Viacom’s Epix preps original TV programming

Epix, the soon-to-launch US cable channel from MGM, Lionsgate and Viacom, will debut an on-air pilot of its first original scripted series this year and aims to transmit the rest of the series on the fledgling network in 2010.

The aim is for a couple of original series in year one, rising to three-to-five in the second year of operation, Mark Greenberg, president of Studio 3, the company running Epix, told TBIvision.

“We’ll create pilots, mostly in scripted, ” Greenberg said. “We have a couple of different opportunities in how they are put together, but the content will be interactive, with viewers having a chance to contribute to the story arc and advertisers having the chance to get involved. “

Epix will launch on broadband in May and on cable in the fourth quarter of 2009. As well as a roster of movies and scripted TV programming, the network will also transmit comedy and live events, Greenberg said.