Predicting 2026 headlines: AMC+ gets bought by Paramount
Predicting 2026 headlines: AMC+ gets bought by Paramount
After failing to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, I think Paramount will pivot to a more manageable acquisition target in AMC+.
Perhaps there’s something I’m missing — admittedly, I’m no businessman — but with my analyst’s eyes, I continue to believe steadfastly that AMC Networks would make a worthwhile acquisition target for a larger media company that is looking to bolster its streaming assets. AMC controls not only AMC+, but also other streamers like HIDIVE, IFC Films Unlimited, Shudder, and Sundance Now, and with a market cap under $400 million, it wouldn’t be as hard to absorb as some other media companies out there.
In 2026, I think another outlet will finally wake up to the fact that AMC is seemingly ripe for the plucking — namely, Paramount Skydance. I believe that if the company’s pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery ultimately fails, Paramount will pivot to another acquisition target and will look to buy AMC+ and other assets from AMC Networks to merge with its own platforms.
To start with, I think the streaming library of shows like “Dark Winds,” “Mad Men,” “The Walking Dead,” and others will fit perfectly alongside Paramount+ titles like “Mayor of Kingstown” and CBS dramas like “FBI.” Fans of “Yellowjackets” on SHOWTIME would likely love to get their hands on the Shudder library or shows like “Interview with the Vampire” as part of a Paramount+ subscription, too.
The AMC content library is clearly a desirable asset, as a new extension of the company’s licensing deal with Netflix proves. And as Paramount+ continues to stream UFC events under its deal with that fighting league, a purchase of AMC would allow it to offer TNA Wrestling as well. AMC reached a deal to broadcast TNA programming on Thursday nights last December.
AMC’s linear assets would likely be of great interest to Paramount, as well. Soon after its new ownership team took charge of the company, Paramount announced it was planning a revival of its own cable channels, and in its pursuit of WBD, Paramount has made clear it wants to buy that company’s cable networks as well as its streaming and studio businesses. Clearly, Paramount’s executives still see pay-TV networks as an attractive asset, and AMC Networks has channels like AMC, BBC America, WE tv, and more in its portfolio.
A purchase of AMC would be a more easy pill to swallow from a financial perspective for Paramount, as well. A purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount would require tens of billions of dollars in new debt financing, whereas buying AMC would require a fraction of that amount.
None of this is to suggest that Paramount will surrender its attempts to buy WBD in favor of an AMC acquisition. But if it’s muscled out of the picture by Netflix, I think Paramount will pivot quickly to a new merger target. A purchase of AMC+ and the other assets under the AMC Networks corporate tent would make plenty of sense in that eventuality, and would certainly make for some splashy headlines in 2026.
AMC+
AMC+ is a premium subscription streaming bundle owned by AMC Networks. It offers curated access to award-winning originals, indie films, and prestige television. Launched in June 2020, the service combines content from AMC with flagship brands such as BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, and IFC Films Unlimited, delivering a rich library of exclusive programming and early episode access.