AT&T Statement On AMC Networks Programming Agreement

DALLAS, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The AT&T* U-verse® TV contract with AMC Networks for channels including AMC, IFC and WE tv, expires at 11:59 p.m. EST on June 30. AT&T issued the following statement:

We are making every effort to reach a fair agreement and continue providing these channels to our customers. Frankly, we're disappointed AMC Networks has decided to take its negotiations public, instead of working with us in good faith, especially since we're still actively in negotiations.

We've been in ongoing negotiations to renew this agreement, but AMC Networks is seeking an excessive rate increase in our overall fees for the right to deliver these channels. AMC Networks is asking that AT&T pay nearly double what we believe other competitors pay — including a smaller-sized competitor. We believe the rates they are seeking are disproportionate compared to the viewership we see across their channels.

We don't think that's reasonable, especially in these economic times, and we will continue to work toward a fair deal.

There's an ongoing industry trend in which an increasing number of content providers seek unreasonable price increases from their service providers as those contracts expire. If we accept this cost increase from AMC Networks, it could result in higher prices for customers, and would only encourage other content providers to make similar demands.  We don't want customers to lose these channels, but we need to take a stand now to keep costs down while continuing to provide the quality programming customers want and deserve.

For customers looking for more information, please visit att.com/fighting4you.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T U-verse services. Call or go to www.uverse.att.com to see if you qualify. 

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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