Hollywood studios join the streaming media parade

Studio 3 Networks, a joint venture of three major production groups, revealed today that Epix -- the name for which it had filed multiple trademark applications in early December, will be a streaming on demand Web service.

Originally thought to be a premium television channel and companion on demand service, Studio 3 president Mark Greenberg said yesterday that it will actually be the other way around: a Web service with a cable channel planned for the future. Studio 3 is a joint venture of Viacom and Paramount Pictures, MGM Studios and United Artists, and Lionsgate Films.

Because of the parties involved, the joint venture will have exclusive access to the full content plus bonus footage, outtakes, and commentary tracks for such films as Iron Man and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The service will launch with 15,000 movies, and original content from Viacom television properties on-demand.