Why a streamer beloved by fans of British TV is turning to big U.S. stars

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Thirty years back, the much-loved romantic comedy “Clueless,” a classic coming-of-age film, premiered in cinemas and has since left an indelible mark on American popular culture.

In a recent chat in New York, the movie’s lead actress, Alicia Silverstone, expressed her delight saying, “People just can’t seem to get enough of it, regardless of age! From young to old, this movie has been a lasting hit, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

AMC Networks plans to leverage Silverstone’s broad appeal across multiple generations to bolster its streaming platform, Acorn TV based in New York. This service primarily focuses on British dramas and shows from other countries.

Silverstone takes center stage in the debut of “Irish Blood,” an original production by Acorn, which aired on Monday. In this series, she portrays Fiona Sharpe, a tough-as-nails Los Angeles divorce attorney. Her character travels to Ireland to uncover the truth about her father, who abandoned her during childhood, following a mysterious case.

Brooke Shields, a renowned actress, has joined AMC for another Acorn project titled “You’re Killing Me.” In this series, she will be cast as a mystery novelist who collaborates with a budding writer and social media influencer to solve murders in a quaint New England town. Filming begins this summer, with the show scheduled to air in 2026.

Hollywood Inc.

Following Stephen Colbert’s timeslot on CBS, Allen’s ‘Comics Unleashed’ will air. As the cost of late-night programming, Allen explains, isn’t reduced; it’s free, or in other words, it costs nothing.

To explain, why not place two renowned American actresses on a streaming service specializing in showcasing diverse global settings, languages (sometimes English included), and accents, which occasionally necessitate subtitles even for the English language?

Even the small players in streaming have to get bigger.

AMC may not be able to match the financial resources of competitors like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ in terms of streaming services. Instead, they have carved out a unique niche by focusing on specific audiences who are willing to pay extra for a service that caters to their interests. For instance, horror enthusiasts can find content on Shudder, while anime fans might prefer HIDIVE.

Approximately 10.4 million customers make use of the company’s collection of streaming services. Despite this relatively small number, the streaming income for AMC Networks has consistently increased and is expected to soon outpace the revenue they earn from their conventional TV channels like AMC, BBC America, Sundance TV, and WE. These channels have been experiencing a decrease in subscribers due to the trend of cutting the cord.

It’s been discovered that devotees of AMC’s specialized services are resilient to cost hikes and tend not to unsubscribe. The business has effectively maintained the cost of its streaming platforms below $10 per month.

Currently, AMC Networks is focusing on increasing their subscriber base at an expedited pace. Among their standalone services, Acorn, which is both well-loved and lucrative, appears to be the ideal platform for this growth initiative.

Courtney Thomasma, AMC Networks’ executive vice president for streaming and content strategy, stated to The Times that they genuinely stand behind this service. Over the past year, their primary goal has been to boost the brand’s visibility and attract new viewers who will undoubtedly appreciate it. They are achieving this by channeling resources into the brand and bringing in renowned talent that is well-known among North American audiences.

Many supporters of Acorn, originally a company that sold British TV series on home video as a direct marketer, have been referred to by Thomasma as “armchair travelers” eager to explore French vineyards or the cobblestone streets of Chelsea. However, AMC aims to broaden its appeal by positioning Acorn more strongly within the mystery genre.

Hollywood Inc.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but share my excitement with fellow viewers about an extraordinary find – Dolly Parton! While she may have first captivated us on ‘The Voice’, her true comedic prowess lies in the six seasons of laugh-out-loud shows she produced for the WB and the CW.

For the entire month of May, under the label “Murder Mystery May,” an exciting promotional campaign took place that included several new season premieres. This campaign significantly boosted Acorn TV subscription numbers to a four-year peak. Furthermore, during this period, viewers watched an impressive 20 million hours on Acorn TV, setting a new record for the service, as reported by AMC.

Emphasizing the enigmatic aspect allows Acorn to offer Silverstone and Shields roles, and one method AMC draws top-tier talent is by providing them the chance to personally influence their shows’ creative direction. According to Thomasma, “They become just as committed to the projects’ success as we are.

Silverstone joined the team behind “Irish Blood” as an executive producer, playing a significant role in its development. She played crucial parts in hiring essential crew members and collaborated with the writing team. Her satisfaction stems from the final outcome.

Silverstone commented, “It was both peculiar and deeply emotional, I found.” Adding, “There’s a wealth of opportunities for me in this production.

In a pitch to AMC, writers Robin Bernheim and Shields (the actor) centered their project “You’re Killing Me” around the generational divide. Now that filming has started, the actor continues to play an active role in the production process. During an interview, Shields expressed gratitude for this opportunity as executive producer, stating, “This is my first time having this level of creative control, and I feel fortunate they gave me the chance to carry out our vision.

Acorn collaborates with production partners globally and earns income by reselling certain series for encore broadcasts on international networks and PBS. AMC invests approximately $1 million per episode in their cost-effective series, which are dialogue-heavy and largely devoid of car chases. The viewership tends to be mature, consisting of individuals who frequently read newspapers, watch cable news and PBS, and appreciate solving puzzles.

While I’m aiming to draw in a younger audience with Acorn, I’ll ensure that our distinctive British flavor remains an integral part of the experience.

More recently, Acorn debuted “Art Detectives,” a show featuring Stephen Moyer, who not only stars but also serves as an executive producer. This series focuses on a specialized crime unit that investigates murders linked to art and collectibles, setting a new record for the streamer’s most successful premiere to date.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that come later this year, I’ll be diving into a fresh six-episode series! This time around, we have the talented Matthew Lewis, best recognized for his role as Neville Longbottom in the iconic Harry Potter films.

The series is based on the Canon Clements mystery novels penned by the Reverend Richard Coles, and it’s called “Murder Before Evensong.” This captivating production is a collaborative effort with the British broadcaster Channel 5, promising an engaging and suspenseful watch!

Thomasma emphasized that our store is small yet personal, where customers get to know the owner and vice versa. We foster a strong bond with our customers.

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2025-08-14 13:34