Epix, Netflix announce deal to stream movies

Netflix and upstart cable channel Epix announced a deal today to bring scores of movies from Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM to Netflix's streaming video service.

That means that as of Sept. 1, you'll be able to see movies such as Indiana Jones, Iron Man and Cloverfield streamed via Netflix. Epix is a joint venture between Paramount's parent Viacom, MGM Studios and Lionsgate that is trying to break into the premium TV business dominated by HBO, Showtime and Starz. So far it has agreements with providers such as Dish, Cox, Charter and Verizon FiOS.

But you'll have to wait 90 days in some cases for newer releases to show up on Netflix.

From a press release this morning:

Epix has subscription pay TV rights to new releases and movies from the libraries of its partners and will make these movies available to Netflix 90 days after their premium pay TV and subscription on demand debuts. Historically, the rights to distribute these films are pre-sold to pay TV for as long as nine years after their theatrical release.

The L.A. Times first reported word of the deal on Monday. You can read more about Epix in this USA TODAY story.

By Nancy Blair