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This article is about the pay TV channel. For other uses, see Showtime (disambiguation).
Showtime
Image:Showtime.svg
Type Cable network (movies, sports, original programming)
Country United States
Availability National
Owner Showtime Networks, Inc. (CBS Corporation)
Key people Matthew C. A television network is a distribution network for Television content whereby a central operation provides programming for many Television stations Sport is an Activity that is governed by a set of rules or Customs and often engaged in competitively The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Showtime Networks Inc (SNI is the corporate division of Media conglomerate CBS Corporation. CBS Corporation () is an American Media conglomerate focused on Broadcasting, Publishing, Billboards, and Television Blank - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Showtime Networks, Inc.
Launch date July 1, 1976
Website
SHO.com

Showtime is a subscription television brand used by a number of channels and platforms around the world, but primarily refers to a group of channels in the United States. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A brand is a collection of Images and ideas representing an economic producer more specifically it refers to the descriptive verbal attributes and concrete symbols such as a The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

Contents

History

Showtime primarily shows motion pictures as well as some original programming and occasional boxing matches. Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, Showtime, originally a service of Viacom, went on the air on July 1, 1976, first shown on a local cable system in Dublin, California. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Dublin is a suburban city of the East (San Francisco Bay region of Alameda County, California, United States. On March 7, 1978, it expanded to the national market via satellite, competing with HBO. Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) In 1979, Viacom sold 50% of Showtime to TelePrompTer.

In 1982, Westinghouse, who had acquired TelePrompTer the previous year, sold its share of Showtime back to Viacom. Founded in 1886 as Westinghouse Electric Company and later renamed Westinghouse Electric Corporation by George Westinghouse. In 1983, Viacom and Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment merged Showtime and The Movie Channel to form Showtime Networks, Inc.. Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company (WASEC was a Joint venture owned and operated by Warner Communications (whose share was overseen by Warner executive David The Movie Channel (TMC is an American premium cable television network owned by Showtime Networks Inc Showtime Networks Inc (SNI is the corporate division of Media conglomerate CBS Corporation. 1984 saw the premiere of Showtime's first original movie, The Ratings Game, both starring, and directed by, Danny DeVito. The Ratings Game, aka The Mogul, is a 1984 cable TV-movie directed by Danny DeVito and produced by David In 1985, Viacom acquired Warner-Amex's cable properties, including their share of Showtime Networks.

In 1990, Showtime ventured into acquiring and premiering independent films directly for the channel, originally as part of its 30-Minute Movie anthology series of short films. One of its first premieres, 12:01 PM, was nominated for an Academy Award. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. In the years that followed, Showtime expanded its acquisitions into the realm of feature-length fare, including the critically acclaimed remake of Lolita, directed by Adrian Lyne. Lolita is a 1997 film directed by Adrian Lyne and was the second screen adaptation of the novel by Vladimir Nabokov. Adrian Lyne (born 4 March, 1941 in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England) is an English Filmmaker and producer

In the early 2000s, Showtime launched several additional multiplex channels including Showtime Too (a pun on its previous name, Showtime 2), Showcase (formerly Showtime 3), Showtime Beyond and Showtime Extreme. Showtime had also launched several channels exclusively for digital cable: Showtime Family Zone, Showtime Next, and Showtime Women.

Showtime Networks also owns the channels The Movie Channel, The Movie Channel Xtra and Flix. The Movie Channel (TMC is an American premium cable television network owned by Showtime Networks Inc The Movie Channel (TMC is an American premium cable television network owned by Showtime Networks Inc Flix is a premium cable television network and is owned by Showtime Networks who also run Showtime. In addition, it manages Sundance Channel, which is a joint venture of CBS Corporation, Robert Redford and NBC Universal. Sundance Channel is a Cable television network devoted to airing independent feature films, World cinema, documentaries, Short CBS Corporation () is an American Media conglomerate focused on Broadcasting, Publishing, Billboards, and Television Charles Robert Redford Jr (born August 18 1936) is an Academy Award -winning American Film director, Actor, NBC Universal is a media and Entertainment company formed in May 2004 by the combination of General Electric 's NBC with Vivendi Universal Each multiplex channel offers movies and programs fitting each channel's particular theme. Premiers of popular movies are usually made on the primary channel.

In 2000, Showtime launched the "Showtime Interactive 24. 7" channel—providing DVD-like interaction opportunities to its entertainment offerings.

