Showtime Ups HD Programming

[Gregg Lengling]

New York, NY--Showtime Networks has substantially increased the amount of programming available on SHO HDTV in high definition. Since the launch of the channel in 2000, the network has steadily increased its HDTV programming. 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.

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 reach 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.

Showtime Networks
//www.sho.com