EpixHD celebrates today's FiOS launch with weekend movie streaming passes for all
Right on schedule, the linear version of the three-screen focused EpixHD service will go live for FiOS TV subscribers starting at 8 p.m. Already VOD and internet accessible, launch weekend (and subsequent weekends) will spread high definition streaming cheer beyond just the fiber-connected as anyone can grab a 72 hour access pass to stream some movies (we don't recommend Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but pretty much everything else mentioned in the launch lineup or the official PR after the break seems good.) Chief Digital Officer Emil Rensing let us know what the trip from beta to reality has been like, and while there won't be many tweaks in the experience from our largely positive preview experience, expect additional features like movie extras, behind the scenes peeks and more to roll out across the site over time. EpixHD.com/invite has the 72 hour passes, while we hear the company Twitter isn't a bad spot to check for extended access while waiting for its "movies anywhere" strategy to become officially available in your neck of the woods.
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EPIX Invites Consumers to Experience EpixHD.com via Online Weekend Passes
New York, NY October 30, 2009 – EPIXTM, the next generation premium entertainment service from Viacom, Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate and MGM, announced today that for the first time ever, targeted consumers will be offered the opportunity to experience a three-day free online preview of its EpixHD.com service, starting this weekend as it launches on Friday, October 30, 2009. The EpixHD.com free preview weekends will be available on a first come, first serve basis from now through Thanksgiving weekend.
"EPIX is launching more than a new premium network -- this is an entirely new way to experience premium entertainment," said Mark Greenberg, president of EPIX. "A free online preview of this kind that is truly available to anyone with Internet access has never been done before. We want people to experience entertainment this way -- giving them a taste of what it is like to have anywhere, anytime access to the movies, concerts and comedy specials from the incredible studio partners that have established EPIX."
EPIX is reaching out to consumers across America through social media, online fan sites as well as through traditional advertising on television, radio, print, online and out-of-home to invite them to engage and experience EpixHD.com.
To participate, online visitors to EPIX's website will be able to register for free online access at EpixHD.com/invite.
Those consumers who qualify for free online previews this weekend will unlock their full three day, weekend long passes to EpixHD.com, giving them complete access to the launch weekend programming line-up which includes Madonna "Sticky & Sweet: Live from Buenos Aires," Marvel's blockbuster film "Iron Man," and the exclusive comedy special "Eddie Izzard: Live From Wembley."
EPIX's launch weekend will also debut a powerhouse line-up of movies, representing more than fifteen world television premieres with a combined worldwide box office value of more than $2.5 billion. Those films include Oscar-winner "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Tyler Perry's hit "Madea Goes to Jail," family favorite "Pink Panther 2," Lucasfilm's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," "Cloverfield" and "The Duchess" among many others.
They will also be able watch more than 150 films and additional programming in an online, on demand format at anytime and anywhere. EpixHD.com offers studio exclusives, behind the scenes footage and movie extras as well as access to an innovative online screening room feature which enables consumers to invite up to four friends anywhere to watch movies while they chat online in real time.
For those who want to experience EpixHD.com in subsequent weekends, the free passes will continue to be distributed on a first come, first serve basis through the month of November. All of the movies, special programming and features of the launch weekend as well as other features will continue to be available online.
In addition to the launch of the online service, this weekend EPIX begins delivering all of its movies, concerts and comedy events in HD and SD – anytime, anywhere – through its linear channel, video on demand and online service.
About EPIX
EPIX, a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), is a next-generation multiplatform premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand and online service launching on October 30, 2009. EPIX will be distributed by Verizon FiOS on Channel 395 in SD and Channel 895 in HD and other partners. With access to more than 15,000 motion pictures spanning the vast libraries of the partner studios, EPIX will deliver films from Paramount, Paramount Vantage, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies released theatrically on or after January 1, 2008 and MGM, United Artists and Lionsgate titles released theatrically on or after January 1, 2009, which will be available exclusively to its subscribers.
Providing a powerful entertainment experience with more feature films on demand and online and more HD movies than any other service, EPIX will air new Hollywood titles plus classic feature films, original series, and music and comedy specials. It is the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up on video-on-demand, online and on the linear channel. Further, EPIX has made the commitment to deliver the industry's most expansive online collection of movies, making more than 3,000 titles available online to subscribers via its enhanced service EPIX Megaplex.
