AMC was recently dropped by DISH in the US as part of a contract dispute. AMC fired back today…read on for details!
AMC fired back at DISH for dropping them today. AMC announced that they would provide a free video stream of the Breaking Bad season five premier to current DISH customers and is actively encouraging their fans to switch from DISH. First, the DISH announcement that they were dropping AMC:
DISH to Replace AMC With Commercial-Free HD Movies
New Programming Also Slated to Replace IFC, WE
ENGLEWOOD, CO–(Marketwire – Jun 29, 2012) – DISH (NASDAQ: DISH) will replace three AMC Networks channels — IFC, WE and AMC — tomorrow at 11:59 p.m. ET with what the company believes is stronger movie and entertainment content.
DISH will be providing HDNet Movies to replace AMC, and is offering Style and HDNet to replace WE and IFC.
“HDNet Movies and HDNet are exciting offerings for our customers,” said Dave Shull, senior vice president of programming for DISH. “These are networks that will bring great entertainment, including first-run, commercial-free movies in high definition to our customers. DISH is the only pay-TV provider that did not raise its core package prices in 2012. We will continue to fight hard for choice, control, and value in home entertainment.”
DISH notified AMC Networks earlier in the year of its decision not to renew its contract due to the channels’ high costs compared to their relatively low viewership.
DISH’s actions come as AT&T and AMC Networks negotiate over what AT&T this week called an “excessive rate increase.”
“A significant portion of any pay-TV bill goes to fees for content providers like AMC Networks,” said Shull. “AMC Networks requires us to carry low-rated channels like IFC and WE to access a few popular AMC shows. The math is simple: it’s not a good value for our customers.”
AMC Networks has further devalued its programming by making its handful of popular shows available to consumers via iTunes, Netflix and Amazon.com.
“One of AMC’s biggest historical draws has been movies. However, their performance has been trumped by other DISH movie offerings, including the many thousands of titles available on Blockbuster @Home and from top-quality providers such as HBO, Showtime, Starz, EPIX, MGM HD, IndiePlex, and RetroPlex,” Shull said.
Beginning Saturday, HDNet Movies will be available on Channel 130, Style will be on Channel 128, and HDNet (soon to become a new entertainment and music channel called “AXS.TV”) will run on Channel 131.
This is displayed when you bring up the AMC website:
![MCM_SS_01_450_thumb1_thumb_thumb_thu[2]](https://i0.wp.com/moviesgamesandtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/MCM_SS_01_450_thumb1_thumb_thumb_thu2.jpg?ssl=1 "MCM_SS_01_450_thumb1_thumb_thumb_thu[2]")
