We are currently in discussions with AMC Networks to renew our contract for their networks, such as AMC and WE tv. AMC is demanding a rate increase of more than 350% over what our members currently pay to receive these channels. They are also demanding that we launch and pay for additional networks which our members have not requested, such as BBC World News.
Although our contract doesn’t expire until December 31, AMC aims to needlessly panic customers by asking them to call us to complain. By using faithful viewers in this way, AMC hopes this will put pressure on us to agree to their excessive demands.
Significant network fee increases directly impact your bill and rest assured – we’re on your side to keep these fees low. We will do everything that we can to ensure that these needless rate hikes are kept in check. We do not stand for bullying tactics that hold our members hostage.
However, should we be unable to reach a negotiated deal with AMC Networks before midnight on January 1, 2016, we may be forced to no longer carry AMC and WE tv. We do not want this outcome, nor do we want to pass higher costs to our members.
We will keep you, our members, informed throughout the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact Dirk Monson, member support manager, at 701-553-8309 or dirkmonson@redrivercomm.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is AMC saying that I may lose The Walking Dead?
AMC Networks aims to needlessly panic customers, and asks them to call us to complain. By using faithful viewers in this way, AMC hopes this will put pressure on Satellite and Local TV providers to agree to their demands for excessive rate increases. What they fail to mention is that any cost increase is generally passed on to the consumer. If AMC were concerned about their viewers’ best interest, they would charge a more reasonable fee for their networks and allow us the flexibility to offer only AMC, and at a fair price.
If these networks are pulled, when will the AMC Networks be back on the air?
We will work hard to get these networks back on your lineup at the lowest price so that it has the least impact on your monthly bill.
Why won’t you just pay what they are asking?
As a small, local business, we can thrive only when we deliver the best possible value for you from all of our services. We are actively working toward an agreement that does not burden our customers with excessive price increases. With the hundreds of channels we offer our customers, imagine the impact to your monthly bill if we just agreed to pay networks whatever they asked.
How much is this increase that is in the news?
AMC is demanding a rate increase of more than 350%*. They are also using the perceived strength one network – AMC – to push for higher rates and the addition of some of their less-watched networks, such as BBC America, BBC World News and SundanceTV. This increase is excessive based on their networks’ ratings and what the average American household budget can afford.
I pay a lot for my cable service. Can’t you use that money to pay for this increase?
Rising programming costs such as these affect ALL providers, including DIRECTV and Dish, and increase your bill every year. We absorb as much of these increases as possible, but are not able to cover all of them. We are working to keep future price increases to a minimum by negotiating hard for you with all programmers.