Epix TV channel [Autumn 2009] - on FiOS

[jefferiestubes8]

Dauman also said today that Epix reached a distribution agreement with Verizon's FiOS and will debut on the fiber-optic television service in October.
Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM joined a year ago to start Epix, envisioned as a premium cable movie channel and subscription online movie service competing against Time Warner's HBO, CBS's Showtime and Liberty Media's Starz.

[Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman]
7/28/2009
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6673433.html


originally mentioned in May here:
http://www.trekbbs.com/showpost.php?p=2991673&postcount=44

I wonder if we will start to see Star Trek movies on this channel starting in October?

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Re: Epix TV channel and video-on-demand services

looking to compete with Time Warner Inc's HBO and CBS Corp's Showtime in the premium movie channel business.

In addition to movies, Epix plans to run some original TV series and music and comedy concerts.


the company's cable channel will launch in October, but its web and video-on-demand services will likely launch sometime before that.

http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE5761BB20090807

Original TV series...?

 

[Frontier]

You guys forget; CBS really owns more of Trek now than Paramount. Paramount owns the 11 films. CBS owns pretty much the rest.

If they where going to do a series, it would be much more likely on CBS, or even Showtime, before a new channel with limited distribution.

 

[Borgminister]

Man, don't get my hopes up...

 

[C.E. Evans]

EPIX was one of the big volleys fired by Viacom in their continuing silly war with CBS. Prior to the 2006 split between CBS and Viacom, Viacom could have just used Showtime rather than form their own premium cable channel to compete against it...

 

[jefferiestubes8]

to begin service on Oct. 30

EPIX will deliver films from
Paramount, Paramount Vantage, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies released
theatrically on or after January 1, 2008

That means Star Trek (2009)

Epix will be “cash positive” in late 2010 or early 2011

and will announce additional carriers before the network starts

Oct 12, 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS129954+12-Oct-2009+BW20091012

 

[GhostFaceSaint]

I wonder if that means CBS will step out of the norm and go back to showing a movie or two say Star Trek (XI) to offset the downed revenues of the DVD or try and promote the crap out of Star Trek on DVD/Blue-Ray?

 

[jefferiestubes8]

The channel plans to be aggressive too, offering competitive deals to creative auspices and providing its scripted programs with budgets in line with those at premium cable rivals HBO and Showtime.
The channel then is looking to launch a scripted program each quarter, possibly alternating between minis and 13-episode series.

Oct. 21, 2009 source

Don't rule them out just yet. By the time Trek XIII comes out in the cinema EPIX HD just may become the next HBO & Showtime for premium original programming.

 

[C.E. Evans]

I think it's very unlikely that a new Star Trek series could be on EPIX given that Viacom created it to compete against CBS' Showtime and that any Trek TV series (regardless of its setting) would have to come through CBS. There's also the little bit about Viacom moving the entire Paramount film library (including the Trek movies) away from Showtime that CBS might still be a little upset about...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/business/media/21viacom.html?_r=1

 

[Caretaker]

Epix is $10 a month, just by itself. With that, I'm not sure I see it getting huge base very quickly.

 

[Data Holmes]

I so want this channel, but aparently the DirecTV intern CEO already said they were not going to add it to the line up...

Why can't FIOS get it's ass together and get into my are of NJ already!


Oh, and the Epix website is advertising trek movies already, specifically Generations, on it's front page.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Epix TV series

Epix's first drama series is expected to be Tough Trade, a drama project about a Nashville dynasty from Lionsgate TV and Weeds creator Jenji Kohan, which was picked up to pilot in February

Tough Trade, a family drama series from Lionsgate set against a country music background.

The family ensembler is set to premiere in 2010.

Epix has tapped former CBS exec Laverne McKinnon as exec VP of original programming and development.
McKinnon comes to Epix from Shibui Entertainment, where she served as president and CEO. Previously, she worked for 10 years at CBS, most recently as VP of drama development

.SOURCE1 SOURCE2 SOURCE3

Epix President Mark Greenberg spoke to Forbes:

what we want to do is create something that targets a 25- to 44-year-old audience.

