Hulu, EPIX in SVOD Pact

SANTA MONICA: New releases from Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount are headed to Hulu following a multiyear digital SVOD deal with EPIX.

The news comes following a Netflix blog posting by chief content officer Ted Sarandos earlier today that it was not renewing its SVOD pact with EPIX.

“Hulu already offers some of the best and biggest titles in television programming, but our subscribers have been asking us for more, and more recent, big movies,” said Craig Erwich, the senior VP and head of content at Hulu. “We listened. Through this new deal with EPIX, we are proud to now be able to offer a huge selection of the biggest blockbusters and premium films. This is a landmark deal for Hulu and it marks a huge expansion for our offering of premium programming.”
 
“Hulu has become one of the most popular premium streaming services and EPIX’s agreement is evidence of their understanding of the value that our blockbuster Hollywood films, deep library of classic film titles and original programming brings to consumers,” said Mark Greenberg, the president and CEO of EPIX. “We are excited to be partnering with Hulu, and share their commitment to providing viewers a truly premium experience, particularly as we enter the next phase of our network’s growth and development.”

The Hulu deal will encompass features like Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, Interstellar, Selma, Top Five and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, which have never before been available on a streaming SVOD service.

At launch on October 1, Hulu subscribers will be able to stream Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Trek: Into Darkness, World War Z, Wolf of Wall Street, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Robocop, God’s Not Dead and more.
 
All new theatrical releases and EPIX original programming will be available during its digital streaming window, which begins 90 days after the start of the traditional pay-TV window.

Sarandos said in his blog post today on the EPIX movies being taken off Netflix at the end of September: “While many of these movies are popular, they are also widely available on cable and other subscription platforms at the same time as they are on Netflix and subject to the same drawn-out licensing periods. Through our original films and some innovative licensing arrangements with the movie studios, we are aiming to build a better movie experience for you.

“We know some of you will be disappointed by the expiration of the EPIX movies. Our goal is to provide great movies and TV series for all tastes, that are only available on Netflix. We're confident you'll enjoy our ever-improving catalogue."