Category: Press Releases

RICH EISEN TO HOST NFL: THE GRIND THIS FALL ON EPIX

New York, NY – June 24, 2019 – Premium television network EPIXÂź and NFL Films announced today that Emmy-nominated broadcaster Rich Eisen will host NFL: The Grind.  Starting September 11, the 17-episode season of NFL: The Grind airs Wednesdays at 9pm ET throughout the entirety of the 2019 NFL season.

NFL: The Grind will serve as both a weekly destination for the final word on the week in football, as well as an up close and personal, inside look at life in the NFL – on and off the field – across the endurance test that is the NFL season. In addition to a weekly deep dive into the games, each episode will feature original field pieces – each hosted by an NFL veteran – that will give fans an inside look behind the grind, documenting never-before-told stories of NFL players, coaches and more as they navigate the season.

Said Michael Wright, President, EPIX, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with my friend, the incomparable Rich Eisen, who is known to his fans for his unique combination of insight, wry perspective and great storytelling ability. There is truly no better voice to deliver the last word on the week of NFL football.”

“I am so excited to break new ground at EPIX for my good friend Michael Wright and honored to try and live up to the spirit of old friend Steve Sabol by reimagining old-school turf for my friends at NFL Films,” said Eisen, host of NFL: The Grind.

“For years, Steve Sabol – late President of NFL Films – presented ‘the last word’ on a given NFL week and placed it in historical context,” said Ken Rodgers, NFL Films Vice President, Senior Coordinating Producer. “We are thrilled that Rich Eisen, Steve’s close friend and the long-time face of NFL Media, is taking up that mantle.”

In addition, Eisen will continue to be seen on Sunday mornings throughout the NFL season anchoring NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning, as well as hosting his Emmy-nominated daily talk show, The Rich Eisen Show from Noon – 3pm ET on AT&T’s Audience Network, B/R Live and Premiere Radio Networks.

ABOUT NFL FILMS

NFL Films, the most honored filmmaker in sports television history with 129 Sports Emmy Awards, remains a groundbreaking leader in sports television, providing unprecedented access to and legendary storytelling about the sport of professional football. With more than 100 million feet of film in its library, NFL Films is the historical backbone of NFL Network and a key supplier of the network’s programming, including the critically acclaimed series A Football Life. NFL Films is also the producer of HBO’s Hard Knocks, Prime Video’s All or Nothing, Showtime’s Inside the NFL, Fox Sports’ NFL Turning Point and NFL Films Presents, and several documentaries for ESPN’s 30 for 30.

ABOUT EPIXÂź

EPIX¼, an MGM company, is a premium television network delivering a broad line-up of quality original series and documentaries, the latest movie releases and classic film franchises – all available on TV, on demand, online and across devices. EPIX¼ has tripled the amount of original programming on the network and has become a destination for original premium content with series including Perpetual Grace, LTD, starring Sir Ben Kingsley; Get Shorty, featuring Chris O’Dowd and Ray Romano; spy thriller Deep State; docu-series Elvis Goes There with Elvis Mitchell and PUNK from John Varvatos and Iggy Pop, as well as upcoming premieres of new series Godfather of Harlem, starring and executive produced by Forest Whitaker; Pennyworth, the origin story of Batman’s butler Alfred;  Belgravia, from Julian Fellowes; docu-series Slow Burn, based on the hit podcast and NFL: The Grind, from NFL Films and hosted by Rich Eisen. Launched in October 2009, EPIX¼ is available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite and emerging digital distribution platforms as well as through its EPIX NOW app, providing 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.

Contact:

For EPIX:
Maureen Granados
mgranados@epix.com
646-933-9280

Joe Favorito
joefavorito2@gmail.com

For NFL Films:
Andrew Howard
Andrew.Howard@NFL.com
310-845-4579

EPIX NAMES LAURA SHER EVP, HEAD OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS FOR ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

Experienced business and legal affairs executive to support expansion of original programming

NEW YORK, NY (June 25, 2018) – Premium television network EPIX announced today that it has named Laura Sher EVP, Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Original Programming. Reporting to EPIX President Michael Wright and MGM Chief Legal Officer Lesley Freeman, Sher will be responsible for supervising negotiation and execution of all aspects of business agreements related to EPIX original scripted and unscripted programming.

Sher brings over 17 years of industry experience to EPIX, most recently at Cowen, DeBaets, Abraham & Sheppard LLP (CDAS), where she was a Partner in the Entertainment practice, providing strategic advice to a range of clients. Before joining CDAS, Laura was Head of TV Business Affairs at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Prior to CAA, she was Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Business Development at AMC Networks where she headed business and legal affairs for IFCTV, SundanceTV and BBC America.

“Laura is an outstanding executive whose expertise and experience will provide tremendous value as EPIX continues to grow its investment in original programming,” said Michael Wright, President of EPIX.  “Her insights into the evolving nature of deal-making in the original programming space are vital to our efforts to build strong creative partnerships and continue to expand the EPIX footprint.”

“I am excited to join EPIX in this next phase of the network’s growth and to be a part of the team building a growing lineup of top quality programming,” said Sher.

Sher is a graduate of Yale Law School and Swarthmore College.

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, PlayStationÂź, Android phones and tablets, and RokuÂź 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.

Media Contacts:

EPIX

Michelle Hinchey

646.933.9375

SLOANE PR

Whit Clay

212.446.1864

 

SEASON TWO OF GET SHORTY PREMIERES SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 ON EPIXÂź

10-Episode Dark Comedy from MGM Television

Stars Chris O’Dowd and Ray Romano

Raymond Cruz Joins as Recurring Guest Star

NEW YORK – May 31, 2018 – Premium pay television network EPIX¼announced that the second season of its critically-acclaimed original series from MGM Television, Get Shorty, will debut on Sunday, August 12 at 9 PM ET/PT.  The dark comedy, based in part on the 1990’s bestselling Elmore Leonard novel of the same name and created for television by Davey Holmes (Shameless, In Treatment), is currently in production in Los Angeles.

In season two of Get Shorty, Miles Daly (Chris O’Dowd) struggles to reconcile his ambitions as a filmmaker and a family man with his skill set as a career criminal. His progress in Hollywood is jeopardized when the washed-up producer (Ray Romano), with whom he partnered in season one, agrees to wear a Federal wire.  Miles faces off with criminal financiers and with a Hollywood power-broker who could be the most dangerous of all.

Joining the cast as a recurring guest star is Raymond Cruz (Breaking Bad,Better Call Saul), who will play Swayze, the brutal and murderous leader of a Latino prison gang who styles himself after Patrick Swayze, with long, flowing locks of hair and 80s-inspired dance moves.  In addition to Cruz, new recurring cast for season two includes Felicity Huffman (Transamerica, Desperate Housewives), Steven Weber (Wings), Andrew Leeds (Bones), Amy Seimetz (Stranger Things), Sonya Walger (The Catch) and Alex Sawyer (House of Anubis).

The cast of Get Shorty is led by Screen Actors Guild Award¼ and BAFTA TV Award nominee O’Dowd (Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, The Sapphires, Bridesmaids) and multiple Emmy¼ winner Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond, Men of a Certain Age, Parenthood), and also includes Sean Bridgers (Rectify, Room), Carolyn Dodd (The Adventures of Catty Wompus),Lidia Porto (Horrible Bosses 2), Goya Robles (11:55), Megan Stevenson(Review), and Lucy Walters (Power). Sarah Stiles (I’m Dying Up Here, Unsane)will return in season two and has been upped to series regular.

The second season of Get Shorty is executive produced by Holmes, Adam Arkin (The Americans, Sneaky Pete) and Etan Frankel.  The series is produced by MGM Television and internationally distributed by MGM.

Get Shorty is part of a growing slate of EPIX originals, which include the recently announced drama series Godfather of Harlem (starring and executive produced by OscarŸ winner Forest Whitaker) and the DC origin story Pennyworth, from Warner Horizon Scripted Television and executive producers Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon.  2018 premieres include spy thriller Deep State, debuting June 17, the season three return of critically-acclaimed CIA drama Berlin Station and a new version of the seminal competition series The Contender from executive producer Mark Burnett.

EPIX is available nationwide for subscription on a number of cable and satellite providers, including Charter (formerly Time Warner), DISH, Sling TV, Verizon FIOS, Cox, Sony VUE, AT&T U-verse, Frontier and starting June 13, Comcast Xfinity.

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, PlayStationÂź, Android phones and tablets, and RokuÂź 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.

