AMC Networks vs Kochava

Bacardí and AMC Resurrect Crypt Keeper for FearFest

AMC has resurrected the iconic Crypt Keeper from 'Tales From the Crypt' after a 30-year absence, with spirits company Bacardí as the exclusive partner. The character, voiced again by John Kassir and with a look updated by Greg Nicotero, will appear in five vignettes across AMC's linear and social channels during October's FearFest, which features 650 hours of horror content. The campaign ties into Bacardí's 'Better With a Beat' music-inspired theme, positioning the Crypt Keeper as a cocktail-loving DJ. All seven seasons of the original series are now streaming on AMC+ and Shudder for the first time. The partnership, which began in early 2026, marks a significant licensing deal for AMC and a major Halloween marketing push for Bacardí, highlighting the growing trend of leveraging nostalgic IP for branded entertainment.

• AMC and Bacardí resurrect the Crypt Keeper after 30 years for FearFest 2026.
• Five vignettes will air across AMC linear and social channels during October.
• John Kassir returns as the voice of the Crypt Keeper; Greg Nicotero directs and updates the look.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for AMC Networks (2026-07-30)

AMC Global Media Inc. (formerly AMC Networks Inc.) reported significant strategic and capital structure milestones in its Form 10-Q for the period ending mid-2026. The company secured a landmark five-year co-exclusive global streaming licensing agreement with Netflix for 'The Walking Dead Universe' valued at $500 million aggregate ($445 million present value), providing strong multi-year cash flow visibility. To stabilize its balance sheet amidst ongoing linear television headwinds, the company refinanced its debt maturities by issuing $915.1 million of 10.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2032, retired its 2029 notes, repaid its $80.0 million Term Loan A balance, and initiated a $30.0 million Accelerated Share Repurchase program.

• Executed a 5-year co-exclusive global streaming licensing pact with Netflix for The Walking Dead Universe valued at $500 million ($445 million present value).
• Completed debt refinancing by issuing $915.1 million of 10.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 in exchange for $861.3 million of 2029 notes, fully paid down the $80.0 million Term Loan A, and terminated its Revolving Credit Facility.
• Executed a $30.0 million Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) agreement with Citibank on May 8, 2026, following its official corporate rebranding to AMC Global Media Inc. on April 8, 2026.

8-K Financial Filing Analysis for AMC Networks (2026-09-08)

AMC Global Media Inc. entered into a comprehensive $120 million settlement agreement on September 4, 2026, resolving long-standing breach of contract litigation with key creators and executive producers of 'The Walking Dead' and 'Fear The Walking Dead', including Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Glen Mazzara, and David Alpert. The litigation had been pending since 2022 and was scheduled for trial in October 2026. Under the terms, AMC will make an immediate cash payment of $85 million by September 18, 2026, and pay $35 million by January 31, 2027, as an advance against future Modified Adjusted Gross Receipts (MAGR) profit participations. Consequently, AMC revised its full-year 2026 Free Cash Flow guidance downward from approximately $220 million to approximately $150 million to reflect the net cash outflow. The company will record an $85 million pre-tax charge in Q3 2026, but noted that its full-year revenue and Adjusted Operating Income (AOI) guidance remain unchanged, as the settlement is excluded from adjusted operational metrics.

• AMC agreed to a total settlement consideration of $120 million to dismiss profit participation litigation across 'The Walking Dead' franchise with prejudice prior to the October 2026 trial.
• The payment structure comprises an immediate $85 million cash settlement due September 18, 2026, and a $35 million advance against future Modified Adjusted Gross Receipts (MAGR) due by January 31, 2027.
• Full-year 2026 Free Cash Flow guidance was reduced from ~$220 million to ~$150 million due to the settlement, while revenue and Adjusted Operating Income outlooks remain unchanged.

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OpenAI Enhances ChatGPT Ads with Image Formats and Measurement

This week's SEA news highlights Google Ads updates and OpenAI's growing but underperforming ChatGPT ad platform. Google Ads introduces channel prioritization and budget allocation for Search, Shopping, Performance Max, and Demand Gen, ending Search with Display Network spend allocation in February 2027. OpenAI's ChatGPT Ads expanded to 60+ countries, with advertisers surging from ~20,000 in August to ~60,000 by October, yet it's likely to miss its $2.4 billion 2026 ad revenue target. The platform supports CPM, CPC, and experimental CPA bidding, partners with DoubleVerify and IAS for brand safety, and integrates with Hightouch, Tealium, and LiveRamp. Early results show some success (WeightWatchers' 15.3% lower CPA), but high invalid click rates (0.1%-34%) and low CPC ($5 vs. $30-50 on Google) deter major budgets. Google also tests 'Direct Offer' assets for AI Mode and adds 'store_address' attributes for local inventory.

• Google Ads adds channel prioritization and budget allocation; Search with Display Network spend allocation ends February 2027.
• ChatGPT advertisers grew from ~20,000 (August) to ~60,000 (October), but OpenAI likely misses its $2.4B ad revenue target for 2026.
• ChatGPT Ads expanded to 60+ countries with CPM, CPC, and experimental CPA bidding, and partners with DoubleVerify and IAS for brand safety.