In a curious move from AMC, the cable network is starting an ad-free online video subscription service, which would be exclusively for its cable TV customers, according to Reuters.
Rephrased, you’d sign up and pay for the service separately from your current cable package—even if you already have AMC—for the pleasure of not having commercials interrupt your digital viewing of whatever season the Walking Dead is in.
AMC is still figuring out the pricing, but it will reportedly settle between $4.99 and $6.99 a month, just to avoid TV breaks. It will not be a standalone service like HBO Now that would allow non-cable users to watch.
All this said, the Reuters report does note that AMC “is discussing featuring digital-only spinoff shows of its existing programs.” This would almost certainly convert into consumer requirement, given people are going hesitate to take on another subscription that adds very little for the pricing sought.
It’s a big bet on the crucial 25-54 age demographic, where AMC has four of Nielsen’s top 10 highest-rated (“ad-supported”) shows, per the report.
H/T the Verge