MUMBAI: Leading direct broadcast satellite service provider Dish Network has said it will drop AMC Network channels due to the high cost of carrying the channels coupled with decline in viewership.
Dish said it will drop the four AMC channels including We TV and Sundance Channel once the contract ends in June since the low viewership of AMC channels do not justify the rate increase that it is seeking.
Furthermore, Dish is also unhappy about the fact that shows such as Mad Men and Breaking Bad are made available on other platforms such as Netflix and iTunes soon after the shows have aired on AMC.
However, AMC believes Dish Network‘s decision has more to it than meets the eye.
Dish recently lost a $2.5 billion breach of contract case against it relating to the now defunct Voom HD cable channels that was owned by AMC. This, AMC says, is the prime motive behind dropping the channels.
"It is unfortunate that, because of setbacks in an unrelated litigation, Dish even suggests that they might deny their customers access to some of their favourite networks and shows that are offered by every other major satellite and cable TV provider," AMC said.
Dish responded by saying that AMC was distorting facts by incorrectly attempting to tie together two separate issues.
