{{Short description|American pay television network}}{{Use American English|date=January 2024}}{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}

style="color:white;“! style="background:darkRed;“| Channel! style="background:darkRed;“| Description and programming

factoids

name

Showtime/Paramount+ with Showtime| logo = Showtime-Logo.svg| logo_caption = Showtime logo used since 1997

Pay television>Pay television network

Paramount Media Networks (ownership)
Paramount Streaming (operations)

{edih}| parent = Showtime Networks

480i (Standard-definition television>SDTV)1080i (HDTV)| former_names = Showtime (main channel only, 1976â€“2024; still used as a program marketing and production imprint, and for multiplex channel branding)| country = United States

English
Spanish (as SAP option; select films may be subtitled in English from their native language)

{edih}| area = Nationwide

Chris McCarthy (President and CEO, Media Networks)
Michael Crotty (EVP/CFO, Showtime Networks)
Tom Christie (COO, Showtime Networks)
Gary S. Levine (Co-President, Entertainment)
Jana Winograde (Co-President, Entertainment)

}}

New York City>New York City, New York

title=Paramount television properties|

{edih}

title=Paramount+ with Showtime/Showtime timeshift channels|

Paramount+ with Showtime (East / West)
Showtime 2 (East / West)
Showcase (East / West)
SHOÃ—BET (East / West)
Showtime Extreme (East / West)
Showtime Family Zone (East / West)
Showtime Next (East / West)
Showtime Women (East / West)

{edih}

paramountpluswithshowtime.com|paramountpluswithshowtime.com}}}}Showtime, also known as Paramount+ with Showtime (with “Showtime” being the former name of its main channel from 1976 to 2024, but still used for certain marketing and channel branding contexts), is an American premium television network and the flagship property of Showtime Networks, a sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Paramount+ with Showtime’s programming includes original television series produced exclusively for the linear network and developed for the co-owned Paramount+ streaming service, theatrically released and independent motion pictures, documentaries, and occasional stand-up comedy specials, made-for-TV movies and softcore adult programming.{{Citation needed|reason= I think the reference to softcore pornography is inappropriate here considering viewers nor Showtime would consider their content as such|date=March 2024}}Headquartered at Paramount Plaza in the northern part of New York City’s Broadway district, Paramount+ with Showtime operates eight 24-hour, linear multiplex channels and a traditional subscription video on demand service; the channel’s programming catalog and livestreams of its primary linear East and West Coast feeds are also available via an ad-free subscription tier of Paramount+ of the same name, which is also sold a la carte through Apple TV Channels, Prime Video Channels, The Roku Channel and YouTube Primetime Channels. (Subscribers of Paramount+’s Prime Video add-on also receive access to the East Coast feeds of Paramount+ with Showtime’s seven multiplex channels.)NEWS, Apple unveils streaming TV services,www.cnbc.com/2019/03/25/apple-tv-channels-streaming-tv-service-announced.html, Todd Haselton, CNBC, March 25, 2019, March 25, 2019, March 25, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190325201440/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/25/apple-tv-channels-streaming-tv-service-announced.html, live, WEB, Amazon Prime Video Channels: Everything you need to know,www.cnet.com/news/amazon-prime-video-channels-everything-you-need-to-know/, David Katzmaier, CNET, May 23, 2019, June 9, 2020, June 10, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200610035913/https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-prime-video-channels-everything-you-need-to-know/, live, In addition, the Showtime brand has been licensed for use by a number of channels and platforms worldwide including Showtime Arabia (it has been merged into OSN) in the Middle East and North Africa, and the now-defunct Showtime Movie Channels in Australia. {{As of|September 2018}}, Showtime’s programming was available to approximately 28.567 million U.S. households which subscribed to a multichannel television provider (28.318 million of which receive Showtime’s primary channel at a minimum).WEB, Nielsen coverage estimates for September see gains at ESPN networks, NBCSN, and NBA TV, drops at MLBN and NFLN (Cable Network Coverage Area Household Universe Estimates: September 2018),awfulannouncing.com/espn/nielsen-coverage-estimates-september-espn-nbcsn-nbatv-mlbn-nfln.html, Andrew Bucholtz, Awful Announcing, NESN, NESN Digital, September 10, 2018, September 20, 2018, September 18, 2018,awfulannouncing.com/espn/nielsen-coverage-estimates-september-espn-nbcsn-nbatv-mlbn-nfln.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20180918124511awfulannouncing.com/espn/nielsen-coverage-estimates-september-espn-nbcsn-nbatv-mlbn-nfln.html,">web.archive.org/web/20180918124511awfulannouncing.com/espn/nielsen-coverage-estimates-september-espn-nbcsn-nbatv-mlbn-nfln.html, live,