In the 2000s, Showtime began test marketing a subscription-video-on-demand SVOD system. Now there is a Showtime subscription-video-on-demand channel called Showtime On Demand, which users are able to see episodes of Showtime original series, movies, adult programming and boxing. This channel is only available on digital cable in the US.

Showtime also became one of the first cable TV networks to broadcast an HDTV version of its channel, along with Dolby Digital sound. A television network is a distribution network for Television content whereby a central operation provides programming for many Television stations High-definition television (HDTV is a Digital television Broadcasting system with higher resolution than traditional television systems (standard-definition Dolby Digital is the marketing name for a series of lossy audio compression technologies developed by Dolby

In 2005, Showtime became a subsidiary of the newly renamed CBS Corporation, after the CBS/Viacom split of that year. CBS Corporation () is an American Media conglomerate focused on Broadcasting, Publishing, Billboards, and Television

Channels

Showtime operates eight multiplex channels and a high definition channel. For multiplexing in electronics and signal processing see Multiplexer.


Showtime also packages the Eastern and Pacific feeds of the primary and multiplex services together, allowing viewers a second chance to watch the same movie/program three hours earlier/later depending on their geographic location.

Original programming

Branding

Showtime's launch logo made in 1976 was a circle with a TV screen inside (identical to TV Globo's, but without the circle in the center. American Candidate is a political Reality television show The program aired for one season on Showtime in 2004, and was hosted by Barbershop The Series is an American sitcom for the Showtime cable network, which made its debut in the fall of Beggars and Choosers was a 1999-2000 Television series broadcast by Showtime. Big Brother After Dark is an uncensored uncut live feed into the American Big Brother House Brotherhood is an American Television drama series created by Blake Masters. Brothers is a television sitcom that originally aired on the American cable network Showtime from July 13 1984 to July 25 1989 Californication is a Showtime TV series production created by Tom Kapinos and starring David Duchovny as Hank Moody a troubled novelist The Chris Isaak Show is a television sitcom which follows a fictionalized version of the life of American rock Musician known as Chrno Crusade in Japan, Singapore, Germany, France, Australia and Estonia, is an eight volume Dead Like Me is an American television Comedy-drama starring Ellen Muth and Mandy Patinkin as grim reapers in Debbie Does Dallas. Again is a 2007 Vivid Entertainment remake of Debbie Does Dallas featuring Monique Alexander, Savanna Dexter is an American Television drama series based on the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay and adapted for television Elite Xtreme Combat, also known as EliteXC, is a US -based Mixed martial arts (MMA organization and is the second biggest of its kind in the world Family Business (referred to as Porn A Family Business in the UK) was an American Reality TV series produced for the cable Fat Actress is an American Sitcom Television series starring Kirstie Alley. Huff was an American television drama series produced by Sony Pictures Television for Showtime. Inside the NFL is a weekly sports show that focuses on the National Football League. It's Garry Shandling's Show was an American Television show broadcast on Showtime from 1986 to 1990 Jeremiah is an American Television series starring Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner that ran on the Showtime network from 2002 The Leap Years (aka Leap of Love) is a Singapore Film by MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, based on the novella "Leap Of The L Word is a Television Drama series on Showtime that portrays the lives of a group of Lesbian, Bisexual and Masters of Horror is an American Television series created by director Mick Garris for the Showtime cable network Cape Wrath ( Meadowlands in the United States was a British drama Television series produced by Ecosse Films[http Odyssey 5 is a Canadian Science fiction series that first ran in 2002 on Showtime in the United States and on Space For the album by Progressive Metal band Voivod see The Outer Limits (album. Out of Order is an American Television dramedy series created and written by Donna Powers and Wayne Powers Poltergeist The Legacy is a Canadian / American horror Television series which ran from 1996 to 1999 Queer as Folk is an American and Canadian Television series co-production produced by Showtime and Temple Street Productions Queer Duck is an Animated series that originally appeared on Icebox Red Shoe Diaries is an erotic and drama series that aired on the American cable television network Showtime from Resurrection Blvd is an American dramatic series which aired on Showtime for three seasons from 2000 to 2002 Rude Awakening is a TV series created by Claudia Lonow, aired by Showtime on 55 30-min episodes for 3 seasons ( 1998 - 2001) Secret Diary of a Call Girl is a British television Drama starring Billie Piper as Belle, a high-class London-based Call girl Faerie Tale Theatre, fully Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre, is a Live action Children's television series created by Shelley ShoBox The New Generation is a Boxing television program on Showtime. ShoXC is a Mixed martial arts series produced by the Mixed martial arts organization EliteXC, Showtime and Proelite Showtime Championship Boxing is a television boxing program airing on Showtime. Sleeper Cell is a one-hour drama on the Showtime network that began airing on December 4 2005 For the type of cuisine see Soul food. For the film upon which this series was based see Soul Food (film. Steven Banks an American Musician, Comedian, Actor, and Writer of television cartoons The Tale of Sweeney Todd is a 1998 Television movie directed by John Schlesinger. This American Life is an American Television series based on the radio program of the same name. Total Recall 2070 is a short-lived science fiction television series first broadcast in 1999 on the Canadian television channel CHCH-TV and later the same Tracey Ullman's State of the Union is an American Sketch-comedy series starring comedian Tracey Ullman. The Tudors is a historical fiction Television series created and entirely written by British screenwriter Michael Hirst. The United States of Tara is an upcoming dark comedy on the Showtime Network. Rede Globo ( English: Globo Network, better known as TV Globo, Globo TV or simply Globo) is a Brazilian television network ) From 1984 to 1990, it was accompanied by a bold "SHOWTIME" script. The TV screen was dropped in 1986 and the circle was dropped in the early 1990s, and the script took over as the primary logo. The current Showtime logo consisting of the network's name still in all caps with the 'SHO' imprinted on a circle was implemented when the network rebranded itself in 1997. The logo which is slightly similar to Cinemax's current logo introduced the same year, is shown most of the time with just the circle 'SHO' (formerly the network's shortened name within TV Guide listings). TV Guide is the name of a North American weekly magazine about television programming

