AMC Networks announced that they have signed a long-term distribution with DISH Network and Sling TV. This is great for both companies, particularly since DISH is notorious for having contract disagreements that lead to channel blackouts. A long-term contract with AMC means that DISH’s customers can rest easy knowing that all of AMC Networks’ linear channels will be available for the foreseeable future.
This announcement is quite timely for DISH given that they need to report their quarterly earnings less than a week later. Experts have been worried about the Carriage deal, but the signing of a long-term contract will go a long wait towards assuaging those fears. Wall Street clearly agrees since DISH Network’s stock rose 3.4% after the announcement.
Josh Reader, President of Distribution and Development for AMC Networks gave Deadline a statement about the deal. “We’re pleased to expand on our successful longtime partnership with DISH with the launch of our diverse portfolio of growing ad-free and targeted on-demand services and continued carriage of our linear networks,” said Reader. “Much like our linear channels, our ad-free services provide passionate audiences with exceptional content and new ways to innovate with valued distribution partners like DISH as our businesses evolve together.”
The channels that are part of this AMC deal include AMC, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv and BBC World News. The deal will also include AMC Networks’ SVOD services Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now the Urban Movie Channel and the ad-free AMC Premiere.
This deal is a good sign that DISH Network is going to continue to put time and resources into growing their television services despite the fact that the company is set to become the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the United States in the near future.
Sources:
Deadline.com
