View source for Epix

{{short description|American pay television network}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Epix
| logo = Epix Logo 2019.svg
| logo_size = 285px
| logo_caption = 
| logo_alt = 
| type = [[Pay television|Pay television network]]
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2009|10|30}}
| closed_date = 
| owner = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]<br />([[MGM Holdings|MGM Holdings, Inc.]]) <br>{{small|([[Amazon (company)|Amazon]])}}
| parent = Epix Entertainment LLC<ref name="prnewswire-mgmepix">{{cite press release|title=MGM To Acquire Full Ownership Of EPIX|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mgm-to-acquire-full-ownership-of-epix-300435537.html|publisher=[[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]|via=[[PR Newswire]]|date=April 5, 2017|access-date=April 10, 2017|archive-date=April 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410220817/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mgm-to-acquire-full-ownership-of-epix-300435537.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| country = United States
| language = English<br>Spanish (as [[Second audio program|SAP]] option)
| picture_format = [[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])<br>(downscaled to [[letterboxed]] [[480i]] for the network's [[Standard-definition television|SDTV]] channel feeds)
| area = Nationwide
| key_people = {{Plainlist|
* Michael Wright (President)
* [[Monty Sarhan]] (Co-[[Vice president|EVP]]/[[General manager|GM]])
* Jason Meier (Co-EVP/[[Chief financial officer|CFO]])
* Nancy Cotton (EVP/Head, Scripted Programming)
}}
| headquarters = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| former_names = {{Plainlist|
* '''Epix Hits''': Epix 3 (2009–2015)
* '''Epix Drive-In''': The 3 From Epix (2009–2011)
}}
| replaced = 
| replaced_by = 
| sister_channels = {{collapsible list|title=View channels|
* ScreenPix
* [[MGM HD]]
}}
| timeshift_service = {{Plainlist|
* Epix ([[Eastern Time Zone|East]] / [[Pacific Time Zone|West]])
* (all three multiplex channels exclusively operate East Coast feeds)
}}
| website = {{URL|epix.com}}
| online_serv_1 = [[#Epix Now|Epix Now]]
| online_chan_1 = {{Plainlist|
* {{URL|epixnow.com}}
* (requires subscription or trial to access content)
}}
| online_serv_2 = [[Apple TV (software)#Apple TV Channels|Apple TV Channels]]
| online_chan_2 = Over-the-top TV<br />(requires subscription or trial to access content)
* Epix (East)
| online_serv_3 = [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Video Channels]]
| online_chan_3 = Over-the-top TV<br />(requires subscription or trial to access content)
{{collapsible list|title=Available feeds (East only)|
* Epix
* Epix 2
* Epix Hits
* Epix Drive-In
}}
| online_serv_5 = [[Roku#The Roku Channel|The Roku Channel]]
| online_chan_5 = Over-the-top TV<br />(requires subscription or trial to access content)
* Epix (East)
| availability_note = 
}}

'''Epix''' (pronounced ''epics'' and stylized as '''{{larger|e}}<small>P</small>{{larger|ix}}''') is an American [[Pay television|premium]] [[cable television|cable]] and [[satellite television|satellite]] [[television network]] owned by Epix Entertainment [[Limited liability company|LLC]], a subsidiary of [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM).<ref name="prnewswire-mgmepix"/><ref name="variety-starzlionsgate"/><ref name=mp>{{cite news|title=New Pay TV Channel Picks Epix, Brand Will Rival HBO, Showtime|url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/96593/new-pay-tv-channel-picks-epix-brand-will-rival-hb.html|author=David Goetzl|website=MediaPost|publisher=[[MediaPost Communications]]|date=December 12, 2008|access-date=July 18, 2012|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116075903/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/96593/new-pay-tv-channel-picks-epix-brand-will-rival-hb.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Epix To Give (Some of) You Movies Before They Hit DVD for Free|url=http://blog.moviefone.com/2009/06/09/epix-to-give-some-of-you-movies-before-they-hit-dvd-for-free/|author=Peter Martin|website=[[Moviefone]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|date=June 9, 2009|access-date=July 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523182711/http://blog.moviefone.com/2009/06/09/epix-to-give-some-of-you-movies-before-they-hit-dvd-for-free/|archive-date=May 23, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The channel's programming consists of recent and older [[Film|theatrically released motion pictures]], [[Original series|original]] [[television program|television series]], [[documentary film|documentaries]], and music and [[stand-up comedy|comedy]] [[television special|specials]].

Launched in the United States in October 2009, Epix is led by Michael Wright.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/michael-wright-president-epix-mgm-1202207049/|title=Michael Wright Takes President Post At Epix|last=Busch|first=Anita|date=2017-11-13|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204237/https://deadline.com/2017/11/michael-wright-president-epix-mgm-1202207049/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since he joined the network in November 2017, Epix has announced many new series including ''[[Godfather of Harlem]]'' starring [[Forest Whitaker]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/forest-whitaker-star-epix-straight-series-crime-drama-1105816|title=Forest Whitaker to Star in Epix Straight-to-Series Crime Drama (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en|archive-date=2019-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926193326/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/forest-whitaker-star-epix-straight-series-crime-drama-1105816|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Pennyworth (TV series)|Pennyworth]]'', the origin story of [[Batman]]'s butler [[Alfred Pennyworth|Alfred]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/batman-prequel-pennyworth-gotham-bruno-heller-danny-cannon-series-order-epix-1202392299/|title=Batman Prequel 'Pennyworth' From 'Gotham' Duo Gets Series Order At Epix|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2018-05-16|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-08-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825123204/https://deadline.com/2018/05/batman-prequel-pennyworth-gotham-bruno-heller-danny-cannon-series-order-epix-1202392299/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Perpetual Grace, LTD]]'' starring [[Ben Kingsley]] and [[Jimmi Simpson]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/ben-kingsley-to-star-in-our-lady-ltd-noir-drama-series-ordered-by-epix-1202453541/|title=Ben Kingsley To Star In 'Our Lady, LTD' Noir Drama Series Ordered By Epix|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|first2=Denise|last2=Petski|date=2018-08-28|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829035009/https://deadline.com/2018/08/ben-kingsley-to-star-in-our-lady-ltd-noir-drama-series-ordered-by-epix-1202453541/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/our-lady-ltd-jimmi-simpson-star-epix-noir-drama-series-1202454765/|title='Our Lady, LTD': Jimmi Simpson To Star In Epix's Noir Drama Series|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2018-08-30|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831035406/https://deadline.com/2018/08/our-lady-ltd-jimmi-simpson-star-epix-noir-drama-series-1202454765/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Deep State (TV series)|Deep State]],''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/deep-state-espionage-drama-starring-mark-strong-joe-dempsi-epix-u-s-1202338973/|title='Deep State' Espionage Drama Starring Mark Strong & Joe Dempsie Lands At Epix For U.S.|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2018-03-16|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614223145/https://deadline.com/2018/03/deep-state-espionage-drama-starring-mark-strong-joe-dempsi-epix-u-s-1202338973/|url-status=live}}</ref> unscripted series ''Unprotected Sets'' executive produced by [[Wanda Sykes]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/epix-orders-unprotected-sets-late-night-docuseries-on-young-comics-with-ep-wanda-sykes-1202446816/|title=Epix Orders 'Unprotected Sets', Late-Night Docuseries On Rising Comics With EP Wanda Sykes|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|date=2018-08-16|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925013115/https://deadline.com/2018/08/epix-orders-unprotected-sets-late-night-docuseries-on-young-comics-with-ep-wanda-sykes-1202446816/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the return of ''[[The Contender (TV series)|The Contender]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/the-contender-premiere-date-epix-mark-burnett-boxing-competition-series-1202418208/|title='The Contender': Mark Burnett's Boxing Competition Revival Gets Premiere Date On Epix|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|date=2018-06-27|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826073847/https://deadline.com/2018/06/the-contender-premiere-date-epix-mark-burnett-boxing-competition-series-1202418208/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Epix and, depending on the carriage of any of the latter services, its three multiplex channels are sold by most traditional [[multichannel video programming distributor]]s either as premium services or as part of [[a la carte pay television|a la carte]] [[digital cable|digital]] movie tiers as well as by [[over-the-top content|over-the-top]] MVPDs [[Sling TV]],<ref name="Lieberman, David">{{cite web|title=Sling TV Folds IFC, Sundance TV, And EPIX Into Its Program Offerings|url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/sling-tv-amc-networks-epix-1201385731/|author=David Lieberman|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=March 4, 2015|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420025947/https://deadline.com/2015/03/sling-tv-amc-networks-epix-1201385731/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Epix Drive-In">[https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/sling-tv-update-ufc-ppv-ufc-214-epix-reelz/ The latest Sling TV update brings UFC events, more movie channels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904105412/https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/sling-tv-update-ufc-ppv-ufc-214-epix-reelz/ |date=2017-09-04 }}, July 26, 2017</ref> [[DirecTV Stream]],<ref name="epix-at&ttvnow">{{cite press release|title=EPIX LAUNCHES ON AT&T TV NOW|url=https://press.epix.com/epix-launches-on-att-tv-now/|website=EPIX Press Site|publisher=Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|date=August 8, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-date=March 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329162042/https://press.epix.com/epix-launches-on-att-tv-now/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Philo (company)|Philo]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Philo Streaming Bundle Adds Starz And Epix To Lineup With Promotional Prices|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/philo-streaming-bundle-adds-starz-epix-at-promotional-prices-1202960264/|author=Dade Hayes|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=June 16, 2020|access-date=December 12, 2020}}</ref> [[FuboTV]]<ref name="fuboepix">{{cite press release|title=fuboTV Adds Premium Entertainment Network EPIX to Programming Lineup|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201211005053/en/fuboTV-Adds-Premium-Entertainment-Network-EPIX-to-Programming-Lineup|publisher=Epix Entertainment LLC|via=BusinessWire|date=December 11, 2020|access-date=December 12, 2020}}</ref> and [[YouTube TV]].<ref name="mcn-yttvepix">{{cite web|title=Epix, YouTube TV Reach Carriage Deal|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/epix-youtube-reach-carriage-deal|author=R. Thomas Umstead|periodical=Multichannel News|publisher=Future US|date=April 10, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731014526/https://www.multichannel.com/news/epix-youtube-reach-carriage-deal|url-status=live}}</ref>

The service is also sold direct-to-consumer through a proprietary streaming service Epix Now, and via [[a la carte pay television|a la carte]] subscriptions independent of a traditional pay television platform sold by [[Apple TV (software)|Apple TV Channels]], [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Video Channels]] and [[Roku#The Roku Channel|The Roku Channel]]. Each digital platform provides a library of [[video on demand]] content and live streams of the linear Epix television channels. (Epix Now and the Amazon Video channel provide feeds of all four Epix multiplex channels; Apple and Roku subscribers receive only the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] feed of the primary Epix channel.)<ref>{{cite news|title=Apple unveils streaming TV services|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/25/apple-tv-channels-streaming-tv-service-announced.html|author=Todd Haselton|website=[[CNBC]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal Television Group#NBCUniversal News Group|NBCUniversal News Group]]|date=March 25, 2019|access-date=March 25, 2019|archive-date=March 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325201440/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/25/apple-tv-channels-streaming-tv-service-announced.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Amazon Prime Video Channels: Everything you need to know|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-prime-video-channels-everything-you-need-to-know/|author=David Katzmaier|website=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=May 23, 2019|access-date=May 9, 2020|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610035913/https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-prime-video-channels-everything-you-need-to-know/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Background==
[[Paramount Pictures]] has been involved in the pay television industry since the 1950s. From 1953 to 1961, Paramount owned [[Telemeter (pay television)|Telemeter]], an ambitious but expensive theater television system that transmitted using [[closed-circuit television|closed circuitry]]—as opposed to broadcast frequencies—over which customers could purchase broadcasts by inserting coins into a collection box.

