LOS ANGELES?US telecom firm Verizon launched a high-definition movie channel on Friday, letting subscribers watch films on-demand on televisions or on the Internet.

EPIX debuts on Verizon's FiOS TV and online at epixhd.com free of charge this weekend, but will cost about 10 dollars monthly thereafter, according to Verizon.

"We're taking the lead in delivering the richest and best entertainment to movie-lovers, on whatever platform they choose," Verizon vice president of content strategy and acquisition Terry Denson said in a release.

EPIX is a joint venture involving Viacom Inc., its Paramount Pictures unit, and film studios Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate.

The channel will showcase recent releases from Paramount, Paramount Vantage, MGM, United Artists and Lionsgate, along with thousands of classic films.