About MGM Television

MGM Television is a leading producer and global distributor of premium content for television and digital platforms, with distribution rights to original productions and a robust catalog of television episodes and feature film titles including such premiere entertainment franchises as James Bond, Rocky, Stargate and The Hobbit trilogy.  Current scripted and unscripted projects include Fargo (FX); Vikings (HISTORY); The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu); Get Shorty (EPIX); The Voice (NBC); Survivor (CBS); Shark Tank (ABC);  Steve Harvey’s FUNDERDOME (ABC); Beat Shazam (FOX); Lucha Underground (The El Rey Network); the upcoming series The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair and Condor (AT&T AUDIENCE Network); and through its distribution entity, Orion TV Productions, the syndicated daytime courtroom series Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court and Couples Court with The Cutlers. In addition, MGM owns Evolution Media, the innovative unscripted television producers of The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules, Vanderpump Rules: Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky, and Sweet Home (Bravo); Botched (E!); and Bug Juice (Disney Channel) MGM’s television programming regularly airs in more than 100 countries worldwide.  For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

###

Contact:

Maureen Granados / mgranados@epix.com / 646-933-9280

EPIX TO LAUNCH ON COMCAST JUNE 13TH

Premium Network to Launch Live, On Demand and TV Everywhere Programming to Xfinity TV Customers

NEW YORK, NY – May 22, 2018 – Premium network EPIX¼ announced today that it will be available to  Comcast’s Xfinity TV customers across the country starting on June 13. EPIX’s robust offering of live and on demand programming, including original series and over 2,000 feature films like Fences and Arrival and big movie franchises James Bond, Star Trek and Rocky, will be available across all Xfinity TV platforms, including the innovative and voice-enabled X1 platform, as well as on devices in and out of home via the Xfinity Stream app and web portal. The launch marks a significant expansion of the network’s footprint, making it accessible in 18 out of the top 20 US markets.

The announcement comes at an unprecedented time of growth for EPIX which, under new president Michael Wright, has begun to invest in significant additions to its original programming slate.  2018 premieres include spy thriller Deep State, debuting June 17, this summer’s season two debut of dark comedy Get Shorty, starring Ray Romano and Chris O’Dowd, and the season three return of critically-acclaimed CIA drama Berlin Station.  In addition, a new version of the seminal competition series The Contender from executive producer Mark Burnett, will also debut later in 2018.

Recent announcements for 2019 include drama series Godfather of Harlem (starring and executive produced by OscarŸ winner Forest Whitaker) and  the DC origin story Pennyworth, from Warner Horizon Scripted Television and executive producers Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with the team at Comcast to bring our expanded lineup of original programming and extensive movie catalogue to their customers,” said Michael Wright, President of EPIX. Added Monty Sarhan, EPIX General Manager, “Comcast’s broad reach and coverage in key markets throughout the country, combined with its trailblazing efforts in delivering a state-of-the-art customer experience, make it an industry leader on every level.”

“Our goal has always been to offer our customers more choices and the ability to access all the programming they desire when and where they want it,” said Daniel Spinosa, Vice President, Video Entertainment Services, Comcast Cable. “We’re excited to bring EPIX into the fold and offer both their growing catalog of top quality original programming, and their robust movie library to all subscribers, across all platforms.”

With the Comcast launch, EPIX is now available to approximately 70 million homes across traditional and emerging distributors.

About EPIX

EPIX, an MGM company, is a premium pay television network, delivering quality original programming including series, documentaries, and comedy specials, as well as the latest movie releases and biggest classic film franchises – 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 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, PlayStationÂź, Android phones and tablets, and RokuÂź 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.

Media Contacts:

For EPIX

Michelle Hinchey

mhinchey@epix.com

(646) 933-9375

For Sloane PR

Whit Clay

wclay@sloanepr.com

EPIXÂź GREENLIGHTS DRAMA SERIES PENNYWORTH

Ten-Episode DC Origin Story of Batman’s Best Friend Hails from Warner Horizon Scripted

Television, and Executive Producers Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon

New York, NY – May 16, 2018 – Premium cable network EPIX¼ announced today a straight-to-series greenlight of the DC origin story PENNYWORTH, from Warner Horizon Scripted Television, executive producer/writer Bruno Heller (Gotham, The Mentalist, Rome) and executive producer/director Danny Cannon (Gotham, CSI series).

The ten-episode, one-hour drama series is based on DC characters created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.  It follows Bruce Wayne’s legendary butler, Alfred Pennyworth, a former British SAS soldier who forms a security company and goes to work with Thomas Wayne, Bruce’s billionaire father, in 1960’s London.  Production will begin later this year, with a series premiere slated for 2019.

Said Michael Wright, President, EPIX, “As genuine fans of these classic DC characters, as well as the incredibly talented Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon, we couldn’t be more excited to make EPIX the home of this series. We can’t wait to work with Bruno and Danny – along with Peter Roth, Susan Rovner, Brett Paul and the team at Warner Horizon – on this fantastic origin story.”

Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon said, “Michael and his colleagues have created the perfect venue for original storytelling, and all of us working on PENNYWORTH are thrilled to be on the EPIX slate.”

PENNYWORTH comes on the heels of EPIX’s recent pick up of ABC Signature Studios’ drama series GODFATHER OF HARLEM, starring and executive produced by Oscar¼ winner Forest Whitaker, with Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein (Narcos) serving as showrunners.  Both series are part of a growing slate of EPIX originals, which includes the upcoming season two premiere of the critically-acclaimed dark comedy GET SHORTY, from MGM Television, this summer.

ABOUT WARNER HORIZON SCRIPTED TELEVISION

A division of the Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Horizon Scripted Television was founded in 2006 and is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of dramatic and comedic programming for the cable and subscription/on-demand marketplace. Series produced by Warner Horizon Scripted Television include Animal Kingdom and Claws for TNT; People of Earth for TBS; American Woman for Paramount Network; Famous in Love for Freeform; Fuller House for Netflix; Krypton for SYFY; Love Is___, Queen Sugar and the Untitled Tarell Alvin McCraney Project for OWN; Pennyworth for EPIX; and You for Lifetime.

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, PlayStationÂź, Android phones and tablets, and RokuÂź 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.

Contacts:

Maureen Granados

mgranados@epix.com

(646) 933-9280

Melissa Armstrong

melissa.armstrong@warnerbros.com

(818) 954-7361

EPIX ORDERS DRAMA SERIES GODFATHER OF HARLEM

Forest Whitaker to Star in and Executive Produce

Ten Episode Series from Chris Brancato and ABC Signature Studios

New York, NY – April 25, 2018 – EPIX¼ has given a straight-to-series order for the ABC Signature Studios produced drama, GODFATHER OF HARLEM.

Written and executive produced by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein, the ten-episode series will star OscarŸ winner Forest Whitaker who will also executive produce through his company Significant Productions.  Production will begin later this year with an eye towards a 2019 premiere on EPIX.

GODFATHER OF HARLEM tells the true story of infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned from ten years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles.  With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy must take on the Genovese crime family to regain control. During the brutal battle, he forms an alliance with radical preacher Malcolm X – catching Malcolm’s political rise in the crosshairs of social upheaval and a mob war that threatens to tear the city apart. GODFATHER OF HARLEM is a collision of the criminal underworld and the civil rights movement during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.

“We read the script, and met with Chris, Paul and Forest, and knew immediately that this show was perfect for EPIX,” said Michael Wright, President, EPIX. “It’s an exciting and relevant story, brought to life by passionate, extraordinary talent and a great studio in ABC Signature. It’s exactly the kind of series we want to put on EPIX as we build awareness and expand the network’s distribution across the country.”

According to Patrick Moran, President, ABC Studios, “EPIX is the perfect home for the fascinating and timeless story of Bumpy Johnson. We’re so appreciative of the unwavering enthusiasm and passion that Michael and his team have brought to the project. Chris and Paul’s script is phenomenal and we’re thrilled to have Oscar winner Forest Whitaker on board to produce and star.”

“GODFATHER OF HARLEM,” said Whitaker, “is a show with powerful relevance to the issues we face today – gang violence, police brutality, opioid addiction and racial politics in a divided country. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to bring this character to life and to work with Michael Wright, the EPIX team, and ABC Signature, alongside excellent writers and producers.”

GODFATHER OF HARLEM is executive produced by Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi along with Paul Eckstein, James Acheson and Markuann Smith.  Chris Brancato will serve as showrunner.

Forest Whitaker is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.  Chris Brancato is repped by WME. Paul Eckstein is repped by Rain Management Group and CAA.

ABOUT ABC SIGNATURE STUDIOS

ABC Signature Studios is a division of ABC Studios spearheading development and production in all cable and streaming platforms. The artist-driven arm provides a year-round destination for development and production across the cable and streaming landscape. Most recently, Signature and Hello Sunshine received a straight-to-series order from Hulu for the event limited series “Little Fires Everywhere,” with Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington attached to star and produce. The project is based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Celeste Ng, who will also produce. Signature’s new series include “Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger,” a co-production with Marvel Television premiering on Freeform this June, as well as Amblin TV and ABC Signature’s “All About the Washingtons,” which is currently in post-production for Netflix. These projects join a robust slate of returning series such as their critically acclaimed comedy “SMILF,” for Showtime, “black-ish” spinoff “grown-ish,” for Freeform, and “Marvel’s Runaways,” for Hulu, a co-production with Marvel Television.