History

Early years (1976â€“1982)

Showtime was launched on July 1, 1976, on Times-Mirror Cable systems in Escondido, Long Beach, and Palos Verdes, California through the conversion of 10,000 subscribers of the previous Channel One franchise. Exactly a week later Showtime launched on Viacom Cablevision’s system in Dublin, California;WEB, It’s Not TV: HBO, The Company That Changed Television: Title Fights: The King of Pay-TV,www.soundonsight.org/its-not-tv-hbo-the-company-that-changed-television-title-fights-the-king-of-pay-tv/, Bill Mesce, Sound on Sight, August 29, 2013, February 1, 2014, February 3, 2014,www.soundonsight.org/its-not-tv-hbo-the-company-that-changed-television-title-fights-the-king-of-pay-tv/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140203212249www.soundonsight.org/its-not-tv-hbo-the-company-that-changed-television-title-fights-the-king-of-pay-tv/,">web.archive.org/web/20140203212249www.soundonsight.org/its-not-tv-hbo-the-company-that-changed-television-title-fights-the-king-of-pay-tv/, live, the channel was originally owned by Viacom.WEB, Corporate profile: Showtime,marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/16/corneroffice_blank_corp/,marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/16/corneroffice_blank_corp/," title="archive.today/20120629195653marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/16/corneroffice_blank_corp/,">archive.today/20120629195653marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/16/corneroffice_blank_corp/, dead, June 29, 2012, Marketplace.org, July 16, 2008, The first program to be broadcast on Showtime was Celebration, a concert special featuring performances by Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd, and ABBA. By the end of its first year on the air, Showtime had 55,000 subscribers nationwide. On March 7, 1978, Showtime became a nationally distributed service when it was uplinked to satellite, becoming a competitor with Time Inc.’s HBO and other pay cable networks.WEB, 25 memorable moments in Showtime’s 25-year history,www.variety.com/article/VR1117801025.html?categoryid=1013&cs=1, Variety (magazine), Variety, June 7, 2001, April 17, 2020, June 16, 2009,www.variety.com/article/VR1117801025.html?categoryid=1013&cs=1," title="web.archive.org/web/20090616162306www.variety.com/article/VR1117801025.html?categoryid=1013&cs=1,">web.archive.org/web/20090616162306www.variety.com/article/VR1117801025.html?categoryid=1013&cs=1, live, In 1979, Viacom sold a 50% of Showtime to the TelePrompTer Corporation. On July 4, 1981, Showtime began a 24-hour programming schedule (rival HBO followed suit in December of the same year).WEB, It’s Not TV: HBO, The Company That Changed Television: The Movie Duels,www.soundonsight.org/its-not-tv-hbo-the-company-that-changed-television-the-movie-duels/, Bill Mesce, Sound on Sight, September 2, 2013, February 1, 2014, February 2, 2014,www.soundonsight.org/its-not-tv-hbo-the-company-that-changed-television-the-movie-duels/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140202101645www.soundonsight.org/its-not-tv-hbo-the-company-that-changed-television-the-movie-duels/,">web.archive.org/web/20140202101645www.soundonsight.org/its-not-tv-hbo-the-company-that-changed-television-the-movie-duels/, live, In 1982, Group W Cable, a subsidiary of Westinghouse Electric Corporation (which acquired TelePrompTer the previous year), sold its 50% stake in Showtime back to Viacom for $75 million. The sale of Group W’s stake in the channel happened shortly after the company began a partnership with Walt Disney Productions (now The Walt Disney Company) to develop a competing premium service, The Disney Channel. Group W left the joint venture in September, due to disagreements over creative control and financial obligations.{{sfn|Grover|1991|p=147}} In 1982 Showtime broadcast its first made-for-cable movie Falcon’s Gold and its first original series and children’s program Faerie Tale Theatre.

