After months of channel blackout, AMC Networks’ channels AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv are returning to DISH Network’s line-up of channel offerings following a settlement between Cablevision Systems Corporation, AMC Networks and DISH Network regarding a lawsuit between VOOM HD and DISH’s parent company EchoStar Satellite.

The announcement comes as great news to DISH Network subscribers, who will now be able to watch the third season of AMC’s The Walking Dead. According to official ratings, the first episode drew in record ratings for AMC.

“We are glad to partner again with DISH Network and are delighted to bring back our popular channels and programming to their customers,” comments Josh Sapan, President and CEO, AMC Networks.

As part of the settlement agreement, DISH Network will pay a cash settlement of US$700 million to Cablevision and AMC Networks, US$80 million of which is in consideration for the purchase of Cablevision’s multichannel video and data distribution service (MVDDS) licenses in 45 metropolitan areas in the United States. 

This settlement brings to an end a four-year breach-of-contract fight between Cablevision and DISH, when the latter stopped carrying the offerings from Voom HD, a company owned by Cablevision’s former subsidiary Rainbow Media Holdings, which in turn was spun off to become AMC Networks.