In April 1980, Paramount (then owned by [[Gulf and Western|Gulf+Western]]), [[MCA Inc.|MCA]]/[[Universal Studios]], [[Columbia Pictures]] and [[20th Century Fox]] partnered with [[Getty Oil]] to jointly develop a pay cable service to be named Premiere. The proposed channel would have maintained exclusive first-run rights to newer feature films distributed by each of the studios (which would have aired nine months before their initial telecasts on other premium channels—up to four months shorter than the average period between a film's theatrical release and their entry into the pay television market), along with carrying films cherry-picked from other studios without any exclusivity. Displeased that the venture would likely give the four studios disproportionate control of the pay television marketplace, [[Home Box Office, Inc.]] (then owned by [[Time-Life]]), [[Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment]] and [[Viacom (1952–2006)|Viacom]]/[[TelePrompTer Corporation|TelePrompTer]]—then the respective owners of [[HBO]], [[The Movie Channel]] and [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]—proceeded to file an antitrust lawsuit against the studios with the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Justice Department]] later that year. After reviewing the case, the Justice Department issued an injunction blocking Premiere's planned January 1, 1981 launch, deeming the venture to be an illegal boycott of the existing pay services that would subject them to possible financial damage if its presence resulted in price fixing of film titles. Paramount, MCA, Fox and Columbia decided to scrap the venture after the ruling was handed down.<ref>{{cite book|title=Joint Ventures, Alliances, and Corporate Strategy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JeY_afXHSnEC&pg=PA167|author=Kathryn Rudie Harrigan|publisher=Beard Books|date=January 1, 1985|isbn = 9781587981951|access-date=April 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Hollywood in the Information Age: Beyond the Silver Screen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KuuuBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA78|author=Janet Wasko|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|page=167|date=June 26, 2013|isbn = 9780745678337|access-date=April 20, 2015}}</ref>

In August 1982, MCA/Universal and Gulf+Western reached an agreement with [[Warner Communications]] to each acquire 25% interests in The Movie Channel, a struggling pay service then-owned by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, a cable television venture of Warner and [[American Express]], which would retain the remaining 25% share under the proposed collaborative venture. This proposal was driven by the studios wanting to increase revenue received from licensing their films to premium television services, and industry concerns that dominant premium service HBO would hold undue negotiating power for these rights through its acquisitions of film titles prior to their theatrical release. In January 1983, the proposal was amended to include Viacom International, which proposed to consolidate The Movie Channel  and Showtime (of which Viacom had acquired the 50% interest inherited by [[Westinghouse Broadcasting|Group W Cable]] through its prior merger with TelePrompTer for $75 million in August 1982) into one unit. Four of the partners would respectively own 22.58% of both networks, with American Express owning the remaining 9.68%. As with the earlier Premiere proposal, the Justice Department subjected the proposal to regulatory scrutiny as Warner, Universal and Paramount received 50% of their respective total revenue from film releases and licensing fees from premium services; the 30% share that would be held by the Showtime-TMC combination would have also formed an oligopoly in the pay cable market with HBO and [[Cinemax]] (which, even with the presence of smaller competitors at the time like [[Bravo (U.S. TV network)|Bravo]] and [[Home Theater Network]], controlled the remaining 60% of the market).<ref>{{cite news|title=5 COMPANIES IN VENTURE TO RUN 2 PAY-TV UNITS|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/08/business/5-companies-in-venture-to-run-2-pay-tv-units.html|author=Sally Bedell|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 8, 1983|access-date=April 10, 2017|archive-date=February 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215135053/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/08/business/5-companies-in-venture-to-run-2-pay-tv-units.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Joint Ventures, Alliances, and Corporate Strategy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JeY_afXHSnEC&pg=PA167|author=Kathryn Rudie Harrigan|publisher=Beard Books|page=167|date=January 1, 1985|isbn = 9781587981951|access-date=April 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Hollywood in the Information Age: Beyond the Silver Screen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KuuuBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA78|author=Janet Wasko|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|page=167|date=June 26, 2013|isbn = 9780745678337|access-date=April 20, 2015}}</ref>

The proposal was revised twice to address these issues and others cited by HBO executives in responses to a civil antitrust lawsuit against the Showtime-Movie Channel merger that was filed by the Justice Department on June 10, 1983. This culminated in Paramount and Universal being dropped from the partnership in the final revision submitted on July 28, 1983; Warner Communications, Viacom and Warner-Amex became the only partners remaining in the proposal, which a Justice Department memorandum cited would "prevent any anti-competitive effect [against other premium services wishing to enter the market] from arising," currying the Department's formal approval of the proposal on August 13 (three weeks before it was finalized on September 6). Shortly afterward, Paramount signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Showtime, which had already maintained a licensing deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer that gave the service exclusive pay cable rights to MGM's films.<ref name="ParamountSues"/><ref>{{cite news|title=MGM/UA, Showtime renew deal|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR116021/|author=Christian Moerk|author2=John Dempsey|periodical=Variety|publisher=[[Fairchild Publications]]|date=November 22, 1993|access-date=March 14, 2014|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113193636/https://variety.com/1993/film/news/mgm-ua-showtime-renew-deal-116021/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Both of Showtime's tenures with Paramount ended in acrimony. In the spring of 1989, Paramount struck an exclusive licensing agreement with HBO; subsequently that May, Paramount filed a lawsuit against [[Showtime Networks]], its parent Viacom, and the corporate parent of both entities, [[National Amusements]] over Showtime's alleged refusal to pay a total of $88 million in fees for five films—all of which had underperformed in their theatrical release—to reduce the minimum liability for its 75-film package from the studio.<ref name="ParamountSues">{{cite news|title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Paramount Sues Viacom Over Fees|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/12/business/the-media-business-paramount-sues-viacom-over-fees.html|author=Geraldine Fabrikant|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 12, 1989|access-date=March 14, 2014|archive-date=March 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306132520/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/12/business/the-media-business-paramount-sues-viacom-over-fees.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Showtime regained first-run pay cable rights to Paramount's films through a seven-year distribution deal signed in May 1995, in a byproduct of Viacom's merger with Paramount Pictures parent [[Paramount Communications]] the year prior; this agreement gave the services of Showtime Networks—Showtime, The Movie Channel and [[Flix (TV network)|Flix]]—exclusive rights to all films released by the studio from 1997 onward starting in January 1998, following the expiration of Paramount's contract with HBO.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Showtime Networks (SNI) and Paramount Pictures announce exclusive output deal|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+%28SNI%29+and+Paramount+Pictures+announce+exclusive...-a016877979|agency=[[Business Wire]]|via=The Free Library|date=May 18, 1995|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403053010/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+(SNI)+and+Paramount+Pictures+announce+exclusive...-a016877979|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM) signed an exclusive first-run premium cable rights agreement with Showtime in 1981, encompassing the studio's films and releases through its [[United Artists]] subsidiary; Showtime and MGM renewed this agreement in April 1985 (for ten years, initially split with HBO and [[Cinemax]]),<ref>{{cite news|title=CABLE TV NOTES; EXPERIMENTATION SHAPES 'CAST IRON TV'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/14/arts/cable-tv-notes-experimentation-shapes-cast-iron-tv.html|author=Steve Schneider|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 14, 1985|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828225522/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/14/arts/cable-tv-notes-experimentation-shapes-cast-iron-tv.html|url-status=live}}</ref> September 1993 (for six years, with an extension signed in March 1998),<ref>{{cite news|title=MGM/UA, Showtime renew deal|url=https://variety.com/1993/film/news/mgm-ua-showtime-renew-deal-116021/|author=Christian Moerk|author2=John Dempsey|periodical=Variety|date=November 22, 1993|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731014731/https://variety.com/1993/film/news/mgm-ua-showtime-renew-deal-116021/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MGM, Showtime re-up|url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/mgm-showtime-re-up-1117468574/|author=Ray Richmond|periodical=Variety|date=March 9, 1998|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731014635/https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/mgm-showtime-re-up-1117468574/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in April 2000 (for nine years). The 2000 renewal deal also included a production development agreement to produce three original series—which would end up consisting of ''[[Dead Like Me]]'', ''[[The L Word]]'' and the short-lived ''[[Barbershop: The Series]]''—for Showtime between 2003 and 2007. (MGM had already produced some original programming for Showtime at the time of that deal, most notably ''[[The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' and ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'', both adaptations of MGM-owned [[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|science fiction]] [[Stargate|franchises]].)<ref>{{cite web|title=MGM extends Showtime domestic pay-TV deal to 2008|author=Mike Goodridge|url=http://www.screendaily.com/mgm-extends-showtime-domestic-pay-tv-deal-to-2008/402171.article|publisher=ScreenDaily|date=April 25, 2000|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805211108/https://www.screendaily.com/mgm-extends-showtime-domestic-pay-tv-deal-to-2008/402171.article|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MGM Agrees to Showtime Production Deal|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/25/business/fi-23228|agency=[[Bloomberg, L.P.|Bloomberg News]]|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 25, 2000|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=February 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224172630/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/25/business/fi-23228|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2002, after that studio finished a long-term distribution pact with HBO and Cinemax, [[Lionsgate|Lions Gate Entertainment]] joined Paramount and MGM as Showtime's major film suppliers. Paramount's distribution contract with Showtime expired in January 2008, three years after the original Viacom corporate structure was split into two standalone companies within the National Amusements umbrella: a [[Viacom (2005–2019)|successor entity]] that adopted the Viacom name, which took over Paramount's operations and select other divisions including the original entity's basic cable channels (among them, [[MTV]], [[VH1]], [[Nickelodeon]] and [[Comedy Central]]), and [[CBS Corporation]], which—among the few properties it kept from its pre-split entity—retained ownership of Showtime Networks; MGM and Lions Gate's respective contracts with Showtime subsequently expired at the end of that year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Showtime's Film Suppliers Start Up Rival TV Channel|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/showtime%E2%80%99s-film-suppliers-start-rival-tv-channel/32169|author=Robert Marich|periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=April 21, 2008|access-date=July 18, 2012|archive-date=September 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907170322/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/ca6553110.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
===Development and launch===
The formation of Epix was announced on April 21, 2008, after individual negotiations between Paramount Pictures, MGM, and Lionsgate with Showtime to renew their existing film output deals broke down; each of the three studios disagreed with Showtime over the licensing fee rates for which they wanted Showtime to compensate them to allow future releases to air on the Showtime Networks services.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paramount set to end movie sales to Showtime|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-151760313.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106161113/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-151760313.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|author=Tim Arango|newspaper=[[International New York Times|International Herald Tribune]]|via=[[HighBeam Research]]|date=April 22, 2008|access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> In December 2008, the three studios—which named their jointly owned [[holding company]] for the channel, Studio 3 Partners (renamed Epix Entertainment LLC upon coming under the sole ownership of MGM)—selected the name "Epix" for their premium linear television and on-demand service; the partnership formally announced the launch of Epix at the [[National Association of Television Program Executives]] (NATPE) Convention on January 27, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=NATPE 2009: Studio 3's New Net Will Be Epix|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/syndication-and-distribution/natpe-2009-studio-3%E2%80%99s-new-net-will-be-epix/50779|author=Paige Albiniak|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=January 27, 2009|access-date=March 23, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123928/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/syndication-and-distribution/natpe-2009-studio-3%E2%80%99s-new-net-will-be-epix/50779|url-status=live}}</ref> Mark Greenberg—who previously served as a marketing executive at HBO, [[executive vice president]] of Showtime, and managing director of management and consulting firm MSCGI (whose clients included [[Blockbuster LLC|Blockbuster Entertainment]], [[Comcast]] and Lionsgate)—created the business plan and strategy, then partnered with the Lionsgate/MGM/Paramount consortium to build and launch the network. Greenberg served as the founding president and [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) of Epix, leading it from its creation in early 2008 through its acquisition by MGM, until he stepped down after a nine-year tenure in September 2017.<ref name=mp/><ref>{{cite web|title=Epix CEO Mark Greenberg Keeps Streaming Ahead|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/features/epix-ceo-mark-greenberg-keeps-streaming-ahead-1201934095/|author=Cynthia Littleton|periodical=Variety|date=December 6, 2016|access-date=April 10, 2017|archive-date=April 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411055002/http://variety.com/2016/digital/features/epix-ceo-mark-greenberg-keeps-streaming-ahead-1201934095/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="R. THOMAS UMSTEAD">{{cite news|title=Mark Greenberg to Depart Epix; Monty Sarhan named interim president|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/mark-greenberg-depart-epix/415601|author=R. Thomas Umstead|periodical=[[Multichannel News]]|publisher=[[New Bay Media]]|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=October 20, 2017|archive-date=October 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020142501/http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/mark-greenberg-depart-epix/415601|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Epix Logo 2009.svg|200px|right|thumb|Original version of current logo, used from October 30, 2009 to April 18, 2019.]]
The network would focus on both recent feature films from Paramount (specifically those released after 2008), MGM/United Artists and Lionsgate (consisting of films released by each studio from 2009 onward) as well as library content from each of the studios. Within weeks of its October 2009 launch, Epix signed exclusive first-run film content agreements with two additional studios: one with [[Samuel Goldwyn Films]] to broadcast a package of 20 recent and forthcoming theatrical movies from the studio,<ref>{{cite web|title=Goldywn Inks With Upstart Epix|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/wires/2009/08/06/goldywn-inks-with-upstart_ws_252490.html|website=[[The Huffington Post]]|publisher=The Huffington Post Media Group|via=[[IndieWire]]|date=August 6, 2009|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410214736/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wires/2009/08/06/goldywn-inks-with-upstart_ws_252490.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="EpixGoldwyn">{{cite news|title=Epix Pay Channel To Show Samuel Goldwyn Films|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/34498/epix-pay-channel-to-show-samuel-goldwyn-films|author=Ryan Nakashima|agency=[[Associated Press]]|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=August 6, 2009|access-date=April 20, 2015}}</ref> and another to carry a package of 22 recent and forthcoming feature films from independent film studio [[Roadside Attractions]] (of which Lions Gate Entertainment had acquired a 45% minority interest in July 2007).<ref name="Epix Roadside">{{cite web|title=Epix drives to Roadside Attractions|url=https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/epix-drives-to-roadside-attractions-1118007991/|author=Cynthia Littleton|periodical=Variety|date=September 2, 2009|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125341/http://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/epix-drives-to-roadside-attractions-1118007991/|url-status=live}}</ref> Studio 3 Partners chose the Viacom subdivision MTV Networks (now [[Paramount Media Networks]]) to provide operational support, marketing services and affiliate distribution for the channel. (Through its ownership of both Showtime Networks parent CBS Corporation and the successor Viacom, National Amusements controlled four of the nine American pay television services then in operation—Epix, Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix—from Epix's founding until Viacom divested its majority share in the channel in 2016.)<ref name=mp/>

