EPIX Reaches Long-term Distribution Agreement with Comcast to Provide EPIX Programming Across XFINITY TV, On-demand and Digital Platforms
EPIX Offers Thousands of Movies, Original Series and Powerful Documentaries

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–EPIX, the premium pay TV network owned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), announced today they have reached a distribution agreement that will make EPIX available on a subscription basis to Comcast’s X1 video customers in early 2018. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

A leader in multiplatform entertainment, EPIX will provide Comcast Xfinity TV subscribers access to its breadth of premium content on a live and on-demand basis, including its critically acclaimed original series Get Shorty, Berlin Station, Graves and, coming soon, The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, which will bring Patrick Dempsey back to TV. EPIX programming also includes thousands of popular movies from MGM, Paramount, and Lionsgate including box office hits and such critically acclaimed films as Arrival, Transformers: The Last Knight, The Magnificent Seven, Me Before You, Daddy’s Home, and Fences as well as big movie franchises such as Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, Rocky, and James Bond, one of Hollywood’s longest-running film franchises.

“Comcast’s Xfinity TV is one of the most innovative and powerful distribution platforms for entertainment content across the United States,” said Gary Barber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. “As we increase our investment in original series, expand content offerings and commit more resources to developing EPIX’s brand and appeal, we are excited to partner with Comcast and bring EPIX’s suite of premium content to their customers.”

Added Monty Sarhan, Executive Vice President & General Manager, EPIX, “This agreement marks an incredible milestone for our company and provides EPIX with a launchpad to deliver our content to more consumers on every platform. We’re extremely pleased to be in the Comcast universe.”

EPIX will also be available live and on demand through the Xfinity Stream app to EPIX subscribers.

With the launch on Comcast, EPIX will expand its availability to 70 million homes across traditional and emerging distributors.

About EPIX

EPIX, an MGM company, is a premium pay television network, delivering the latest movie releases and biggest classic film franchises, plus original programming including series, documentaries, and comedy specials – all available on TV, on demand, online and across devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX became profitable in its first year of existence and is now available nationwide to 70 million homes through cable, telco, satellite and emerging digital distribution platforms. A pioneer in the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere,” EPIX was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and to launch on Xbox, PlayStation®, Android phones and tablets, and Roku® players. EPIX is also available across hundreds of consumer devices including Apple TV, iPhone and iPad, Amazon Fire TV, TiVo, Chromecast, and Android TV, delivering more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHd (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX) and Snapchat @EPIXTV.

http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/mark-greenberg-epix-ceo-exit-mgm-1202575937/

Excerpt:

Mark Greenberg is stepping down as president-CEO of Epix after nearly 10 years at the helm of the premium TV venture he founded with MGM, Lionsgate, and Paramount Pictures in 2008, Variety has learned exclusively.

The shuffle comes five months after MGM completed its $1 billion buyout of the premium cable and digital service. Greenberg said he made the decision to move on after the integration with MGM was complete, even though he signed a new contract last November as Epix went on the block….

Monty Sarhan, Epix’s executive VP of programming, strategy and enterprises will oversee the service in the interim while a new management structure is put in place. Sarhan will report to MGM chairman-CEO Gary Barber. Chris Ottinger, MGM’s president of worldwide TV distribution and acquisitions, and MGM CFO Ken Kay will work closely with Sarhan.

 

 

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Premium entertainment network EPIX—a joint venture of Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM—announced today that Monty Sarhan has been named Executive Vice President of Programming, Acquisitions, Strategy and Enterprises. Mr. Sarhan will lead EPIX’s program development, scheduling and acquisition teams and oversee the network’s overall programming strategy as well as its relationships with partner studios and key suppliers. Sarhan will be based in New York and report to President and CEO Mark Greenberg.

Part of the original team that launched EPIX in 2009, Sarhan previously served as the network’s Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs. He rejoins EPIX after serving as General Counsel and Senior Vice President of WWE.

“Monty was an integral part of EPIX’s early success and I couldn’t be more excited to be welcoming him back to the EPIX family,” said Mark Greenberg, President and CEO of EPIX. “His innovative thinking, ability to forge valuable partnerships and inherent leadership skills make him a natural fit for this role and we look forward to his contributions.”