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, PlayStationÂź, Android phones and tablets, and RokuÂź 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.

CONTACT

Maureen Granados

mgranados@epix.com

(646) 933-9280

UNDEFEATED BOXING CHAMPION ANDRE “SON OF GOD” WARD JOINS MARK BURNETT’S THE CONTENDER AS HOST, FREDDIE ROACH AND NAAZIM RICHARDSON TAKE SIDES AS TRAINERS

12-Episode Boxing Competition Series Will Premiere Later This Year on EPIXÂź

LOS ANGELES – APRIL 10, 2018 – Premium pay television network EPIX¼, an MGM company, has announced that undefeated boxing champion Andre “Son of God” Ward will host the new version of the seminal The Contender boxing franchise. Legendary boxing trainers Freddie Roach and Naazim Richardson join as trainers in the iconic series that has launched multiple boxers into contention for world titles.

The all-new 12-episode season of the boxing competition series, the first of its kind to air on EPIX is produced by Mark Burnett and his longtime executive producer Eric Van Wagenen. MGM Television has joined forces with Paramount Television to produce, and filming will begin this Spring 2018 in Los Angeles.

As host, Ward brings his undefeated record and undisputed boxing expertise to The Contender. Throughout his incredible 13-year undefeated career, he’s held multiple world titles in two weight classes including, unified WBA (Super), WBC, Ring magazine, and lineal super middleweight titles between 2009 and 2015 as well as the unified WBA (Undisputed), IBF, WBO, and Ring’s light heavyweight titles between 2016 and 2017.  Ward also won the gold medal in the light heavyweight division in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Said Ward, “I have faced the unique challenges of professional boxing firsthand and know the focus required to succeed at the highest level. Hosting a show that has enabled so many talented fighters reach their dreams is an honor and I look forward to giving the fans unique insight into the life of a fighter and leading the audience through the thrills of this competition.”

“It is so important for The Contender to have the best and most trusted boxing experts which is why we reached out to Andre, Freddy and Naazim,” said Burnett. “They are the very best and can help create an experience almost never seen before. Eric and I are really excited to exceed the fans’ expectations. We love The Contender and we love boxing.”

Esteemed coaches Roach and Richardson will each oversee a team of eight fighters, pushing their fighting skills, strength and endurance to the limit in preparation for elimination competitions. The coaches will also act as the fighters’ mentor, helping them to navigate their everyday life as the competitors live and train together and fight each other in the ring. Each fighter will be vying to become the ultimate Contender and take the winner’s six-figure purse.

Roach is widely regarded as one of the most successful boxing trainers of all time. His roster includes the eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, five-time and four-division World Champion Miguel Cotto, former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio César Chåvez, Jr., defensive master and three-time world champion James Toney, former UFC Middleweight and three-time Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre, as well as top prospects Jose Benavidez, Peter Quillin, and Vanes Martirosyan, among many others.

One of the most respected trainers from the boxing hotbed of Philadelphia, Naazim Richardson has helped shape the careers of some of the biggest names in the sport over the past 30 years. From Bernard Hopkins to “Sugar” Shane Mosley, as well as others like Travis Kauffman, and prospect Khalib ‘Bigfoot’ Whitmore, Richardson’s work and his spirit continue to be part of boxing lore. The father and trainer of boxing twin brothers Rock Allen and Tiger Allen Richardson, Naazim is also known for discovering plaster hidden in Antonio Margarito’s wraps before the January 24, 2009 fight between Margarito and Mosley.

Eric Van Wagenen serves as executive producer and showrunner alongside Burnett.  The format is owned by MGM Television and Paramount Television.

EPIX is available nationwide through cable, satellite, telco and streaming TV providers including Charter Spectrum, Cox, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-verse, Dish Network, Sling, PlayStation Vue and, later this year, Comcast.