Though Epix was first announced by Studio 3 Partners as strictly a premium service, it eventually began to seek distribution as a hybrid premium/digital basic channel, although its programming would be presented without editing for airtime or objectionable content and without commercial advertising (a structure similar to the distribution method of [[Starz Encore]]). The channel also reportedly sought a monthly license fee of $1 to $1.50 per subscriber from prospective providers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sticker Shock for Startup|url=http://www.multichannel.com/|author=Linda Moss|periodical=[[Multichannel News]]|date=September 15, 2008|access-date=February 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106161145/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-185030184.html|archive-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> Epix reached its first carriage agreement on July 28, 2009, when it signed a deal with [[Verizon FiOS]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Epix lands first carriage deal|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/epix-lands-carriage-deal-86976|author=Georg Szalai|agency=[[Associated Press]]|periodical=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=July 28, 2009|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801115321/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/epix-lands-carriage-deal-86976|url-status=live}}</ref> In contrast, that August, two months prior to the channel's launch, three major pay television providers—cable providers Comcast and [[Cablevision]], and satellite provider [[DirecTV]]—each formally announced that they would not carry Epix. DirecTV said regarding its decision not to carry the channel: "We think there are enough [premium channels] out there already, we don't see the value of adding another movie channel."<ref>{{cite web|title=DirecTV Will Pass On Epix|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/cable-operators/directv-will-pass-epix/329553|author=Mike Farrell|periodical=Multichannel News|date=August 6, 2009|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=April 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428192840/http://www.multichannel.com/news/cable-operators/directv-will-pass-epix/329553|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 28, 2009, Epix offered a [[free preview]] to Verizon FiOS subscribers, showing select films that would be offered by the channel upon its formal debut. During this preview, Epix added between five and seven movie selections every three days from the libraries of its three major studio backers, including the premium cable premieres of the 2008 releases ''[[Iron Man (2008 film)|Iron Man]]'', ''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]'', and ''[[Cloverfield]]''. On September 25, 2009, the channel announced plans to launch an expanded online [[video on demand]] service—to be known as the "Epix MegaPlex"—that began offering a minimum of 3,000 film titles beginning in the summer of 2010, in comparison to the approximately 200 titles that the basic Epix online VOD service would include in its library upon the streaming service's official October 2010 launch.<ref>{{cite news|title=Epix MegaPlex to offer 3,000 shows online|url=http://www.rethinkresearch.biz/articles/epix-megaplex-to-offer-3000-shows-online/|author=Peter White|website=The Online Reporter|date=September 25, 2009|access-date=February 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106161200/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-209479349.html|archive-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> Epix's online offering includes over 3,000 titles for [[streaming media|streaming]], available to all subscribers through the network's [[mobile app|apps]] and Epix.com; as a result, Epix offers a wider library of movies for streaming than the combined offerings by the streaming service of its premium network competitors. The network continues to expand its VOD selection through cable, satellite and telco operators; however, it does not include more than 150 to 200 titles per month due to the bandwidth constraints of these systems.

