Dish Drops AMC Just Before 'Breaking Bad' Season Premiere

(Reuters) - AMC Networks, which carries "Breaking Bad," "The Walking Dead," "Mad Men" and other popular television shows, was removed from Dish Network early Sunday after its contract with the satellite TV company expired without a new agreement. Dish, the second-largest satellite TV provider behind DirectTV, said it dropped New York-based AMC because it was charging fees that were too high for the low-rated channel. AMC's contract also expired with AT&T on June 30, but negotiations between the parties continue and AMC channels are being carried on AT&T, the companies said on Sunday. ...

All of AMC's channels have been cut by satellite provider DISH Network, and viewers of hit shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead are irked. Tiffs between networks and cable providers are common, but this one has gone on for record time.» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

By Chris Katje: AMC Networks (AMCX) is the company behind the television channels AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, and WE TV. The company also owns IFC Films. The company was recently spun off from Cablevision (CVC).

(Reuters) - AMC Networks, which carries "Breaking Bad," "The Walking Dead," "Mad Men" and other popular television shows, was removed from Dish Network early Sunday after its contract with the satellite TV company expired without a new agreement.

AMC Networks, which carries "Breaking Bad," "The Walking Dead," "Mad Men" and other popular television shows, was removed from Dish Network early Sunday after its contract ...

Despite ratings winner "The Walking Dead," AMC Networks' fourth quarter earnings fell 48 percent from the year prior.  

By Spencer Grimes:Over the past month, the share price of AMC Networks (AMCX) has drifted down by about 15% and dropped its market capitalization below $3 billion, which brings it into my investment consideration universe for the first time since January.

If you missed last night's mid-season premiere of "The Walking Dead," AMC has decided to stream it online for free. Last night's return of the hit zombie series earned the show its highest ratings yet.  Despite the Grammys, the season return recorded a huge 12.3 million viewers in the 9 p.m. time slot, surpassing the fall's premiere of 10.9 million viewers.