Formation of Showtime Networks and ownership by Viacom (1982â€“2005)

In August 1982, MCA Inc. (then the owner of Universal Pictures), Gulf+Western (then the owner of Paramount Pictures) and Warner Communications agreed to acquire The Movie Channel (TMC). The three companies combined acquired a controlling 75% interest in the service (with each holding a 25% ownership stake) from Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment.NEWS, 3 TOP MOVIE STUDIOS ARE EXPECTED TO JOIN PAY-TV FILM PROJECT,www.nytimes.com/1982/08/08/nyregion/3-top-movie-studios-are-expected-to-join-pay-tv-film-project.html, Tony Schawrtz, The New York Times, August 8, 1982, February 12, 2017, February 15, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1982/08/08/nyregion/3-top-movie-studios-are-expected-to-join-pay-tv-film-project.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215135047www.nytimes.com/1982/08/08/nyregion/3-top-movie-studios-are-expected-to-join-pay-tv-film-project.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170215135047www.nytimes.com/1982/08/08/nyregion/3-top-movie-studios-are-expected-to-join-pay-tv-film-project.html, live, The deal was spurred by the studios wanting to increase their share of revenue for licensing rights to their films to premium television services, as well as concerns that HBO’s dominance of that market and its pre-buying of pay cable rights to films prior to their theatrical release would result in that service holding undue negotiating power for the television rights, resulting in a lower than suitable licensing fee rate the studios would be paid for individual films. The three companies announced an agreement in to acquire interests in TMC on November 11, 1982.NEWS, 3 STUDIOS TO BUY SHARES IN A PAY-TV NETWORK,www.nytimes.com/1982/11/12/business/3-studios-to-buy-shares-in-a-pay-tv-network.html, Tony Schwartz, The New York Times, November 12, 1982, February 12, 2017, February 15, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1982/11/12/business/3-studios-to-buy-shares-in-a-pay-tv-network.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215124914www.nytimes.com/1982/11/12/business/3-studios-to-buy-shares-in-a-pay-tv-network.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170215124914www.nytimes.com/1982/11/12/business/3-studios-to-buy-shares-in-a-pay-tv-network.html, live, BOOK, Joint Ventures, Alliances, and Corporate Strategy,books.google.com/books?id=JeY_afXHSnEC&pg=PA167, Kathryn Rudie Harrigan, Beard Books, 167, January 1, 1985, 9781587981951, April 20, 2015, October 31, 2015,web.archive.org/web/20151031183240/https://books.google.com/books?id=JeY_afXHSnEC&pg=PA167&lpg=PA167, live, BOOK, Hollywood in the Information Age: Beyond the Silver Screen,books.google.com/books?id=KuuuBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA78, Janet Wasko, John Wiley & Sons, 167, June 26, 2013, 9780745678337, April 20, 2015, October 31, 2015,web.archive.org/web/20151031175037/https://books.google.com/books?id=KuuuBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA78&lpg=PA78, live, In late December of the same year, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a routine preliminary inquiry into the proposed partnership. The Department of Justice had blocked a similar attempt by MCA, Gulf+Western, 20th Century Fox, and Columbia Pictures to create a competing pay service, Premiere, in an antitrust case ruling two years earlier in January 1981.NEWS, The Justice Department’s anti-trust division has launched a routine...,www.upi.com/Archives/1983/01/05/The-Justice-Departments-anti-trust-division-has-launched-a-routine/5608410590800/, United Press International, January 5, 1983, May 6, 2016, February 15, 2017,www.upi.com/Archives/1983/01/05/The-Justice-Departments-anti-trust-division-has-launched-a-routine/5608410590800/," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215153442www.upi.com/Archives/1983/01/05/The-Justice-Departments-anti-trust-division-has-launched-a-routine/5608410590800/,">web.archive.org/web/20170215153442www.upi.com/Archives/1983/01/05/The-Justice-Departments-anti-trust-division-has-launched-a-routine/5608410590800/, live, On January 7, 1983, Viacom International (adding itself as a partner) drafted an amendment to the proposal to consolidate The Movie Channel with Showtime. Under the revised proposal, the