Showtime Networks, Inc. (SNI) is the
corporateA corporation is a legal entity separate from the shareholders and employees. In British tradition it is the term designating a body corporate, where it can be either a corporation sole or a corporation aggregate...
division of
media conglomerateA media conglomerate describes companies that own large numbers of companies in various mass media such as television, radio, publishing, movies, and the Internet....
CBS CorporationCBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on 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 majority...
.
The company was established in 1983 as
Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. after Viacom and
Warner-Amex Satellite EntertainmentWarner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company was a joint venture owned and operated by Warner Communications and American Express that developed and worked on interactive television systems in the late 1970s and initiated several successful cable networks...
(now
MTV NetworksMTV Networks is a division of media conglomerates Viacom and CBS Corporation that oversees the operations of many television channels and Internet brands, including the original MTV channel in the United States....
) merged their premium channels,
ShowtimeShowtime 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...
and
The Movie ChannelThe Movie Channel is an American premium channel owned by Showtime Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of CBS Corporation, which shows mostly movies, as well as special behind the scenes features, softcore adult erotica and movie trivia.-Channels:The Movie Channel operates two multiplex channels, The...
respectively, into one division. In 1984,
American ExpressAmerican Express Company , sometimes known as "AmEx", is a diversified global financial services company that is headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best known for its credit card, charge card, and...
sold their interest in Warner-Amex to Warner Communications (now
Time WarnerTime Warner Inc. is the world's largest entertainment conglomerate , as well as the world's fourth largest media conglomerate, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City...
) making Warner the new half-owner of Showtime/TMC.
Showtime Networks, Inc. (SNI) is the
corporateA corporation is a legal entity separate from the shareholders and employees. In British tradition it is the term designating a body corporate, where it can be either a corporation sole or a corporation aggregate...
division of
media conglomerateA media conglomerate describes companies that own large numbers of companies in various mass media such as television, radio, publishing, movies, and the Internet....
CBS CorporationCBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on 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 majority...
.
The company was established in 1983 as
Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. after Viacom and
Warner-Amex Satellite EntertainmentWarner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company was a joint venture owned and operated by Warner Communications and American Express that developed and worked on interactive television systems in the late 1970s and initiated several successful cable networks...
(now
MTV NetworksMTV Networks is a division of media conglomerates Viacom and CBS Corporation that oversees the operations of many television channels and Internet brands, including the original MTV channel in the United States....
) merged their premium channels,
ShowtimeShowtime 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...
and
The Movie ChannelThe Movie Channel is an American premium channel owned by Showtime Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of CBS Corporation, which shows mostly movies, as well as special behind the scenes features, softcore adult erotica and movie trivia.-Channels:The Movie Channel operates two multiplex channels, The...
respectively, into one division. In 1984,
American ExpressAmerican Express Company , sometimes known as "AmEx", is a diversified global financial services company that is headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best known for its credit card, charge card, and...
sold their interest in Warner-Amex to Warner Communications (now
Time WarnerTime Warner Inc. is the world's largest entertainment conglomerate , as well as the world's fourth largest media conglomerate, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City...
) making Warner the new half-owner of Showtime/TMC. In 1985, Warner sold its half-interest to Viacom, making the company wholly owned division of Viacom. In 1988, the company was renamed
Showtime Networks, Inc.
SNI along with
CBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is an American television network, one of television's original "big three", which also include NBC and ABC. Like NBC, CBS started out as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System...
,
The CW Television NetworkThe CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
(formerly
UPNUnited Paramount Network was a television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States, being in production for over eleven years. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries. It was later owned by CBS Corporation. Its first night of broadcasting was...
),
Viacom Outdooris the outdoor advertising division of media conglomerate CBS Corporation. It operates around the globe, in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, Mexico, France, Ireland, Finland, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom led by CEO Wally Kelly...
,
Spelling TelevisionFounded by the late television producer Aaron Spelling in 1969, Spelling Television, Inc. was a television production company that produced popular shows such as Charmed, Beverly Hills 90210, 7th Heaven, Dynasty and Melrose Place.In 1988, Aaron Spelling Productions acquired Laurel...
, CBS Television Studios (formerly CBS Productions, Paramount Television and CBS Paramount Television),
CBS Television DistributionCBS Television Distribution is a global television distribution company, a merger of CBS Corporation's three television distribution arms CBS Paramount Domestic Television, CBS Paramount International Television, and King World Productions including its home entertainment arm CBS Home Entertainment...
