Showtime Arabia
Encyclopedia
Showtime Arabia, as it was called to distinguish itself from its U.S. counterpart (Showtime), was a subscription television
service in the Middle East
and North Africa
. It was a joint venture between KIPCO
(79% stake) and CBS Corporation
(21% stake), CBS Corp being a minor partner. The company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands
and had its headquarters at Dubai Media City
in Dubai
, United Arab Emirates
.
Showtime Arabia was one of the pay TV
networks in the Middle East
and North Africa
. It had the exclusive rights to broadcast the Barclays Premier League in the Middle East and North Africa. On 12 July 2009 the company announced a merger with Orbit Communications Company into Orbit Showtime
.
in the United Arab Emirates
and its uplink
teleport station is Samacom, the monopoly uplink provider in the UAE. Showtime Arabia used Irdeto Access Conditional Access technology, to encrypt its DTH channels over satellite and the OpenTV
interactive platform that runs on primarily UEC set-top boxes.
and North Africa
.
The newly-formed company is an equal partnership that will offer 70 exclusive channels featuring new movies, sports, series
, Arabic
content and international
shows.
New customers can subscribe to packages featuring Showtime Arabia's and Orbit Communications Company's programs, while existing subscribers will be able to either retain or upgrade their content. The company will offer HD
channels, video on demand
and other interactive
services.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
service in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. It was a joint venture between KIPCO
KIPCO
Kuwait Projects Company , popularly known as KIPCO, is one of the premier investment holding companies in the Middle East and North Africa region. KIPCO has substantial ownership interests in a diversified portfolio of companies in Europe, the Middle East, and the USA...
(79% stake) and CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on commercial broadcasting, publishing, billboards and television production, with most of its operations in the United States. The President and CEO of the company is Leslie Moonves. Sumner Redstone, owner of National Amusements, is CBS's...
(21% stake), CBS Corp being a minor partner. The company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union located in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica...
and had its headquarters at Dubai Media City
Dubai Media City
Dubai Media City , part of Dubai Holding, is a tax-free zone within Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has been built by the Dubai government to boost UAE's media foothold, and has become a regional hub for media organizations including news agencies, publishing, online media, advertising, production,...
in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
.
Showtime Arabia was one of the pay TV
Pay TV
Pay television, premium television, or premium channels refers to subscription-based television services, usually provided by both analog and digital cable and satellite, but also increasingly via digital terrestrial and internet television...
networks in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. It had the exclusive rights to broadcast the Barclays Premier League in the Middle East and North Africa. On 12 July 2009 the company announced a merger with Orbit Communications Company into Orbit Showtime
Orbit Showtime
Orbit Showtime Network, now officially branded as OSN, is a subscription television service in the Middle East and North Africa. The platform is owned by Panther Media Group, and the company is registered in DIFC. OSN is a joint venture between the Kuwait-based KIPCO and Saudi Arabia-based Mawarid...
.
Technical
When SHOWTIME launched, it some of its channels were TMC, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, TV Land, Paramount, Style, Discovery and Hallmark. Gulf DTH F.Z. L.L.C. was the operating company behind the digital pay TV broadcaster, Showtime Arabia. Its broadcast facilities were based at Dubai Media CityDubai Media City
Dubai Media City , part of Dubai Holding, is a tax-free zone within Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has been built by the Dubai government to boost UAE's media foothold, and has become a regional hub for media organizations including news agencies, publishing, online media, advertising, production,...
in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
and its uplink
Uplink
A telecommunications link is generally one of several types of information transmission paths such as those provided by communication satellites to connect two points on earth.-Uplink:...
teleport station is Samacom, the monopoly uplink provider in the UAE. Showtime Arabia used Irdeto Access Conditional Access technology, to encrypt its DTH channels over satellite and the OpenTV
OpenTV
OpenTV is an interactive television company founded in 1994. Its main business involves the sale of set-top-box operating systems and software. On March 28, 2010 OpenTV became a fully owned subsidiary of the NAGRA Kudelski Group and officially delisted from the NASDAQ, where it was previously...
interactive platform that runs on primarily UEC set-top boxes.
