AMC Distracts The Walking Dead Viewers With Blackout Threats

Yesterday, many folks tuned in to AMC in order to watch the newest episode of the hit show The Walking Dead.  However, if these folks have DirecTV, what they got was a lot more that just the episode that they wanted to see.

Throughout the night, AMC ran a series of advertisements talking about how some television providers might no longer carry their channel unless they can come to an agreement.  Those commercials hit in full force during The Walking Dead, when many folks in my Twitter timeline were confused why their program was being interrupted with this information.

The commercials and banners prompted viewers to go to KeepAMC.com or use their phones to call AMC’s hotline (855-KeepAMC).

Essentially, what AMC is doing is asking viewers of The Walking Dead and other quality AMC shows to show their commitment to the television channel so that they can use that information in negotiations with television providers like DirecTV.

Here is what KeepAMC is saying on their site:

"“Unfortunately, DirecTV has not engaged in meaningful negotiations with us, which leaves us to doubt whether a timely renewal is possible. In addition, DirecTV is in violation of our current agreement, and it has dropped AMC in Latin America. We hope to finalize a new agreement quickly but in the meantime, we think it is important to alert DirecTV customers who care about “The Walking Dead” that their ability to watch the show on DirecTV is at risk.”"

DirecTV has already countered AMC’s website with one of their own.  At DirecTVPromise.com, the television provider offered this statement:

"“Don’t let AMC scare you!  As a DIRECTV customer you will not miss any of this year’s new season of the walking dead or any other shows. AMC is contractually obligated to provide you their programming for several more months and we intend to renew our AMC partnership at a price that’s fair to our customers.”"

As a person that doesn’t use DirecTV to watch The Walking Dead, I didn’t have the opportunity to view these messages last night, but some of my close friends that are HUGE fans of the show are afraid that their choice of television provider might leave them without new episodes when the year ends.  I can understand their frustration and fear, but I’m even more disappointed that AMC would bring viewers of their show into what should be closed door discussions with DirecTV.