AMC Networks & Charter Renew Distribution Deal, Includes AMC+ Streamer

AMC Networks and Charter Communications have agreed to an early renewal of their distribution agreement for AMC Networks’ portfolio of linear cable networks for “multiple years to come,” the companies said. The deal continues Charter’s strategy of including programmer streaming apps in the cable bundle – something it’s done in previous renewals with Disney and Paramount.

In this case, the ad-supported version of AMC Networks’ DTC service AMC+ will be included at no additional cost to Charter’s Spectrum TV Select customers. Charter, which is now the nation’s largest cabler, will also make AMC+ available for purchase to its Internet-only subscribers. 

With the addition of AMC+, Charter said, it will be providing its Spectrum TV Select Plus customers more than $40/month in retail value for streaming apps, and over $30/month in retail value for Spectrum TV Select/Select Signature customers. Charter’s distribution framework includes Paramount+ Essential, ViX Premium with Ads, Disney+ and ESPN+.

“This agreement with AMC Networks supports our goal of enhancing the value and variety of premium entertainment content available to our customers,” said Tom Montemagno, EVP Programming Acquisition for Charter.

AMC Networks’ cable portfolio includes AMC (The Walking Dead Universe, the Anne Rice Immortal Universe, Dark Winds, Gangs of London), BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV and We TV. AMC+ includes same-day access to all original AMC series and full access to Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited.

As per usual in these deals, financial terms weren’t released, but this is good news for AMC.

“This early, multi-year agreement between Charter and AMC Networks ensures Spectrum TV customers will continue to have access to our high-quality original programming however they prefer to watch it, including through the ad-supported version of AMC+,” said Kim Kelleher, chief commercial officer of AMC Networks.