Most shows take one season at a time, and decide to either cancel or renew based on the latest season’s numbers (though it’s silly at this point in time to pay too much attention to the numbers given how many different ways we watch TV). AMC does this as well, though they’re not exactly keeping their intentions a special secret.

The Walking Dead is one of the biggest shows on TV right now, and, despite a few speedbumps along the way regarding the creative forces behind the show, it’s continued to score huge numbers and a growing fan base. You have to assume that network execs have long term plans for shows like this, even if they do wait to greenlight a new season, but AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan is sharing his plans from the top of a peppermint patty mountain.