AMC Networks has named Kristin Dolan as the company’s new chief executive, with the appointment following an abrupt exit from former CEO Christina Spade who stepped down in November after three months in the role.
Dolan, who has been a longtime AMC Networks board member, will take the helm at AMC effective February 27. In addition to AMC Networks Dolan is also a board member for The Madison Square Garden Company, Wendy’s, and Revlon.
In a statement AMC Networks Interim Executive Chairman James Dolan highlighted the new CEO’s experience in subscription-based models, as well as audience engagement and advertising.
“Kristin is a proven executive and operational leader with a track record driving organizational change, a history managing subscription-based businesses, and a deep understanding of audience engagement and advertising,” stated interim executive chair Dolan. “These are areas of critical importance as we transform our company and monetize our high-quality content. With her considerable experience and knowledge of the company, Kristin is the ideal person to lead AMC Networks into its next chapter as we navigate this transformative period in the industry.”
Kristin Dolan is the spouse of AMC chair James Dolan. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Dolans are separated but remain close.
Dolan has over 30 years of media and entertainment experience, having started her career with AMC Networks (then Rainbow Media) in various marketing roles including affiliate marketing and distribution. Most recently Dolan served as CEO of audience measurement and data analytics firm 605, which she founded in 2016. Prior to that Dolan spent 16 years in a variety of roles at Cablevision (now part of Altice USA), including chief operating officer. There she led the cable company’s operations, overseeing more than 10,000 employees across units, as well as leadership for the company’s advertising sales division. Dolan also served as a key member of the leadership team that stewarded Cablevision’s 2016 sale to Altice for $17.7 billion.
“It’s a privilege to join a company with a long legacy of engaging audiences with excellent storytelling and world-class brands,” said incoming CEO Dolan. “It’s also where I started my career in the industry. I look forward to bringing my broad experience—across programming, cable operations, and most recently, utilizing data to reimagine television advertising—to leverage AMC Networks’ strong assets, drive the next phase of the company’s growth, and build shareholder value in the coming years.”
When Spade exited AMC last year the company did not give a reason, but it marked another leadership change as she had taken over for interim CEO Matt Blank who held the role for about a year after stepping in when longtime CEO Josh Sapan left the company in August 2021.
Shortly after Spade left, reports surfaced that AMC planned large-scale layoffs impacting around 20% of U.S. employees. AMC Networks is scheduled to report its most recent quarterly earnings this Friday on February 17.