About MGM Television

MGM Television is a leading producer and global distributor of premium content for television and digital platforms, with distribution rights to original productions and a robust catalog of television episodes and feature film titles including such premiere entertainment franchises as James Bond, Rocky, Stargate and The Hobbit trilogy.  Current scripted and unscripted projects include Fargo (FX); Vikings (HISTORY); The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu); Get Shorty (EPIX); The Voice (NBC); Survivor (CBS); Shark Tank (ABC); Teen Wolf (MTV); Steve Harvey’s FUNDERDOME (ABC); Beat Shazam (FOX); Signed (VH1); Lucha Underground (The El Rey Network); and through its distribution entity, Orion TV Productions, the syndicated daytime courtroom series Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court and Couples Court with The Cutlers. In addition, MGM owns Evolution Media, the innovative unscripted television producers of The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules, Vanderpump Rules: Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky, and Sweet Home Oklahoma (Bravo); Botched (E!); Bug Juice (Disney Channel) and Growing Up Supermodel (Lifetime). MGM’s television programming regularly airs in more than 100 countries worldwide.  For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

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, PlayStationÂź, Android phones and tablets, and RokuÂź 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.

About Paramount Television

Paramount Television is a leading studio, developing and financing a wide range of cutting-edge and entertaining television content across all media platforms for distribution worldwide. The studio’s robust slate includes Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan” (Amazon), “13 Reasons Why” (Netflix), “Maniac” (Netflix), “Shooter” (USA), “Berlin Station” (EPIX), “The Alienist” (TNT), “The Haunting of Hill House” (Netflix), “Catch-22” (Hulu), “Galaxy Quest” (Amazon), “Girls Code” (Freeform) and “Snow Crash” (Amazon), among others. Additionally, Paramount Digital Entertainment (PDE) is behind hit digital series including “Bajillion Dollar Propertie$”; “The Hotwives of Orlando” and “The Hotwives of Las Vegas” (Hulu). Paramount Television and Paramount Digital Entertainment are part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a subsidiary of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a global content company with premier television, film and digital entertainment brands.

Press Contacts:

Maureen Granados / EPIX

mgranados@epix.com / 646.933.9280

Kristin Cotich / MGM

kcotich@mgm.com / 310.449.3606

Jessica Rovins / Paramount Television

Jessica_rovins@paramount.com / 323.956.8265

Aubrey Siegel / Beck Media for EPIX

aubrey@beckmedia.com / 646.762.8702

EPIX CAPTURES ESPIONAGE DRAMA DEEP STATE

Eight-Episode Thriller From Fox Networks Group Content Distribution,

Starring Mark Strong, To Premiere June 17 on EPIX

New York, NY and London, UK – March 16, 2018 – Premium cable network EPIX, an MGM company, today announced the premiere of DEEP STATE, the eight-episode espionage drama produced by Fox Networks Group Europe & Africa. Starring the critically-acclaimed actor Mark Strong, and Game of Thrones’ Joe Dempsie, the gritty new drama is set to premiere on Sunday, June 17 at 9pm.  Co-created, directed and written by Matthew Parkhill (Rogue) DEEP STATE is a grounded, visceral thriller, moving between the deeply personal story of a family man fighting to escape his past and the violent, dark excesses of government and global corporate power.

DEEP STATE centers around Max Easton (Mark Strong, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Zero Dark Thirty, Kingsman-The Golden Circle), an ex-spy whose past comes back to haunt him when he’s summoned away from his new life in the Pyrenees by George White (Alistair Petrie, The Night Manager, Rogue One), head of covert MI6/CIA team “The Section.” White convinces Max to return to the field to avenge the death of his estranged son Harry (Joe Dempsie,Game of Thrones, Skins). But the stakes are soon raised when Max finds himself at the heart of a covert intelligence war, immersed in a widespread conspiracy to profit from the spread of chaos in the Middle East. Max enters into a dangerous game as powerful corporations demonstrate that they are willing to go to great lengths to protect their reputation and bury their secrets. With such a strong undercurrent of corruption, who can Max trust? Who is telling the truth? And what must be done to uncover it? To find out, Max is going to have to throw himself back into the dangerous and brutal life he so desperately tried to leave behind.

Said Michael Wright, President, EPIX, “DEEP STATE is a timely, and addictive, thriller that fits perfectly into EPIX’s growing portfolio of premium original programming. With Matthew’s smart storytelling, an excellent cast led by Mark Strong and a fantastic production and design team, we’re very excited to bring this quality drama to an American audience.”

Prentiss Fraser, MD and EVP of Fox Networks Group Content Distribution said: “Fox Europe and Africa has produced a stunning, intriguing and exciting series featuring amazing talent behind and in front of the camera.  We are thrilled to be partnering with a raft of A-list platforms around the world, including EPIX, the premium cable network, as our anchor broadcaster in the US.”

