Bright House Rolls Out EPIX in SD, HD

Bright House Networks has launched four EPIX networks.

The nation’s sixth-largest cable operator is now making EPIX, EPIX2, EPIX4 and EPIX Drive-In to its customers, in the standard- and high-definition formats. To entice purchase of the premium programmer’s film, music and comic fare, Bright House is giving its digital TV customers free access to EPIX, including its multiplex, for three months.

EPIX content is also available to Bright House subscriber via the on-demand platform, and is expected to be available online soon.

A joint venture among Viacom Inc., its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and Lionsgate, EPIX is available to more than 45 million homes nationwide via distribution deals with Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cox Communications, Hawaiian Telecom, Dish Network, Mediacom Communications, Suddenlink Communications, Verizon FiOS TV, and the National Cable Television Cooperative.

“EPIX is pleased to be partnering with Bright House Networks to deliver thousands of hit movies, concerts and original documentaries to their subscribers on any platform and any screen,” said Mark Greenberg, president and CEO of EPIX.  “Bright House Networks is known for its strong portfolio of products and services and its commitment to delivering an outstanding customer experience. We are delighted to be building on that reputation and helping to enhance their offering to customers while expanding our own footprint.”

The deal emanates from the far-ranging pact Time Warner Cable reached with Viacom last November. The nation’s No. 2 cable operator, which negotiates programming deals for Bright House, engaged in a similar rollout program with EPIX back in March.

EPIX film lineup includes The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (pictured), Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, The Wolf of Wall Street. It also showcases foncerts featuring Pinl and Madonna, comedy specials with Patton Oswalt, Louis C.K. Jenny McCarthy and Dennis Miller and original documentaries such as Schooled: The Price of College Sports and Forgotten Four: The Integration of Pro Football.