The Epix television service officially launched at 8:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]] on October 30, 2009<ref>{{cite press release|title=Epix Unveils Powerhouse Launch Weekend Lineup|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS129954+12-Oct-2009+BW20091012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909034735/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS129954+12-Oct-2009+BW20091012|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 9, 2012|agency=[[Businesswire]]|via=[[Reuters]]|date=October 12, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Epix Picks a Launch Date|url=http://newteevee.com/2009/10/13/epix-picks-a-launch-date/|author=Chris Albrecht|website=[[Gigaom|NewTeeVee]]|date=October 13, 2009|access-date=October 13, 2009|archive-date=October 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017114518/http://newteevee.com/2009/10/13/epix-picks-a-launch-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> on Verizon FiOS systems, becoming the first U.S. premium cable channel (not counting multiplex services of existing pay services) to debut since [[Liberty Media]] and [[Tele-Communications, Inc.]] launched [[Starz (TV channel)|Starz]] 15 years earlier on February 1, 1994.<ref>{{cite news|title=Starz!, New Premium Channel, Launches Tonight with Unprecedented Support from Major Hollywood Studios|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STARZ!,+NEW+PREMIUM+CHANNEL,+LAUNCHES+TONIGHT+WITH+UNPRECEDENTED...-a014767050|agency=[[PRNewswire]]|via=The Free Library|date=February 1, 1994|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203202804/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STARZ!,+NEW+PREMIUM+CHANNEL,+LAUNCHES+TONIGHT+WITH+UNPRECEDENTED...-a014767050|url-status=live}}</ref> The first program to air on the channel was the film ''Iron Man'', followed by the concert special ''[[Sticky & Sweet Tour|Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour: Live from Buenos Aires]]''. Initially a single channel service, Epix was offered to subscribers of Verizon FiOS—which carried the channel for free during its debut weekend—for $9.99 per month<ref>{{cite web|title=FiOS TV Prices Epix at $9.99—Verizon Service Taking Orders For New Movie Service Monday|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/fios-tv-prices-epix-999/363847|author=Kent Gibbons|periodical=Multichannel News|date=October 29, 2009|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=August 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825180115/http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/fios-tv-prices-epix-999/363847|url-status=live}}</ref> (significantly less than the subscription rates of other premium channels, which normally range in price from $12.99 to $17.99 per month). Epix also provided customers—including those that were not Verizon FiOS subscribers—free previews of the online service each weekend through the end of November 2009, permitting access to the website's film content using invite codes given on a first come, first served basis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix Opens Access to Consumers with a Hitch|url=https://gigaom.com/2009/10/28/419-epix-opens-access-to-consumers-with-a-hitch/|author=Staci D. Kramer|website=[[Gigaom|PaidContent.org]]|date=October 28, 2009|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=March 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312212517/https://gigaom.com/2009/10/28/419-epix-opens-access-to-consumers-with-a-hitch/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Expansion===
[[Cox Communications]] reached a carriage deal with Epix on January 9, 2010,<ref>{{cite web|title=Viacom's Premium Movie Channel Epix Coming To Cox|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/viacoms-premium-movie-channel-epix-coming-to-cox-cable-2010-1|author=Jay Yarow|website=Business Insider|date=January 9, 2010|access-date=January 11, 2010|archive-date=January 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115063107/http://www.businessinsider.com/viacoms-premium-movie-channel-epix-coming-to-cox-cable-2010-1|url-status=live}}</ref> the linear channel's [[standard-definition television|standard]] and [[high-definition television|high definition]] feeds, along with its video on demand and online streaming platforms, were added to Cox's systems throughout the U.S. on April 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix Gains Multiplatform Carriage On Cox In April|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/cable-operators/epix-gains-multiplatform-carriage-cox-april/328993|author=Mike Reynolds|periodical=Multichannel News|date=January 11, 2010|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=April 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410214649/http://www.multichannel.com/news/cable-operators/epix-gains-multiplatform-carriage-cox-april/328993|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mediacom]] signed a carriage agreement with Epix on January 14, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix coming to Mediacom Communications|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/01/13/epix-coming-to-mediacom-communications/channel|author=Ben Drawbaugh|website=[[Engadget]]|publisher=AOL|date=January 13, 2010|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113193639/https://www.engadget.com/2010-01-13-epix-coming-to-mediacom-communications.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 19, 2010, Epix gained its first (and prior to 2015, only) national pay television distribution partner when [[Dish Network]] announced that it would immediately begin carrying the channel as part of its "PlatinumHD" package;<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix Goes National With Dish Network Deal|url=https://deadline.com/2010/04/epix-goes-national-with-dish-network-33373/|author=Nellie Andreeva|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=April 19, 2010|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731045817/https://deadline.com/2010/04/epix-goes-national-with-dish-network-33373/|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, Epix launched its first two [[multiplex (TV)|multiplex channels]] on the satellite provider during the 2010 calendar year: Epix 2 debuted first on May 12,<ref>{{cite web|title=DISH Network Boosts Industry-Leading HD Lineup with Six New Channels|url=http://about.dish.com/press-release/programming/dish-network-boosts-industry-leading-hd-lineup-six-new-channels|website=[[Dish Network]]|date=May 12, 2010|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085729/http://about.dish.com/press-release/programming/dish-network-boosts-industry-leading-hd-lineup-six-new-channels|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by the August 11 debut of The 3 From Epix (now Epix Hits), which mainly carried movies released from the 1970s to the present.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 3 From Epix Launches First On Dish|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/satellite/3-epix-launches-first-dish/301608|periodical=Multichannel News|date=August 16, 2010|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407071352/http://www.multichannel.com/news/satellite/3-epix-launches-first-dish/301608|url-status=live}}</ref> Dish Network would expand its relationship with Epix on February 16, 2015, as part of a carriage renewal agreement which made all four Epix channels available to subscribers of its [[over-the-top content|over-the-top]] television service [[Sling TV]] as an add-on premium service, along with access to Epix's on-demand film and original programming content; Sling added Epix on March 4, 2015, with the four-channel multiplex being made available as part of the launch of its “Hollywood Extra” programming tier. (Sling currently offers all four Epix multiplex channels as a premium add-on for an extra fee, while Epix Drive-In is offered as a standalone channel available to all base subscribers of its Sling Orange and Sling Blue packages.)<ref name="Lieberman, David"/><ref name="Epix Drive-In"/><ref name=variety-epixonsling>{{cite news|title=Dish Renews Epix Pact, Will Add Movie Channels to Sling TV Internet Service|url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/dish-renews-epix-pact-will-add-movie-channels-to-sling-tv-internet-service-1201434753/|author=Todd Spangler|periodical=Variety|date=February 16, 2015|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307151328/https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/dish-renews-epix-pact-will-add-movie-channels-to-sling-tv-internet-service-1201434753/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sling TV To Offer EPIX|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/sling-tv-offer-epix-388022|author=Jeff Baumgartner|periodical=Multichannel News|date=February 16, 2015|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407073347/https://www.multichannel.com/news/sling-tv-offer-epix-388022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sling TV Adds AMC & IFC, Launches 'Hollywood' Pack|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/sling-tv-adds-amc-ifc-launches-hollywood-pack-138473|author=Jeff Baumgartner|periodical=Multichannel News|date=March 4, 2015|access-date=May 20, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113193656/https://www.nexttv.com/news/sling-tv-adds-amc-ifc-launches-hollywood-pack-138473|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 29, 2010, [[Charter Communications]] began carrying Epix as a package that offers both the channel's video on demand content in standard (150 titles at a time) and high definition (75 titles at a time), along with online streaming for $10 per month.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charter VIP|url=http://www.epixhd.com/charter-vip/|website=[[Charter Communications]]|access-date=April 29, 2010|archive-date=May 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515041556/http://www.epixhd.com/charter-vip/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 10, 2010, [[Netflix]] announced that it had reached an exclusive licensing deal with Epix, allowing subscribers of the streaming service to access movie titles released by Epix's content distributors to which the channel holds television and primary streaming rights. Titles to which Netflix gained access became available on the service less than one month later on September 1, 2010, with some newer films being released on Netflix within 90 days of their premiere on the Epix television and streaming services.<ref name=uty>{{cite web|title=Epix, Netflix announce deal to stream movies|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2010/08/epix-netflix-announce-deal-to-stream-movies-/1?csp=34tech|author=Nancy Blair|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=August 10, 2010|access-date=August 13, 2010|archive-date=March 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308091117/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2010/08/epix-netflix-announce-deal-to-stream-movies-/1?csp=34tech|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 31 of that year, [[Suddenlink Communications]] reached an agreement with Viacom to carry Epix as part of an overall extension of its agreement to carry channels (such as MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, [[Paramount Network|Spike]] and Nickelodeon/[[Nick at Nite]]) that the media company owned through its MTV Networks division.<ref name="Suddenlink FYI">{{cite web|title=Suddenlink, Viacom Reach Agreement|url=http://suddenlinkfyi.com/2010/12/31/suddenlink-viacom-reach-agreement/|website=Suddenlink FYI|publisher=[[Suddenlink Communications]]|date=December 31, 2010|access-date=August 6, 2011|archive-date=June 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602000856/http://suddenlinkfyi.com/2010/12/31/suddenlink-viacom-reach-agreement/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 4, 2012, following the expiration of an exclusivity clause in the Netflix agreement that allowed Epix to license streaming rights to the channel's film titles to competing services, Epix entered into a three-year agreement with [[Amazon.com|Amazon]] to provide film content on its [[Amazon Video|Prime Video]] streaming service. Films appear on both [[Amazon Video|Amazon]] and Netflix after the same 90-day delay period following their Epix debut.<ref>{{cite news|title=Amazon and Epix strike movie deal; Netflix shares drop|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-epix-idUSBRE8830M720120904|author=Alistair Barr|work=Reuters|date=September 4, 2012|access-date=September 4, 2012|archive-date=September 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904232936/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/04/us-amazon-epix-idUSBRE8830M720120904|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since its inception, Epix was among the first subscription television services to institute [[TV Everywhere]] capabilities; it was the first premium network to make its films available for streaming (beginning with the network's launch in 2009, its films were available via Epix.com), and was the first premium network to make its program content available on [[Roku]] devices, [[Xbox]] consoles, and the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[PlayStation Vita]] gaming devices,<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix films, programming to land on PS3 in first quarter|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-57561823-235/epix-films-programming-to-land-on-ps3-in-first-quarter/|author=Don Reisinger|website=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=January 3, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2013|archive-date=January 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126003159/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-57561823-235/epix-films-programming-to-land-on-ps3-in-first-quarter/|url-status=live}}</ref> and—by way of an app released on November 7, 2013, through a distribution agreement that Studio 3 reached with [[Sony Corporation]] to release apps on its precessor consoles on January 3 of that year—[[PlayStation 4]].<ref>{{cite press release|title=Epix to Launch Premium TV App on PlayStation 4|url=http://press.epixhd.com/press-releases/epix-to-launch-premium-tv-app-on-playstation4/|website=Epix Press|publisher=Studio 3 Partners, LLC|date=November 7, 2013|access-date=January 21, 2015|archive-date=August 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830065757/http://press.epixhd.com/press-releases/epix-to-launch-premium-tv-app-on-playstation4/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 2, 2014, [[Bright House Networks]]—which had its carriage agreements negotiated on their behalf by Time Warner Cable, prior to its November 2016 merger with Charter Communications—added the Epix multiplex, with all four channels being offered to its subscribers in a three-month free preview upon its initial rollout.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bright House Rolls Out Epix in SD, HD|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/bright-house-rolls-out-epix-sd-hd/374905|author=Mike Reynolds|periodical=Multichannel News|date=June 2, 2014|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=August 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819065220/http://multichannel.com/news/distribution/bright-house-rolls-out-epix-sd-hd/374905|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month on July 14, Epix signed a multi-platform distribution agreement with [[AT&T U-verse]], in which the channel's content would be made available to subscribers through the website and apps of both Epix and U-verse, as well as on [[AT&T]] on Demand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix Rolls Out on AT&T U-verse|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/epix-rolls-out-att-u-verse/375913|author=Mike Reynolds|periodical=Multichannel News|date=July 14, 2014|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=April 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426204350/http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/epix-rolls-out-att-u-verse/375913|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 4, 2014, [[Time Warner Cable]], one of the cable providers that initially declined to carry the channel, announced that it had reached an agreement with Viacom to begin carrying Epix and its multiplex channels effective March 18.<ref>{{cite web|title=Time Warner Cable Deal With Epix Rolls Out March 18|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/time-warner-cable-deal-epix-685718|author=Paul Bond|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media|Guggenheim Digital Media]]|date=March 4, 2014|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801115220/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/time-warner-cable-deal-epix-685718|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Epix signs agreement with Time Warner Cable|url=https://nypost.com/2014/03/03/epix-signs-agreement-with-time-warner-cable/|author=Claire Atkinson|newspaper=[[New York Post]]|publisher=[[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp.]]|date=March 3, 2014|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411193427/http://nypost.com/2014/03/03/epix-signs-agreement-with-time-warner-cable/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 31, 2015, Epix announced that it had signed a multi-year nonexclusive licensing contract in which [[Hulu]] would obtain the partial streaming rights to its feature film content. As a consequence of this agreement, Netflix announced that it would not renew its licensing agreement with Epix; all films from Epix that were made available on Netflix's streaming queue through the preceding agreement were removed when the contract expired at the end of September.<ref>{{cite news|title=Epix Reaches Multiyear Hulu Deal, Ends Netflix Agreement|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/epix-reaches-multiyear-hulu-deal-ends-netflix-agreement-n418761|agency=Associated Press|website=[[NBC News]]|date=August 31, 2015|access-date=August 31, 2015|archive-date=September 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901100516/http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/epix-reaches-multiyear-hulu-deal-ends-netflix-agreement-n418761|url-status=live}}</ref>