DEEP STATE features a stellar ensemble cast including the Olivier award winning and BAFTA/Tony nominated actor Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Zero Dark Thirty, Kingsman-The Golden Circle), Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones, Skins), Karima McAdams (Vikings), Alistair Petrie (The Night Manager, Rogue One), Anastasia Griffith (Damages, Once Upon a Time), Lyne Renée (Split), Amelia Bullmore (Happy Valley), Kingsley Ben-Adir (King Arthur: Legend of The Sword), Pip Torrens (The Crown) and Fares Fares (Tyrant).

The extraordinary production team behind the project include Emmy¼ Award-winning producer Hilary Bevan Jones (Cracker, State of Play, Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot), showrunner, writer, co-creator and director Matthew Parkhill (Rogue), co-creator, writer and executive producer Simon Maxwell (American Odyssey), director Robert Connolly (The Slap, Balibo), executive producers Alan Greenspan (Donnie Brasco, High Fidelity) and Helen Flint (Close to the Enemy), producers Tom Nash (The Escape Artist, The Dark Outside) and Khadija Alami (Homeland) and BAFTA Award-winning production designer Pat Campbell (Wolf Hall). Jeff Ford and Sara Johnson are the executive producers for Fox Networks Group, Europe & Africa.

The series is produced by Endor, a Red Arrow company.  The deal was negotiated by Fox Networks Group Content Group, who also hold exclusive global distribution rights for the series, working in partnership with FNG Europe & Africa.

EPIX is available nationwide for subscription on a number of cable and satellite providers, including Charter (formerly Time Warner), DISH, Sling TV, Verizon FIOS, Cox, Sony VUE, AT&T U-verse, Frontier and coming in 2018, Comcast’s X1 platform.

About Fox Networks Group

Fox Networks Group (FNG) is a primary operating unit of 21st Century Fox (NASDAQ:FOXA). FNG consists of Fox Television Group, which includes Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Century Fox Television; Fox Sports Media Group; Fox Cable Networks, which includes FX Networks and National Geographic Partners; and Fox Networks Group Europe, Asia and Latin America. Together these units create, program and distribute the world’s most popular entertainment, sports and nonfiction programming.

About Endor Productions

Endor Productions, part of the Red Arrow group, is known for its award winning international television.  Headed by Hilary Bevan Jones and Tom Nash, they have a vibrant slate of film and television coming up.  Previous programmes include Paul Abbott’s State of Play, William Boyd’s Restless, Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot starring Judi Dench and Dustin Hoffman, David Wolstencroft’s The Escape Artist starring David Tennant and Victoria Wood’s That Day We Sang.

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, PlayStationÂź, Android phones and tablets, and RokuÂź 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.

Contact:

Maureen Granados

mgranados@epix.com

(646) 933-9280

Pam Golum (for EPIX)

pgolum@lippingroup.com

(323) 965-1990

 

EPIX NAMES RACHEL BRILL SVP, HEAD OF UNSCRIPTED PROGRAMMING

Industry powerhouse to lead unscripted programming, reporting to Michael Wright, President, EPIX

NEW YORK, NY – March 7, 2018 – Michael Wright, President of EPIX, the premium pay TV network owned by Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), announced today that Rachel Brill has been named SVP, Head of Unscripted Programming. She reports to Wright, working out of the EPIX Los Angeles office at MGM’s headquarters and starts immediately.

Brill is responsible for development and production of all unscripted series. She spent three years working with Michael Wright at Turner (TNT and tbs), shepherding their unscripted efforts and will work with him to ensure EPIX is continuing to innovate and advance its premium, award-winning programming, expanding the slate of unscripted series.

“I’m thrilled to get to work with Rachel again,” said Wright. “We’re fortunate to have her joining the team. She’s an experienced and talented programming executive, and a terrific person, whose great taste and talent relationships will be invaluable to us as we build our original programming portfolio and expand the network’s distribution.”

“EPIX has made an impact with meaningful and topical programs that have truly resonated,” said Brill. “I look forward to expanding the effort and driving the network towards new stories that will draw viewers and deeply engage audiences.”

Brill has held posts at Turner (TNT & tbs), ZOO Productions (an All3Media/Discovery Communications company) and Lloyd Braun’s Whalerock Industries. Brill’s credit list of production partners includes A-listers: Dwayne Johnson, Dick Wolf, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Jerry Bruckheimer, Joan Rivers, Kim Kardashian West, Howard Stern, with original content created for Disney Channel, NBC, CMT, SiriusXM, TV Land, Margaritaville, Viceland, YouTube, Facebook and Discovery Science, among others.

