Ads are the newest trend in streaming services. We now have Netflix’s ad-supported tier, Disney+’s ad-supported tier, Max Ad-Free, and coming soon, AMC+ with ads will arrive on our screens. As with other streamers’ ad-tiers, this AMC+ option will serve as a lower-cost offering designed to bolster subscriptions. Here’s what we know about the plans for this new ad-supported offering.
This new ad tier comes at a lower cost than the standard AMC+ service. AMC+ with ads will cost $4.99 per month. Currently, the ad-free version of AMC+ costs $8.99 per month. That is a fairly significant difference. Additionally, those interested in adding ads to their AMC+ can officially do so now. The AMC+ ad tier launched on September 28 and has begun its rollout. AMC notes that its ad tier will have “initial availability on its direct-to-consumer platform and apps, expanding to third-party platforms and channels providers in the coming weeks.”
Kim Kelleher, the company’s chief commercial officer, shares more about how AMC+ intends to incorporate ads into its platform. She notes:
We will place ads in ways that are not disruptive, that are really thoughtful. Some movies will have no ads. Some movies may have a mid-roll, or some will have a pre-roll. It’s not one-size-fits-all, and we get to be very careful in how we place commercials in viewers’ streaming choices. AMC+ subscribers will get access to all content, no matter their choice. It will be the same product on both tiers. We are not going to take series and movies people expect to watch and say that you only get them if you pay more. We want this to be a great viewer experience.
AMC‘s release further shares that “the ad-supported version includes a light ad load of less than five minutes per hour and all of the same series and film titles that are offered on the ad-free version.”
AMC Networks Adds Ads Across Streaming Portfolio
In addition to an AMC+ ad tier, AMC Networks will now allow subscribers to choose cheaper, ad-supported tiers of Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films Unlimited. Previously, standalone subscribers to these platforms did not have an ad-supported option. Additionally, Deadline shares, “In the planned rollout, ads will come to the individual services as well as AcornTV, HIDIVE and ALLBLK, which are not currently part of AMC+.”
Well, it sounds like a promising start for AMC+ with ads. At one time, the beauty of streaming was that there were minimal ads at play. However, with so many streaming options, the lowest-cost services could win the day.
Originally published on April 17, 2023.