Showtime Networks Anticipates HDTV Demand With Compelling Programming

[Gregg Lengling]

Showtime Networks has substantially increased the amount of programming available on SHO HDTV.


 
Showtime has steadily increased its HDTV programming since its launch of SHO HDTV in 2000. For the year to date through May, over 75 percent of primetime content is available in high-resolution widescreen format, of which 55 percent originates in HD. Furthermore, Dolby® Digital 5.1 is featured with 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 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 27 at 10pm; "Free For All," which premieres July 11 at 11 pm; and the limited series "Out Of Order," which premiered June 2. The series and films will be broadcast in 1080i.

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 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 in conjunction with HDTV in 2000, and currently broadcasts this on all of its 32 channels.

For more information about Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), visit //www.SHO.com.