DVD rental and video streaming company Netflix has announced an exclusive multi-year deal with U.S. premium pay TV channel Epix, which will allow Netflix subscribers access to Epix’s array of new releases. From September 1st Netflix will release live Internet streaming of titles from Epix’s library, including movies from Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM to significantly expand Netflix's library of content available for live streaming.
Netflix will be able to stream Epix titles 90 days after they have premiered on premium pay TV and on-demand services. Though 90 days might seem like a long time to wait these days, historically, the rights to distribute these films were pre-sold to pay TV for as long as nine years after their theatrical release.
The agreement makes Netflix the exclusive Internet-only distributor of Epix content, but with Epix titles currently available to approximately 30 million U.S. pay TV customers, through providers like Verizon ViOS, Dish Network, and Cox Communications, the agreement will preserve the premium television, subscription on demand and online window reserved for cable, satellite and telco television partners.
“The EPIX deal is an example of the innovative ways in which we’re partnering with major content providers to broaden the scope and freshness of choices available to our members to watch instantly over the Internet,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix.
