Cable TV cooperative, AMC reach agreement

The National Cable Television Cooperative and AMC Networks reached an agreement to make AMC Networks’ channels – AMC, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv and BBC World News – available to NCTC members and their customers.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The agreement affects Comporium and TruVista customers.

“We are pleased to have reached a new distribution agreement with NCTC,” said Bob Broussard, AMC Networks president of network sales. “We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with NCTC and we look forward to continuing to provide our popular and acclaimed programming to NCTC members and their customers.”

“We appreciate AMC Networks’ willingness to take the time to understand our members’ unique challenges and concerns, and their creativity to construct an agreement that addresses the concerns of many of our members,” said Judy Meyka, NCTC executive vice president of programming.

Matthew Dosch, executive vice president of customer operations and external affairs at Comporium, said Tuesday the increased costs in the agreement were “included in the programming costs” Comporium had budgeted for.

But the cost of carrying other cable channels has increased, Dosch said, resulting in higher bills for Comporium customers. Notice of the rate increase is being mailed to Comporium customers in their February bills.

Comporium is increasing its broadcast station fee by $1.50 per month. The fee is considered a pass-through charge, meaning Comporium does not retain any portion of the fee.

Comporium also is increasing its digital video rate by $6 per month.

Customers can go to www.tvonmyside.com to learn more about how programmers’ fees affect cable TV bills, according to Comporium.

Comporium is adding the Discovery Life (formerly Fit and Health) channel on Jan. 26 to its digital variety tier (channel 228.)

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 5:44 PM with the headline "Cable TV cooperative, AMC reach agreement."