New York, NY – 4 August 2014 – AMC Networks announced today it is rebranding its MGM Channel as “AMC.” The rebrand marks the first distribution outside of North America for AMC, one of the most popular and award-winning brands in television.
AMC will begin launching locally-versioned channel feeds on key cable and satellite platforms across Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East later this year. Also accompanying these channels will be authenticated AMC VOD, HD and “TV Everywhere” services.
AMC Networks original series “Halt & Catch Fire” and “The Divide,” produced by AMC Studios, will be among the first original series to premiere on the channel internationally in an exclusive first TV window, this year. In addition to premiering original programming from AMC Networks’ own studios, AMC will also feature popular, acclaimed films from the world’s biggest film libraries, including MGM, Paramount and Sony.
Ed Carroll, AMC Networks COO, stated: “In recent years, AMC has re-defined dramatic storytelling on Pay-TV via its cinematic approach to original series, including ‘The Walking Dead,’ ‘Mad Men,’ and ‘Breaking Bad.’ It is our intention to replicate our successful U.S. strategy, extending the AMC brand worldwide and creating a broad pipeline for our original content.”
Bruce Tuchman, President AMC Global and Sundance Channel Global, said, “There is a huge appetite for AMC original programming abroad. That interest, coupled with our successful history of curating films from all the major studios to complement our original programming, gives us a great opportunity to make AMC Global a top-tier entertainment destination worldwide. We are confident AMC Global will be a valuable addition to our distribution partners’ platforms as we continue to work together to grow their business.”
As President AMC Global and Sundance Channel Global, Tuchman is responsible for the programming, marketing, business and strategic development of its global networks.
Jeroen Bergman, Managing Director Programming, Liberty Global, stated, “AMC Networks has an excellent creative and business track record and we are pleased to offer this premier entertainment destination to our subscribers.”
Ignacio Fernandez Vega, Director Global Content, Telefónica, stated, “We are delighted to add the new AMC channel to Movistar TV. With this new addition, we continue to consolidate our content offering, positioning Movistar TV as a leading pay TV platform in Spain and Latin America”
Handhi Kentjono, Vice President Director, Indovision, said: “AMC has established itself as a high quality popular network with outstanding entertainment and we are confident that our subscribers will respond strongly to this new offering. We are thrilled to continue our long and successful partnership with AMC Networks and its channels.”
Last month, the company announced the re-brand of its recently-acquired Chellomedia business (which included the MGM Channel) to “AMC Networks International.” AMC Networks International consists of six operating units: Asia-Pacific; Central Europe; Iberia; Latin America; Zone (EMEA); and DMC, a global media technology and distribution company.
“Halt and Catch Fire” hails from the executive producers of AMC’s celebrated series “Breaking Bad.” The series captures the rise of the personal computing era in the early 1980s, during which an unlikely trio – a visionary, an engineer and a prodigy – take personal and professional risks in the race to build a computer that will change the world as they know it. The 10-episode series is created by Chris Cantwell and Chris Rogers and executive produced by showrunner Jonathan Lisco (“Southland”) and Gran Via Production’s Mark Johnson (“Breaking Bad,” “Rectify,” Diner, Rain Man) and Melissa Bernstein (“Breaking Bad,” “Rectify”). Filmed on location in Atlanta, the series stars Lee Pace (Lincoln, “Pushing Daisies”) as Joe MacMillan, Scoot McNairy (Argo) as Gordon Clark, Mackenzie Davis (Smashed) as Cameron Howe, Kerry Bishé (Argo, Red State) as Donna Clark and Toby Huss (Cowboys & Aliens) as John Bosworth.
“The Divide” is an eight-episode series written by and co-created by the Academy Award® and Emmy® nominated Richard LaGravenese (“Behind the Candelabra,” The Fisher King, Water for Elephants, The Ref, The Bridges of Madison County), with Tony Goldwyn (“Scandal,” “Conviction,” “Justified,” “Damages”, “Dexter”) co-creating the series and directing the premiere episode. “The Divide” is a thought-provoking and suspenseful drama that explores the personal cost of morality, ambition, ethics, politics, and race in today’s justice system through the eyes of Christine Rosa played by Marin Ireland (“Homeland,” “Boss,” Side Effects), an impassioned caseworker with The Innocence Initiative, and Adam Page played by Damon Gupton (“The Newsroom,” “Prime Suspect”), an equally passionate district attorney and political rising star.
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Note to Editors:
Artwork including the AMC logo and images from “Halt and Catch Fire” and “The Divide” can be found at the link below.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cnyp2z15fainhxl/AACorAmzncAIE8j7lHF6e2GOa
About AMC Networks International:
AMC Networks International (AMCNI), the global division of AMC Networks, delivers entertaining and acclaimed programming that reaches subscribers in more than 140 countries and territories, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. AMCNI consists of global brands, Sundance Channel and AMC, as well as popular, locally recognized channels in various programming genres. For more information, visit: www.www.amcnetworks.com/amcni.
About AMC Networks:
Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AMCX) owns and operates several of the most popular and award- winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC Networks International, its global division. For more information, please visit www.www.amcnetworks.com.