AMC Buys Minority Stake in ‘Funny Or Die’

AMC Networks Inc. said it has acquired a minority stake in digital comedy service Funny Or Die.

The agreement, terms of which were not disclosed, will help AMC’s IFC network and Funny Or Die collaborate on future projects. The two companies are currently working on IFC’s upcoming series Brockmire (with Hank Azaria and Amanda Peet and derived from a Funny or Die short) and previously worked on IFC series The Spoils Of Babylon and The Spoils Before Dying.

Following the investment, Funny Or Die will continue to operate independently, allowing it to work with other distributors, networks and studios. IFC president Jennifer Caserta will join the Funny Or Die board.

“IFC has established itself as a television network and influential comedy brand able to leverage cultural relevance and both critical and popular acclaim to attract top talent and creators,” Caserta said in a release. “Both IFC and Funny Or Die have a proven track record of producing breakout content. The ability to work together more closely and increase our commitment to delivering more content on all platforms makes for an extremely significant partnership for both companies, and for the millions of fans of our comedy.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.