EPIX Survey Study Finds Younger Movie Viewers Turning to New Electronic Devices to Watch Movies

Younger viewers are leading the charge in embracing new devices for movie watching according to findings from a national survey of online video viewers released today by EPIX. Specifically, viewers between the ages of 25 to 34 are significantly more likely to use video-capable iPods (24%), iPads and tablet computers (21%), smartphones (21%) and netbooks (15%) to watch movies than viewers between 35 to 64 years old, demonstrating that demand for content on mobile electronic devices is real and an integral part of the next generation’s viewing behavior. EPIX, the premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand and online service, made this announcement at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) 2011 Cable Show in Chicago.

“The results of this study illustrate the fact that consumers are increasingly accessing entertainment content wherever and whenever it is available and underscore the growing opportunities in cable to adapt to these changing viewing habits by providing movies and other content on every platform,” said Mark Greenberg, president and CEO of EPIX. “EPIX is working closely with our operator partners to help them deliver our content to subscribers whether it’s on TV, on demand, online and now on new devices with apps. As movie consumption on new devices continues to grow in popularity, we remain focused on providing our authenticated subscribers access to the best content and extra features in all the ways they want it.”

Additionally, the research delved into device preference for content consumption and confirmed personal computers have fully emerged as a commonly used means for movie viewing. They are now nearly as popular as televisions, with seven out of eight respondents indicating that they watch movies on computers.

Other notable survey findings include:

• TV networks prevail as the most common source for watching movies outside of theaters as nearly seven in eight steamers view films on broadcast (85%) and basic cable networks (83%) at least monthly.
• More than half (51%) of online streamers/downloaders also watch movies monthly on premium channels.
• Although device ownership is already high among viewers of movies online, there is still strong purchase intent for popular mobile devices; over half (53%) plan to purchase another broadband-enabled device such as a tablet, netbook, laptop or desktop computer and over a quarter (26%) intend to get a mobile phone with Internet access over the next 12 months.
• TV sets connected to the Internet are growing in importance for online movie viewing, particularly among younger adults – 26% of all streamers/downloaders and one in three in the 25-34 year-old age group say they stream movies on broadband-enabled TVs.
• 44% of online video viewers utilize Internet Blu-ray players connected to TVs to watch movies.

Tapping into the changing viewing preferences of authenticated subscribers, EPIX has unveiled apps for download on over one hundred consumer electronic and mobile devices including Android™-powered tablets and phones; Samsung® TVs and Blu-Ray™ players; Google TV™; Roku® streaming players; and the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ which make EPIX movies and originals available to authenticated subscribers wherever they choose to watch.

The survey was conducted online in April 2011 by global consumer research firm Ipsos OTX Media CT and results were compiled from a national sample of 500 respondents between the ages 25-64 who had streamed or downloaded video content during the previous six months.

About EPIX

EPIX, a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), is a next-generation premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand and online service launched on October 30, 2009. With access to more than 15,000 motion pictures spanning the vast libraries of its partners and other studios, EPIX provides a powerful entertainment experience with more feature films on demand and online and more HD movies than any other service. It is the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up of new Hollywood titles, classic feature films, original series, music and comedy specials through the linear channel, video-on-demand and online at EpixHD.com, the leading online destination for movies. EPIX has made the commitment to deliver the industry’s most expansive online collection of movies, making more than 3,000 titles available on EpixHD.com. The service is 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.EpixHD.com.