Charter picks up AMC’s ad-free channel and streaming services

AMC Networks has set a deal with Charter Communications that will boost distribution for its ad-free AMC Premiere and subscription streaming services.

Spectrum customers will get access to AMC Premiere, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and UMC. The launch is part of a recent broader, long-term agreement between the two companies that includes continued carriage of AMC Networks’ AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv and BBC World News linear television networks, as well as an extension of a previously announced co-production arrangement between the companies.

“We have great admiration for Charter, and we’re proud of the productive and mutually beneficial partnership we have enjoyed for decades,” said AMC Network COO Ed Carroll in a statement. “As both of our businesses continue to evolve, we are very pleased to expand our relationship by enriching Charter’s offering with our targeted SVOD services. Much like our networks, our SVOD services serve passionate audiences with the content they love. We look forward to continuing to forge a new path with Charter, giving Spectrum customers access to our shows on whatever platform they choose.”

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AMC Networks’ deal with Charter was announced on the same day the programmer posted its third-quarter results. The company’s net revenues increased 3.1% to $719 million, and operating income increased 2.3% to $168 million.

AMC’s International and Other business segment – which houses the company’s global direct-to-consumer business – reported revenues totaling $183 million, up 20.5% year over year. The segment’s operating loss declined by 31.3% to approximately $11.5 million. AMC said that Acorn TV surpassed one million subscribers and the company reaffirmed its target of more than two million subscribers by year-end 2019. Last quarter, CEO Josh Sapan said that AMC Networks’ cumulative streaming subscriber total will be between 3.5 million and 4 million by 2022, and between 5 million and 7 million by 2024. The company also expects more than half a billion dollars in revenue by 2024 from its four SVOD services.