===MGM buyout of Paramount and Lionsgate's interests; sale to Amazon===
The future of Epix was placed into question through transactions involving Paramount Pictures and Lionsgate during the latter half of 2016. On June 30, 2016, Lionsgate agreed to acquire [[Starz Inc.]] (the parent company of rival pay service Starz, and its sister networks Starz Encore and [[MoviePlex]]) for $4.4 billion in cash and stock.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionsgate Agrees To Buy Starz For $4.4 Billion In Cash And Stock|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/lionsgate-buys-starz-1201781609/|author=David Lieberman|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 30, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701135434/https://deadline.com/2016/06/lionsgate-buys-starz-1201781609/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lionsgate Completes $4.4B Acquisition of Starz|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lionsgate-starz-nab-shareholder-approval-44b-merger-950417|author=Etan Vlessing|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 8, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221055147/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lionsgate-starz-nab-shareholder-approval-44b-merger-950417|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="variety-starzlionsgate">{{cite web|title=John Malone's Interests in Starz and Lionsgate Finally Aligned|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/starz-lionsgate-merger-john-malone-interests-1201807529/|author=Cynthia Littleton|periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 1, 2016|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=December 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228110857/http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/starz-lionsgate-merger-john-malone-interests-1201807529/|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, on September 29, 2016, National Amusements CEO [[Shari Redstone]] sent a memorandum to executives at CBS Corporation and Viacom, intending to open negotiations for the two companies to re-consolidate into a single entity that would have likely included CBS's Showtime Networks unit among its properties; however on December 12, National Amusements rescinded the merger proposal, citing disagreements over valuation estimates of Viacom and [[Leslie Moonves|Les Moonves]]' requests to maintain the relative managerial autonomy that he then held as CEO of CBS Corporation, should he be installed to head the merged company.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Amusements Proposes Viacom, CBS Reunion, Cites "Substantial Synergies"|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/national-amusements-calls-viacom-cbs-933705|author=Georg Szalai|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 29, 2016|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-date=December 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215111701/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/national-amusements-calls-viacom-cbs-933705|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Shari Redstone withdraws CBS-Viacom merger proposal|url=https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2016/12/12/shari-redstone-withdraws-cbs-viacom-merger-proposal.html|website=[[CNBC]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal]]|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=October 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001074904/https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2016/12/12/shari-redstone-withdraws-cbs-viacom-merger-proposal.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Redstones scrap proposed CBS-Viacom merger, unnerving investors|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-redstone-viacom-cbs-20161212-story.html|author=Meg James|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=March 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326004414/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-redstone-viacom-cbs-20161212-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Is A CBS-Viacom Deal Dead? (CBS, VIA)|url=http://www.investopedia.com/news/cbsviacom-deal-dead-cbs/|author=Michael Kramer|website=[[Investopedia]]|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410220150/http://www.investopedia.com/news/cbsviacom-deal-dead-cbs/|archive-date=April 10, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Moonves resigned from his position as CBS' CEO on September 9, 2018, due to sexual abuse allegations from former CBS Corporation employees;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/les-moonves-accused-sex-crimes-violence-by-more-women-1141436|title=Leslie Moonves Exits CBS After Being Accused of Sex Crimes, Violence by More Women|last=Parker|first=Ryan|date=2018-09-09|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-09-09|archive-date=2018-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909182200/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/les-moonves-accused-sex-crimes-violence-by-more-women-1141436|url-status=live}}</ref> CBS and Viacom would later re-enter corporate reunification talks in 2018; seven months after CBS was reported to be in discussions to acquire Starz from Lionsgate, National Amusements ultimately [[2019 merger of CBS and Viacom|re-merged]] Viacom and CBS Corporation on December 4, 2019 to form [[ViacomCBS]], bringing Showtime and Paramount Pictures back under the same immediate corporate umbrella.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-cbs-viacom-merger-talks-20190530-story.html|title=CBS and Viacom merger negotiations expected to resume|last=James|first=Meg|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 30, 2019|access-date=June 2, 2019|archive-date=June 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601210940/https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-cbs-viacom-merger-talks-20190530-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

At an investor's gathering in early January 2017, Lionsgate CEO [[Jon Feltheimer]] implied that it would explore strategic options regarding its stake in Epix—including a possible sale that would allow it to focus on Starz, of which Lionsgate completed its purchase on December 8, 2016, Feltheimer stated that Epix "is very valuable and throwing off cash," and that Viacom and MGM would "realize the value, which ever way we all decide is best for our companies." Financial analysts estimated that Epix would be valued between $1 billion and $2 billion (individually, Lionsgate's interest in the channel was valued at $458 million, MGM's interest was valued at around $277.7 million, and Viacom's interest was estimated to be worth around $739 million). On January 26, confidential sources with Studio 3 Partners confirmed to [[Reuters]] that Lionsgate had entered into discussions to sell its 31% stake in Epix to MGM and Paramount/Viacom; if a deal was reached, the two remaining partners would have become 50-50 partners in Epix.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lionsgate in talks to sell Epix stake to MGM, Viacom: sources|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lions-gate-ent-epix-idUSKBN15A2X5|author=Liana B. Baker|author2=Jessica Toonkel|work=[[Reuters]]|date=January 26, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=April 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410214114/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-lions-gate-ent-epix-idUSKBN15A2X5|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 9, 2017, Reuters reported that MGM was in discussions to buy out the interests in Epix held by Lionsgate and Viacom (the latter of which was pursuing avenues, including the sale of non-strategic assets, to pay down its $12 billion debt load, and concentrate on restructuring Paramount Pictures and the services of Viacom Media Networks).<ref>{{cite web|title=MGM In Talks To Acquire All Of Epix From Viacom & Lionsgate|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/epix-deal-talks-mgm-1202040482/|author=Anita Busch|author2=Patrick Hipes|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=March 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327131805/http://deadline.com/2017/03/epix-deal-talks-mgm-1202040482/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MGM in Talks to Buy Out Epix Partners Lionsgate, Viacom (Report)|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/mgm-epix-viacom-lionsgate-1202005853/|periodical=Variety|date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 26, 2017|archive-date=April 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406110300/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/mgm-epix-viacom-lionsgate-1202005853/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Exclusive: MGM in talks to acquire entirety of Epix - sources|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-viacom-epix-sale-exclusive-idUSKBN16G35Y|author=Jessica Toonkel|author2=Liana B. Baker|work=Reuters|date=March 9, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=March 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327124244/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-viacom-epix-sale-exclusive-idUSKBN16G35Y|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MGM Nears Deal to Acquire All of Epix Amid Stunning Turnaround|url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/14037136/1/mgm-nears-deal-to-acquire-all-of-epix-amid-stunning-turnaround.html|author=Leon Lazaroff|website=[[TheStreet.com]]|date=March 10, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=November 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117043707/https://www.thestreet.com/story/14037136/1/mgm-nears-deal-to-acquire-all-of-epix-amid-stunning-turnaround.html|url-status=live}}</ref> These discussions culminated in a formal deal announced on April 5, 2017, in which MGM, Viacom and Lionsgate announced that they had reached an agreement for MGM to acquire Paramount/Viacom and Lionsgate's combined 80.91% interests—totaling 49.76% and 31.15%, respectively—in Epix for $1.032 billion (a purchase price based on a total evaluation of $1.275 billion for the channel, factoring in $75 million in distribution fees among each of the partners). On May 11, 2017, MGM announced that it had completed its acquisition of Viacom and Lionsgate's 80.9% interest in Epix, giving it full control over the premium network.<ref>{{cite news|title=MGM Closes Deals To Buy Epix And Roars About New Debt Agreements|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/mgm-closes-deals-buy-epix-roard-new-debt-agreements-1202089862/|author=David Lieberman|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731014813/https://deadline.com/2017/05/mgm-closes-deals-buy-epix-roard-new-debt-agreements-1202089862/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Under MGM control, Epix continued to expand its distribution to conventional pay television providers that originally declined to offer the channel, plugging much of the remaining gaps in its national distribution coverage. On November 28, 2017, MGM reached a long-term carriage agreement with Comcast to offer Epix as a premium add-on for [[Comcast Cable|X1]] video subscribers and users of its Xfinity Stream app; Epix began to be carried on Xfinity systems on June 13, 2019. Comcast later expanded availability of Epix to act as a premium replacement for Starz (which the provider removed as a premium add-on one week later on December 10) on most of its Xfinity TV video bundles effective December 4.<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix, Comcast Reach Carriage Deal|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/epix-comcast-reach-carriage-deal-416787|author=Mike Farrell|periodical=Multichannel News|date=November 28, 2017|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-date=April 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414084723/https://www.multichannel.com/news/epix-comcast-reach-carriage-deal-416787|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Comcast to Launch Epix June 13|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/comcast-to-launch-epix-june-13|author=Mike Farrell|periodical=Multichannel News|date=May 22, 2018|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731020556/https://www.multichannel.com/news/comcast-to-launch-epix-june-13|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=fc-epix-screenpix>{{cite web|title=Comcast replaces Starz with Epix in Xfinity TV premium packages|url=https://www.fiercevideo.com/cable/comcast-replaces-starz-epix-xfinity-tv-premium-packages|author=Ben Munson|website=FierceVideo|date=October 16, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-date=December 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230181504/https://www.fiercevideo.com/cable/comcast-replaces-starz-epix-xfinity-tv-premium-packages|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 12, 2019, MGM reached an agreement with [[YouTube TV]] to offer the four Epix linear channels as a premium add-on tier as well as provide access to Epix's VOD content to subscribers of the virtual multichannel video programming distributor (vMVPD) who receive the network.<ref name="mcn-yttvepix"/>

On May 5, 2019, Epix and AT&T announced that Epix would be added to DirecTV effective May 19, making the satellite provider the last major conventional American pay television provider to begin offering the service. (The addition of the service to DirecTV's lineup had been expected since AT&T acquired it in 2015, as AT&T planned to unify the program lineups of its then two MVPD offerings). The agreement also stated that Epix would be available on companion vMVPD service DirecTV Now (since renamed [[DirecTV Stream]]), which began offering the Epix multiplex on August 8, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://press.epix.com/epix-and-att-reach-distribution-agreement/|title=EPIX AND AT&T REACH DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT|date=2019-05-08|website=EPIX Press Site|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-08|archive-date=2019-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508214109/https://press.epix.com/epix-and-att-reach-distribution-agreement/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="epix-at&ttvnow"/> On June 7, 2019, through an agreement between MGM and Amazon, Epix was added to Prime Video Channels as a premium add-on available to Prime Video subscribers.<ref>{{cite press release|title=EPIX AVAILABLE ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO CHANNELS AS OF TODAY|url=https://press.epix.com/epix-available-on-amazon-prime-video-channels-as-of-today/|website=EPIX Press Site|publisher=Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|date=June 7, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731054109/https://press.epix.com/epix-available-on-amazon-prime-video-channels-as-of-today/|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 16, 2020, MGM reached an agreement with [[Philo (company)|Philo]] to offer the Epix linear channels (minus Epix Drive-In) as a premium add-on tier and VOD content offering to the vMVPD's subscribers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Philo Streaming Bundle Adds Starz And Epix To Lineup With Promotional Prices|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/philo-streaming-bundle-adds-starz-epix-at-promotional-prices-1202960264/|author=Dade Hayes|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=December 12, 2020}}</ref> On December 11, 2020, MGM and FuboTV announced that Epix would be added to the latter vMVPD effective on that date. (With the FuboTV deal, Hulu—which has maintained a VOD agreement with Epix for its conventional on-demand streaming platform since 2015—became the last remaining vMVPD provider not to offer the service as a live TV add-on.)<ref name="fuboepix"/>

On May 26, 2021, [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] announced its intent to acquire MGM Holdings for $8.45 billion; the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and the streaming market’s increasing dominance due to the closure of movie theaters during the brunt of the pandemic were cited as contributing factors in MGM’s decision to sell. Expected to close in mid-2022, subject to regulatory approvals and other routine conditions of sale closure, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and its divisions would continue to operate under the new parent company as a label under Amazon's existing content arm. It is unclear if Epix Now would continue to be sold separately from Prime Video, if Epix would continue to be sold a la carte through Apple TV Channels and The Roku Channel—which compete with Amazon’s in-house Prime Video Channels platform—or if it will continue to maintain its film library sub-licensing agreements with Hulu and Paramount+ following the closure of the sale.<ref>{{cite news|title=Amazon Buys MGM, Studio Behind James Bond, for $8.45 Billion|url=https://variety.com/2021/biz/news/amazon-buys-mgm-studio-behind-james-bond-for-8-45-billion-1234980526/|author=Todd Spangler|author2=Brent Lang|periodical=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=May 26, 2021|access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> The merger was finalized on March 17, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=2022-03-17 |title=Amazon Closes $8.5 Billion Acquisition of MGM |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/amazon-mgm-merger-close-1235207852/ |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Channels==
===List of channels===
Depending on the service provider, Epix provides up to five 24-hour multiplex channels—all of which are simulcast in both [[standard-definition television|standard definition]] and high definition—as well as a subscription video-on-demand service (Epix on Demand). Distribution of the service's three multiplex channels—Epix 2, Epix Hits and Epix Drive-In—varies depending on the provider. (Provider availability of the multiplex channels is noted within the descriptions in the table below.)

