users free access to early seasons of the original series and other programming, including “The Walking Dead” in Spanish. Some AMC Networks programming will also be available on Pluto TV’s on-demand platform. “Free ad-supported streaming is an emerging category that gives us the ability to complement the content offerings of our linear networks and other new platforms in ways that serve viewers and advertising partners,” Joshua Reader, President of Distribution and Development for AMC Networks, said in a statement.

Pluto TV had 22.4 million monthly active users in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2019. It operates service in 22 countries, including the U.S. and across Europe and Latin America. The L.A.-based company was acquired by Viacom for USD 340 million last year. For AMC Networks, the agreement to make Pluto TV the exclusive free, ad-supporting streaming partner for its programming is another form for it to monetize library content. Amy Kuessner, SVP of Content Strategy and Global Partnerships for Pluto, said the AMC Networks deal is in line with the company’s efforts to present programming to streaming audiences. “Pluto TV is the exclusive launch partner of these new channels from AMC Networks, that offers the perfect escape for viewers in search of the very best television programming that’s easy to access and free to stream,” she said.

Season one through three of “Fear the Walking Dead,” the full series runs of “Halt and Catch Fire,” “Into the Badlands,” IFC’s “Portlandia,” “Documentary Now!” and “Brockmire,” WE tv’s “Kendra on Top,” and “Mary Mary” will also be available on-demand on Pluto TV, along with another select programming. Other shows include Comedies including “Documentary Now!,” cult favorite “Portlandia,” “Sherman’s Showcase,” “Brockmire,” and “Comedy Bang! Bang,” and older shows like “My Fair Wedding,” “Hustle & Soul,” and “Tamar & Vince.” The licensing deal covers only older, past seasons. To watch more recent seasons of “Walking Dead,” viewers must turn to other platforms. The first nine seasons of show are available on Netflix, season 10 episodes of “TWD” are available on AMC’s streaming and VOD platforms.

Pluto’s approach to streaming has been to present viewers with an experience resembling traditional television's, with live feeds, a programming grid, and a large menu of channels. With an editorial team, it creates curated versions of programming available elsewhere, enabling it to largely steer clear of friction with pay-TV operators paying companies like ViacomCBS to carry linear networks. In addition to versions of linear networks, it has also crafted channels based on popular movies and TV shows as well as broader themes.