Is the AMC+ streaming service impacting Walking Dead ratings?

The AMC+ streaming service has changed the game, ending TV tradition by giving subscribers early access to Walking Dead episodes. It’s also created a culture of unavoidable spoilers for non-subscribers.

Are the spoilers all over social media impacting the show’s television ratings? Full analysis.

Short answer, yes. The Walking Dead has always suffered through spoiler leaks unofficially. Now, TWD fans are receiving official access to episodes a few days early with their AMC+ membership. Then discussing what they watched on social media prior to the show’s broadcast television airing.

Expecting AMC+ subscribers to not speak about what they paid for is entirely unrealistic. You have to imagine that reality-based fact would be figured into the equation. The divide between subscribers and non-subscribers was already evident throughout The Whisperer War saga. But the subscription base has grown substantially since then.

Some fans are literally calling on AMC to just release the AMC+ episodes already… As their spoilers are discussed infinitum on Twitter before a single television airing.

Imagine if certain paying fans knew Negan’s choice days before the airing of The Walking Dead’s Season 7 premiere. It would be like someone ruining The Sixth Sense’s ending while you were waiting in line at the movie theater.

It’s a double edged sword for AMC really. On one hand, early access to Walking Dead episodes is what has pulled in most of the AMC+ subscriber base in the first place. And the AMC Premiere streaming service before that.

Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier and Dog – Photo Credit: Eli Ade/AMC

It’s too great a revenue stream to ignore and quite frankly, the television landscape is changing. Cord cutting is going on all over the place.

However, the resulting nonstop spoiling for television viewers on Twitter & Facebook might cause them to not tune in all together. Not pay for the service. The complete reverse of AMC’s likely intended goal, which would be for fans to subscribe to avoid early spoilers by others.

Not to mention, most streaming service viewers are unlikely to watch an episode on television afterwards. This leads to declining Walking Dead ratings for Season 10 and less advertiser income. AMC+ and AMC Premiere are after all, ad-free streaming services.

You’re then relying more on the subscriber viewership base being large enough to offset the loss of traditional television viewers. It’s gambling. All-in on the AMC+ streaming service being the platform of the future. Which it very well could be.

When more exclusives like the Rick Grimes movie are released in the future the subscriber base will see an instant surge. Exclusive one-on-one long-form interviews with Andrew Lincoln, Melissa McBride, Norman Reedus, the sky is the limit for potential.

However, in the meanwhile you’re trading in some television viewers who caught wind of spoilers on Twitter and don’t feel a need to watch anymore.

Thus, in the short term, The Walking Dead’s television ratings are impacted and advertisers take note, asking for a lower rate. Lower rates means less revenue, less money for cast and crew alike. It’s a domino effect… Unless there’s enough subscribers.

Looking for more Walking Dead Season 10 coverage?

– Be sure to read Norman Reedus hits acting high note in The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 18

– Take a look at our The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 17 Review: ‘Home Sweet Home’.

– Caryl fan? Read about how media outlets are manipulating your fandom… @ Caryl is the most exploited ‘shipping fanbase on TV today

– Check out more Walking Dead reviews, interviews, recaps, and news at The Walking Dead articles section.