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DISH Network settles with AMC, Cablevision Systems

That statement may be music to many an American's ears.
Written by Charlie Osborne, Contributing Writer

DISH Network announced Sunday that it has settled a court case with AMC Networks and sister company Cablevision Systems.

dish network amc court case settled

The satellite provider's case was centered on an ancient dispute rooted in the defunct Voom programming service which resulted in Cablevision Systems suing the firm in 2008. However, the case's stakes were raised when DISH decided to drop AMC, stating that the channels cost too much -- cutting access to popular shows including Mad Men to the company's 14 million subscribers.

In reprisal, AMC said that Dish was simply trying to gain leverage in the lawsuit. According to theWashington Post, AMC said 13 percent of its subscribers were affected by the premeditated blackout.

As part of the agreement, DISH Network will pay Cablevision and AMC Networks $700 million in cash, $80 million of which will be used to purchase Cablevision's multichannel video and data distribution service (MVDDS) licenses. These licenses operate in 45 metropolitan areas in the United States.

Josh Sapan, President and CEO, AMC Networks, said:

"We are glad to partner again with DISH Network and are delighted to bring back our popular channels and programming to their customers."

The AMC channel was restored on Sunday, and other AMC networks are due to resume on Nov. 1.

Once payment is received, the companies will file a joint stipulation to dismiss the case with prejudice. The case in question -- VOOM HD Holdings LLC v. EchoStar Satellite LLC -- was filed in the Supreme Court, NY.

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