Dish Network has confirmed that it will drop channels owned by AMC Networks following the expiration of their contract with the company this week. The move will axe programming from channels including AMC, We TV, and IFC and will mean Dish users will no longer have access to AMC's smash series "Mad Men."
In a statement on the decision Dish senior vice president for programming Dave Shull said they were no long willing to accept imposed package deals simply to get access to AMC proper:
"AMC Networks requires us to carry low-rated channels like IFC and WE tv to access a few popular AMC shows. The math is simple: it's not a good value for our customers," he explained.
According to AMC, however, Dish elected to drop their networks after they lost a lawsuit filed by AMC relating to old networks that had been dropped in 2008:
"Dish dropped our networks not because of ratings or rates. In fact, Dish has not discussed rates with us at all. Dish customers have lost some of their favorite shows because of an unrelated lawsuit which has nothing at all to do with our programming."
AMC reps add: "It's telling that AMC Networks has historically been able to negotiate fair agreements with television providers that reflect the value of our content."
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