Epix Secures TV Rights To 'Avengers,' 'Hunger Games'

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Epix has secured  the television rights to 2012 blockbuster films The Avengers and The Hunger Games,  the network announced Monday.

The Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studio-produced film Avengers -- based on the popular Marvel comic book series -- debuted in theaters this weekend to $200.3 million in box office revenues, while Lionsgate's The Hunger Games, based on Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel, has grossed $380 million in North America and $618 million since debuting in late March, said Epix officials.

"We are thrilled to bring this year's two biggest blockbuster titles to the Epix slate, providing even more value to our viewers and affiliated distributors," said Mark Greenberg, president and CEO of the Paramount., LionsGate,

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and Viacom Inc.-owned service. "We congratulate our studio partners, Paramount and Lionsgate, on their tremendous success."

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.