Boston -- Epix, the multiplatform, premium entertainment service, rang up some impressive streaming numbers during its free weekend preview last month and is now looking to convert those downloads into subscribers.
During the service's freeview the weekend of April 27-29, the network, a joint venture of Viacom Inc., its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and Lionsgate, streamed over 200,000 hours of content to viewers via its Epix app. Those weekend downloads represented a trebling over the previous month's total, according to network officials.
Through freeviews on the apps, as well as those watching on its linear channel and on-demand platform, Epix reached an extended audience building awareness for its theatrical-rich lineup that it hopes to convert into potential new subscribers for distribution partners.
"From the very creation of Epix, we have focused on our multiplatform strategy with a goal of building awareness of the Epix brand and lowering the average age of our viewer so that we are able to create a whole new generation of pay-premium TV subscribers," said Epix president and CEO Mark Greenberg "The incredible popularity of apps when combined with their availability on multiple devices, our great movie content and a free preview has led to increases in downloads, authentication and engagement with Epix among consumers. We are now focusing on working with our partners to capitalize on these marketing strategies and are confident that together we can convert the consumers from these weekends into paying subscribers benefiting both Epix and our distribution partners."
To date there have been 5 million downloads of the Epix app across all devices, including Android- powered phones and tablets, Roku players, Xbox consoles, and iOS devices like the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch, according to Epix officials. Over the past six months, Epix app downloads have more than doubled since the launch on Xbox and iOS devices.
Through the library of its partners and other studios, Epix, which also features documentaries, concert, comedies and sports, has access to more than 15,000 motion pictures, 3,000 of which are authenticated to subscribers on EpixHD.com, and myriad devices. It's available to over 30 million homes nationwide through distribution partners, including Charter Communications, Cox Communications, Dish Network, Mediacom Communications, NCTC, Suddenlink Communications and Verizon FiOS.