Showtime Arabia Channel lineup
| Category | Channel(s) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotional Channel | ShowToday | |||
| Documentary Channels | Animal Planet Animal Planet Animal Planet is an American cable tv specialty channel that launched on October 1, 1996. It is distributed by Discovery Communications. A high-definition simulcast of the channel launched on September 1, 2007.-History:... |
Discovery Science Discovery Science Europe/ME Discovery Science Europe/ME is a television channel targeting the European countries and the Arab World, focusing on programmes relating science and technology. It is broadcast from Discovery Networks Europe in the United Kingdom using a broadcasting license from Ofcom.It is available from numerous... |
Discovery World Discovery World (TV channel) Discovery World is a European television network known as Discovery Civilisation from 1999 - 2008. Discovery World offers an experience of the very best factual programming from around the globe. Discovery World showcases a rich and colourful selection of high quality factual programmes from around... |
Nat Geo Wild |
| Nat Geo Adventure | ||||
| General Entertainment Channels | ShowComedy | ShowComedy Extra | ShowSeries | ShowSeries Extra |
| ShowShasha | BBC Lifestyle BBC Lifestyle BBC Lifestyle is an international television channel. The channel provides six key programming strands: Food, Home & Design, Fashion & Style, Health, Parenting, and Personal Development.-Launch dates:... |
BBC Prime BBC Prime BBC Prime was the BBC's general entertainment TV channel in Europe and the Middle East from 30 January 1995 until 11 November 2009, when it was replaced by BBC Entertainment.-Launch:... |
Super Comedy | |
| America Plus | E! E! E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of... |
MBC+ Drama MBC+ Drama MBC+ Drama is joint venture between OSN - Orbit Showtime Network and MBC Group. It is a relatively new, 24-hour Arabic channel that offers a range of Arabic drama and Turkish series "First on TV" to Orbit Showtime subscribers starting February 1, 2009.... |
Style Network Style Network The Style Network is an American cable television network based in Los Angeles.Owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of General Electric and Comcast, its sister channels include E! Entertainment Television, USA Network, Syfy, G4, Golf Channel, and Versus, among others.-Network Overview:Style's... |
|
| Fashion TV Fashion TV Fashion TV is an international fashion and lifestyle broadcasting television channel. It was founded in France in 1997 by its Polish-born president Michel Adam Lisowski, Fashion TV is the only 24/7 international TV network exclusively dedicated to fashion, beauty, glamour and style and has become... |
Travel Channel Travel Channel (UK) Travel Channel is a British satellite television channel, transmitting 24 hours a day in 19 languages across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific... |
|||
| Kids Channels | Boomerang Boomerang (TV channel) Boomerang is a 24-hour American cable television channel owned by Turner Broadcasting System, a division of Time Warner. Boomerang specializes in reruns of animated programming from Time Warner's extensive archives, including pre-1986 MGM, Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Network, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises... |
Cartoon Network Cartoon Network Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States.... |
Disney Channel Middle East Disney Channel Middle East Disney Channel Middle East is an edition of the The Walt Disney Company-owned Disney Channel broadcasting to the Middle East, North Africa as well as Pakistan and Maldives with exceptions of Iraq, Libya, and Syria... |
ShowKids (KidsCo KidsCo KidsCo is an international children's entertainment brand founded by Canadian broadcaster Corus Entertainment's Nelvana Enterprises, American-based producer DIC Entertainment, and European broadcaster Sparrowhawk Media Group in April 2007. By the end of 2007, Sparrowhawk was purchased by media... ) |
| JimJam JimJam JimJam is a television children channel which was launched in 2006 in Italy on SKY Italia. In September 2007 was acquired as part of a joint venture partnership between Chellomedia and HIT Entertainment.... (04 - 16 UTC) |
||||
| Movie Channels | ShowMovies 1 | ShowMovies 2 | Super Movies | ShowMovies Action |
| ShowMovies Comedy | ShowMovies Kids | Hallmark Channel Hallmark Channel The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family... |
Turner Classic Movies Turner Classic Movies Turner Classic Movies is a movie-oriented cable television channel, owned by the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary of Time Warner, featuring commercial-free classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and MGM, United Artists, RKO and Warner Bros. film libraries... |
|
| Music Channels | MTV Music MTV MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs.... |
VH1 VH1 VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly... |
||
| News Channels | Bloomberg Television Bloomberg Television Bloomberg Television is a 24-hour global network broadcasting business and financial news. It is distributed globally, reaching over 200 million homes worldwide. It is owned and operated by Bloomberg L.P... |
