AMC Networks, Time Warner Cable strike temporary extension

A long- term deal between AMC Networks and Time Warner Cable has yet to be finalized, though they have come to a temporary extension to stave off a year-end blackout.

It is unclear how long the extension will keep the channels on the air, or how close the two parties are to a long- term carriage deal.

Time Warner’s right to carry IFC and WE tv was set to expire at the end of 2012. AMC itself is not part of discussions, as it has a separate carriage deal with Time Warner Cable.

Concurrently, Viacom and Cablevision Systems have a year- end deadline to renew the current carriage agreement for channels that include Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and MTV.

AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan recently helped sign new carriage deals with FiOS TV from Verizon, AT&T’s U- Verse and Dish Network satellite TV.

IFC features “Portlandia” featuring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, and “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.” WE tv airs “Braxton Family Values.” AMC is home to “Mad Men” and “The Walking Dead.”

Time Warner Cable’s Glenn Britt reportedly told investors recently that the cable provider could drop or move underperforming networks if necessary.