In response to DISH taking away its customers' favorite scripted drama series on basic cable - The Walking Dead - AMC is offering all DISH subscribers a special live stream of the hit show's season three premiere episode on Sunday, October 14, at 9PM ET/6PM PT on AMCTV.com. This streaming event will run concurrently with the television debut so DISH subscribers who are fans of the series can experience this highly-anticipated premiere at the same time it's available to all other cable and satellite subscribers.

Beginning Friday, September 28 at 9 AM ET, DISH subscribers can register for access to the free live stream of The Walking Dead at AMCTV.com/TheWalkingDead4Dish.

AMC stated: "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. 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."

DISH dropped AMC, as well as its sister networks, IFC, WE tv and Sundance Channel to gain leverage in an unrelated lawsuit. DISH customers may find information on how to switch providers at SwitchFromDish.com.

The Walking Dead, hailed by Entertainment Weekly as the "greatest thriller ever produced for television" follows Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his band of survivors who must not only fight the dead, but also face a whole new fear: the living. Season 3 of The Walking Dead will air in two-parts with the first eight hours kicking off October 14 and the final episodes returning beginning February 2013.

Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, The Walking Dead stars Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun, Norman Reedus, Chandler Riggs, Lauren Cohan, Scott Wilson, IronE Singleton, and Melissa Suzanne McBride.

Joining the cast for Season 3 are David Morrissey and Danai Gurira along with her zombie pets.

The series is executive produced by show runner Glen Mazzara, Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert with Greg Nicotero, Denise M. Huth and Evan T. Reilly as co-executive producers.

The season premiere of The Walking Dead will be complemented by a wealth of exclusive content at AMCTV.com. Fans can check out "Inside The Walking Dead" videos, episode sneak peeks, "Talked About Scenes," Talking Dead bonus scenes, production diary interviews with the cast and crew, production photo galleries, fan trivia and new behind-the scenes videos from the set in Atlanta.

The season premiere of The Walking Dead, coincides with AMC's annual blockbuster marathon of thriller and horror films, AMC Fearfest. Celebrating its 16th year, AMC Fearfest will feature 19 consecutive days of themed programming and more than 70 films, running from Saturday, October 13 through Wednesday, October 31.

The Walking Dead reigns as the most watched drama series on basic cable for Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 and is the highest rated scripted drama series among DISH subscribers (Source: Nielsen Media Research 4Q11 - 1Q12 A 18-49 (000) Dish Universe. The series has garnered two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Prosthetic Make-up, a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Television Series - Drama, and a WGA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Writing Derivative New Media, among other accolades.