CNN International CNN International CNN International is an international English language television network that carries news, current affairs, politics, opinions, and business programming worldwide. CNN is one of the world's largest news organizations. It is owned by Time Warner, and is affiliated with CNN, which is mainly... |
CNBC Europe CNBC Europe CNBC Europe is a business and financial news television channel, the pan-European sister station of CNBC. The network is owned and operated by NBC Universal and headquartered in London, where it shares the Adrian Smith-designed 10 Fleet Place building with Dow Jones... |
Sky News Sky News Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New... |
| Pay-Per-View Channels | ShowCinema TVMAX 1 | ShowCinema TVMAX 2 | ShowCinema TVMAX 3 | |
| Sports Channels | ShowSports 1 ShowSports ShowSports is part of the Orbit Showtime Network. ShowSport 1 HD, 2, 3, 4 and Extreme Sports Channel are available on many Orbit Showtime Network packages. They began showing from the first of April 2007.-ShowSports 1 HD:... |
ShowSports 2 ShowSports ShowSports is part of the Orbit Showtime Network. ShowSport 1 HD, 2, 3, 4 and Extreme Sports Channel are available on many Orbit Showtime Network packages. They began showing from the first of April 2007.-ShowSports 1 HD:... |
ShowSports 3 ShowSports ShowSports is part of the Orbit Showtime Network. ShowSport 1 HD, 2, 3, 4 and Extreme Sports Channel are available on many Orbit Showtime Network packages. They began showing from the first of April 2007.-ShowSports 1 HD:... |
ShowSports 4 ShowSports ShowSports is part of the Orbit Showtime Network. ShowSport 1 HD, 2, 3, 4 and Extreme Sports Channel are available on many Orbit Showtime Network packages. They began showing from the first of April 2007.-ShowSports 1 HD:... |
| Extreme Sports Channel Extreme Sports Channel The Extreme Sports Channel is a Netherlands-based extreme sports television channel available across Europe and the Middle East. Al Gosling had the idea for the channel in 1998.-History:... |
||||
| High Definition | SHOWTIME HD | |||
- * 43 Channels** + 1 Promotional Channel
- ** 12 General Entertainment Channels – 7 Movie Channels – 5 Sports Channels – 5 Documentary Channels – 5 Kids Channels – 4 Pay-Per-View Channels – 3 Music Channels – 3 News Channels
Orbit Communications Company Merger
On July 12, 2009 Showtime Arabia and Orbit Communications Company announced a merger that will create the “biggest Pay-TV platform” in the Middle EastMiddle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
.
The newly-formed company is an equal partnership that will offer 70 exclusive channels featuring new movies, sports, series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
, Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
content and international
International
----International mostly means something that involves more than one country. The term international as a word means involvement of, interaction between or encompassing more than one nation, or generally beyond national boundaries...
shows.
New customers can subscribe to packages featuring Showtime Arabia's and Orbit Communications Company's programs, while existing subscribers will be able to either retain or upgrade their content. The company will offer HD
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
channels, video on demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
and other interactive
Interactive television
Interactive television describes a number of techniques that allow viewers to interact with television content as they view it.- Definitions :...
services.
See also
- Showtime around the worldShowtime around the worldShowtime, originally established as a cable television brand in the United States, has expanded worldwide.-Australia:Showtime Australia is a group of movie channels in Australia that began broadcasting in 1995. They show a limited number of television shows or series, as well as the occasional...
- Orbit Satellite Television and Radio NetworkOrbit Satellite Television and Radio NetworkOrbit Communications Company was a privately owned Pay TV network, operating in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Owned by Saudi Arabia-based Mawarid Holding , it was the first fully digital, multi-channel, multi-lingual, pay television service in the Middle East and North Africa...
- Arab Radio and Television NetworkArab Radio and Television NetworkArab Radio and Television Network is an Arabic-language television network characterized by its multitude of channels. It is based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company was founded in October 1993 by Saleh Abdullah Kamel, a Saudi businessman...
- NilesatNilesatNilesat is an Egyptian company, and the name of a series of Egyptian communications satellites. It was established in 1996 with the purpose of operating Egyptian satellites and their associated ground control station and uplinking facilities...
- List of direct broadcast satellite providers
- List of digital television deployments by country
External links
- Orbit Showtime Network's homepage
- Packages of Orbit Showtime Network
- Viacom's homepage
- Dubai Media City
- NileSat Satellite