Dish Network to offer Epix movie channel
Fledging movie channel Epix continues to slowly gain traction, landing its first national distribution contract with Dish Network Corp.
The deal, which is expected to be announced today, doubles the availability of the movie channel, which launched in October. In total, pay-TV customers in about 30 million homes will be able to subscribe to the channel. Dish, which has 14.1 million subscribers, will offer it as part of a high-definition package.
Epix also has deals with Verizon Communications Inc.’s FiOS, Cox Communications Inc., Charter Communications Inc. and Mediacom Communications Corp.
Epix is a gambit by three Hollywood movie studios -- Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
The three studios bet they could start their own movie channel that would compete with such premium channels as HBO, Showtime and Starz. Epix hopes to break even next year.
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