Showtime Networks Anticipates HDTV Demand With Compelling Programming

[Gregg Lengling]

NEW YORK, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Showtime Networks recognizes that
high-definition programming has the potential to be as revolutionary as the
introduction of color TV.  As a result, the company has substantially
increased the amount of programming available on SHO HDTV in this
ground-breaking format.
    Showtime has steadily increased its HDTV programming since its launch of
SHO HDTV in 2000.  For the year-to-date through May, over 75% of primetime
content is available in high resolution widescreen format of which 55%
originates in HD.  Furthermore, Dolby Digital 5.1 enhances virtually all high
resolution widescreen content on SHO HDTV.
    "As a leader in innovative broadcast technology, the company has taken a
proactive stance on HDTV," stated Mark Greenberg, Showtime Executive Vice
President of Corporate Strategy and Communications.  "Currently five percent
of U.S. homes are receiving HDTV signals, but that number is going to grow
significantly.  We feel the company is right on target and we want to be there
when HDTV programming becomes mainstream."
    The Yankee Group, an independent research company, expects significant
growth HDTV in the near future with over 40 million homes expected to be
receiving HDTV signals by 2007.  Increasing consumer adoption is already
evident in HDTV-ready set and display sales.  The Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA) reported that sales of digital TV (DTV) sets and displays
(the majority of which are HDTV-ready) exceeded forecasts for 2002, with
shipments totaling approximately 2.5 million units.  The CEA predicts that
nearly four million additional units will be sold in 2003, and that the total
consumer investment on DTVs since they became available will reaching over
$15 billion.
    Showtime Networks has already committed to airing seven of its original
series and many of its original movies in HDTV.  The series will include
returning hits such as QUEER AS FOLK, THE CHRIS ISAAK SHOW and JEREMIAH, as
well as newly announced additions to the line-up, THE L WORD, DEAD LIKE ME,
which premieres June 27th at 10 p.m.; FREE FOR ALL, which premieres July 11th
at 11 p.m. and the limited series OUT OF ORDER, which premiered June 2nd at
10 p.m.  The series and films will be broadcast in 1080i, a resolution
six times the quality of traditional television.
    SHOWTIME Original Pictures airing in HDTV for June and July include OUR
TOWN, SOLDIER'S GIRL, THE INCREDIBLE MRS. RITCHIE and JASPER, TEXAS.  Other
original movies airing in HDTV in 2003 include STEALING SINATRA, THE MALDONADO
MIRACLE, COAST TO COAST and SPINNING BORIS.  SHO HDTV is available to over
36 million multichannel video households via Charter, Comcast, Cox, DIRECTV,
Dish Network, and Time Warner Cable.
    Theatricals airing in HDTV for June and July include "American Psycho 2,"
"Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," "Legally Blonde," "Vanilla Sky," "We Were
Soldiers," "Clockstoppers," "Changing Lanes," "Rollerball" and "No Man's Land"
among others.
    Showtime Networks was the first premium television network to launch a
series fully produced in high definition in 2002.  The company was also the
first network to launch Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound in conjunction with
HDTV in 2000, and currently broadcasts this distinct audio enhancement on all
of its 32 channels.  In addition, the company has also made strides in other
multimedia arenas and is currently the only U.S. television network doing
program synchronous Interactive Television (ITV) on all SHOWTIME programming,
on all leading platforms.
    Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom
Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM)
and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME(R) TOO(TM),
SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME
NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE(R) and TMC xtra.  SNI also
offers SHOWTIME HDTV(R), SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON
DEMAND(TM).  SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE
CHANNEL(R), which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios.  All
SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1.  SNI markets and
distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a
pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME(R) PPV.  Additionally, the
advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME(R) is available in
Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported
television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture
with UK-based Zone Vision.


      
SOURCE Showtime Networks Inc.
Web Site: http://www.sho.com