NEW YORK, NY – May 1, 2025 – AMC Networks announced today that Sam Zimmerman has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions for Shudder, the company’s premium streaming service offering the very best in horror. Zimmerman will continue to lead programming for Shudder as it marks its 10-year anniversary, super-serving members with an unparalleled selection in genre entertainment across horror, thrillers and the supernatural.
Based in New York, Zimmerman will continue to work alongside Emily Gotto, SVP of Acquisitions and Productions, and report to Scott Shooman, Head of the AMC Networks’ Film Group, encompassing IFC Films, RLJE Films and Shudder’s film division.
“It’s so fitting, as we celebrate 10 years of Shudder, that we also celebrate Sam Zimmermans’s incredible contributions to the service and to the horror genre,” said Shooman. “His expert curatorial approach and passion for bringing audiences engaging and unexpected experiences, whether from an emerging new voice or a forgotten classic, make him perfectly suited to keep bringing the scares to Shudder’s members.”
A certified horror aficionado, Zimmerman is personally involved in nearly every aspect of Shudder, including the detailed curation of the streamer’s content. He is known for manning the service’s “Halloween Hotline,” every October, providing subscribers with personalized movie recommendations as well as hosting and moderating regular “Shudder Showcases” at the company’s IFC Center theater.
“Since day one, the mission at Shudder has been to showcase the breadth and depth of horror, connecting with fans and audiences over provocative, frightening work from renowned masters and pioneering new voices,” said Zimmerman. “It’s truly a thrill to continue to help lead this incredible service at a time when horror is the fastest growing genre in entertainment, more prevalent and widely embraced than ever before. I’m so thankful to the passionate fans who have supported us these last ten years and to the immeasurably talented filmmakers and producers who have trusted us to share their stories.”
During his time at Shudder, Zimmerman has worked with acclaimed filmmakers including Issa Lopez, Chloe Okuno, Flying Lotus, Jayro Bustamante, Coralie Fargeat, Josh Ruben, David Bruckner, Demian Rugna and Jennifer Reeder, among others.
Recent and upcoming Shudder releases include award-winning titles such as the New York Times Critics’ Pick THE UGLY STEPSISTER (January 23) from Emilie Blichfeldt; James Ashcroft’s THE RULE OF JENNY PENN (March 7); Sean Byrne’s summer thriller DANGEROUS ANIMALS (June 6), recently announced for a World Premiere in Cannes; and Eli Craig’s CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD (May 9).
Shudder10, which kicked off during the streamer’s annual “Halfway to Halloween” horror-thon this April, is a celebration of a decade of the best in horror, featuring a nationwide screening tour, “Shudder 10 Screening Series,” featuring a curated selection of Shudder films handpicked by Zimmerman. The 10-year milestone follows a successful 2024 for Shudder with the streamer claiming seven of the year’s top 10 titles on Rotten Tomatoes 2024 Horror list with Late Night with the Devil landing in the #1 spot.
About AMC Networks
AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) is home to many of the greatest stories and characters in TV and film and is the premier destination for passionate and engaged fan communities around the world. The Company creates and curates celebrated series and films across distinct brands and makes them available to audiences everywhere. Its portfolio includes targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK and HIDIVE; cable networks AMC, BBC AMERICA (which includes U.S. distribution and sales responsibilities for BBC News), IFC, SundanceTV and We TV; and film distribution labels IFC Films and RLJE Films. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its in-house studio, production and distribution operation behind acclaimed and fan-favorite original franchises including The Walking Dead Universe and the Anne Rice Immortal Universe; and AMC Networks International, its international programming business.
About Shudder
AMC Networks’ Shudder, a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. This year marks the streamer’s 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of the best in horror. “Shudder10” will feature the service’s most terrifyingly ambitious slate to date, along with special fan events, a nationwide screening series, customed merchandise and more. The milestone celebration follows a successful 2024 for Shudder as the streamer claimed six of the year’s top 10 titles on Rotten Tomatoes 2024 Horror list with LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL landing in the #1 spot. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and Original Content is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Over the last few years, Shudder has introduced audiences to groundbreaking and critically acclaimed films including Rob Savage’s HOST, Jayro Bustamante’s LA LLORONA, Phil Tippett’s MAD GOD, Coralie Fargeat’s REVENGE, Joko Anwar’s SATAN’S SLAVES, Josh Ruben’s SCARE ME, Kyle Edward Ball’s SKINAMARINK, Christian Tafdrup’s SPEAK NO EVIL, Chloe Okuno’s WATCHER, Demián Rugna‘s WHEN EVIL LURKS, and the latest in the V/H/S film anthology franchise, as well as the fan favorite TV series THE BOULET BROTHERS’ DRAGULA, THE CREEP TAPES from Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice, and THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS.