It’s been 3 months since the satellite provider DISH dropped the AMC network from their line- up and with a little less than 3 weeks until the premiere of Season 3 of ‘The Walking Dead,’ many who still subscribe to DISH are scrambling to figure out how to watch their favorite band of survivors fight zombies and take control of the prison.

But don’t despair DISH subscribers, as AMC has heard your cries and starting Friday, September 28th, the network is offering all DISH subscribers a special live stream of ‘The Walking Dead’s’ premiere episode on Sunday, October 14th.  The streaming event will run concurrently with the television debut of the show so that fans can experience the premiere the same time it’s available to the other cable and satellite subscribers.

Of course it’s not of pure intent that AMC is offering this live stream. DISH and AMC have been in a terrible deadlock for several months regarding AMC’s place in the DISH world with DISH insisting that AMC is asking for a rate increase that they feel is unwarranted while AMC is claiming that DISH is upset about a $2.5 million lawsuit that their subsidiary filed against the cable provider.

Since the drop of their network, AMC has launched a full scale promotion urging fans of ‘The Walking Dead,’ ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Mad Men’ as well as other fan favorite shows in their line up to switch providers and has even provided a link for them to make the task easy to do.

As AMC states in their press announcement:

“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.”

While DISH and AMC hash it out, fans of ‘The Walking Dead’ still with DISH can still watch the first episode of the season by registering for access to the free live stream.

After that, however, subscribers are on their own to find an alternative method to watch the series. And to twist the knife just a little more, below is the newest promo for ‘The Walking Dead’ to remind DISH subscribers what they will be missing.

Will you be signing up for the free streaming event?

‘The Walking Dead’ Season 3 premiere will begin Sunday, October 14, at 10PM on AMC (or on a computer near you).

‘The Walking Dead’ Season 3 “Returns October 14th” Promo: