'Walking Dead' Premiere Offered Online For DISH Users

Horrifying. Frightening. Chilling.

These are words that can only describe what DISH network subscribers are faced with as the premiere date of AMC's "The Walking Dead" fast approaches. That's because the cable network has been in a major contract dispute with the premium television provider, with its subscribers paying the price by no longer having access to its must-see shows like "Breaking Bad," "Mad Men," and now "The Walking Dead."

The AMC network is trying to soften the blow for fans of the zombie thriller series. In a press release, AMC announced that starting on September 28 DISH subscribers could register for access to a live online stream when the show premieres for its third season Sunday, October 14th. Registered users can watch the new episode in real time on amctv.com with other cable and satellite subscribers.

AMC remarked this would only be for the season premiere, continuing in the press release, “To gain leverage in an unrelated lawsuit, DISH has decided to deny their customers access to AMC shows including ‘The Walking Dead,’ the series that has shattered basic cable ratings records. Although ‘The Walking Dead’ is the #1 basic cable scripted drama for DISH customers, DISH has stated it has no plans to bring back AMC [nor sister networks IFC, WEtv and the Sundance Channel]. DISH customers who want to watch the entire season at the same time as the rest of the country should switch television providers now…time is running out.”

Additionally, amctv.com will play host to other exclusive content for fans of the show, including episode sneak peeks, "Inside The Walking Dead" behind the scenes featurettes, and production diary interviews with the cast and crew.

While the move is a positive one for the network, one has to wonder if there will be backlash when future episodes are not available via website streaming. What say you, DISH subscribers?