four studios would each own a 22.58% stake in the two networks, with American Express owning a 9.68% minority interest. In addition, the consortium would appoint a management team separate from those employed by the two channelsâ€“which continued to operate as separate servicesâ€“to operate the joint venture. However the deal ran into regulatory hurdles because Warner, Universal, and Paramount received 50% of their respective total revenue from film releases and licensing fees from premium services. Also Showtime and TMC combined would control about 30% of the pay cable marketplace, creating an oligopoly with HBO (which in conjunction with Cinemax controlled 60% of the market).NEWS, 5 COMPANIES IN VENTURE TO RUN 2 PAY-TV UNITS,www.nytimes.com/1983/01/08/business/5-companies-in-venture-to-run-2-pay-tv-units.html, Sally Bedell, The New York Times, January 8, 1983, February 12, 2017, February 15, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1983/01/08/business/5-companies-in-venture-to-run-2-pay-tv-units.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215135053www.nytimes.com/1983/01/08/business/5-companies-in-venture-to-run-2-pay-tv-units.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170215135053www.nytimes.com/1983/01/08/business/5-companies-in-venture-to-run-2-pay-tv-units.html, live, After a four-month investigation resulted in the Department of Justice filing a civil antitrust lawsuit against the five parties to block the Showtime-TMC merger on June 10, 1983, the Department asked Warner and American Express to restructure the deal during hearings for the case.NEWS, U.S. WILL FIGHT PAY-TV MERGER BY FILM STUDIOS,www.nytimes.com/1983/06/11/business/us-will-fight-pay-tv-merger-by-film-studios.html, Sally Bedell Smith, The New York Times, June 11, 1983, February 12, 2017, February 15, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1983/06/11/business/us-will-fight-pay-tv-merger-by-film-studios.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215125325www.nytimes.com/1983/06/11/business/us-will-fight-pay-tv-merger-by-film-studios.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170215125325www.nytimes.com/1983/06/11/business/us-will-fight-pay-tv-merger-by-film-studios.html, live, The Department’s decisionâ€“citing concerns, including some expressed by HBO management, that combining the assets of Showtime and TMC would stifle competition in the sale of their programming and that of other pay cable services to cable providersâ€“was despite the fact that under the original proposal, MCA, Gulf+Western and Warner had each agreed to continue licensing films released by their respective movie studios to competing pay television networks.The partners involved in the merger would also set standard prices for films that were acquired for broadcast on The Movie Channel and Showtime, either those produced by the studio partners or by unassociated film studios. To address the Justice Department’s concerns over the deal, the four partners submitted a revised proposal for consideration on July 19 which included guarantees of conduct agreeing that Paramount, Universal, and Warner Bros. would not receive higher residual licensing payments for films acquired by Showtime and The Movie Channel than those paid by other studios, and that all four partners would not permit the two channels in the venture to pay lower fees for films produced by three studio partners than those paid by smaller pay television services for the same films.NEWS, PAY-TV MERGER RULING SEEN,www.nytimes.com/1983/07/20/business/pay-tv-merger-ruling-seen.html, Sally Bedell Smith, The New York Times, July 20, 1983, February 12, 2017, February 15, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1983/07/20/business/pay-tv-merger-ruling-seen.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215125046www.nytimes.com/1983/07/20/business/pay-tv-merger-ruling-seen.