AMC Networks, home of Interview With the Vampire, Gangs of London, A Discovery of Witches, and Dark Winds, has started rolling out the ad-supported version of its flagship AMC+ streaming service, priced $4.99 per month.
As reported by Variety, the new, cheaper tier of AMC+ includes a relatively light ad load, with "fewer than five minutes of commercials per hour" when streaming TV shows and movies from the library, which includes all the same programming selections as the ad-free subscription plan but at a lower price.
The ad-supported version of AMC+ will cost subscribers $4.99 per month or $83.88 for an annual subscription (saving 20% over monthly rates), while the ad-free tier of AMC+ remains the same at $8.99 per month for subscribers.
Both subscription plans offer the same selection of programming, including AMC's original series and popular back catalog titles, as well as full access to AMC-owned streamers Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films Unlimited.
"This ad-supported version of AMC+ gives consumers more flexibility while bringing ads to the only piece of our distribution ecosystem that wasn't already ad-supported," said Kim Kelleher, chief commercial officer of AMC Networks, in a statement. "Now, with our linear networks, strong and growing presence on CTV and FAST platforms and ad-supported AMC+, our advertising partners can fully leverage the reach and appeal of our high-quality shows and connect with viewers wherever and however they choose to watch. We are also able to offer marketers new and innovative ways to reach consumers, like interactive and shoppable ads, more flexibility in product integrations, whole genre takeovers and other tech-enabled enhancements that weren't possible before."
Of course, an ad-supported tier for a video streaming service is not a novel idea, as several of AMC Networks' competitors, including Max, Disney+, Netflix, and more recently, Prime Video, have introduced cheaper subscription plans, but with the caveat of having to watch ads when streaming a movie or show on the service.
As part of IGN's State of Streaming event, we have been taking a fresh look at the major streaming services and what they offer subscribers in 2023. IGN awarded AMC+ an 8 out of 10, saying its "great shows and access to Shudder could tempt viewers away from their other services", though "the app itself isn't perfect".
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