Following in the footsteps of Starz, the main Showtime networks brand many of its films with transparent logos of each respective network, to the chagrin of many who would rather see clean screenings of movies with no commercial branding whatsoever. Cinemax also brands films and series with logos, which usually only appear for a few minutes before being removed and reappear later on.

Unlike other premium channels, Showtime has recently begun to air banner advertising for its upcoming shows during movies, original content.

Logos

Showtime logo used from 1986 to 1997 (was used in tandem with the TV screen until 1990), also currently used as logo for the unrealted Showtime Australia. Showtime Australia is a three-tier Australian Pay-TV movie service consisting of Showtime Showtime 2 (Showtime

Showtime logo used from 1997 to current. Also currently used as logo for Showtime Scandinavia. Showtime Scandinavia (generally referred to simply as Showtime) is a Television channel broadcasting Action movies to the Nordic countries operated

Movies

After its launch, Showtime signed exclusive first-run agreements with several movie studios. After being acquired by Viacom in 1994, Paramount Pictures began an output deal with Showtime (then also owned by Viacom), effective after 1997, which lasted 10 years. Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. After the old Viacom was split in two corporations, the output deal with Paramount was not renewed after 2007, thus the pay-cable rights will transfer in 2009 to a new premium channel initiated in part by Viacom. Showtime has also agreements with MGM Studios, Lions Gate Films, IFC Films (which it shares broadcasting rights with Starz), ThinkFilm, certain films put out by The Weinstein Company (those that are distributed theatrically in conjunction with MGM Studios), and the newly re-formed United Artists (still a subsidiary of MGM). Lionsgate redirects here For other meanings see Lions' Gate (disambiguation‎. IFC Films is an American film distribution company based in New York, owned by Rainbow Media. Starz (originally "Starz!" it dropped the exclamation point in 2005 is a US Pay TV network which features mainly first-run Motion pictures THINKFilm is a privately held production and distribution company founded in September 2001 that is now a division of David Bergstein’s Capitol Films. The Weinstein Company is an independent American Film studio founded by Harvey and Bob Weinstein in 2005 after the pair left This article is about the film studio Previously it was affiliated with a cinema chain bearing its name now owned by Regal Entertainment Group. In 2008, the channel signed a deal with First Look Pictures to air their films. First Look Studios is an independent American Film studio that specializes in home video releases of films and TV series

On December 11, 2005, Paramount announced that it had purchased DreamWorks SKG in a deal worth $1. 6 billion. It is still unclear when Showtime will add films from the studio onto its viewing schedule, as films being put out by the studio are still part of the studio's output deal with HBO.

