AMC Targets Higher Ad Prices For The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead's viewership saw a slight drop overall in its sixth season but the number one show on cable is looking at a slight increase in its ad prices. According to AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan, there is "more pricing upside."

"We continue to see advertising pricing power for shows like The Walking Dead, which attract large, engaged and desirable audiences," Sapan said on the firm's first-quarter earnings call. "While [costs per thousand viewers] in that show particularly have increased, its [value] as an ad vehicle has not been fully realized, and we think there is more pricing upside."

AMC Networks CFO Sean Sullivan says the company expects "significant pricing increases" for the show in the upcoming upfront advertising market compared to last year. He acknowledges the slight slip in ratings but claims that advertising on TV giant "sells stuff."

"Our horizon is very long," Sapan says of The Walking Dead's lifespan as a financial driver, referring to the importance of managing AMC's Walking Dead franchises which now includes spinoff series Fear the Walking Dead and recap series Talking Dead. In conclusion by Sapan's word, The Walking Dead is "a great advertising vehicle."

The Walking Dead returns for its seventh season in October.

(via THR)