AMC Networks took a $7 million writeoff against...

AMC isn’t disclosing the Sundance series that were part of the writeoff, an AMC spokeswoman said. But the writeoff covers more than one Sundance reality series, the spokeswoman said. AMC introduced a batch of reality series in May 2012, including Dead & Found, Dream School, The Trouble With Love and Sex, Kenya & Carl and Wino. The reality series Dream School, created by Jamie Oliver, who executive produces it with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, recently got approval from Sundance for six hourlong episodes that will air starting in the fall. Dream School focuses on troubled teenagers trying to turn their lives around. An AMC Channel series also was included in the writeoff, Sullivan said. AMC Networks’ Q2 net income more than tripled to $135.7 million from $41.5 million a year earlier, benefitting from $132.9 million it received from Dish Network as part of a legal settlement in April. Dish agreed to pay $700 million to Cablevision and AMC Networks to settle a breach-of-contract lawsuit stemming from the satellite operator’s decision to drop Voom HD four years ago. AMC, which was to receive $310 million from the $700 million settlement, also was paid $175 million in Q1. AMC Networks, once part of Cablevision, spun off from the cable operator in 2011. AMC Q2 revenue rose 16 percent to $379.3 million from the year-ago quarter as the programmer benefitted from the latest installment of Mad Men. AMC’s National Networks’ revenue, with video streaming deals including one with Netflix, grew to $353.5 million from $305.1 million. AMC’s international and other sales rose to $29.9 million from $26.2 million. AMC’s Q2 operating expenses increased 22.3 percent to about $208 million as it geared up for the final season of Breaking Bad and the premiere of Low Winter Sun, both of which will be shown on Sunday. Another series, Hell on Wheels, starts its third season on Saturday. AMC’s WE tv also is entering the scripted series business in 2014 with the morality drama Divide. The Independent Film Channel is readying the Will Ferrell spoof The Spoils of Babylon, along with The Birthday Boys, which is being executive produced by Ben Stiller. AMC CEO Josh Sapan also hinted at potential “disruption” of its programming by “a couple” of smaller pay-TV operators as the network seeks to renew carriage deals at higher rates. Sapan didn’t identify the cable operators, but said any programming disruption wouldn’t have a major financial impact on the company because the operators are a “very small percentage” of its affiliate base. AMC has renewed carriage agreements with a “significant portion” of its affiliates during the past 18 months on lengths ranging from three to seven years, Sapan said. AMC shares closed 6 percent lower Thursday at $66.90.