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170215125046www.nytimes.com/1983/07/20/business/pay-tv-merger-ruling-seen.html, live, After the revised proposal was rejected on July 28, Warner Communications and American Express restructured the purchase to include only Viacom as a partner, bowing Gulf+Western and MCA out from the partnership. The changes â€“ which Justice Department officials acknowledged would “prevent any anti-competitive effect from arising” following the merger, by allowing other premium services to enter the market should the venture significantly raise licensing fee prices for filmsâ€“led the Justice Department to drop its challenge to the merger agreement on August 12; the department formally approved the deal the following day on August 13.NEWS, Way cleared for Movie Channel-Showtime merger,www.upi.com/Archives/1983/08/12/Way-cleared-for-Movie-Channel-Showtime-merger/1474429508800/, Barbara Rosewicz, United Press International, August 12, 1983, May 6, 2016, February 15, 2017,www.upi.com/Archives/1983/08/12/Way-cleared-for-Movie-Channel-Showtime-merger/1474429508800/," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215185658www.upi.com/Archives/1983/08/12/Way-cleared-for-Movie-Channel-Showtime-merger/1474429508800/,">web.archive.org/web/20170215185658www.upi.com/Archives/1983/08/12/Way-cleared-for-Movie-Channel-Showtime-merger/1474429508800/, live, NEWS, PAY-TV LINK ACCEPTED BY U.S. AFTER CHANGES,www.nytimes.com/1983/08/13/business/pay-tv-link-accepted-by-us-after-changes.html, The New York Times, August 13, 1983, February 12, 2017, February 15, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1983/08/13/business/pay-tv-link-accepted-by-us-after-changes.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215143642www.nytimes.com/1983/08/13/business/pay-tv-link-accepted-by-us-after-changes.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170215143642www.nytimes.com/1983/08/13/business/pay-tv-link-accepted-by-us-after-changes.html, live, When the deal was completed on September 6, 1983, the operations of The Movie Channel and Showtime were folded into a new holding company, Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc., which was majority owned by Viacom (controlling 50% of the venture’s common stock as well as investing $40 million in cash), with Warner Communications (which owned 31%), and Warner-Amex (which owned the remaining 19% interest) as minority partners.NEWS, Showtime and the Movie Channel have formed a pay-TV...,www.upi.com/Archives/1983/09/07/Showtime-and-the-Movie-Channel-have-formed-a-pay-TV/5279431755200/, United Press International, September 7, 1983, May 6, 2016, February 15, 2017,www.upi.com/Archives/1983/09/07/Showtime-and-the-Movie-Channel-have-formed-a-pay-TV/5279431755200/," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215133423www.upi.com/Archives/1983/09/07/Showtime-and-the-Movie-Channel-have-formed-a-pay-TV/5279431755200/,">web.archive.org/web/20170215133423www.upi.com/Archives/1983/09/07/Showtime-and-the-Movie-Channel-have-formed-a-pay-TV/5279431755200/, live, NEWS, 2 PAY-TV SERVICES MERGE,www.nytimes.com/1983/09/07/business/2-pay-tv-services-merge.html, Sandra Salmans, The New York Times, September 7, 1983, February 12, 2017, February 15, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1983/09/07/business/2-pay-tv-services-merge.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215135043www.nytimes.com/1983/09/07/business/2-pay-tv-services-merge.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170215135043www.nytimes.com/1983/09/07/business/2-pay-tv-services-merge.html, live, As the consolidation of its operations with The Movie Channel was ongoing, in 1983, Showtime increased its national distribution on cable providers when competing premium service Spotlight ceased operations, effectively absorbing that channel’s subscriber base.In 1984 the network’s first major promotional campaign, “We Make Excitement” (also referred to, particularly in bumpers and program introductions, as “Showtime Excitement“) was created by the J. Walter Thompson company and utilizing an adapted version of the Pointer Sisters song “I’m So Excited”. The campaign lasted into 1986 and coincided with both the exclusivity deal signed with Paramount for films (see below) and a graphical upgrade to the network’s presentation to include computer-generated graphics.NEWS,www.nytimes.com/1984/06/01/business/advertising-showtime-gets-new-campaign.html, Advertising; Showtime Gets New Campaign, Dougherty, Philip H., June 1, 1984, The New York Times, July 12, 2019, en-US, 0362-4331, July 12, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190712005150/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/01/business/advertising-showtime-gets-new-campaign.html, live,

