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The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

AMC warns fans they may lose Breaking Bad, Mad Men if Rogers deal not reached

By: Linda Nguyen, The Canadian Press

Posted: 02/25/2013 6:21 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 02/25/2013 7:31 PM

TORONTO - Canadian television fans were being warned Monday that it may be close to the end for some of their favourite television shows if a new distribution agreement is not reached by the U.S.-based channel AMC and media giant Rogers Communications.

In a statement, AMC said it wanted to inform "loyal viewers" that its popular shows like "The Walking Dead," "Breaking Bad" and "Mad Men" will not be aired in Canada by Rogers (TSX:RCI.B) if the two companies cannot come up with a new deal.

"We've had a long, productive relationship with Rogers Cable and are proud of the value we've created for them with AMC's high-quality, acclaimed programming, including "The Walking Dead," which is currently the No. 1 drama series on cable television," the channel said in a statement.

"While we are hopeful we will reach an agreement with Rogers Cable that recognizes the popularity of our programming with their customers, we believe we owe it to our loyal viewers to inform them of the potential loss of AMC and its popular shows, including 'The Walking Dead,' 'Mad Men,' 'Breaking Bad' and 'Hell on Wheels.'"

AMC says the companies have been in talks for months.

The channel even set up a website (www.keepamccanada.com) titled "Rogers Customers: You Are About to Lose" urging fans to email and call Rogers to save AMC in Canada.

On Monday, Rogers said although its distribution contract is set to end Thursday, it does not mean that the company would stop broadcasting the channel.

"We are currently in negotiations with AMC and have no intention of dropping the channel," said spokeswoman Patricia Trott in an email.

"We’re disappointed that they’ve worried our customers unnecessarily by taking this action. We’re continuing to negotiate to get an agreement that’s good for our customers and we expect a positive outcome."

The negotiations are only in relation to Rogers, and customers with other television providers were not expected to be affected if a deal is not reached.

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