AMC Networks announced today that they have signed a comprehensive, long-term distribution agreement with Dish Network and Sling TV. The deal includes continued carriage of AMC Networks’ linear channels, as well as the upcoming launch of the company’s targeted SVOD services — Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and Urban Movie Channel (“UMC”). The agreement also includes AMC Networks’ ad-free offering AMC Premiere and its IFC Films Unlimited streaming service.
“We’re pleased to expand on our successful longtime partnership with Dish with the launch of our diverse portfolio of growing ad-free and targeted on-demand services and continued carriage of our linear networks,” said Josh Reader, president of distribution and development for AMC Networks. “Much like our linear channels, our ad-free services provide passionate audiences with exceptional content and new ways to innovate with valued distribution partners like Dish as our businesses evolve together.”
In their Q4 2019 earnings report last week, Dish announced Sling TV, had lost 94,000 subscribers, the first recorded loss since the service launched in 2015. Sling TV is now down to 2.59 million subscribers after reporting they reached 2.69 million subscribers in the third quarter last year.
Sling TV is now the second largest vMVPD, coming behind Hulu Live TV, which is at 3.2 million subscribers. The service still maintains a leg up over YouTube TV, which recently surpassed 2 million users. Sling TV also remains ahead of AT&T TV Now, which lost an additional 219,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter, while fuboTV was last reported at 300,000.