missing image!
- Showtime Australia Logo.png -
Showtime logo, used from 1981 to 1997; a 3D circle containing a TV screen (which was originally used as the channel’s primary logo dating back to 1979) was used alongside this logo from 1984 to 1990. The logo was also used on Showtime Australia until 2009. It was also in use for nostalgia purposes for the marketing of the 2019 series Black Monday.

On August 10, 1985, after Time Inc. and cable provider Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) jointly submitted a bid to buy the company for $900 million and the assumption of $500 million in debt as well as an earlier offer by American Express the previous month to buy out Warner’s share of the company (under a clause in the agreement that allowed either company the option of buying out their partner’s stake in Warner-Amex), Warner Communications exercised an option to acquire American Express’ 50% share of Warner-Amex Cable Communications for $450 million. Among the options, barring that it chose to sell Viacom a 50% interest in the company for $450 million, the deal originally excluded Warner-Amex’s 19% interest in Showtime-The Movie Channel, Inc.; that interest would have reverted to Warner, which intended to operate Warner-Amex as a wholly owned subsidiary.NEWS, WARNER TO BUY OUT AMEX UNIT,www.nytimes.com/1985/08/10/business/warner-to-buy-out-amex-unit.html, Geraldine Fabrikant, The New York Times, August 10, 1985, February 12, 2017, February 15, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1985/08/10/business/warner-to-buy-out-amex-unit.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215125212www.nytimes.com/1985/08/10/business/warner-to-buy-out-amex-unit.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170215125212www.nytimes.com/1985/08/10/business/warner-to-buy-out-amex-unit.html, live, NEWS, Warner Buys All Stock in Warner Amex,www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1985/08/10/warner-buys-all-stock-in-warner-amex/bc9e3fab-2a0e-40ab-b311-868eab50eedc/, Nell Henderson, The Washington Post, August 10, 1985, May 6, 2016, June 9, 2016,web.archive.org/web/20160609193358/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1985/08/10/warner-buys-all-stock-in-warner-amex/bc9e3fab-2a0e-40ab-b311-868eab50eedc/, live, NEWS, Warner Agrees To Buy Out Partner In Cable Television,articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-08-10/business/8502220292_1_warner-amex-cable-communications-geoffrey-holmes-warner-board, Charles Storch, Chicago Tribune, August 10, 1985, May 6, 2016, February 15, 2017,articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-08-10/business/8502220292_1_warner-amex-cable-communications-geoffrey-holmes-warner-board," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215143453articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-08-10/business/8502220292_1_warner-amex-cable-communications-geoffrey-holmes-warner-board,">web.archive.org/web/20170215143453articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-08-10/business/8502220292_1_warner-amex-cable-communications-geoffrey-holmes-warner-board, live, Two weeks later on August 26, Viacom acquired Warner Communications and Warner-Amex’s combined 50% ownership interest in Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. as well as full ownership of the Warner-Amex and public shareholder interests in MTV Networks for $671.7 million, giving Viacom exclusive ownership of both networks and once again making it the sole owner of Showtime through its $500 million cash payment and acquisition of 1.625 million shares from Warner for the latter’s 31% stake in Showtime/The Movie Channel and Warner-Amex’s 19% interest in the unit and its 60% interest in MTV Networks (Viacom owned Showtime alone or jointly with other companiesâ€“TelePrompTer Corporation, and later briefly, its successor Group W Cableâ€“from the time it launched in July 1976). The buyout, part of an option given by Warner in its purchase of American Express’ interest in MTV, was exercised in part to finance much of the buyout of Showtime/The Movie Channel without borrowing any money (ironically, Warner Communications would eventually acquire rivals HBO and Cinemax, when the company merged with Time Inc. in 1990 to form Time Warner, which is now known as Warner Bros. Discovery).NEWS, Viacom to acquire Showtime and MTV,www.upi.com/Archives/1985/08/26/Viacom-to-acquire-Showtime-and-MTV/4842493876800/, United Press International, August 26, 1985, May 6, 2016, February 15, 2017,www.upi.com/Archives/1985/08/26/Viacom-to-acquire-Showtime-and-MTV/4842493876800/," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215185654www.upi.com/Archives/1985/08/26/Viacom-to-acquire-Showtime-and-MTV/4842493876800/,">web.archive.org/web/20170215185654www.upi.com/Archives/1985/08/26/Viacom-to-acquire-Showtime-and-MTV/4842493876800/, live, NEWS, Viacom to Buy MTV and Showtime in Deal Worth $667.5 Million,articles.latimes.com/1985-08-27/business/fi-25404_1_viacom-deal, Michael A. Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, August 27, 1985, April 17, 2020, February 15, 2017,articles.latimes.com/1985-08-27/business/fi-25404_1_viacom-deal," title="web.archive.org/web/20170215125048articles.latimes.com/1985-08-27/business/fi-25404_1_viacom-deal,">web.archive.org/web/20170215125048articles.latimes.com/1985-08-27/business/fi-25404_1_viacom-deal, live, NEWS, VIACOM AGREES TO CABLE DEAL,www.nytimes.com/1985/08/27/business/viacom-agrees-to-cable-deal.html, Geraldine Fabrikant, The New York Times, August 27, 1985, February 12, 2017, June 3, 2016,www.nytimes.com/1985/08/27/business/viacom-agrees-to-cable-deal.