Paramount, MGM, Lionsgate name Epix (WSJ, NYT, LAT)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte

The wait for a moniker for Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate's new movie channel has ended. The trio has coined the venture Epix, it was announced yesterday. The road to key distribution deals, on cable and satellite TV, is another matter.

The new network will vie for viewers with the likes of HBO and Showtime. The idea for the net was hatched last year after negotiations broke down with Showtime. It had been speculated that the venture was merely a negotiating tactic to win better terms from Showtime, but yesterday's smattering of details confirms that the trio is pushing ahead in earnest.

Mark Greenberg, chief executive of the joint venture, said in Las Vegas on Tuesday that the proposed channel will feature more than 15,000 new and old movies from the three studios, and eventually add original TV series.

Still, the venture lacks key deals with pay-TV providers. Greenberg said the talks were progressing, "some better than others," notes The Wall Street Journal.

Partly due to questions about consumer demand for another movie channel, the venture has given rise to some skepticism, says The New York Times. Further, viewers have more options for how to consume video these days.

Cable executives say privately that they have little interest in carrying the channel, which could partly be a negotiating ploy, says the NYT.

Still, Greenberg said, "no one is throwing us out of the office."

An early push onto the Web will come in May via a subscription-only Website for streaming content including an exclusive slate of films. The channel's launch is set for October.

Related Links

Movie Channel to Debut on Web As Distribution Talks Continue (WSJ, sub)
Film Channel Has Name, but No Network Carrier (NYT)
Viacom and partners brand new movie channel (LAT)