Most recently, Brill co-created and Executive Produced RITUAL, a doc series in partnership with ACE Media/NFLPA, streamed in 224 countries as an Amazon Prime Original before NFL’s Thursday Night Football franchise; Nuts + Bolts, the maker series on Viceland driven by Tyler​​ the Creator; and the new Simone Giertz project, Simone’s Got Problems.

Brill started her career and spent ten years at ZOO Productions where she headed up all development and branded content efforts, and was instrumental in the global hit, Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? and the hidden camera series Girls Behaving Badly, starring Chelsea Handler.

EPIX’s unscripted programming includes American Divided, a docu-series in production for its second season with executive producer Norman Lear, and Serena, 2017 Realscreen award winner for best non-fiction-sports documentary.  Coming later this year:  This Is Home, which won the 2018 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Documentary Audience Award; and a new version of the iconic Contender boxing series produced by Mark Burnett.

EPIX recently announced the hiring of Nancy Cotton as the new Head of Scripted Programming. The network’s scripted programming includes critically acclaimed original series: Get Shorty, starring Chris O’Dowd and Ray Romano, renewed for its second season; and Berlin Station, starring Richard Armitage, Ashley Judd and Richard Jenkins, renewed for its third season; and The Truth About Harry Quebert, starring Patrick Dempsey, currently in post-production.  The lineup also features thousands of popular hit movies and film franchises including James Bond, Rocky, Mission Impossible and Star Trek.

EPIX is available nationwide through cable, satellite, telco and streaming TV providers including Charter Spectrum, Cox, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-verse, Dish Network, Sling, PlayStation Vue and, later this year, Comcast.

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, PlayStationÂź, Android phones and tablets, and RokuÂź 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.

Media Contacts:

For EPIX

Michelle Hinchey

mhinchey@epix.com

(646) 933-9375

For Sloane PR

Whit Clay

wclay@sloanepr.com

 

 

EPIX IS FIRST NETWORK TO LAUNCH 4K ULTRA HD MOVIES & SERIES IN U.S.

4K Ultra HD Package Available for Affiliate VOD Platforms and in EPIX Apps

NEW YORK, NY – February 27, 2018 – EPIX, the premium pay TV network owned by Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), announced today that it will add 4K Ultra HD to its expanding list of offerings. Starting in 2018, affiliates and EPIX subscribers will have access to a VOD package of 4K Ultra HD content and streaming access directly through EPIX apps on select devices. This is the first launch of its kind from a premium network in the U.S. and makes EPIX the only broadcast or cable network to stream 4K Ultra HD within its apps.

A leader in multiplatform entertainment, EPIX will begin offering select Hollywood movies and EPIX original programs in 4K Ultra HD including films from the James Bond franchise Die Another Day, Goldeneye, License To Kill, Tomorrow Never Dies, Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, and The Spy Who Loved Me along with newer films such as Arrival, The Magnificent Seven, Star Trek Beyond andTransformers: The Last Knight and the EPIX original series Get Shorty.

“EPIX was created to meet changing viewer habits and to provide the best user experience for our viewers. It starts with great content, but it’s also about the way our subscribers experience and engage with that content. We are excited to continue our history of innovation by adding 4K Ultra HD.  It is part of our continuing commitment to expand and enhance the EPIX experience, and to serve our viewers and distribution partners in new and innovative ways,” said Monty Sarhan, EVP and General Manager of EPIX.

Added Jon Dakss, EPIX’s EVP and Chief Digital Officer, “It has been widely reported that the adoption rate of Ultra HD TV sets in the U.S. is far outpacing the adoption rate of HD at its launch, indicating that there is a significant opportunity to provide audiences with the best possible viewing experience. The majority of large screen TVs sold in the U.S. are now 4K Ultra HD, providing a great deal of opportunity for us to tap into this high-demand space and we’re excited to be the first ones leading the charge.”

EPIX is a 24-hour-a-day premium pay TV network with a lineup of original programming and blockbuster movies. It is available nationwide through one of the many different cable, satellite, telecommunications and streaming TV providers. To learn more and to subscribe, please visit www.epix.com/order-epix or call 1-844-EPIX-Now (1-844-374-9669).

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, PlayStationÂź, Android phones and tablets, and RokuÂź 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.

Media Contacts: 

For EPIX

Michelle Hinchey

mhinchey@epix.com

(646) 933-9375

For Sloane PR

Whit Clay

wclay@sloanepr.com