Fidelity Says AMC May Remove Channels Pending Further Talks
Industry: Technology
AMC Networks Want 350 Percent Increase to Continue Carriage, Company Says
Sullivan, MO (PRUnderground) December 31st, 2015
With negotiations going down to the wire, Fidelity Communications Executive General Manager Andy Davis has issued the following statement regarding ongoing talks with AMC Networks:
“Currently, Fidelity Communications is in negotiations with AMC Networks concerning renewal of a contract for networks such as AMC, WE TV and IFC, which expires on December 31, 2015.
“AMC Networks is demanding a 350 percent rate increase for the same exact networks, and are using the strength of AMC alone to push for higher rates and more subscribers for their less-popular channels, including BBC World and Sundance Channel.”
While Fidelity plans to maintain carriage of these networks, Fidelity is notifying customers that AMC Networks may pull their signals on December 31.
The website, TVOnMySide.com, will keep customers up-to-date on our discussions with AMC Networks, he added. “We invite our customers to join in the conversation at this site.”
Programming fees account for the bulk of customers’ monthly bills, he continued. “Our goal is to protect our customers from significant programming fee increases. AMC Networks has demanded a rate increase that is 350 percent higher than last year’s fees for the same channels you get today, or they may pull them from your lineup.
“We will continue to keep the community informed of our progress in these discussions,” Davis concluded.
About Fidelity Communications
Since 1940, Fidelity has been committed to bringing the latest technology and services to the customers it serves. Fidelity Communications is a family-owned Internet, Cable TV and phone company headquartered in Sullivan, Missouri. Fidelity has been providing services in Missouri for 75 years and in Lawton, Oklahoma for the past seven years. Fidelity now provides about 115,000 Internet, Cable TV and local phone services in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. The acquisition of former Cobridge systems in four states were rebranded as Fidelity in early June of 2012. To learn more, visit www.fidelitycommunications.com.
