FIC, AMC launch global roll out of The Walking Dead

Fox International Channels (FIC) and US cable network AMC are to roll out apocalyptic zombie drama The Walking Dead globally at the end of October and start of November.

This comes after the international channels arm of the News Corp-backed US network acquired all international rights, including distribution and home video rights, to the series.

The show, which is directed by The Shawshank Redemption’s Frank Darabont, will air on AMC on October 31 followed by FIC’s worldwide launch in over 120 territories in the first week on November.

“FIC has launched shows on a multi-territory basis in the past but never at this scale or at the same time with a US network. The Walking Dead is a groundbreaking project with a clear global appeal,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, senior VP, original programming and development, FIC.

The 6x1hour series, which is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman, is the first series that AMC, the channel behind Mad Men and Breaking Bad, has produced itself, in association Valhalla Motion Pictures and Circle of Confusion. It follows a group of survivors months after a zombie apocalypse.