MGM in Talks to Acquire Epix Premium Cable Network

[mvcg66b3r]

MGM is in talks to acquire all of premium cable network Epix from the premium cable network’s other owners, Viacom and Lionsgate, Reuters reported Thursday.

Viacom currently owns 50 percent of Epix, the newest of the major premium TV channels which launched in 2009.

Lionsgate has a nearly 32 percent stake, while MGM has the remaining piece. MGM’s deal to buy out its partners would value Epix at between $1 billion and $2 billion, according to the Reuters report.

Epix, which also includes a streaming service, has about 8.8 million subscribers, according to TV research firm SNL Kagan.

http://www.thewrap.com/mgm-talks-acquire-epix-premium-cable-network-report/

 

[Will_H_69_9]

let's see why MGM wants sole ownership of EPIX

1. Viacom is thinking about re-merging with CBS and CBS owns Showtime/The Movie Channel

2. Lionsgate now owns Starz as of late last year. so of course there is a conflict.

so basically, MGM is trying their best trying to get sole ownership to avoid conflict with Starz and Showtime.

 

[TheBigA]

Looking at it in a broader view, the other movie studios own their own cable channels: Disney, Universal, Fox, Warner, and Paramount. If MGM wants to return to the ranks of major movie studio, they need to own their own distribution channel. This is their easiest and cheapest chance.

 

[Megatron]

let's see why MGM wants sole ownership of EPIX

1. Viacom is thinking about re-merging with CBS and CBS owns Showtime/The Movie Channel

2. Lionsgate now owns Starz as of late last year. so of course there is a conflict.

so basically, MGM is trying their best trying to get sole ownership to avoid conflict with Starz and Showtime.

Viacom & CBS aren't re-merging that was just rumors Redstone family even said that isn't happening.

 

[Megatron]

MGM wants to be a big player again in the movies and this is there way to get back into the game that way as there just a bit player at this point.

 

[umfan]

MGM wants some sole control over secondary distribution of their library. Not a surprise. I'm not at all sure or even confident that they'll end up as the sole owners of Epix.

 

[TheBigA]

MGM is in a better financial position now than they were in 2009. If they're going to make a move, now is the time.