Epix signs agreement with Time Warner Cable

America is on the verge of getting a fourth premium TV channel. Epix has signed a carriage agreement with Time Warner Cable, making it available in 44 million homes -- with more deals in the works.

As it grows from being just a niche channel to being available in roughly 40 percent of US homes, it is more and more a rival to HBO, Showtime and Starz. The service on TWC kicks off March 18. Epix offers subscribers a host of fresh movies and specials, usually 10 months after their box office release. Epix is owned by three studios -- Viacom’s Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate.

Mark Greenberg, president and CEO of Epix, is expected to sign other new deals in the coming months, sources said. Epix has distribution agreements with Cox, Charter and Dish. Despite its growth, Epix is still a minnow next to the competition: HBO counts 29.2 million subscribers, Showtime 22.8 million and Starz 22 million, compared with 5.7 million for Epix as of last September, according to SNL Kagan. But Epix’ subscribers are actually closer to 10 million, according to sources close to the company, and the TWC agreement will had 12 million more households.