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Epix-VT Epix VT Empi TENS Machines masters.com.au | MMC - Satellite Instructions for Medical Broadcasting Channel (MBC) -... mmissions.org |
For the mobile phone manufactured by Samsung, see Epix (mobile phone).
Epix (pronounced "epics") is an American premium television channel, that is operated by Studio 3 Partners, a joint venture between Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate. Viacom handles operational support, including marketing and affiliate services for the service through its MTV Networks division. Epix does not currently plan on offering themed multiplex services, as the other premium cable channels offer, and will instead operate as a single channel service, relying on offering on-demand streaming and television video-on-demand in order to provide more choices.[1] Epix also offers a companion video on demand service.[2][3] In order to access online on-demand program content, cable subscribers must subscribe to their provider's Internet service.[4]
[edit] OriginsThe announcement of the formation of Epix came on April 21, 2008 after negotiations between Paramount Pictures, MGM and Lionsgate Entertainment with Showtime (owned by CBS Corporation) on new film output deals fell through, with the sticking points that led to contract talks breaking down linked to the failure between the studios and Showtime on agreeing to compensation for providing the channel with movies from those studios. The three studios were some of Showtime's major film suppliers, and Paramount had an output deal with Showtime since 1997, after then-parent Viacom (which also owned Showtime until 2006, when CBS and Viacom split up its assets) purchased Paramount Pictures in 1994. Paramount Pictures' contract with Showtime expired in January 2008, while MGM and Lionsgate's contracts expired at the end of 2008.[5] On August 28, 2009, Epix launched a free preview to Verizon FiOS subscribers, showing selected films that the channel will offer upon its initial premiere. This included the premium cable debuts of Iron Man, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Cloverfield. During this preview, Epix added between five to seven movie selections every three days from the libraries of its three major studio backers. The Epix television service officially launched at 8:00PM/ET on October 30, 2009[6][7][8], on Verizon FiOS IPTV systems, with the website's on-demand film content launching to the public the day before (for a month prior to the channel's launch, only potential providers had access to film content). The first program to air on the channel was the concert special Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour: Live from Buenos Aires. Epix also provided those who were Verizon FiOS subscribers and also to non-Verizon FiOS subscribers, special free preview weekends of the online service using online invite codes given on a first come, first served basis to be able to access the website's film content through the end of November 2009[9]. [edit] Epix HDEpix HD is a 720p high definition simulcast of the East Coast feed of the Epix channel. It was launched on October 30, 2009 along with the standard-defintion version of the channel. It is not currently carried nationally yet as is the case with the standard-definition service, but it is carried regionally by Verizon FiOS. The "Epix HD" name is also used by the online on-demand service. Programming content on the Epix television channel, high definition subscription video-on-demand and online services are broadcast in 720p, in comparison to the other premium channels who offer their HD content in 1080i. [edit] CarriageOn July 28, 2009, it was announced that Epix has signed a carriage deal with Verizon FiOS. Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman has promised the announcement of more distribution deals "in the near future." [10] The single channel was available to Verizon FiOS subscribers for free for the channel's debut weekend with a monthly subscription to the channel costing $9.99 per month [11](in comparison, a subscription to multi-channel services such as HBO costs $14.99 a month, while Cinemax, Showtime and Starz each cost $12.99). DirecTV, Comcast, and Cablevision have announced that they will not carry the channel.[12] Although Daumann stated there would be additional distribution deals made before and after the launch, Epix was not able to secure any additional deals prior to the October 30, 2009 launch. On December 14, 2009 it was announced that Cox Communications is close to signing a carriage agreement deal with Epix, and that Dish Network is also close to entering into a carriage agreement with the channel.[13] Once the deal officially closes, the channel is to be available to Cox and Dish Network subcribers starting sometime in early 2010[14] and Dish Network would effectively become the exclusive satellite television carrier of the network, due to DirecTV choosing not to carry the channel. There is no word yet on whether major cable providers Time Warner Cable, Cable One, Charter Communications, AT&T U-Verse, US Cable, Mediacom or other cable providers will carry the service, however Dauman said that in regards to cable distribution deals "We've had very productive conversations with many distributors, including some who in the past may have made some public statements. We've announced the Verizon distribution deal, by the time we launch we expect to announce some additional distribution arrangements and then we will continue beyond that." [15] [edit] Original programmingEpix has greenlit its first original series pilot, Tough Trade, a drama from Lionsgate Television to be executive produced by Weeds creator Jenji Kohan. The series is described as a look at three generations of a dysfunctional famous family in country music, and was created by Chris Offutt, novelist and scribe on Lionsgate-produced Weeds. The pilot began filming in Nashville, TN in late summer 2009 for a possible series launch in 2010. The series was developed by Furst Films through a first-look deal with Lionsgate. Brothers Sean Furst and Bryan Furst will executive produce the pilot along with Kohan and Offutt.[16] Epix might also air a mini-series adaptation of Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged. Actress Charlize Theron has been involved in preliminary talks with Lionsgate and producers Howard and Karen Baldwin to develop and star in the mini-series.[17] On the November 30, 2009 edition of The Opie & Anthony Show, Lewis Black said he and Eddie Izzard will have the first two stand-up specials on the channel. The Epix website indicates "Stark Raving Black" will premiere on December 5. [edit] Movie libraryEpix currently has exclusive deals with major and smaller independent movie studios. Films featured on the channel include recent releases from Viacom-owned Paramount Pictures (and their subsidiaries Paramount Vantage, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies), as well as titles from MGM (and its subsidiary United Artists) and Lionsgate (along with subsidiary Mandate Pictures). Prior to its launch, Epix also signed an exclusive first-run agreement with Samuel Goldwyn Films. The channel also signed an exclusive deal to carry 22 feature films from independent film studio Roadside Attractions.[18] The window between a film's initial release in theatres and its initial screening on Epix is stated to be slightly smaller than on HBO, Showtime and Starz, and will have a longer time of license than the other pay TV networks.[19] [edit] See also
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