AMC Networks Inc

Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for AMC Global Media from US$8.67 to US$9.83 per share following the company's US$500 million, five-year Netflix licensing deal for The Walking Dead Universe. Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo both tied higher price targets to the agreement, with Wells Fargo citing added cash and better balance sheet visibility in its revised US$11 target. Morgan Stanley lifted its target to US$10 but kept an Underweight rating, while UBS also raised its target to US$10 and maintained a Sell rating, noting broader industry headwinds. The updated model assumes a steeper revenue decline of 2.90% versus 2.34% previously, a lower net profit margin of 0.84% versus 1.97%, and a higher future P/E ratio of 28.41x versus 10.45x.

AMC Networks shares surged 17% after the company announced a new distribution deal with YouTube TV and a major content licensing agreement with Netflix. The YouTube TV deal adds AMC's channels to the streaming service's more affordable genre packages, while the Netflix agreement grants co-exclusive global streaming rights to the entire Walking Dead Universe. The licensing deal is expected to generate $500 million in fees over five years. Wells Fargo raised its price target on the stock to $11.00 from $10.00 in response.

AMC Global Media announced a global co-exclusive licensing agreement with Netflix for the entire Walking Dead universe, totaling $500 million in contracted fees over five years. The company raised its full-year 2026 AOI guidance to $410-$420 million and free cash flow guidance to approximately $220 million, reflecting an improved financial outlook. Consolidated net revenue declined 9% year-over-year to $547 million in Q2 2026, while affiliate revenue decreased 17%. Streaming services showed a double-digit increase in engagement and sequential improvement in retention, even after price increases, though subscriber acquisition came in slightly below expectations in the first half of 2026. The company also renewed distribution agreements with four of the top five major domestic MVPDs in the last 12 months, including Comcast and YouTube.

Netflix has signed a multi-year global licensing agreement with AMC Networks worth a reported $500 million for The Walking Dead Universe. The deal gives Netflix co-exclusive rights to the original series and all six spin-offs, covering 371 episodes, and expands availability to markets including the U.K., Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. Netflix will share streaming access with AMC+, ending its more than decade-long exclusive hold on the series in the U.S. Beginning in 2027, subscribers worldwide will gain access to spin-offs such as Fear the Walking Dead, Dead City, and Daryl Dixon. AMC Networks announced the agreement alongside its quarterly earnings and raised its forward guidance.

AMC Global Media - UK confirmed that The Walking Dead Universe FAST channel launched on ITVX on 7 July 2026, as part of a UK rollout announced in early June. The free, ad-supported streaming channel offers a continuous live stream of series from the franchise, starting with The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead. ITVX is the first platform confirmed in the rollout, with additional partners to follow. The launch reflects AMC's strategy to expand access to premium content through free, ad-supported environments.