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TMCNet: Dish Network to offer new channels in place of AMC starting Saturday

[June 29, 2012]

Dish Network to offer new channels in place of AMC starting Saturday

Jun 29, 2012 (Tulsa World - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Dish Network will replace AMC channel with commercial free-movies starting at 10:59 p.m. Saturday.

The satellite carrier will replace AMC with HDNet Movies and will offer Style and HDNet to replace WE and IFC, according to a statement issued Friday.

"HDNet Movies and HDNet are exciting offerings for our customers," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of programming for DISH.

"These are networks that will bring great entertainment, including first-run, commercial-free movies in high definition to our customers. DISH is the only pay-TV provider that did not raise its core package prices in 2012. We will continue to fight hard for choice, control, and value in home entertainment." Beginning Saturday, HDNet Movies will be available on channel 130, Style on channel 128, and HDNet (soon to become a new entertainment and music channel called "AXS.TV") will run on channel 131.

Earlier this year, DISH notified AMC Networks of its decision not to renew its contract due to the high costs of the channel compared to its "relatively low viewership," according to the statement.

"A significant portion of any pay-TV bill goes to fees for content providers like AMC Networks," said Shull. "AMC Networks requires us to carry low-rated channels like IFC and WE to access a few popular AMC shows. The math is simple: it's not a good value for our customers." The company said AMC has also decreased the value of its programming by making some of its most popular programs available through iTunes, Netflix and Amazon.com.

The satellite carrier's decision comes while AMC Networks is also embroiled in negotiations over an "excessive rate increase" with AT&T U-Verse. That carrier has already announced it will also drop the AMC channels Saturday unless a new agreement can be reached.

___ (c)2012 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at www.tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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