As EPIX’s Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs, Sarhan was responsible for the network’s distribution, digital strategy, business development initiatives, and programming deals. He negotiated key agreements that allowed EPIX to become the first premium network to offer subscribers access on Android devices, Roku, Microsoft Xbox and Sony PLAYSTATION.

“I’m extremely excited to be coming home to EPIX. Having been a part of the EPIX family since the beginning, I am passionate about the network and proud of how far we’ve come over a short period of time,” said Sarhan. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Mark and my friends once again and look forward to being a part of EPIX’s promising future.”

A graduate of Duke University’s School of Law, Sarhan earned his undergraduate degree from Tufts University. He currently lives in Manhattan with his wife, daughter and two sons.

About EPIX

EPIX is the newest premium entertainment network delivering the latest movie releases, classic library titles, plus original films, comedy, music and sports events on TV, on demand, online and on devices. Launched October 2009 as the first multiplatform premium network with online accessibility for subscribers through EpixHD.com, EPIX pioneered the development and proliferation of TV Everywhere for American consumers. EPIX was the first premium network to launch on Xbox consoles, first on Android tablets and phones, first on Roku® players and is available to authenticated subscribers on hundreds of devices including Apple® iPads®, iPhones®, Samsung® Smart TVs and Blu-ray™ players and more. Today EPIX remains the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up from new Hollywood hits to original programs on all platforms and provides more movies than any other premium network.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), 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.

For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX).

WWE NAMES MONTY SARHAN GENERAL COUNSEL

STAMFORD, Conn., January 31, 2013 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced the appointment of Monty Sarhan as General Counsel and Senior Vice President. Sarhan replaces former General Counsel Michael Luisi, who was promoted to President of WWE Studios. Sarhan will report directly to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.

As General Counsel, Sarhan will be a key member of WWE’s senior management team, responsible for overseeing the legal and business affairs of the company and serving as the principal legal advisor to the Chairman, CFO, and management team. He will also serve as Corporate Secretary to WWE’s Board of Directors.

Sarhan brings 14 years of experience as a seasoned media executive and lawyer, having held senior leadership positions, including lead lawyer in several business units and companies. Prior to joining WWE, Sarhan was Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for Viacom Media Networks, where he oversaw all business affairs for the premium movie network EPIX. As one of the early members of the EPIX team, Sarhan was part of the network’s national launch in October 2009. Reporting directly to the CEO, he worked on distribution, digital strategy, business development, programming acquisitions, and production deals. He also negotiated key agreements that allowed EPIX to become the first premium network to offer subscribers access on Android devices, Roku and Xbox 360.

Prior to his tenure with EPIX, Sarhan handled all business and legal affairs for Viacom’s MTV Games group. He negotiated agreements with Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft that established MTV Games as a leading publisher. He was part of the team that launched the hugely successful Rock Band video game franchise as well as The Beatles: Rock Band, which marked the first time the iconic band’s music was available digitally.

Previously, Sarhan was the sole founder and CEO of Cracked Entertainment. He acquired CRACKED, the 54-year old competitor to MAD Magazine, and re-launched it as a digital property—CRACKED.com—targeting a new demo with an entirely new editorial formula. It is now one of the country’s leading comedy sites.

Sarhan began his career as an associate in the New York office of the international law firm White & Case. He earned his Juris Doctor from Duke University, his Masters in International Relations from Boston University and his undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Tufts University.

About WWE: WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 600 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.

Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

Media Contact: Matthew Altman
203-352-1177 Matthew.Altman@wwecorp.com

Investor Contact: Michael Weitz 203-352-8642 Michael.Weitz@wwecorp.com

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view programming distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company’s brands, media and merchandise within those markets; our exposure to bad debt risk; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to increasing content production for distribution on various platforms, including the potential creation of a WWE Network; risks relating to our computer systems and online operations; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant.

Some of the sites that carried the release:

Business Wire: WWE^® Names Monty Sarhan General Counsel
Yahoo! Finance: WWE® Names Monty Sarhan General Counsel
WWE Corporate website: WWE® Names Monty Sarhan General Counsel
WrestleZone: WWE Hires High Profile Attorney To Senior Management Team
Wrestling News Source: WWE Hires New Top Lawyer
Wrestling Feed: WWE Hires High Profile Attorney To Senior Management Team
Wrestling Online: WWE hires new General Counsel and Senior Vice President