AMC Networks Entertainment Chief Dan McDermott On Navigating End Times
About Dan Mcdermott
Dan McDermott, President of Entertainment and AMC Studios at AMC Networks, discussed the company’s strategy and recent transitions during a fireside chat at the company’s programming summit in September 2023. He noted that the end of long-running series such as *The Walking Dead*, *Better Call Saul*, and *Killing Eve* was inevitable, stating that “every great show, every great experience at some point comes to an end” and that developing worthy follow-ups is “simply my job.” McDermott attributed the company’s ability to compete with larger rivals to its modest scale, multiplatform distribution, and talent relationships, adding that AMC Networks is “small” and “not overburdened with bureaucracy.” McDermott highlighted the company’s shift toward streaming, including the full embrace of AMC Plus and niche outlets like Shudder and Acorn TV, which he said has focused on specific target audiences. He projected that streaming subscriber numbers would reach 20 to 25 million by 2025 and 40 to 50 million shortly thereafter, and that streaming revenue would surpass linear revenue in the coming years. He described AMC Networks in 2022 as a “tech-forward, progressive series of platforms” with growth in streaming but a maintained linear platform. McDermott also emphasized that while high-end talent values financial compensation, they also seek to produce great content and find traction for their projects, which he said can be difficult at larger companies.