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AMC has just finished its most successful year ever. The network continued to build on the success of programming franchises that first came to AMC five years ago, nurturing them and helping them grow passionate audiences. These programs include "Mad Men," which is the only cable series in TV history to ever win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row, and "Breaking Bad," which has appeared on many critics' "best of 2011" lists. Both have been unqualified successes with viewers and critics.
That baseline success set the stage for the network to
rapidly launch a diverse array of new series, including "The
Walking Dead," the biggest scripted drama on basic cable
for adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54, ending its season with
9
million total viewers. It reigns as the most engaging series
on television, according to Nielsen's IAG metric. Last year,
AMC premiered two new series: "The Killing," which featured
one of the most-talked-about cliffhangers on television,
and "Hell on Wheels," which had the second-highest-rated
premiere season for a series on AMC.
AMC continues to launch the best companions to its scripted originals with unscripted series including "Talking Dead," "Comic Book Men" and "The Pitch"—with "Small Town Security" set to premiere soon. AMC's unscripted series are inspired by the success of its original scripted series featuring powerful premises and fascinating characters. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories.
HIGHLIGHTS
AMC'S ORIGINAL SCRIPTED SERIES
Mad Men: Set in the 1960s, the series follows the lives of the complicated and competitive executives at Madison Avenue's Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce ad agency.
Breaking Bad: This series tells the story of a desperate man who turns to a life of crime to ensure his family's financial security.
The Walking Dead: Based on the comic book written by Robert Kirkman, the series tells the story of life after a zombie apocalypse.
The Killing: This crime drama tells the story of the murder of a young girl in Seattle and the subsequent police investigation.
Hell on Wheels: This original series tells the epic story of post-Civil War America and the building of the transcontinental railroad.
AMC'S UNSCRIPTED SERIES
Talking Dead: This live "aftershow" speaks to the loyal and passionate audience of "The Walking Dead." With host Chris Hardwick
Comic Book Men: From Kevin Smith, the series delves into fanboy culture with mind-blowing pop culture artifacts and the legends developed around them.
The Pitch: This series chronicles top advertising agencies as they endeavor to win a major new piece of business.
Small Town Security: AMC celebrates the fascinating characters who work in a small, family-owned private security company in rural Georgia.
AMC'S SPECIALS
AMC FearFest: AMC's annual Halloween horror film festival
AMC Mob Week: Leading genre films, including the basic cable home of "The Godfather"
AMC War Heroes: A yearly salute to the men and women who serve
AMC'S PROGRAMMING STRANDS
Story Notes: The inside scoop on popular films
AMC Can't Get Enough: Marathons that let viewers check in with their most beloved movies
CSI: Miami: One of television's most popular franchises, starring David Caruso
Source: Nielsen Co. Live+SD. Season (9/27/10–9/25/11) AA (000) M–Su 8 p.m.–11 p.m. "The Walking Dead" (1993–3/11/12), M–Su 8 p.m.–11 p.m., program type: original, series—drama, telecast level among A18–49 & A25–54 AA (000). "Mad Men" S5 (3/25/12) 9 p.m. vs. 12/27/10–3/25/12, M–Su 8 p.m.–11 p.m. Ad-supported program type: original series—drama, broadcast program type: original general drama, trackage level regularly scheduled showings, A25–54 % comp HHI $100K+."Breaking Bad" S4 (7/17/11–10/9/11) premiere T/C, A18–49, A25–54 AA (000). Nielsen TV Brand Effect (IAG), STD (1/1/11–12/31/11), A18–49, premiere episodes. All measured prime–time cable programs included. Qualifications available upon request.