Epix will be parting ways with Netflix and begin streaming its content on Hulu, it was announced Sunday.
In a site blog post, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos revealed that the streaming service and Epix will not be renewing their deal when it expires in September. Movies such as The Hunger Games and Transformers: Age of Extinction will no longer be available at the end of next month when its agreement with the premium cable and satellite TV provider runs out.
Epix has instead closed a multi-year deal with Hulu, where original programming and new releases from Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount will become available beginning Oct. 1.
Films such as Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Trek: Into Darkness, World War Z, Wolf of Wall Street, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Robocop and God’s Not Dead will be available for streaming by Hulu subscribers right away. Newer releases, including Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, Interstellar, Selma, Top Five and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, will become available in the coming months.
“Hulu has become one of the most popular premium streaming services and EPIX’s agreement is evidence of their understanding of the value that our blockbuster Hollywood films, deep library of classic film titles and original programming brings to consumers,” Mark Greenberg, President and CEO of Epix, said in a statement. “We are excited to be partnering with Hulu, and share their commitment to providing viewers a truly premium experience, particularly as we enter the next phase of our network’s growth and development.”
Sarandos noted that Netflix is working on developing a larger slate of original films, enlisting stars and directors including Brad Pitt, Ricky Gervais, Judd Apatow, Angelina Jolie, Sofia Coppola and Adam Sandler. He stated that the popular films leaving Netflix as a result of the deal can be found elsewhere.
“While many of these movies are popular, they are also widely available on cable and other subscription platforms at the same time as they are on Netflix and subject to the same drawn-out licensing periods,” wrote Sarandos on the Netflix blog. “Through our original films and some innovative licensing arrangements with the movie studios, we are aiming to build a better movie experience for you.”
With the loss of larger films including World War Z, Sarandos wrote that viewers can soon expect to see Minions, Transylvania 2 and Home along with new original films including Sandler’s comedy Ridiculous Six and Coppola’s A Very Murray Christmas on Netflix.
Aug. 30, 5:10 p.m. Updated with Hulu announcement.
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