Epix transmits [[time zone]]-based regional feeds of its primary channel that operate on both [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern]] and [[Pacific Time Zone]] schedules, though its multiplex channels are programmed exclusively on an Eastern Time schedule. The Eastern Time Zone feed serves as the default version of the primary Epix channel available on Epix Now; the network's TV Everywhere platforms, and OTT channels on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Roku; and most satellite, virtual MVPD and national wireline IPTV providers (including DirecTV, Dish Network, Sling TV, YouTube TV and Verizon Fios).

Except for AT&T U-verse, which transmits both coastal feeds in all of its markets, Epix largely geographically restricts distribution of its Pacific Time feed to providers in the Pacific, [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain]], [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska]] and [[Hawaii–Aleutian Time Zone]]s. Because each opposite-region feed is confined mainly to local wireline providers within its corresponding region of service (usually delineated by the Mountain–[[Central Time Zone]] line), the [[Effects of time zones on North American broadcasting|difference in local airtimes]] for a particular movie or program shown on the main channel between two geographic locations is wider for subscribers of providers that only receive the Eastern Time feed (as much as six hours between the Continental U.S. time zones), compared to competing premium services that typically package their main coastal feeds together.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; background:#fff;"
|- style="color:white;"
! style="background:darkRed;"| Channel
! style="background:darkRed;"| Description and programming
|-
| style="text-align:center; width:200pt;"| [[File:Epix Logo 2019.svg|125px]]<br />'''Epix''' || The flagship channel; Epix airs blockbuster movies, original series, documentaries, and comedy and music specials. The network's [[high-definition television|high definition]] feed broadcasts in the [[1080i]] format, and all four networks listed below are [[Television standards conversion|downconverted]] to a [[480i]] [[standard-definition television|standard definition]] simulcast version on most wireline providers.
|-
|  style="text-align:center; width:200pt;"| [[File:Epix2 logo.svg|125px]]<br />'''Epix 2''' || Epix's secondary channel; it offers additional movies and specials, as well as repeats of original series and documentaries seen on the primary channel. The channel launched on May 12, 2010 and is available to subscribers of Xfinity, [[Atlantic Broadband]], Cox Communications, [[Charter Spectrum]] (on systems formerly operated by Time Warner Cable), [[EPB|EPB Fiber Optics]], Dish Network, Sling TV,<ref name="Lieberman, David"/> DirecTV, YouTube TV and Verizon FiOS.
|-
|  style="text-align:center; width:200pt;"| [[File:Epix Hits logo.svg|125px]]<br />'''Epix Hits''' || Epix Hits features recent and older theatrical feature films and documentaries, as well as original stand-up comedy and music specials previously seen on the main channel. Unlike the primary Epix channel and Epix 2, Epix Hits does not air Epix's scripted original programs (e.g., ''Get Shorty'', ''Deep State'', etc.), although it occasionally offers past episodes of the network's unscripted series. Chronologically, Epix Hits—originally known as Epix 3 (not to be confused with the channel formerly named The 3 from Epix, now Epix Drive-In) until August 31, 2015—debuted on January 1, 2012, technically being the fourth multiplex channel of Epix to launch. It is currently available to subscribers of Xfinity, Cox Communications, AT&T U-verse, Charter Spectrum (primarily on its legacy ex-Time Warner Cable systems), DirecTV, YouTube TV, EPB Fiber Optics, Dish Network and Sling TV.<ref name="Lieberman, David"/><ref name="Epix2 & Epix Drive-In">{{cite web|title=EPIX Drive-In and EPIX 3 debut on DISH|url=http://rbr.com/epix-drive-in-and-epix-3-debut-on-dish/|author=C. Marcucci|website=Radio and Television Business Report|publisher=Streamline RBR, Inc.|date=January 5, 2012|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=July 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715132731/http://rbr.com/epix-drive-in-and-epix-3-debut-on-dish/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|  style="text-align:center; width:200pt;"| [[File:Epix Drive-In logo.svg|125px]]<br />'''Epix Drive-In''' || Formatted as a movie-centric service, Epix Drive-In focuses on action, comedy, science fiction, fantasy and horror films from the 1970s to the present (consisting of both mainstream and [[B movie]] releases). Chronologically, the channel—originally known as The 3 From Epix until December 31, 2011—originally debuted on August 11, 2010, as the third multiplex channel of Epix to launch. Epix Drive-In—which has more scattered distribution compared to its sister channels—is currently available to subscribers of Xfinity, Cox Communications, AT&T U-verse, YouTube TV, Charter Spectrum (primarily on its legacy ex-Time Warner Cable systems), EPB Fiber Optics, Dish Network and Sling TV (the latter of which offers Epix Drive-In to all base subscribers, separate from the other three channels in its Epix premium add-on). However, it is not included in the Epix tiers sold to customers of DirecTV, Verizon Fios and select virtual MVPD providers (except for Sling TV and YouTube TV).<ref name="Lieberman, David"/><ref name="Epix2 & Epix Drive-In"/><ref name="Epix Drive-In"/> 
|}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = ScreenPix
| logo = ScreenPix Logo 2019.png
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_caption = 
| logo_alt = 
| image = 
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2019|12|12}}
| closed_date = 
| owner = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer<br />(Epix Entertainment LLC)
| country = United States
| language = English<br />Spanish (via [[Second audio program|SAP]] audio track; some films may be broadcast in their native language and [[Subtitle (captioning)|subtitled]] into English)
| area = Nationwide
| headquarters = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| former_names = 
| replaced = 
| replaced_by = 
| sister_channels = Epix<br />[[MGM HD]]<br />[[Charge! (TV network)|Charge!]]<br />[[Comet (TV network)|Comet]]<br />[[Light TV]]<br />[[This TV]]
| website = 
| online_serv_1 = Xfinity Stream
| online_chan_1 = [[IPTV|Internet Protocol television]]
* ScreenPix
* ScreenPix Action
* ScreenPix Westerns
* ScreenPix Voices
| online_serv_2 = Apple TV Channels
| online_chan_2 = Over-the-top TV<br>(requires subscription or trial to access content)
* ScreenPix
| online_serv_3 = 
| online_chan_3 = 
}}

===ScreenPix===
'''ScreenPix''' (stylized as '''{{larger|S}}<small>CREEN</small>{{larger|P}}<small>IX</small>''') is an American premium cable television network that is owned by Epix Entertainment LLC, a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Launched on December 12, 2019 as a spin-off of Epix, it primarily competes with similar companion services operated by HBO (Cinemax), Showtime (The Movie Channel and Flix) and Starz (Starz Encore and [[MoviePlex]]).<ref name="fc-epix-screenpix" /> ScreenPix relies on movie classics from the 1960s to the 1990s from the libraries of MGM, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment and The Samuel Goldwyn Company/Samuel Goldwyn Films, which are presented uncut and without commercial interruption, as well as a limited schedule of acquired classic television series.

Initially available exclusively to Xfinity subscribers, the channel was developed by Epix/MGM through an expansion of Epix's existing carriage agreement with Comcast that granted the flagship service extended distribution on Xfinity channel bundles, with the launch of ScreenPix coinciding with the addition of its parent network's three multiplex channels to the Xfinity lineup.<ref>{{cite press release|title=EPIX EXPANDS AGREEMENT WITH COMCAST TO BE INCLUDED IN XFINITY TV PREMIUM PACKAGES|url=https://press.epix.com/epix-expands-agreement-with-comcast-to-be-included-in-xfinity-tv-premium-packages/|website=Epix Press Room|publisher=Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|date=October 16, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724174904/https://press.epix.com/epix-expands-agreement-with-comcast-to-be-included-in-xfinity-tv-premium-packages/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Epix And Comcast Set Expanded Carriage Deal For Xfinity|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/epix-and-comcast-set-expanded-carriage-deal-for-xfinity-1202760810/|author=Dade Hayes|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=October 16, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724173512/https://deadline.com/2019/10/epix-and-comcast-set-expanded-carriage-deal-for-xfinity-1202760810/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Channels====
ScreenPix consists of a generalized primary channel and three thematic multiplex channels:<ref name=xfinity-screenpix>{{cite web|title=Adding ScreenPix to Digital Preferred|url=https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/screenpix-encore-changes|website=[[Xfinity]]|publisher=[[Comcast]]|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128090851/https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/screenpix-encore-changes|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; background:#fff;"
|- style="color:white;"
! style="background:darkRed;"| Channel
! style="background:darkRed;"| Description and programming
|-
| style="text-align:center; width:200pt;"| '''ScreenPix''' || The general-format "flagship" feed; ScreenPix focuses on a broad array of theatrical movies of box office and critical acclaim released between the 1960s and the 1990s.
|-
|  style="text-align:center; width:200pt;"| '''ScreenPix Action''' || ScreenPix Action focuses on action, adventure, horror and martial arts films.
|-
|  style="text-align:center; width:200pt;"| '''ScreenPix Westerns''' || ScreenPix Westerns features a mix of classic Western movies from the 1960s through the 1990s, as well as selected reruns of popular western series from the 1950s to the 1970s. Due to its carriage of a limited schedule of Western series from the 1950s to the 1970s, it is currently the only ScreenPix channel that airs series programming.
|-
|  style="text-align:center; width:200pt;"| '''ScreenPix Voices''' || ScreenPix Voices is a channel dedicated to scripted and documentary films with "bold perspectives" by filmmakers of diverse ethnic backgrounds (with an emphasis on content from [[African Americans|African American]] filmmakers).
|}