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20160603095439www.nytimes.com/1985/08/27/business/viacom-agrees-to-cable-deal.html,">web.archive.org/web/20160603095439www.nytimes.com/1985/08/27/business/viacom-agrees-to-cable-deal.html, live, NEWS, Viacom International Inc.,articles.orlandosentinel.com/1985-08-27/business/0320330163_1_viacom-mtv-networks-showtime-the-movie, Deanne Brandon, Orlando Sentinel, August 27, 1985, May 6, 2016, June 2, 2016,articles.orlandosentinel.com/1985-08-27/business/0320330163_1_viacom-mtv-networks-showtime-the-movie," title="web.archive.org/web/20160602204340articles.orlandosentinel.com/1985-08-27/business/0320330163_1_viacom-mtv-networks-showtime-the-movie,">web.archive.org/web/20160602204340articles.orlandosentinel.com/1985-08-27/business/0320330163_1_viacom-mtv-networks-showtime-the-movie, live, The subsidiary was renamed Showtime Networks, Inc. in 1988.Also in 1988, the company formed Showtime Event Television (now Showtime PPV) as a pay-per-view distributor of special event programming. In 1990, Showtime ventured into acquiring and premiering independent films exclusively for the channel as part of the 30-Minute Movie short film anthology series. One of its first premieres, (12:01 PM), was nominated for an Academy Award;1992’s Session Man won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. In the years that followed, Showtime expanded its acquisitions into the realm of feature-length fare, including the Adrian Lyne-directed 1997 remake of Lolita.On March 1, 1994, Showtime and The Movie Channel in conjunction with rivals HBO and Cinemax implemented a cooperative content advisory system to provide to parents specific information about pay-cable programming content that may be unsuitable for their children; the development of the systemâ€”inspired by the advisory ratings featured in program guides distributed by the major premium cable servicesâ€”was in response to concerns from parents and advocacy groups about violent content on television, allowing Showtime Networks and other premium services discretionary authority to assign individual ratings corresponding to the objectionable content depicted in specific programs (and categorized based on violence, profanity, sexuality or miscellaneous mature material).WEB, Cable Leaders to Develop Violence Ratings,www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-870441.html,www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-870441.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140611020259www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-870441.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140611020259www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-870441.html, dead, June 11, 2014, Ellen Edwards, The Washington Post, January 11, 1994, March 11, 2013, subscription, A revised systemâ€”centered around ten content codes of two to three letters in lengthâ€”was implemented by Showtime and the other participating premium services on June 10, 1994.NEWS, Premium Cable Channels Adopt Content Labels,articles.latimes.com/1994-06-08/entertainment/ca-1867_1_cable-channels/, Steve Weinstein, Los Angeles Times, June 8, 1994, September 29, 2020, July 9, 2010,articles.latimes.com/1994-06-08/entertainment/ca-1867_1_cable-channels," title="web.archive.org/web/20100709072622articles.latimes.com/1994-06-08/entertainment/ca-1867_1_cable-channels,">web.archive.org/web/20100709072622articles.latimes.com/1994-06-08/entertainment/ca-1867_1_cable-channels, live, In 1997, the channel’s first major rebrand since the 1980s was introduced, with a new logo emphasizing the “SHO” part of the network’s name within a circle (intended to be a spotlight), playing into the channel’s common acronym in listings services like TV Guide. A new slogan, “No Limits” (in reference to the fact that as a premium channel, Showtime could push the boundaries of programming without censorship, as well as offer the type of exciting programming that appealed to subscribers), and a bold red-and-black color scheme was instituted, with promotions and bumpers feature surrealistic imagery; the campaign was created by the newly formed in-house marketing and advertising agency, “Red Group”.NEWS,www.nytimes.com/1997/12/10/business/media-business-advertising-for-new-campaign-showtime-networks-planning-open.html, THE MEDIA BUSINESS: ADVERTISING; For a new campaign, Showtime Networks is planning to open an in-house agency., Elliott, Stuart, December 10, 1997, The New York Times, December 5, 2019, en-US, 0362-4331, December 5, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20191205222556/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/10/business/media-business-advertising-for-new-campaign-showtime-networks-planning-open.html, live, In 2000, Showtime launched “Showtime Interactive 24.7”, a service that provided DVD-style interaction of its entertainment offerings. The following year in 2001, Showtime became one of the first cable networks to launch a high definition simulcast feed (with (Star Trek: Insurrection) becoming the first film on the network to be broadcast in HD); Showtime also began to provide Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound on select programs.WEB, Showtime Networks Enhances Viewing Experience With Dolby Digital 5.1,www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+Enhances+Viewing+Experience+With+Dolby+Digital+5.1.-a058659460, Business Wire, The Free Library, January 19, 2000, April 19, 2015, March 5, 2016,www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+Enhances+Viewing+Experience+With+Dolby+Digital+5.1.-a058659460," title="web.archive.org/web/20160305163210www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+Enhances+Viewing+Experience+With+Dolby+Digital+5.1.-a058659460,">web.archive.org/web/20160305163210www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+Enhances+Viewing+Experience+With+Dolby+Digital+5.1.-a058659460, live, WEB, SHOWTIME Launches Dolby Digital on All Channels,www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/showtime-launches-dolby-digital-on-all-channels-77269312.html, PR Newswire, May 3, 2002, April 21, 2015, September 20, 2015,www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/showtime-launches-dolby-digital-on-all-channels-77269312.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150920083008www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/showtime-launches-dolby-digital-on-all-channels-77269312.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150920083008www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/showtime-launches-dolby-digital-on-all-channels-77269312.html, live,

