AMC Networks CEO Kristin Dolan confirmed that The Walking Dead universe will not be disrupted by the strikes as of yet.
According to Deadline, Dolan expressed her hopes for labor peace, saying, "We greatly value the work of our creative partners and hope these disputes can be resolved as quickly and fairly as possible." She reassured investors during the company's second-quarter earnings call that the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes won't disrupt the programming supply until "well into 2024."
Dolan emphasized that AMC is well-prepared to weather the strikes, assuring investors, "In the short term, the reality for AMC Networks is that we have a pipeline of finished shows that will allow us to continue to serve our viewers across all of our platforms for the remainder of this year and well into 2024."
The Strikes and Hollywood
Despite facing challenges, AMC remains confident in maintaining its programming lineup. Dolan highlighted the network's successful franchises, saying, "AMC Networks, known for The Walking Dead, has several spinoffs that will keep the property in the mix." She pointed out the recent premieres of The Walking Dead: Dead City and the upcoming The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, set in France, keeping the fan-favorite character alive in new adventures.
Despite the revenue challenges faced by AMC due to a 17% year-over-year drop in domestic advertising revenue, Dolan's confidence in the company's future remains unwavering. She assured investors that AMC is committed to delivering quality content to its viewers across various platforms.
While the strikes have affected other big productions, productions like House of the Dragon remain untouched. The Game of Thrones prequel on HBO remains unaffected as the show's primary cast consists of U.K. actors under local union contracts governed by Equity, allowing filming to continue as planned.
Equity's guidelines state support for SAG-AFTRA members but caution against U.K. performers joining the strike, as they could face potential dismissal or breach of contract lawsuits due to the U.K.'s strict union laws.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is set to premiere Sept .10 on AMC.
Source: Deadline