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Epix brings its thousands of movies to Google TV; apps for Android, Roku and Playbook on the way
While some video providers are moving away from Google TV, Roku and the Playbook, and Netflix still has yet to officially release its movie streaming app on any Android devices, the Epix channel is going all in. Following its "Big on Any Screen" slogan, it will roll out apps on a slew of devices over the second quarter beyond its current Flash player. The Google TV portal is already up and running as seen above and apps are on the way for "Android tablets and phones from HTC, LG and Motorola" -- we've pinged to see if this will be device exclusive but haven't received a response yet -- the BlackBerry Playbook, Samsung TVs and Blu-ray players and Roku streaming players. Not listed in the press release is anything iOS, but Epix confirmed it is working on an app that is waiting for Apple's approval. Not familiar with the channel? It has over 3,000 movies from Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM plus original programs and live events that is available via your cable or satellite TV provider and launched with an HBO Go-style online component. Verizon FiOS is apparently on deck to help push the new apps, check out the rest of the details in the press release after the break. Update: We've confirmed with Epix the Android app should work on all devices running 2.1 or higher, while the site will also remain available to any other hardware that supports the Flash player.
DishOnline.com adds streaming movies from Epix
Nearly a year after Dish added Epix's premium movie channel to its catalog the satellite company is announcing it has integrated the online portion with DishOnline.com. Subscribers to the Epix HD can log in and check out HD flicks like Star Trek, Shutter Island and Iron Man 2, right next to content from their SlingLoaded set-top box if they wish. there's a press release after the break if you need more details, but we're pretty sure you're capable of heading to the site and figuring out how to press "play" all on your own.
Netflix, EPIX deal is official; Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate movies start streaming September 1
Netflix streaming queue starting to look a little stale? It's working on that, and has signed a deal that brings EPIX's library of movies to Watch Instantly -- just not that instantly. If you're not familiar with EPIX, allow us to refresh you, it's a network launched last year by Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate that brings their movies home (though often unfortunately cropped and zoomed to 16x9) through a linear channel, video on-demand or internet streaming. Under this new agreement, movies from those studios can come to Netflix 90 days after they debut on the premium pay-tv and subscription VOD services. While that means streamers won't get access to Iron Man 2, The Expendables, or Dinner for Shmucks anywhere near day-and-date with their DVD or Blu-ray releases, those kinds of high profile flicks will show up and stick around with greater regularity than we've been used to. The companies haven't released further details, but rumors reported by the L.A. Times suggest licensing costs could reach $1 billion over the next 5 years. The first movies covered by the new deal arrive September 1, likely with flicks from the Star Trek, James Bond and Indiana Jones series (hopefully not Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) among them. Update: Analyst Dan Rayburn claims on Business of Video that Netflix won't be getting any EPIX movies in HD, so we asked Netflix VP of Corporate Communications Steve Swasey whether we could expect HD streaming movies with Movie Parties or if they would have Starz-like restrictions. The answer? "HD over time and no restrictions on Party Viewing." Take from that what you will.
EPIX HD adds online streaming, sign up via Charter.net
Say hello to a new wrinkle in EPIX HD's online/VOD/linear channel offering, now that its online library is accessible for Charter subscribers through the Charter.net website. Subscribers can sign up for the channel and stream content online in HD, all on one page with their existing Charter login. Not sure about trying it out yet? It appears all Charter60 internet subscribers have free access to the online streams through December 31, so why not click over and check a flick (or two) out.
EPIX HD brings the Black Eyed Peas to TV, PC on May 15 -- get your ticket here
Didn't get tickets to the Black Eyed Peas "The E.N.D. World Tour 2010"? Don't worry about it, EPIX HD is bringing the show to TV and online May 15 at 10 p.m. The multiplatform network is flipping on all the ClipSync social features viewers can handle, with polls, comments and more. Even if your provider isn't offering EPIX HD just yet, no problem, just click the link right here for an invite to the online broadcast, and tell 'em Engadget HD sent you (and to say what's up to our boy James Cameron.)
