• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, October 7, 2011

 

With money to spend following an apparent collapse of negotiations that could cost it streaming rights to some Disney and Sony films, Netflix continues to cut deals that bolster what it believes may become its core business: offering libraries of TV shows.

An arrangement with AMC gives it exclusive streaming rights to the first season of well-regarded drama "The Walking Dead" and all subsequent ones. Cleverly, AMC will use the arrangement as a marketing vehicle, allowing Netflix to make previous seasons available just prior to the launch of the latest one.

Netflix does not want to alienate cable and other operators concerned digital distribution, which may contribute to cord-cutting.

The first "Dead" season is available Friday, prior to launch of season two next week. The deal also includes a similar release time frame on Netflix for back seasons of other future shows on AMC and sister network Sundance Channel.

The same goes for current shows across the AMC Networks portfolio, such as IFC's "Portlandia," WE tv's "My Fair Wedding" and Sundance's "All on the Line."

"This agreement supports the cable 'ecosystem' by making our content available to Netflix nearly a year following the linear premiere. It brings our content to a wider audience, and it provides additional revenue to support production of new shows," stated Josh Sapan, CEO of AMC Networks.

Netflix has previous deals to stream AMC shows "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad" in the U.S. and Latin America.

Netflix's attempt to re-up a deal with Starz that includes Sony and Disney films appears as if it will not be renewed.