Dish Networks will pay Cablevision and AMC Networks $700 million in a settlement announced Sunday that will restore AMC Networks to Dish and resolve a dispute over an indirect AMC subsidiary.
Dish resumed broadcast of flagship network AMC — which airs "Mad Men" and "Walking Dead" — on Sunday. Other AMC networks, including Sundance Channel, WE tv and IFC, will return to Dish Nov. 1. The Madison Square Garden Company’s music-oriented Fuse channel will also begin broadcasting Nov. 1.
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Dish stopped carrying AMC channels when their contract expired in June. Dish said it was because they earned low ratings, but AMC said it was because of the legal dispute over Voom, the subsidiary company.
“We are glad to have settled the case and reestablished our long-term relationshipswith 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.”
Of the $700 million, $80 will go for the purchase of Cablevision's multichannel video and distribution licenses in 45 U.S. metropolitan areas.
“We are glad to partner again with DISH Network and are delighted to bring back our popular channels and programming to their customers," Josh Sapan, president and CEO, AMC Networks, said in a statement:
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Voom HD, a former Cablevision unit, sued Dish in 2008, saying the satellite TV distributor violated a 15-year deal to carry HD programming and should pay $2.4 billion in damages. The trial has been unfolding in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan since Sept. 28.
Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen was scheduled to testify Wednesday in the case. Cablevision founder and Chairman Charles Dolan and Sapan testified earlier.