• by Wayne Friedman , September 29, 2023

With “dozens” of advertisers already on hand, AMC Networks launched an ad-supported AMC+ option this week for $4.99 a month. 

The new tier -- which will have less than five minutes of advertising time per hour -- was originally announced a few months ago. The ad-free AMC+ will continue for $8.99 a month.

The ad option for the streaming service will offer programming  from linear TV networks AMC, IFC, BBC America and Sundance TV, as well as  streaming platforms Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films Unlimited.

The launch of the new AMC+ option comes at the same time a new “The Walking Dead” series will start -- “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon." A new season of “Fear The Walking Dead” will get its start in October.

AMC will offer “interactive and shoppable ads, more flexibility in product integrations, whole genre takeovers and other tech-enabled enhancements that weren’t possible before,” said Kim Kelleher, chief commercial officer of AMC Networks, in a release.

Recently, Amazon Prime Video said it would also launch a limited ad-supported option,  and will be the default option for Prime members. 

This follows moves by Netflix and Disney+ late last year to starting up ad-supported options of their premium streaming service.