Expansion Underscores Growing Consumer Demand for Curated Direct-to-Consumer Subscription Video-on-Demand Streaming Offerings
Cannes (MIPCOM)/New York – 15 October 2018 – AMC Networks announced at MIPCOM 2018 further expansion of its direct-to-consumer premium streaming services, Shudder and Sundance Now. Both services, which offer curated streaming experiences, original content, and deep libraries, will launch in Australia and New Zealand later this year. The expansion builds on the services’ growth in subscribers in existing territories, which includes the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria.
“Our continued expansion of Shudder and Sundance Now speaks to our success in offering audiences exclusive and original content they can’t get anywhere else along with an unparalleled user experience,” said Paul Rehrig, EVP of Business Development for AMC Networks. “We look forward to introducing both services into these new markets as consumer demand for our curated streaming offerings continues to grow.”
Shudder is the world’s largest premium streaming service for both casual and super fans of thriller, suspense and horror content. Described as having an “…unrivaled combination of variety, quality, and curative ability” (Vox) and “an impressive…catalog” (Wall Street Journal), Shudder has been steadily adding original series featuring A-list talent to its large and fast-growing selection of exclusive new releases and genre-defining classics.
Sundance Now, which builds on the legacy of Robert Redford’s Sundance brand, offers original and exclusive dramas and true crime series, in addition to award-winning movies from every genre, including foreign-language and documentary features. The service, which The New York Times says “carries the festival’s ethos…to the home viewer,” has been attracting subscribers with its high-quality, critically-acclaimed dramas such as “Dead Lucky” (starring Rachel Griffiths) and “Riviera” (starring Julia Stiles), among many others.
Shudder and Sundance Now’s expansion is on the heels of the debut of a host of new programming on both services.
Sundance Now
“Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle” – Executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson of Appian Way, best-selling author Jeff Guinn, and Stephen David of Stephen David Entertainment, this docu-series covers the Jonestown massacre that claimed the lives of more than 900 people in the biggest mass suicide in American history. Based on Guinn’s book and featuring new interviews, archival footage – including secret FBI and CIA recordings, unreleased photographs and previously classified documents, it provides the definitive account of Jim Jones’ transformation from charismatic preacher and civil rights activist into egomaniacal demagogue. Premieres December 20
“Exeter” – Sundance Now’s first-ever original scripted podcast starring Jeanne Tripplehorn (“Big Love”) and Ray McKinnon (“Rectify”) is a six-episode series created by indie writer/director Ronnie Gunter (Lighter). The enthralling crime story has already been greenlit for a second season. Debuts October 25
“This Close” – Created, written and starring Shoshannah Stern and Josh Feldman, both deaf actors, the six-episode dramedy explores the relationship between best friends Kate (Stern), who is newly engaged, and Michael (Feldman), who is attempting to move on from his ex-fiancé. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Andrew Ahn (Spa Night), who also serves as executive producer, the series has been renewed for a second season premiering next year. Available Now
“Cold Blooded” – In 1959, the murder of a family in Kansas shocks a town to its core. Shortly thereafter, author Truman Capote arrives in the town to write the novel “In Cold Blood,” which eventually spawns the modern True Crime genre. In this extraordinary docu-series, acclaimed filmmakers Joe Berlinger, Alison Berg and Kahane Cooperman painstakingly separate fact from sensationalism and “non-fiction” by mixing re-enactments, rarely-seen archival footage and new interviews in a gripping attempt to restore humanity to victims of a truly horrific act of violence. Available Now
Shudder
Satan’s Slaves – When a famous singer dies from a mysterious illness, her family feels her presence linger, and a horrifying saga begins. The Shudder Original is directed by Joko Anwar. Available Now
Terrified – Directed by Demián Rugna, no one can explain what is going on in an ordinary suburban neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Voices are being heard from kitchen sinks, bodies are levitating and evil is here. It is up to a doctor, her colleague and an ex-cop to get to the bottom of this nightmare. Available Now
Summer of 84 – After suspecting that their police officer neighbor is a serial killer, a group of teenage friends spend their summer spying on him and gathering evidence, but as they get closer to discovering the truth, things get dangerous. Debuts October 25
Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel – Thanks to an anonymous tip, an investigative journalist is convinced that key evidence is hidden inside the abandoned Abaddon Hotel – evidence that she thinks will shed light on the hotel’s mysteries. The Shudder exclusive is directed by Stephen Cognetti. Available Now
About Shudder:
AMC Networks’ SHUDDER is a premium streaming video service, super-serving fans of all degrees with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering thrillers, suspense, and horror. SHUDDER’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Austria, Germany, and soon-to-be-available in Australia and New Zealand, on most streaming devices for 4.99/month or 49.99/year. To experience SHUDDER commitment-free for 7 days, visit www.shudder.com.
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube: @shudder
About Sundance Now:
Sundance Now is AMC Networks’ premium streaming service, offering original and exclusive dramas, comedies, and true crime series, in addition to award-winning movies from every genre, including foreign-language and documentary features – all streaming commercial-free. Built on the Sundance legacy, Sundance Now is proud to present an extensive array of entertainment for a passionate and intellectually curious audience. Sundance Now is available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Austria, Germany and soon-to-be-available in Australia and New Zealand.
To stream all Sundance Now content via web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast, visit SundanceNow.com and sign up for a free trial.
Follow Sundance Now on Twitter@sundance_now, Facebook@SundanceNow, Instagram@SundanceNow and YouTube@Sundance Now
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Note to Editors:
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