===Other services===
====Epix (online and TV Everywhere mobile streaming)====
The network maintains an online and mobile video-on-demand service (originally known as '''Epix HD''') that is available on Epix.com, and also through apps for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices and [[Android TV]],<ref>{{cite news|title=EPIX Launches Android TV App Brings Live, On-Demand Fare to New Platform|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/next-tv/epix-launches-android-tv-app/391559|author=Jeff Baumgartner|periodical=Multichannel News|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=July 11, 2015|archive-date=July 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713012842/http://www.multichannel.com/news/next-tv/epix-launches-android-tv-app/391559|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] [[iOS (Apple)|iOS]] and [[Apple TV]], [[Chromecast]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Epix Launches TV App on Google Chromecast|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/news-articles/epix-launches-tv-app-google-chromecast/385845|author=Mike Farrell|periodical=Multichannel News|date=November 25, 2014|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=July 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712234402/http://www.multichannel.com/news/news-articles/epix-launches-tv-app-google-chromecast/385845|url-status=live}}</ref> Microsoft Xbox (both [[Xbox 360]] and [[Xbox One]]),<ref>{{cite news|title=EPIX Launches Xbox One App|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/tv-everywhere/epix-launches-xbox-one-app/389115|author=Jeff Baumgartner|periodical=Multichannel News|date=March 24, 2015|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=March 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327213603/http://www.multichannel.com/news/tv-everywhere/epix-launches-xbox-one-app/389115|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Roku]] streaming player, select [[Samsung]] [[Smart TV]] models, and Sony PlayStation consoles. VOD content from the network is also available on virtual MVPD services [[Sling TV]], YouTube TV, [[Philo (company)|Philo]], and [[FuboTV]] through add-on subscriptions to the linear Epix service; and its dedicated OTT video channels on Apple TV Channels, Amazon Video Channels and The Roku Channel. Except for subscribers of [[Hulu]] (which offers Epix as a VOD add-on without live feeds of the four-channel linear service), the streaming service requires a subscription to the linear channel through a participating television provider in order to access program content.

Epix launched its on-demand streaming service to the public on October 29, 2009, one day before the launch of the linear channel. Content available on the Epix streaming platforms (as well as Epix Now and the television-based Epix on Demand services) include recent and older theatrically released films sourced from its content agreements for the linear television service, Epix original programs, and VOD-exclusive film content from third-party library distributors (consisting of [[independent film]]s, acquired [[television film|made-for-television movies]] released between the 1980s and the 2000s, and older theatrical films released between the 1930s and the 1980s). Live simulcasts of the four Epix linear channels are also available to subscribers, depending on platform or mode of access.

==== Epix Now ====
'''Epix Now''' is an [[Over-the-top media services|over-the-top (OTT)]] subscription streaming service from Epix available online and through apps for Android tablets, phones and Android TV devices, Apple iOS and Apple TV devices, Roku and [[Amazon Fire TV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2019/02/epix-launches-streaming-platform-epix-now.html|title=Epix launches streaming service Epix Now - Bizwomen|website=The Business Journals|access-date=2019-02-19|archive-date=2020-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113193639/https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2019/02/epix-launches-streaming-platform-epix-now.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 22, 2018, MGM announced plans to launch an OTT streaming service to be sold directly to non-subscribers of the linear Epix service, alongside plans for 4K HDR streaming for their films on its Apple TV app (becoming the first American television network to offer its streaming film content in the format).<ref>{{cite press release|title=EPIX: The First TV Network To Stream 4K Ultra HD Movies In The USA|url=https://press.epix.com/epix-the-first-tv-network-to-stream-4k-ultra-hd-movies-in-the-usa/|website=Epix Press Room|publisher=Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|date=February 18, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731013256/https://press.epix.com/epix-the-first-tv-network-to-stream-4k-ultra-hd-movies-in-the-usa/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/epix-svod-service-1202711712/|title=Epix Announces 4K Plans, Eyes Standalone Video Subscription Service (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Roettgers|first=Janko|date=2018-02-27|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-02-19|archive-date=2019-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218120017/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/epix-svod-service-1202711712/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Epix Now was officially launched on Apple iOS, Apple TV and Android devices on February 10, 2019;<ref>{{cite web|title=EPIX NOW STREAMING SERVICE LAUNCHES TODAY AT $5.99 PER MONTH|url=https://press.epix.com/epix-now-streaming-service-launches-today-at-5-99-per-month/|website=Epix Press Room|publisher=Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|date=February 10, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605224456/https://press.epix.com/epix-now-streaming-service-launches-today-at-5-99-per-month/|url-status=live}}</ref> apps for Roku and Fire TV devices were launched on March 28,<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix Rolls out Epix Now Streaming Service on Roku, Amazon Fire TV|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/epix-rolls-out-streaming-service-on-roku-amazon-fire-tv|author=R. Thomas Umstead|periodical=Multichannel News|publisher=Future US|date=March 28, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731023421/https://www.multichannel.com/news/epix-rolls-out-streaming-service-on-roku-amazon-fire-tv|url-status=live}}</ref> and for Android TV devices on May 31, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=You Can Now Download EPIX NOW On Android TV Devices|url=https://www.androidheadlines.com/2019/05/watch-epix-now-on-android-tv.html|author=John Anon|website=Android Headlines|date=May 31, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-date=March 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329162826/https://www.androidheadlines.com/2019/05/watch-epix-now-on-android-tv.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Epix Now offers on-demand access to feature films from the network's content partners, a back catalog of episodes of current and former Epix original series (with new episodes being made available for streaming on their original broadcast airdate on the main linear Epix channel), documentaries produced for Epix and through its third-party content partners, and stand-up comedy and music specials. The service also offers live streams of all four Epix multiplex channels, and offline viewing of app content via direct download. (Epix Now is the only premium channel-tied OTT streaming service that offers its associated service's full multiplex channel slate: by contrast, Showtime and Starz's OTT services provide only East/West feeds of the primary Showtime, Starz and Starz Encore channels, respectively, while [[HBO Max]] does not presently offer live feeds of HBO and Cinemax.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/epix-launches-streaming-service-epix-now/|title=Epix launches its own streaming service named Epix Now|last=Musil|first=Steven|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-02-19|archive-date=2019-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219130254/https://www.cnet.com/news/epix-launches-streaming-service-epix-now/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Epix On Demand====
'''Epix On Demand''' is Epix's television video on demand service that is available to the channel's subscribers at no additional cost. It offers feature films from Epix's distribution partners and the network's original series, as well as original concert and stand-up comedy specials that were previously seen on the network. Epix On Demand's rotating program selection incorporates select new titles that are added each Friday, alongside existing program titles held over from the previous one to two weeks. It is available to Epix subscribers of, among other providers, Charter Communications (including the former Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks systems that are now part of Charter Spectrum), Cox Communications, Dish Network, Mediacom, Sling TV, and Verizon FiOS.<ref name=variety-epixonsling/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-17 |title=What Channel Is Epix On Spectrum Cable? Spectrum Epix Guide |url=https://theispfamily.com/what-channel-is-epix-on-spectrum-cable/ |access-date=2022-05-30 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=How To Access Sling TV's Video-On-Demand Library|url=http://blog.sling.com/features/how-to-access-sling-tvs-video-on-demand-library/|author=Sling Staff|website=[[Sling TV]] Blog|publisher=[[Dish Network]]|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2015|archive-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915031446/http://blog.sling.com/features/how-to-access-sling-tvs-video-on-demand-library/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Programming==
===Movie library===
Epix currently has exclusive deals with major and smaller independent movie studios. {{As of|April 2020}}, films featured on the channel primarily include recent releases and film library content from two of the network's original corporate parents—current Epix parent [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (along with content from subsidiary [[Orion Pictures]] and library product from [[United Artists]], [[The Samuel Goldwyn Company]], [[Motion Picture Corporation of America]] and [[PolyGram Filmed Entertainment]]), Paramount Global-owned [[Paramount Pictures]] (along with film content from its subsidiaries [[Paramount Players]], [[Paramount Animation]], [[MTV Films]], [[Comedy Central Films]], [[BET|BET Films]] and [[Nickelodeon Movies]] as well as library product from now-defunct units [[Paramount Vantage]], [[Republic Pictures]] and [[Insurge Pictures]]), as well as [[Lionsgate|Lions Gate Entertainment]] (along with content from subsidiaries [[Summit Entertainment]], Grindstone Entertainment Group and [[Pantelion Films]] and now-defunct/former units [[Mandate Pictures]], [[Artisan Entertainment]], [[Codeblack Films]], [[Mandalay Pictures]], [[Maple Pictures]], Prism Pictures and [[Trimark Pictures]], all for films released prior to 2019)—in addition to feature films from [[Samuel Goldwyn Films]]<ref name="EpixGoldwyn"/> and [[Roadside Attractions]].<ref name="Epix Roadside" /> (Lionsgate holds a 45% stake in Roadside, with the remaining interest primarily held by studio founders Howard Cohen and Eric d'Arbeloff.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionsgate takes minority stake in Roadside Attractions|url=http://www.screendaily.com/lionsgate-takes-minority-stake-in-roadside-attractions/4033769.article|author=Jeremy Kay|website=ScreenDaily|date=July 26, 2007|access-date=July 22, 2012|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204756/http://www.screendaily.com/lionsgate-takes-minority-stake-in-roadside-attractions/4033769.article|url-status=live}}</ref>)

Since June 2019, the channel also carries sub-licensed library movie product from [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]] (which includes films from [[Columbia Pictures]], [[TriStar Pictures]], [[Sony Pictures Classics]], [[Screen Gems]] and [[Morgan Creek Entertainment]], among others); the Sony library deal encompasses Epix's three multiplex services, Epix 2, Epix Hits and Epix Drive-In, and was extended to include sister service ScreenPix upon its December 2019 debut. (Sony also maintains a pay television licensing agreement with Starz, in effect since 2004, for the studio's recent theatrical releases.). Since November 2020, the channel also carries sub-licensed library movie product from [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]] (including content from [[20th Century Studios]]), [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] (including content from [[New Line Cinema]] and [[Castle Rock Entertainment]]), and maintains VOD-exclusive rights to films distributed by [[Screen Media Films]], [[Sonar Entertainment]] and [[ProSiebenSat.1 Media|Gravitas Ventures]].

