When The Walking Dead made its TV debut in 2010, it completely shifted AMC’s brand identity. Before the show’s arrival, AMC was mostly known for replaying classic films and having niche prestige dramas. The Walking Dead made the network powerful and a sought after destination for fresh and epic TV shows. At one point, The Walking Dead was easily pulling in 10-15 million viewers per episode, and the franchise continues to be a cash cow for AMC Global Media. But, behind-the-scenes, there has been tension between the flagship show and Fear the Walking Dead’s producers and AMC Global Media, which seems to have come to a conclusion after a $120 million dollar lawsuit settlement. So, what in the world happened? Let’s get into it.
Back in 2022, The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and a host of producers, including Glen Mazzara, David Alpert, Charles Eglee, and Gale Anne Hurd, filed a lawsuit against AMC Global Media about profit participation rights. The collective claimed that the network breached its contract with them and did not pay them their fair share for the very successful show and its first spinoff series. AMC Global Media tried to have the case dismissed but that motion was rejected by a California federal judge in 2024. Now, years later, AMC Global Media and The Walking Dead producers have finally reached a settlement for $120 million, and both sides released a joint statement.
“Robert Kirkman, Robert Kirkman, Inc., Gale Anne Hurd, Valhalla Entertainment, Inc., David Alpert, Circle of Confusion Productions LLC, New Circle of Confusion Productions, Inc., Charles Eglee, United Bongo Drum, Inc., Glen Mazzara and 44 Strong Productions, Inc., on the one hand, and AMC Global Media, on the other hand, are pleased to announce the amicable resolution of all their remaining claims and litigation related to The Walking Dead television franchise,” the two sides shared in a statement. “The parties look forward to sharing in the continued success of the franchise for many years to come.”
Nerdist’s Take: This Is All Rich People’s Business, But We Cannot Be Mad at Robert Kirkman and the Producers for Wanting Their Money
$85 million will be paid in September, and the remainder will go to the plaintiffs in January 2027. That’s a lot of money for the average Joe or Jill, but it is a drop in the bucket compared to what The Walking Dead franchise has raked in for 16 years overall. The original series paved the way for a host of spinoffs, two of which are actively airing new episodes. There’s a ton of cash that was made from advertising, merchandise, games, streaming revenue, and more. And Netflix bought streaming rights for The Walking Dead for a whopping $500 million this year.
In fact, AMC Global Media shelled out $200 million in a separate lawsuit in 2021 to the original showrunner, Frank Darabont, over withheld profits and streaming revenue. So that goes to show you that The Walking Dead is indeed a billion dollar franchise and one that AMC will continue to profit from for years to come. So yeah, go ahead and run those folks their money and keep the dead train chugging forward, please.