Where there's smoke there's EPIX, cable/online hybrid channel to arrive on Cox in April
Just as rumors indicated, the second provider to pick up EPIX will be Cox Communications, with the channel scheduled to arrive in April. Cox VP Bob Wilson acknowledged helping customers increase their anytime/anyplace access was key to increasing satisfaction, we'll see if the pace of additions is similar to that of FiOS. The service worked great in beta over our cable connection, we'll see if Cox can keep things moving smoothly everywhere. Check out the full press release after the break.
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EPIX to be distributed by Cox Communications
Pioneering Premium HD Entertainment Service from Viacom, Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM to be Launched on Television, On Demand and Online to Cox Customers
in April 2010
New York, NY, January 11, 2010 – EPIX™ announced today that it has reached a multi-platform distribution agreement, with Cox Communications, the nation's third largest cable television company. EPIX, the premium entertainment joint venture formed by Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), will bring the latest Hollywood movies, 15,000 films from three of the top motion picture libraries, cutting-edge original programming and special comedy and concert events to Cox movie tier customers around the nation starting in April 2010. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"The video business is evolving, especially the way in which customers consume movies, and the movie products they value" said Bob Wilson, senior vice president of programming for Cox. "This agreement will allow Cox to work closely with Epix and its studio partners to transform and enhance viewer access to movies across multiple availability windows and platforms - linear, transactional movies on demand, subscription video on demand and online. Our cross-platform distribution of Epix will increase our customers' anytime/anyplace access to content and increase their convenience and satisfaction. "
Mark Greenberg, president of EPIX, added "Cox is a widely respected and highly valued distribution partner for EPIX. They have a well-deserved reputation for excellence in marketing and providing quality products and services on television. EPIX is very pleased to have them as our distribution partner. Working together with Cox, EPIX will be able to reach more consumers with our premium movie entertainment offerings and showcase the tremendous quantity and range of film titles in our on-demand offering while providing consumers with access to some of the biggest Hollywood blockbuster films from the nation's leading studios, all in SD and HD and on television, on demand and online."
Among the movie and entertainment offerings from EPIX that will be available to Cox movie tier customers across multiple platforms upon launch in April include blockbusters Star Trek and GI Joe, the cult hit Paranormal Activity, Tyler Perry's highly successful film franchise – Madea Goes to Jail and I Can Do Bad All by Myself, critically acclaimed Precious, the soon-to-be-released Hot Tub Time Machine plus music and comedy all-star specials like Madonna Sticky & Sweet: Live from Buenos Aires and Sam Kinison Back from Hell featuring Chris Rock, Denis Leary, Jay Leno, George Lopez, Norm Macdonald, Kathy Griffin, Jon Lovitz and many others and Tough Trade, a new original series in production starring Sam Shepard, Lucas Black and Cary Elwes.