(formerly Paramount Domestic Television, CBS Paramount Domestic Television and King World), CBS Studios International (formerly CBS Paramount International Television), Simon and Schuster and other entities became part of CBS Corporation when CBS officially split from Viacom in December 2005. SNI managed the CBS,
Robert RedfordCharles Robert Redford Jr. , better known as Robert Redford, is an American film director, actor, producer, businessman, model, environmentalist, philanthropist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival...
and
NBC UniversalNBC Universal, Inc. is a media and entertainment company formed in May 2004 by the combination of General Electric's NBC with Vivendi Universal Entertainment, part of the French Media Group. The deal excluded the French Canal+ operations, which were retained by Vivendi. GE owns 80% of NBC Universal...
joint venture Sundance Channel until 2008, when it was sold to Cablevision's
Rainbow MediaRainbow Media Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Cablevision, is an entertainment company in the United States that owns the cable channels AMC, IFC, WE tv, Voom HD Networks, News 12, and several others...
.
Showtime Networks oversees the operation of the following TV network brands:
- Showtime
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...
- Showtime 2 (formerly SHOTOO)
- Showcase (formerly Showtime 3)
- Showtime Extreme
- Showtime Beyond
- Showtime Next
- Showtime Family Zone
- Showtime Women
- The Movie Channel
The Movie Channel is an American premium channel owned by Showtime Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of CBS Corporation, which shows mostly movies, as well as special behind the scenes features, softcore adult erotica and movie trivia.-Channels:The Movie Channel operates two multiplex channels, The...
- Flix
Flix is a premium television network and is owned by Showtime Networks who also run Showtime and The Movie Channel.-Background:The channel launched in 1992. Flix features movies from the 1960s to the 1980s. The channel's tagline is "Movies You Grew Up With". Starting in 2007, Flix began to show...
- Smithsonian Networks
Smithsonian Networks is a joint venture between Showtime Networks and the Smithsonian Institution. The service consists of Smithsonian Channel HD, Smithsonian On Demand, and ....
- Showtime Women, Showtime Family Zone and Showtime Next are digital cable services of Showtime and are not available on DirecTV
DirecTV is a direct broadcast satellite service based in El Segundo, California, which transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States. Its primary competitors are Dish Network and cable providers. DirecTV currently has 18 million subscribers...
and Dish NetworkDish Network Corporation is a direct broadcast satellite service provider that offers satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services to households and businesses in the United States. Dish Network services were launched in March 1996. Today, the company competes...
.
- Flix is only available to DirecTV and other satellite systems. Flix was formerly carried on cable systems (as a premium service) in the early and mid 1990s. Flix is now considered a specialty premium service to satellite customers who subscribe to Showtime Unlimited. There are still cable providers that do carry Flix as a premium service with Showtime.
In 2008, Showtime Networks was honored at the 59th Annual
Technology & Engineering Emmy AwardA Technology and Engineering Emmy Award is given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in technical or engineering development...
s for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for Best Use of Commercial Advertising on Personal Computer for the companion website to the series
The L WordThe L Word is an American and Canadian co-production television drama series originally shown on Showtime portraying the lives of a group of lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their friends, family and lovers in the trendy Los Angeles-area city of West Hollywood, California...
.
Unprecedented Campaign
In one of the largest content distribution campaigns ever done to launch a new original series, Showtime Networks Inc. announced on 1/12/09 that the premiere episode of United States of Tara is now available on more than a hundred multi-platforms, which translates into a reach of 170 million users - as part of the network's launch campaign to promote the series premiere on SHOWTIME this Sunday, January 18th starting at 9pm ET/PT.
As an added bonus, Showtime Networks is making available the season premiere episodes of
The L WordThe L Word is an American and Canadian co-production television drama series originally shown on Showtime portraying the lives of a group of lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their friends, family and lovers in the trendy Los Angeles-area city of West Hollywood, California...
as it starts its final season and
Secret Diary of A Call GirlSecret Diary of a Call Girl is a British television drama broadcast on ITV2 based on the blog and books by the pseudonymous "Belle de Jour," starring Billie Piper as "Belle", a high-class London-based call girl. The series was written by Lucy Prebble, who is also known as the author of The Sugar...
to all the participating platforms day and date with their January 18, 2009 premiere.
All three programs will be available online on the major entertainment, social networking and blogging destinations, including cable, telco and satellite affiliate broadband portals, on mobile phones, and on Free On Demand platforms. Example of these partners include: the largest entertainment portals such as
TV.comTV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The service was launched on June 1, 2005 and replaced the popular TV Tome website.- Format :...
, Yahoo,
YouTubeYouTube is a video sharing website on which users can upload and share videos. Three former PayPal employees created YouTube in February 2005. In November 2006, YouTube, LLC was bought by Google Inc. for $1.65 billion, and is now operated as a subsidiary of Google...
,
MSNMSN, formerly The Microsoft Network, is a collection of Internet sites and services provided by Microsoft. The Microsoft Network debuted as an online service and Internet service provider on August 24, 1995, to coincide with the release of the Windows 95 operating system.The range of services...
,
FancastFancast is a website where people may watch full-length network television shows, feature films, trailers and clips, as well as in-depth news and editorial content surrounding entertainment...
,
VeohVeoh is a San Diego, California-based company which runs an Internet Television service allowing users to find and watch major studio content, independent productions and user-generated material....
