EPIX Unveils Slate for Launch Weekend

NEW YORK: The new premium channel EPIX is set to launch October 30 with an exclusive Madonna concert, Marvel’s Iron Man and an Eddie Izzard special, among other titles.

A joint venture of Viacom, its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) and Lionsgate, EPIX has thus far only secured carriage on Verizon’s FiOS TV platform. In its opening weekend, the lineup includes Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet: Live from Buenos Aires, from the River Plate Stadium. “Performances from artists like Madonna represent the kind of marquee talent who will perform on EPIX as part of our slate of monthly music and comedy events,” said Mark Greenberg, the president of EPIX.

The premiere weekend movie lineup kicks off with Iron Man, followed by more than 15 world television premieres representing a combined worldwide box office value of more than $2.5 billion. The slate includes The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Madea Goes to Jail, Pink Panther 2, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Cloverfield and The Duchess.

Also on offer is Eddie Izzard: Live From Wembley from his sold-out European tour. “There is no one like Eddie Izzard," Greenberg said. "He breaks the mold. He is smart, engaging and hilarious."