First Episode of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ to be Shown Free of Charge on BT Showcase on Freeview
AMC from BT to Feature Programming from Icon Film Distribution, Lionsgate, Miramax®, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Television
London / New York – 25 August 2015 – AMC Global, the international AMC-branded television network, and BT announced today a wide array of TV series and movies to premiere on AMC from BT in conjunction with the channel’s first ever launch in the UK on 28th August.
From launch AMC will be the exclusive home of this summer’s most anticipated new series, ‘Fear the Walking Dead’, a companion series to global hit ‘The Walking Dead’ – the #1 show on US TV among adults 18-49. The first episode of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ will be made available free of charge to all audiences on the BT Showcase Channel (Freeview channel 59) as well as premiering on AMC from BT (BT TV channel 381 in HD and 332 in SD) on 31st August at 9:00 pm. Sky viewers will also have free access to the first episode via AMC from BT on channel 192. The AMC from BT channel will be available for free to all BT TV and BT Sport Pack subscribers. Customers do not need to take any action to receive the channel – it will automatically be added.
The channel will also premiere the acclaimed drama ‘Rectify’ from the producers of ‘Breaking Bad’ exclusively on 1st September at 9:00 pm.
AMC from BT will also feature the exclusive UK television premieres of top films, including Only God Forgives starring Ryan Gosling and Kristin Scott Thomas on 29th August at 11:00 pm, The Beaver starring Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson on 15th September at 7:00 pm and Shelter starring Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers on 17th September at 11:00 pm. These titles were acquired from Icon Film Distribution.
Two of the most acclaimed original AMC series, ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Mad Men’, will also be seen on the channel in the UK as part of agreements with Sony Pictures Television and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), respectively, alongside popular movies and series from both distributors. All seven seasons of ‘Mad Men’ will debut starting 30th August at 9:00 pm with a special double bill with a new episode following each Sunday, and the premiere of ‘Breaking Bad’ will be announced soon.
In addition, AMC from BT will showcase the first window premieres of original series ‘Cleaners’ acquired from Sony Pictures Television (on 5th September at 11:30pm) and two seasons of ‘Manhattan’ from Lionsgate. Eight seasons of the comedy-drama ‘Weeds’ will air as part of the agreement with Lionsgate starting 2nd September at 9:00 pm with a double bill each week. AMC will also air popular film titles such as Clerks and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind from Miramax® and Babel and Dreamgirls from Paramount Pictures.
“BT customers will soon have exclusive access to some of the most anticipated new original series and movies as part of AMC’s launch later this week,” says Delia Bushell, Managing Director, BT TV & BT Sport. “We’re looking forward to showcasing the most compelling new content from one of the world’s most celebrated TV channels for audiences in the months ahead.”
“We’re excited to offer audiences a terrific line-up of exclusive original series and films on AMC as part of our first-ever launch in the UK in partnership with BT,” commented Bruce Tuchman, President of AMC Global and Sundance Channel Global. “Combined with the first window UK premieres of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ and ‘Rectify’, AMC will offer an unparalleled selection of programming that will appeal to a wide range of adult audiences.”
Today’s news follows significant expansion for AMC since the company launched the brand for the first time outside North America late last year. AMC is now seen on subscription television platforms in over 125 countries throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
For more information including premiere dates and times, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/AMCtvUK
About AMC Global
AMC Global, a business unit of AMC Networks International, commemorates favourite films from every genre and decade and showcases acclaimed first run original programming to bring audiences something deeper, something richer, Something More. The network has created some of the most award-winning series of the past decade that have re-defined dramatic storytelling. In addition to being widely distributed throughout North America, AMC is available in over 125 countries. AMC Global is a premier entertainment destination that is available in HD and SD and across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.
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 and Latin America. 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 BT
BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of five customer-facing lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Business, BT Consumer, BT Wholesale and Openreach.
For the year ended 31 March 2015, BT Group’s reported revenue was £17,979mwith reported profit before taxation of £2,645m.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit www.btplc.com
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms, video games and international distribution and sales. Lionsgate currently has more than 30 television shows on over 20 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black, the multiple Emmy Award-winning drama Mad Men, the hit broadcast network seriesNashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show, the acclaimed drama Manhattan and the breakout series The Royals.
Its feature film business has been fueled by such successes as the blockbuster first three installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, The Age of Adaline, CBS/Lionsgate’s The DUFF, John Wick, Now You See Me, Roadside Attractions’ Love & Mercy and Mr. Holmes, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films’ Addicted and Pantelion Films’ Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.
Lionsgate’s home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com
The Lionsgate agreement was brokered by the company’s Senior Vice President of International Distribution, Roberta Ibba-Hartog.
“MIRAMAX®” and the “MIRAMAX” Logo are the registered trademarks, trademarks and service marks of Miramax, LLC.
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