,
EW.comEntertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books and popular culture. Unlike celebrity-focused publications US Weekly, People, and In Touch Weekly, EWs primary concentration is on entertainment...
, Blockbuster.com,
CinemaNowCinemaNow is an Internet-based digital video distribution company founded in 1999.The CinemaNow library contains approximately 14,000 feature-length films, shorts, music concerts and television programs from more than 250 licensors, including 20th Century Fox, ABC News, Disney, Endemol, MGM,...
,
TVGuide.comTV Guide is a North American weekly magazine about television programming.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews. Some issues have also featured horoscope listings and crossword puzzles.-Annenberg/Triangle era: The...
and
NetflixNetflix is an online DVD and Blu-ray Disc rental service, offering flat rate rental-by-mail and online streaming to customers in the United States. Established in 1997 and headquartered in Los Gatos, California, it has amassed a collection of 100,000 titles and approximately 10 million subscribers...
as well as additional sites via the CBS Audience Network; social networking sites such as
FacebookFacebook is a global social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. Users can add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. Additionally, users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and...
and
BeboBebo, an acronym for "Blog early, blog often", is a social networking website, founded in January 2005. It can be used in many countries including Ireland, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. A Polish version was launched recently, which uses a different user...
; and top entertainment blogs such as BestWeekEver.com, Gawker, Pink Is The New Blog and PopBytes. The episodes will also be available on mobile phones through
MobiTVMobiTV, Inc. is a global television and digital radio service provider for mobile phone users. The MobiTV service is available in the US through Sprint, AT&T Mobility, Alltel and several regional carriers; and in Canada through Bell Canada, Rogers and TELUS Mobility...
,
JoostJoost is an Internet TV service, created by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis . During 2007-8 Joost used peer-to-peer TV technology to distribute content to their Mozilla-based desktop player; in late 2008 this was migrated to use a Flash-based Web player instead.Joost began development in 2006...
's iPhone App, and on CBS Mobile on Verizon's V-Cast Mobile TV and
AT&T Mobile TV via MediaFLOAT&T Inc. is the largest provider of local, long distance telephone services in the United States, and also serves digital subscriber line Internet access. AT&T is the second largest provider of wireless service in the United States, with over 77 million wireless customers, and more than 150...
; and via podcast from
iTunesiTunes is a proprietary digital media player application, used for playing and organizing digital music and video files. The program is also an interface to manage the contents on Apple's popular iPod digital media players as well as the iPhone...
and
ZuneZune is a digital audio player produced by Microsoft. The line also includes Zune software and the Zune Marketplace services sold by Microsoft, which provide online music, video, and podcast downloads. Zune's primary competitor is the Apple iTunes/iPod product line. Zune players come in two...
. In addition, the first episode of United States of Tara will be available online in HD on SHO.com and TV.com.
There are 24 different cable, telco and satellite providers participating in the campaign, beginning with the first episode of United States of Tara on broadband and Free On Demand 10 days before its premiere. Among them:
AT&TAT&T Inc. is the largest provider of local, long distance telephone services in the United States, and also serves digital subscriber line Internet access. AT&T is the second largest provider of wireless service in the United States, with over 77 million wireless customers, and more than 150...
,
CharterA charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
,
ComcastComcast Corporation , founded in 1963, is the largest cable operator in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers. Comcast is headquartered in the One Comcast Center in Center City, Philadelphia,...
,
CoxCox may refer to:* Coxswain** Coxswain * Cox model engines, made by L.M. Cox Manufacturing Inc. and later Cox HobbiesPlaces:* Cox, Alicante, a municipality in Spain* Cox, Florida, United States, a town...
,
InsightInsight can be used with several related meanings:*a piece of information*the act or result of apprehending the inner nature of things or of seeing intuitively in Greek called noesis*an introspection...
,
MediacomMediacom Communications is a cable television and communications provider in the United States.Founded as an analog network in 1995, Mediacom is the 8th largest cable company in the United States by number of basic video subscribers. The company employs over 4,500 people and provides cable access...
,
NCTCNCTC can refer to:*National Cable Television Cooperative*National Counterterrorism Center*National Conservation Training Center*New Conservatory Theatre Center in San Francisco, California*NewVa Corridor Technology Council in Southwestern Virginia...
affiliates,
RCNRCN may refer to:* RCN Corporation, a cable television, telephone, and Internet service provider in the United States* RCN Radio, a radio network in Colombia* RCN TV, a private television network in Colombia...
,
Time WarnerTime Warner Inc. is the world's largest entertainment conglomerate , as well as the world's fourth largest media conglomerate, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City...
, Verizon and
DirecTVDirecTV is a direct broadcast satellite service based in El Segundo, California, which transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States. Its primary competitors are Dish Network and cable providers. DirecTV currently has 18 million subscribers...
. DirecTV will also air the episode on its linear channel The 101. In addition, the episode can be seen in HD on Free On Demand as well as on The 101. Source:
http://www.Variety.com