EPIX and Paramount Launch "The Search for the Next Ron Burgundy" Contest

NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention Anchorman fans – it's time to dust off the red blazer and pour yourself a "scotchy scotch scotch!"  Premium TV network EPIX and its joint venture partner, Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc., are holding a nationwide search for the next Ron Burgundy.  One lucky winner will have the unique opportunity to act as news anchor for the EPIX network and report from the red carpet of the Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues premiere in NYC on December 15, 2013.  As Ron Burgundy himself might say, "It's kind of a big deal."

Fans can audition in one of two ways.  To enter online, visit the contest hub IAmRonBurgundy.com beginning November 21, 2013 and watch the "how to submit" video from Channel 4 News Team member Champ Kind (David Koechner). Fans can upload a 15-second audition video via Instagram using the hashtag #IAmRonBurgundy and use the social networking tools on www.IAMRONBURGUNDY.com to campaign for votes.  The entrant who receives the most votes by closing date December 1 will become one of ten finalists.

The remaining nine finalists will be selected from local promotions taking place Thanksgiving weekend across the country.  The Channel 4 News set will be on-site in shopping malls in major cities and fans will have the opportunity to create a "screen test" video and share their video with friends via social media.  The top local finalists will be selected by a local TV news anchor in each market.

"We're pleased to work with our partner, Paramount, to showcase Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues," said Mark Greenberg, EPIX CEO and President. "The legend that is Ron Burgundy resonates with all ages and this contest will give one lucky fan the chance to try to fill the shoes of the anchorman we all know and love in anticipation the Anchorman's much awaited sequel."

The Channel 4 News set will be on-site on Black Friday, November 29, for screen tests in the following locations:

• New York City – AMC Lincoln Square
• Los Angeles – Westfield Century City
• Dallas – Stonebriar Centre
• Seattle – Northgate Mall
• St. Louis – Chesterfield Mall

And on November 30, in the following locations:

• Atlanta – Mall of Georgia
• Denver – Cherry Creek Shopping Center   
• Philadelphia/Cherry Hill, NJ– Cherry Hill Mall
• San Diego – UTC Westfield Shopping Center

The local finalist in each market and the national submission with the most votes will be featured on  www.IAMRONBURGUNDY.com beginning December 4.  From these ten finalists, select cast and crew from Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues will personally choose the Grand Prize Winner, to be announced on the website December 7. The Grand Prize Winner and nine finalists will also receive a Sony Playstation 3 and a 1-year digital subscription to EPIX.

With the 70's behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to the news desk in "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues."  Also back for more are Ron's co-anchor and wife, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), weather man Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man on the street reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) - All of whom won't make it easy to stay classy…while taking New York and the nation's first 24-hour news channel by storm.  Produced by Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Written by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay.  Directed by Adam McKay.

"ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES" opens in theaters everywhere December 20^th, 2013.

For official rules and further contest details visit www.IAmRonBurgundy.com.

About EPIX
EPIX is the newest premium entertainment network delivering the latest movie releases, classic library titles, plus original films, comedy, music and sports events on TV, on demand, online and on devices. Launched October 2009 as the first multiplatform premium network with online accessibility for subscribers through EpixHD.com, EPIX pioneered the development and proliferation of TV Everywhere for American consumers. EPIX was the first premium network to launch on Xbox consoles, first on PlayStation®3 (PS3™) and PlayStation®4 (PS4™) systems,  first on Android tablets and phones, first on Roku® players and is available to authenticated subscribers on hundreds of devices including Apple® iPads®, iPhones®, Samsung® Smart TVs and Blu-ray™ players and more. Today EPIX remains the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up from new Hollywood hits to original programs on all platforms and provides more movies than any other premium network.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), available to over 30 million homes nationwide through distribution partners including Charter Communications, Cox Communications, DISH Network, Mediacom Communications, NCTC, Suddenlink Communications and Verizon FiOS.

For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX).

About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

SOURCE EPIX