13 | AMC’S ZEN MASTER
Why Him? A collector of lightning rods, Sapan’s professional life hasn’t lacked for electricity. He oversees powerhouse AMC with its 18-49 ratings juggernaut “The Walking Dead” and critical darlings “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad,” along with burgeoning alt comedy powerhouse IFC and women’s haven WE tv. And then there’s Sundance Channel, with its well-regarded originals “Top of the Lake” and “Rectify.” Rest assured that the collective success of these nets doesn’t just happen—Sapan makes it happen. And while the bitter carriage dispute with DISH last year that led to a 49% drop in AMC Nets Q4 earnings and the seemingly nonstop shuffle of “The Walking Dead” showrunners were tough, Sapan maintains his equanimity with daily meditation and poetry writing.
Apple or Samsung? Both.
Film fest or music festival? New Orleans Jazz.
The other subject I wish I’d picked for my college major: International affairs
The movie that should never be remade? Chinatown
I watch the majority of programming on this device: TV ?
