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AMC Global Media Inc.

Cable Television Broadcasting and EntertainmentFounded 2011
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: September 2026

Acquisitions

AMC Global Media Acquisitions

4

Major Deals Covered

$1.3B

Disclosed Deal Value

What are AMC Global Media's biggest acquisitions?

AMC Global Media's largest disclosed acquisition here is Chellomedia for $1B in 2014. This page covers 4 major deals from 2014 to 2022, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.

Major deals covered
4
Largest deal
Chellomedia ($1B)
First deal
2014
Most recent
2022
CompanyYearPricePurpose
Chellomedia2014$1.0BAMC Networks completed the purchase of substantially all of Chellomedia, the international content division of Liberty Global, on February 3, 2014 for 750 million euros, about $1.0 billion, to build a channels business outside the United States.
BBC America (49.9% stake)2014$200.0MAMC Networks paid $200 million in October 2014 for a 49.9% equity stake in BBC America and took over running the channel, with BBC Worldwide keeping 50.1%.
RLJ Entertainment2018$59.0MAMC Networks agreed on July 30, 2018 to take RLJ Entertainment private, paying about $59 million for the shares it and Robert L. Johnson did not already own in a deal valuing RLJ at about $274 million, to add subscription streaming services and a film library.
Sentai Holdings2022UndisclosedAMC Networks announced on January 5, 2022 that it had completed the purchase of Houston-based Sentai Holdings, an anime content and merchandise supplier, to enter the anime subscription market. Terms were not disclosed.
What companies has AMC Global Media bought?
Major acquisitions by AMC Global Media documented here include Chellomedia (2014), BBC America (49.9% stake) (2014), RLJ Entertainment (2018) and Sentai Holdings (2022).
What is AMC Global Media's most recent acquisition?
The most recent AMC Global Media acquisition documented here is Sentai Holdings, in 2022.

Sentai Holdings

2022

Why

AMC Networks announced on January 5, 2022 that it had completed the purchase of Houston-based Sentai Holdings, an anime content and merchandise supplier, to enter the anime subscription market. Terms were not disclosed.

Impact

The deal added the Sentai Filmworks distributor and the HIDIVE streaming service, including the interests held by Japan's Cool Japan Fund.

Outcome

HIDIVE is one of the six targeted streaming services counted in the 10.4 million subscribers reported at December 31, 2025.

Source →

RLJ Entertainment

2018

$59M

Why

AMC Networks agreed on July 30, 2018 to take RLJ Entertainment private, paying about $59 million for the shares it and Robert L. Johnson did not already own in a deal valuing RLJ at about $274 million, to add subscription streaming services and a film library.

Impact

The deal brought Acorn TV, Urban Movie Channel, now ALLBLK, and the RLJE Films label. It closed on November 1, 2018 with Johnson and his affiliates keeping 17%.

Outcome

AMC Networks bought that remaining 17% for $75 million in cash on November 26, 2025 and now owns RLJ Entertainment outright, including its investment in Agatha Christie Limited.

Source →

Chellomedia

2014

$1.0B

Why

AMC Networks completed the purchase of substantially all of Chellomedia, the international content division of Liberty Global, on February 3, 2014 for 750 million euros, about $1.0 billion, to build a channels business outside the United States.

Impact

The acquired channels reached more than 390 million homes and became AMC Networks International, the company's International segment.

Outcome

The segment produced $304 million of revenue in FY2025, down 6.5%, and carried a $93 million goodwill impairment charge that year.

Source →

BBC America (49.9% stake)

2014

$200M

Why

AMC Networks paid $200 million in October 2014 for a 49.9% equity stake in BBC America and took over running the channel, with BBC Worldwide keeping 50.1%.

Impact

AMC Networks gained affiliate distribution and domestic advertising sales for a channel carrying British drama and natural history programming.

