Viewers of AMC—home of “The Walking Dead,” among other programs—may have noticed a message nestled in between zombie feedings. The message warns that the channel could go dark Jan. 1 if a contract agreement with TDS is not reached by the end of Dec. 31. The network has also dedicated a website to the issue and is trying to rally support on social media.
Here’s the deal: TDS is currently in contract discussions with AMC Networks Inc., the owner of channels AMC, IFC, WE tv and BBC America. Our existing contract agreement does, in fact, expire on Dec. 31.
Although TDS is working to negotiate a fair price for these channels after Dec. 31, AMC Networks may turn off these channels or require us to remove them until a new agreement is secured.
To be clear: Programming will not be interrupted before Dec. 31. The final episode of the first half of Season 6 of “The Walking Dead” is scheduled to air Nov. 29, and the first episode of Season 6’s second half is not scheduled to air until Feb. 14, 2016.
Increases in programming costs are an industry-wide problem and affect all cable and satellite providers. Significant network fee increases directly impact your bill, and TDS is on your side to keep these fees as low as possible. You can learn more about these issues at tvonmyside.com, which also features a well-crafted video about our dealings with AMC. Watch it by clicking here:
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