You gotta figure they are gonna make adult dramas that CBS is known for by hiring McKinnon. How about a SciFi drama if they aren't gonna do Trek?
Okay guys It is McKinnon that we should send any request for any SciFi premium programming series to compete against 2 HBO sci-fi TV series 'Humanitas' & 'The World Inside' that are being developed.

 

[Lindley]

Re: Epix TV series

Moved to GTVM by request.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Epix TV channel on Cox cable in April 2010

Fledgling pay cabler Epix has inked a carriage deal with Cox Communications, the nation's third-largest cable operator.

Deal will make the channel -- jointly owned by Viacom, Lionsgate and MGM -- available to Cox's 5.2 million cable subscribers starting in April.

More carriage deals are expected by the end of the month, Feltheimer said.

Epix is stocked with pics from its partner companies, with upcoming titles including "Paranormal Activity," "Star Trek," "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra" and Tyler Perry's "Madea Goes to Jail" and "I Can Do Bad All by Myself."

Hey guys we like this news around here...

Epix inks Cox carriage deal
Rookie cable net is talking with other operators also
Jan. 11, 2010,
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118013630.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

 

[Data Holmes]

Come on, Directv. Get off your ass and carry this channel.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Epix on Charter Communications cable

Paramount's 'Star Trek' is one of several films that will be made available to Epix subscribers through Charter Communications.

Epix deals with Charter Communications
Pay channel gets distribution platform on cable operator.

Epix will bow on Charter systems in May.

Epix is also believed to be in advanced talks with Dish Network, the nation's No. 2 satcaster with nearly 14 million subscribers.

Feb. 4, 2010
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118014721.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Fios, Cox, now Charter will all carry EPIX by May.

 

[Data Holmes]

damn it, I want directv to carry this!

 

[jefferiestubes8]

National Distribution Deal With Dish Network for May 2010

Epix is also believed to be in advanced talks with Dish Network, the nation's No. 2 satcaster with nearly 14 million subscribers.

Feb. 4, 2010

And now that has come to fruition.
EPIX Marks Its Sixth Distribution Deal; Will Reach 30 Million Homes by May 2010
Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/...d=news_view&newsId=20100419006174&newsLang=en

it would be creating a comedy series on Silicon Valley, based on Dan Lyons’ Fake Steve Jobs persona.

: http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/19/vi...ibution-deal-with-dish-network/#ixzz0lY6MnNSl
​

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Star Trek XI on EPIX June 6 @ 8PM

On June 6th the 2009 Star Trek movie will have its exclusive cable TV premiere on the EPIX channel. In addition to watching on their TVs, subscribers can also watch Star Trek (and other EPIX movies) online. EPIX also has a web page with lots of exclusive Star Trek videos.

EPIX has a page on their site dedicated to the Star Trek movie at www.epixhd.com/star-trek, which can be viewed by anyone (even if you are not a subscriber). On that page you will find info about the movie, images and a number of videos, including trailers, special features, and exclusive EPIX interviews with the cast and crew.

http://trekmovie.com/2010/06/02/sta...-exclusive-video-extras-available-online-now/

 

[jefferiestubes8]

update on original programming

Epix's first drama series is expected to be Tough Trade, a drama project about a Nashville dynasty from Lionsgate TV and Weeds creator Jenji Kohan, which was picked up to pilot in February

The update

Epix has reportedly decided to pass on drama pilot Tough Trade.
The premium channel originally greenlit the project in early 2010 and a pilot episode was shot nine months ago.

Greenberg has announced that the previously-filmed pilot may now be retooled as a mini-series.

-Epix CEO Mark Greenberg told Deadline:
October 7 2010
Epix passes on 'Tough Trade' pilot