Dish Network and AMC have finally worked out a deal that once again makes the channel available to Dish subscribers. Cablevision Systems Corporation and AMC Networks announced on Sunday that they have settled litigation with Dish Network, filed in the New York Supreme Court and related to VOOM HD.
Dish has agreed to pay a cash settlement of $700 million to Cablevision and AMC. $80 million of that is for licensing Cablevision’s multichannel video and data distribution service (MVDDS) in 45 areas in the U.S. Dish has entered into a long-term distribution agreement with AMC to carry AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv, and with The Madison Square Garden Company to carry Fuse. Dish, meanwhile, conveys its 20-percent membership interest in VOOM HD to Rainbow Programming. All of the cash settlement remains with Cablevision and AMC Networks.
“We are glad to have settled the case and reestablished our long-term relationships with AMC Networks and Cablevision,” said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming at Dish. “This multi-year deal delivers a fair value for both parties and includes digital expansion opportunities for AMC Networks’ programming.”
AMC CEO Josh Sapan said, “We are glad to partner again with Dish Network and are delighted to bring back our popular channels and programming to their customers.”
Dish resumed broadcast of AMC on Sunday. It can be found on channel 131.
This is good news for fans of shows like The Waking Dead (which just aired the second episode of its new season), Breaking Bad (which just has the second part of its final season left) and Mad Men, to name a few.
Image: The Walking Dead (AMC)