FuboTV is starting off the new year with a slight content drop, as over the weekend it removed nine AMC Networks-owned channels.
The channels that have left Fubo include AMC, AMC Premiere, BBC America, BBC World News, Spanish-language channels El Gourmet and Mas Chic, IFC, Sundance TV and We TV. These removals come after the vMVPD’s distribution agreement with AMC expired at the end of 2022, according to a Fubo spokesperson.
Fubo will not offer any refunds or credits for the loss of AMC channels, per the company’s website. However, Fubo customers won’t lose access to cloud DVR recordings of AMC programming saved on their account.
Fubo on its website added, “While we are always open to adding AMC Networks to our lineup in the future, we currently have no plans to do so.”
“We are focused on super-serving our passionate sports customers as evident by our recent agreement to launch Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Bally Sports regional sports networks in the coming weeks,” Fubo said in a statement to Fierce Video. “As a sports-first live TV streaming platform, Fubo’s mission is to provide leading sports, news and entertainment content while keeping costs reasonable for consumers.”
It's unclear if Fubo decided not to pursue a renewed agreement or if the parties were unable to agree to new terms.
"We are disappointed we could not reach an agreement with FuboTV, which is primarily focused on sports programming, to continue carrying AMC, BBC America, We TV, IFC, SundanceTV, and BBC World News," AMC Networks said in a statement to Fierce Video. "These networks remain available through other major cable, satellite and digital TV providers and viewers can also subscribe to our AMC+ streaming offering for popular and award-winning television series and films from several brands within the AMC Networks family."
Despite ending its carriage agreement with AMC, Fubo at the end of the year inked two new carriage deals with Sinclair Broadcast Group and Scripps Networks. With Sinclair, Fubo added 19 Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs) to its lineup, bringing its total RSN tally to over 35.
Meanwhile seven Scripps channels have joined Fubo’s platform, including ION, Bounce, Grit, Court TV and Scripps News (formerly Newsy). At the time of launch, Fubo’s Marisa Elizondo stated the addition of Scripps content aims to further diversify Fubo’s growing programming lineup, namely with Scripps’ news and entertainment channels.
As for AMC, it’s prepping for the release of “Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches” – the second installment of the Anne Rice Immortal Universe franchise – on January 8. The company previously boasted the franchise’s debut series, “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire,” ranked as the “most successful” launch in AMC+’s history.
AMC also faced an executive shakeup at the end of 2022, after CEO Christina Spade abruptly exited the company. James Dolan is currently serving as AMC’s interim executive chairman until the company can find a replacement CEO.
01/03/23: Updated with statement from AMC Networks.