AceShowbiz - After more than a decade and a half chronicling the post-apocalyptic saga, AMC is reevaluating its approach to The Walking Dead. The network originally adapted Robert Kirkman's acclaimed graphic novels into the flagship series The Walking Dead, which aired for 11 seasons from 2010 until 2022. Its success ignited an expansive franchise with numerous spinoffs, including Fear the Walking Dead (concluded after eight seasons in 2023), The World Beyond (two seasons), and other series such as Tales of the Walking Dead, the limited series The Ones Who Live, and ongoing shows Dead City and Daryl Dixon.

As these spinoffs continue developing upcoming seasons, a significant shift is underway. According to a report from Deadline, AMC has announced that the rights to The Walking Dead franchise are being offered for sale. During an earnings call, AMC Global Media CEO Kristin Dolan disclosed that several “very large and enthusiastic partners” are currently bidding on the franchise's rights. She emphasized that AMC intends to retain some content rights through co-exclusive agreements, highlighting that these co-exclusive deals form the primary negotiations.

Dolan further noted that AMC is open to various deal structures, including the possibility of dividing the rights into smaller portions or keeping them bundled together for a single partner. Kim Kelleher, AMC Global Media's President and Chief Content Officer, assured that their focus is on enhancing “the customer experience and discoverability” rather than solely financial considerations. She also revealed that some of AMC’s existing international partners are active participants in the bidding process.

This move to open up the rights may come as a surprise, given AMC’s ongoing commitment to the franchise despite the original series’ conclusion. Franchise overseer Scott Gimple hinted in October 2025 that AMC envisions at least another 15 years of stories within the The Walking Dead universe. While Daryl Dixon is scheduled to end with its fourth season later this year, the future of Dead City beyond its third season remains undecided. Additionally, new narratives involving Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes and Danai Gurira’s Michonne are still under consideration.

This is not AMC’s first collaboration with external partners on the franchise. Over the years, various video games tied to The Walking Dead have been released, such as the Daryl-focused prequel Survival Instincts, the VR experience Onslaught, and the 2023 action game Destinies. Moreover, a range of novels has expanded the storyline beyond the original comics and television adaptations, enriching the franchise’s world.

Since AMC aims to keep many of the deals co-exclusive, one logical strategy appears to be broadening the franchise’s streaming presence. Historically, all entries in the franchise have primarily streamed on Netflix and AMC+, offering substantial global visibility. However, with Netflix’s limited availability in certain regions, AMC may seek to partner with additional streaming platforms to maximize distribution and increase revenue.

Another potential rationale for selling rights involves expanding into other multimedia formats. Podcasts, a rapidly growing medium, have yet to receive an official The Walking Dead adaptation, presenting a fresh opportunity. Additionally, most existing video games linked to the franchise have met with mixed critical and commercial success. By reassessing partnerships with major studios and content creators, AMC could strengthen the franchise’s longevity across diverse media platforms.

The The Walking Dead franchise began with the comic series created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard, achieving massive popularity following the television show's launch on AMC in 2010. The series follows survivors navigating a world devastated by zombies, known as “walkers,” and explores profound themes such as survival, human nature, and societal collapse. Its influence has made it one of the 21st century’s most prominent horror franchises.

Currently, the franchise includes numerous television series: the original The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Tales of the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: Dead City, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, and more upcoming stories within the universe.

Several video games have also been produced under the franchise banner, including The Walking Dead The Game, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, OVERKILL'S The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, and the latest, The Walking Dead: Destinies.

The original television show featured key cast members such as Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Danai Gurira, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, and Lennie James. The franchise's creators, Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard, have been pivotal in shaping its narrative and success.

As AMC prepares to potentially transfer parts of the franchise’s rights, the network’s strategic focus remains on maintaining the franchise's vitality and accessibility for fans worldwide. This approach may involve new partnerships and platforms to ensure the franchise continues to thrive well into the future.