Though not owning the broadcasting rights to show first-run movies from 20th Century Fox, Showtime has been able to show independent films the studio owns the home video rights to, even if they didn't release them theatrically. Most notably being Mel Gibson's controversial 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ. Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson, AO (born January 3 1956 The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 film co-written co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson. Others include Party Monster, Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior, Woman Thou Art Loosed and Donnie Darko. Party Monster is a 2003 drama / dark comedy that details the rise and fall of infamous New York Party promoter Ong-Bak Muay Thai Warrior (องค์บาก oŋbaːk also known in the United States as Ong-Bak The Thai Warrior is a 2003 Donnie Darko is a 2001 cult classic Psychological thriller Film written and directed by Richard Kelly, and starring

As of 2006, Showtime has a partial deal with Rogue Pictures, allowing them to broadcast particular films put out by the studio (especially those originally produced for video), including Carlito's Way: Rise to Power and Dave Chappelle's Block Party. Rogue Pictures is a division of Universal Pictures, which is a division of NBC Universal. Carlito's Way Rise to Power is a 2005 Direct-to-video Prequel to Brian DePalma 's 1993 Film Carlito's Dave Chappelle's Block Party (aka Block Party) is a Documentary film hosted and written by Comedian Dave Chappelle, and

Showtime also plays a lot of classic movies from United Artists, Columbia Pictures, and some early/mid 90's movies from Miramax Films and Warner Bros. (usually ones that are, at least, 13 years old from their initial theatrical exhibition). This article is about the film studio Previously it was affiliated with a cinema chain bearing its name now owned by Regal Entertainment Group. }} Columbia Pictures Industries Inc is an American Film production and distribution company Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and

Usually films which Showtime has pay-cable rights will also run on The Movie Channel during its time of license.

Even though Showtime doesn't have an output deal with certain titles from Universal Pictures, a number of films from Universal are played on Sundance Channel since the channel is a joint venture of Showtime, Universal, and The Sundance Institute.

The future of the channel was put into question when it was announced that three of its major suppliers of films Paramount Pictures, MGM, and Lionsgate, as well as their respected subsidiaries (Paramount Vantage and United Artists), would be teaming up together to form a new premium movie channel, set to launch in September 2009. Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. Lionsgate redirects here For other meanings see Lions' Gate (disambiguation‎. Paramount Vantage (originally known as Paramount Classics) is the specialty film division of Paramount Pictures (which in turn is part of Viacom) charged This article is about the film studio Previously it was affiliated with a cinema chain bearing its name now owned by Regal Entertainment Group. This is primary due to the company split-up of parent company Viacom into two separate entities, Viacom and CBS, the latter owning Showtime. Viacom ( ( short for " Vi deo & A udio Com munications" is an American Media conglomerate with various worldwide interests CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. Paramount Pictures' contract with the channel expired January 2008. This includes such films as Cloverfield and Iron Man being available to the new channel upon its initial run. Cloverfield is a 2008 monster / Horror film directed by Matt Reeves, produced by J Iron Man is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. MGM and Lionsgate's contracts expire at the end of 2008. [1]. It is unclear whether of not this deal will include films from DreamWorks Pictures, given that it was purchased by Paramount Pictures and their feature films are distributed theatrically by Paramount. DreamWorks LLC, also known as DreamWorks Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, or DreamWorks Studios, is a major American Film studio

Showtime Around the World

Main article: Showtime Around the World

Showtime has two main pay TV networks that operate using its name; Showtime Australia and Showtime Arabia. Australia See also Showtime Australia Showtime Australia is a group of movie channels in Australia that began broadcasting in 1995 Showtime Australia is a three-tier Australian Pay-TV movie service consisting of Showtime Showtime 2 (Showtime Showtime Arabia, as it's called to distinguish itself from its U It also has several channels that is licenced to use its name; Showtime Scandinavia (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden), Showtime Extreme (Spain), and others. Showtime Scandinavia (generally referred to simply as Showtime) is a Television channel broadcasting Action movies to the Nordic countries operated The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Showtime is a subscription television Brand used by a number of channels and platforms around the world but primarily refers to a group of channels in the United Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

See also

External links

Showtime Networks Inc (SNI is the corporate division of Media conglomerate CBS Corporation.

Dictionary

showtime

-noun

  1. The time at which a pre-scheduled entertainment-related event (a show) is set to begin.

-interjection

  1. A declaration that something is about to happen, particularly that the person speaking is about to act.
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