Outcome

AMC Networks bought the remaining 50.1% for $42 million in cash in a deal that closed on November 1, 2024 and now owns BBC America outright.

Source →

AMC Global Media Inc.'s Growth & Acquisition Strategy

Growth is meant to come from three places: price and distribution for the targeted streaming services, licensing owned franchises, and lower costs. Streaming revenue grew 12% to $677 million in 2025 and 6% to $180 million in the second quarter of 2026, mainly on price increases. More than 1.1 million Spectrum TV customers have activated ad-supported AMC+ through Charter since launch, and 2025 affiliate renewals covered more than a third of the US and Canadian subscriber footprint. The company launched the unscripted service All Reality in November 2025, relaunched Sundance Now with over 1,000 hours of independent film, and added weekly live TNA Wrestling programming to AMC in January 2026.

How AMC Global Media Inc. Makes Money

AMC Global Media sells the same programming three ways. Distributors pay per-subscriber affiliate fees to carry AMC, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV and We TV, which produced $588 million in FY2025 and is declining about 13% a year as basic subscribers leave. Viewers pay monthly for AMC+ and the targeted services Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK, HIDIVE and All Reality, which produced $677 million. Advertisers pay for linear and digital inventory, worth $580.8 million across both segments. On top of that, AMC Studios owns most of the programming, so the company can license it: the July 2026 Netflix agreement for The Walking Dead Universe carries $500 million of license fees over five years.

AMC Global Media Acquisitions FAQ

When did AMC Networks acquire RLJ Entertainment, Acorn TV and ALLBLK?

It agreed on July 30, 2018 to take RLJ Entertainment private, paying about $59 million for the shares it and Robert L. Johnson did not own in a deal valuing RLJ at about $274 million. The acquisition closed on November 1, 2018, bringing Acorn TV, Urban Movie Channel, now ALLBLK, and RLJE Films. Johnson's remaining 17% was bought for $75 million in November 2025.

When and how did AMC Networks acquire anime streaming platform HIDIVE / Sentai Holdings?

In January 2022, AMC Networks acquired Houston-based Sentai Holdings and its direct-to-consumer anime streaming platform HIDIVE, adding a large library of Japanese anime series, merchandise, and global localization capabilities.

How did AMC Networks acquire the rights to the Anne Rice literary catalog?

In May 2020, AMC Networks acquired the comprehensive television and film rights to Anne Rice's well-known literary works, comprising 'The Vampire Chronicles' and 'The Lives of the Mayfair Witches', encompassing 18 bestselling novels.

How did the BBC America deal work?

In October 2014 AMC Networks paid $200 million for a 49.9% equity stake in BBC America and took operational control, with BBC Worldwide keeping 50.1%. It bought the remaining 50.1% for $42 million in cash in November 2024 and now owns the channel outright.

When did AMC Networks acquire international broadcaster Chellomedia?

In February 2014, AMC Networks acquired Chellomedia (the international content division of Liberty Global) for €750 million ($1.0 billion), giving AMC global linear television networks reaching over 390 million households across Europe and Latin America.

How did AMC Networks acquire full ownership of horror streaming service Shudder?

AMC Networks internally incubated and launched Shudder in 2015, supplementing its original content through strategic library acquisitions of international horror distributors and indie genre catalogues.

When did AMC Networks acquire Levity Live and the Comedy Digital Network?

In April 2018, AMC Networks acquired a majority stake in Levity Live, owner of the well-known Improv comedy club chain and specialized comedic talent management and live production assets.

How does AMC Networks evaluate content acquisitions versus in-house production?

AMC Networks balances selective IP acquisitions (like Anne Rice) that offer multi-series universe potential against lean third-party co-productions and licensing arrangements to maximize return on invested capital.

What companies has AMC Networks acquired?

AMC Networks acquired Sentai Holdings to enter the massive anime streaming market (HIDIVE) and fully acquired RLJ Entertainment to boost its Acorn TV platform.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.