Dish adds EPIX HD and eight more to crack 200 HD channels, depending on how you count to 200
Dish hasn't let the TiVo case hanging over its head stop the ball from rolling, first launching the Sling-powered ViP922 DVR and now announcing it will add eight new HD channels including EPIX HD (coming in May), G4 HD, Headline News HD, History International HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, ShortsHD, Style HD and Turner Classic Movies HD. However the libations may be flowing a bit too heavily around the Englewood, Colorado headquarters since the company claims this puts it over the 200 HD channel mark -- an odd statement since just a few weeks ago it was only at 160 or so, even including PPV feeds. The trend towards HD VOD has certainly changed the channel (or "choices" as the latest trend has become) counting game, but we'll have our eyes pinned to the guide to figure out how this latest bit of funny math went down once these channels are actually on the air. Update: Looks like the new channels are live according to a post on SatelliteGuys: 375 Shorts 380 Epix 115 Style 202 HLN 191 G4 132 TCM 121 History International 190 Wild Update 2: According to Multichannel News, that "200" claim includes 57 ViP922-only VOD "channels". That counts, right? No?
EPIX brings movie streaming to mobiles courtesy of Adobe's Open Screen Project
Already offering video to your TV and computer, EPIX is ready to unveil the third part of its "Big On Any Screen" service when it demonstrates a mobile version of the channel today at MWC 2010. It's teamed up with Adobe and the Open Screen Project for a Flash Player 10.1 implementation that it claims offers "highest mobile viewing quality available on mobile devices today," if it can match up with the Flash player available on PCs then it has a chance. The ability to pause a movie on the TV or PC and pick up later on your handheld is in the works as well. No word on where we'll see this launch or if your cell carrier will need to be tied to your TV service for access, but we'd figure Verizon's VCast will be near the top of the list.
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.
EpixHD to appear on Cox next?
Looks like EpixHD may have a second distribution partner soon, Bloomberg is reporting rumors that it is close to a deal with Cox to bring the premium movie network / online streaming service to its network in 2010. Analys reports peg as many as 1,000 FiOS subscribers per day signing up for the channel in its first month there, but that investors are currently focused on the slow progress in expanding to other carriers for Epix. more than a third of them take advantage of the online streaming, we'll see if capped & throttled cable customers have the same response.
EpixHD flips on social movie viewing online with ClipSync
EpixHD promised to bring the social media heat along with the online movie streaming component of its service, and now it has partnered with ClipSync to do just that. Netflix and a few BD-Live enabled titles might argue with the "first true Social TV platform" claim, but form what we can see, it should be very easy to pick up a viewing party of other EpixHD subscribers and catch a flick via your web browser while chatting. It looks like the network may also take a page out of the Blu-ray book with movie screenings featuring stars of the films, but that's still in the distance. Anyone up for another EngadgetHD viewing party?
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.
Epix HD queues up Iron Man, Madonna and Eddie Izzard for online & FiOS launch October 30
Epix HD has locked down a launch date and lineup, confirmed for Verion FiOS subscribers so far, the festivities will kick off October 30th with television and online premieres of Iron Man, Madonna "Sticky & Sweet: Live from Buenos Aires," and Eddie Izzard: Live From Wembley. Other titles set for launch weekend are The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Madea Goes to Jail, Pink Panther 2, the Indiana Jones movie that sucked, Cloverfield, The Duchess and more. Epix has previously stated a goal to build the largest stable of movies online with a planned 3,000 titles available in the Epix Megaplex, you'll see if this whole new way of delivering a premium movie experience is all it's appeared to be very soon.Update: Epix just passed along the launch weekend schedule so check after the break for all the times (EST)
Akamai supports dynamic HD streaming on Adobe Flash, starting with Epix
Tucked away in Akamai's announcement of dynamic streaming capabilities and other tweaks to go along with its support for Adobe Flash Media Server 3.5 was the news that Epix -- the new joint venture from Viacom / Lionsgate / MGM launching first online then on cable & satellite near you as a new movie channel -- will be among the first to take advantage. We're the ability to seamlessly switch between HD and lower-quality feeds as bandwidth and CPU power demands will be appreciated by viewers but it's still not even clear what the new venture's website will even be, with epix.com still pointing to this. That's sure to be cleared up by launch (still slated for later this month) right?
