• by Wayne Friedman , October 2, 2020

Now that AMC Networks has become what is believed to be the first basic cable TV network group to offer all its content in a D2C streaming app to consumers -- without a traditional pay TV subscription -- expect other TV groups to do the same, according to one analyst.

“This is a significant move, unthinkable a few years ago but seemingly inevitable now,” writes Tim Nollen, media analyst of Macquarie Capital.

This comes as AMC completed major traditional pay, linear TV carriage deals with Charter and Dish Network, and possibly AT&T, he says -- deals that seemingly could become complicated when TV cable network groups also offer direct-to-consumer streaming platforms of their content.

“The new AMC+ OTT arrangements don’t appear to present affiliate risk with the major distributors; in fact, we expect more such broadband-based OTT bundles to come.”

An AMC Network spokesman declined to comment about any potential or in-process carriage deals.

AMC+ includes AMC Network, BBC America, IFC, and SundanceTV content, including live programming.

The AMC+ streaming platform is now available to Apple TV and Amazon Prime subscribers for $8.99/month. It had been previously only available to Dish/Sling TV virtual MVPD and Comcast Xfinity broadband customers.

AMC Networks' 2020 revenue is expected to drop to $2.7 billion this year, which would be a 13% drop from $3.1 billion a year ago.

Its cash flow -- earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization -- is forecast to decline to $720.8 million, from $944 million.