AMC/Sundance shines with new networks, programming

New distribution deals across Asia and programming acquisitions for Sundance Channel and WE tv Expansion are at the heart of a major push by AMC/Sundance Channel Global. In essence the company has expanded carriage in South Korea and Taiwan with new partners and Sundance Channel and WE tv have acquired the rights to new productions and acclaimed series to debut in 2012 and 2013 across Europe and Asia. In its third major South Korea platform deal, Sundance Channel will be available as a 24/7 HD linear IPTV offer on SK broadband alongside SkyLife and KT. Women’s lifestyle network WE tv will launch on Taiwan’s Vee Time’s Vee TV IPTV platform. The deal will complement similar arrangements with other Taiwanese providers Chunghwa Telecom and DTH firm DishHD. Sundance Channel has also picked up rights to Season Two of the AMC drama Hell on Wheels, The Hour starring Dominic West and films from Miramax. It has also commissioned original coverage blocks for the upcoming Cannes Film Festival in France and the Busan Film Festival in Korea. On WE tv, the channel has picked up Tabatha’s Salon Takeover Season Four. Commenting on the deals, Bruce Tuchman, AMC/Sundance Channel Global President, stated, “It is thrilling to expand our carriage in South Korea and Taiwan; high growth markets critical not only to the value of our business in Asia but throughout the globe as well…We look forward to bringing more universally acclaimed, hit and premiere content to existing partners and new clients while also giving them the opportunity to optimise programming for multi-platform distribution.”