Although Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment in January 2012, that studio maintains an existing film output deal with rival HBO, which began in 2013 through an initial five-year deal covering all Summit releases through 2017; Summit renewed the HBO contract for four additional years (extending to films released through 2022) on March 1, 2016, and as such, Summit's films are also restricted from airing on the networks of Lionsgate-owned competitor Starz.<ref>{{cite web|title=HBO Chief Talks HBO Now, International Expansion and Summit Output Extension|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hbo-chief-richard-plepler-summit-entertainment-1201720758/|author=Cynthia Littleton|periodical=Variety|date=March 2, 2016|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210121032/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hbo-chief-richard-plepler-summit-entertainment-1201720758/|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 11, 2019, Lionsgate signed a two-year exclusive first-run distribution deal with [[The Walt Disney Company|Walt Disney Company]]-controlled [[Hulu]] and [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] to take effect following the expiration of Epix's contract with Lionsgate at the end of 2019; under the deal, in which Epix will retain pay-cable/streaming rights to films released by the studio prior to December 31, 2019, Lionsgate's 2020 and 2021 theatrical releases will be made available on Hulu and FX between the second half of 2020 and 2021, before the studio transitions back into a traditional pay-cable window via Lionsgate-owned Starz in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionsgate Pacts With Hulu, FX for Two-Year Output Deal|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/lionsgate-hulu-fx-distribution-deal-1203240225|author=Dave McNary|periodical=Variety|date=June 11, 2019|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=June 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612112809/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/lionsgate-hulu-fx-distribution-deal-1203240225/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the December 2019 re-merger of Viacom and CBS Corporation bringing Paramount Pictures and Showtime back under common ownership, on February 24, 2021, Paramount renewed its output deal with Epix in a multi-platform agreement that, along with continuing to allow the network's platforms to offer recent Paramount releases, gives [[Paramount+]] [[right of first refusal]] for most of the studio's future theatrical releases (although the streaming service will provide exhibitory deference to Epix for certain titles that the former elects not to offer first under the two-track distribution window), and sub-licensing rights to both the complete Epix film library (similar to the network's arrangements with Prime Video and Hulu) and to future MGM releases that have concluded their initial Epix exclusivity window.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Solsman|first=Joan E.|title=Paramount Plus to stream big-screen movies 45 days after they hit theaters|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/paramount-plus-to-stream-big-screen-movies-45-days-after-they-hit-theaters/|access-date=2021-02-25|website=CNET|language=en|archive-date=2021-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225162218/https://www.cnet.com/news/paramount-plus-to-stream-big-screen-movies-45-days-after-they-hit-theaters/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The window between a film's initial release in theaters and its initial airing on Epix is stated to be slightly reduced in comparison to the grace period between its theatrical release and its first pay television broadcast on either HBO/Cinemax, Showtime or Starz; as such, films will have a longer broadcast duration during their term of license agreement than is currently possible with the other major premium channels.<ref>{{cite web|title=Talking TV With Epix's Mark Greenberg|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/10/29/epix-verizon-cable-business-entertainment-greenberg.html|author=Lacey Rose|periodical=[[Forbes]]|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-date=April 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411054524/https://www.forbes.com/2009/10/29/epix-verizon-cable-business-entertainment-greenberg.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Epix's programming format is similar to that of the primary channel of Starz Encore, in that its schedule includes recent film releases that are interspersed with older movies released between the 1970s and the 1990s, with recently released films often scheduled alongside the older film titles during daytime and prime time slots.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

===Original programming===
{{Main|List of Epix original programming}}
Prior to the network's launch, Epix ordered its first original series pilot ''Tough Trade'' (to have been produced by then-corporate sister [[Lionsgate Television]]). The drama, created by [[Jenji Kohan]] (creator of ''[[Weeds (TV series)|Weeds]]'' and ''[[Orange Is the New Black]]''), was to have centered on three generations of a dysfunctional family involved in [[country music]]. The pilot was filmed in late summer 2009 in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], with the intent of being picked up to series for a 2010 debut; however, Epix declined to greenlight ''Tough Trade'' for a series order.<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix greenlights 'Tough Trade'|url=https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/epix-greenlights-tough-trade-1117999898/|author=Cynthia Littleton|periodical=Variety|date=February 10, 2009|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=December 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214124727/https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/epix-greenlights-tough-trade-1117999898/|url-status=live}}</ref> The network's first original comedy special, [[Lewis Black]]'s ''Stark Raving Black'', premiered on the channel on December 5, 2009.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

Laverne McKinnon (who previously served as head of drama development for [[CBS]]), resigned from her role as executive vice president of original programming and development for Epix on August 4, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix's Head Of Original Programming Exits|url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/08/epixs-head-of-original-programming-exits/|author=Nellie Andreeva|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 4, 2011|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205700/http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/epixs-head-of-original-programming-exits/|url-status=live}}</ref> Thereafter, Epix remained active in producing other original programming exclusively for the channel, including documentaries, sports, comedy, and music specials. On June 30, 2012, Epix launched a monthly comedy special showcase called "Epix Comedy Unbound", consisting of a new special premiering on the final weekend of each month; the first special to be aired as part of the showcase was ''[[Jim Norton (American comedian)|Jim Norton]]: Please Be Offended''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Epix to Launch Monthly Comedy Showcase 'Epix Comedy Unbound'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/epix-monthly-comedy-unbound-32385|author=Georg Szalai|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Guggenheim Digital Media|date=June 28, 2012|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=July 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701003635/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/epix-monthly-comedy-unbound-32385|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early 2015, Epix renewed its original scripted programming efforts after a four-year hiatus, emphasizing development of drama series. These plans were cemented on January 12, 2015, when Epix hired Jocelyn Diaz—who, immediately prior to her appointment, had served as vice president of production at [[The Walt Disney Studios (division)|The Walt Disney Studios]], and was previously head of drama development at HBO—as its executive vice president of original programming and development.<ref>{{cite news|title=Epix movie channel to start making original dramas|url=https://nypost.com/2015/01/12/epix-movie-channel-to-make-original-dramas-under-diaz/|author=Claire Atkinson|newspaper=New York Post|date=January 12, 2015|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=April 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407075958/http://nypost.com/2015/01/12/epix-movie-channel-to-make-original-dramas-under-diaz/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Epix Moves Into Scripted Series with HBO Alum Jocelyn Diaz|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/epix-jocelyn-diaz-executive-vice-president-original-programming-1201403877/|author=Elizabeth Wagmeister|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Guggenheim Digital Media|date=January 13, 2015|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406073208/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/epix-jocelyn-diaz-executive-vice-president-original-programming-1201403877/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 8 of that year, Epix announced its first original scripted project to be picked up as a series, both of which are set for a fall 2016 debut: ''[[Graves (TV series)|Graves]]'', a [[political satire]] from Lionsgate Television and creator [[Joshua Michael Stern]] (with [[Nick Nolte]] and [[Sela Ward]] toplining the show's cast), about a former American president seeking to repair the damage caused by his administration, and ''[[Berlin Station (TV series)|Berlin Station]]'', an espionage drama produced by [[Paramount Television]], about a [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agent's quest to uncover an information leak at the agency's [[Berlin]] office. The two series made their debuts on October 16, 2016.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news|title=Epix Joining the World of Scripted TV With Two Original Series|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/21/business/media/epix-joining-the-world-of-scripted-tv-with-two-original-series.html|author=Emily Steel|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 21, 2015|access-date=July 11, 2015|archive-date=June 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620161547/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/21/business/media/epix-joining-the-world-of-scripted-tv-with-two-original-series.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Susan Sarandon To Star In Epix Comedy 'Graves' Opposite Nick Nolte|url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/susan-sarandon-stars-in-epix-comedy-graves-with-nick-nolte-1201472302/|author=Erik Pedersen|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 8, 2015|access-date=July 11, 2015|archive-date=July 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710220816/http://deadline.com/2015/07/susan-sarandon-stars-in-epix-comedy-graves-with-nick-nolte-1201472302/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Susan Sarandon joins Nick Nolte in Epix series Graves|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/08/susan-sarandon-nick-nolte-graves|author=Devan Coggan|periodical=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=July 8, 2015|access-date=July 11, 2015|archive-date=July 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715055232/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/08/susan-sarandon-nick-nolte-graves|url-status=live}}</ref>

The network would expand its series development in May 2016, when Epix ordered a thriller comedy series based on the 1990 book and 1995 film adaptation ''[[Get Shorty]]''—with [[Ray Romano]] and [[Chris O'Dowd]] tapped to headline its cast—to be produced by [[MGM Television]].<ref>{{cite web|title='Get Shorty' TV Series Ordered By Epix|url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/get-shorty-tv-series-movie-epix-1201761991/|author=Nellie Andreeva|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109091045/https://deadline.com/2016/05/get-shorty-tv-series-movie-epix-1201761991/|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, in January 2017, the network ordered the comedy pilot ''[[Picture Paris]]''—a series adaptation of the 2011 short film written by [[Brad Hall]], who was tapped as its showrunner—straight to series; the program would mark the first major television role by [[Meg Ryan]], who was tapped as its star, since her supporting main role in the short-lived 1985 [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] western series ''[[Wildside (U.S. TV series)|Wildside]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meg Ryan Books First Major TV Role in 30 Years With Epix Comedy|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/meg-ryan-epix-comedy-tv-1201951736/|author1=Oriana Schwindt|author2=Elisabeth Wagmeister|periodical=Variety|date=January 3, 2017|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005202509/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/meg-ryan-epix-comedy-tv-1201951736/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sports programming===
On March 19, 2011, Epix became the third premium cable channel—after HBO and Showtime—to air professional [[boxing]] events with the telecast of a heavyweight title fight between [[Vitali Klitschko]] and [[Odlanier Solis]], held in [[Cologne]], Germany. In addition to airing on the linear Epix channel, the fight was also streamed live on the channel's website.<ref>{{cite news|title=Epix joins HBO, Showtime in boxing game|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/17/AR2011031702457.html|author=Dave Skretta|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=March 17, 2011|access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-date=April 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410215006/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/17/AR2011031702457.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The fight was the first heavyweight title event to air on American television since [[Vitali Klitschko#Klitschko vs. Arreola|Klitschko's September 2009 match]] against [[Chris Arreola]] (which aired one month prior to Epix's debut), and the first televised heavyweight championship bout since [[Vitali Klitschko#Klitschko vs. Johnson|Klitschko's December 2009 match]] against [[Kevin Johnson (boxer)|Kevin Johnson]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Klitschko-Solis A Heavyweight Fight of Epix Proportions|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/klitschko-solis-heavyweight-fight-epix-proportions--37188|author=Jake Donovan|website=Boxing Scene|date=March 19, 2011|access-date=July 4, 2011|archive-date=July 21, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721033520/http://www.boxingscene.com/klitschko-solis-heavyweight-fight-epix-proportions--37188|url-status=live}}</ref>

Epix also serves as the broadcast rightsholder for the [[Bellator Fighting Championships]] [[mixed martial arts]] tournament, which carries its events over multiplex channel Epix 2, instead of the primary channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bellator to simulcast fifth season in high definition on Epix|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2011/08/bellator-to-simulcast-fifth-season-in-high-definition-on-epix|website=MMAJunkie|publisher=USA Today (Gannett Company)|date=August 30, 2011|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=August 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825085102/http://mmajunkie.com/2011/08/bellator-to-simulcast-fifth-season-in-high-definition-on-epix|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beginning with the [[National Hockey League]]'s [[2014-15 NHL season|2014–15 season]] and concluding until the [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17 season]], Epix also held the rights to broadcast [[documentary film|documentary]] series leading up to some of the league's major events, starting with the [[2015 NHL Winter Classic|2015 Winter Classic]]. This was discontinued for the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]], when those series were moved to [[NBCSN]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.epix.com/}}

{{Epix}}
{{MGM}}
{{VOD services}}
{{U.S. premium television services}}
{{U.S. movie television channels}}
{{ViacomCBS}}

[[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2009]]
[[Category:Television networks in the United States]]
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