Under CBS Corporation ownership (2005â€“2019)

File:Showtime with CBS byline.svg|thumb|Showtime logo when it was under CBS CBSOn June 14, 2005, Viacom decided to separate itself into two companies (only five years after the company’s acquisition of CBS), both of which would be controlled by Viacom parent National Amusements, amid stagnation of the company’s stock price. When the split was completed on December 31, 2005, the original Viacom was restructured as CBS Corporation and kept Showtime Networks along with the original Viacom’s broadcasting assets (which included the CBS television network, UPN and the company’s broadcast group, which became CBS Television Stations), Paramount Television (now the separate arms CBS Studios for network and cable production, and CBS Media Ventures for production of first-run syndicated programs and off-network series distribution), advertising firm Viacom Outdoor (renamed CBS Outdoor), Simon & Schuster, and Paramount Parks (which was later sold to Cedar Fair, L.P. on June 30, 2006). A new company that assumed the Viacom name took Paramount Pictures, the MTV Networks and BET Networks cable divisions, and Famous Music (the latter of which was sold to Sony-ATV Music Publishing (CBS once owned its sister company) in May 2007).NEWS, Viacom Board Agrees to Split of Company,www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/business/media/15viacom.html, Geraldine Fabrikant, The New York Times, June 15, 2005, February 12, 2017, March 6, 2014,www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/business/media/15viacom.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140306130603www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/business/media/15viacom.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140306130603www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/business/media/15viacom.html, live, NEWS, SpongeBob or Survivor?,money.cnn.com/2005/12/19/news/fortune500/viacom/index.htm, Paul R. La Monica, CNN Money, December 19, 2005, August 3, 2020, September 24, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200924160121/https://money.cnn.com/2005/12/19/news/fortune500/viacom/index.htm, live,

Re-merger with Viacom; co-branding with Paramount+ (2019â€“present)

(File:Paramount+ with Showtime logo.svg|thumb|Paramount+ with Showtime logo, used since January 7, 202)On August 13, 2019, the announcement was made that CBS and Viacom would merge into a new entity known as ViacomCBS. Viacom CEO Bob Bakish would be president and CEO of the new company, while Ianniello would become chairman and CEO of CBS and oversee CBS-branded assets. Shari Redstone would also serve as chairperson of ViacomCBS.MAGAZINE,www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-viacom-strike-deal-recombine-1075545, CBS, Viacom Strike Deal to Recombine, The Hollywood Reporter, August 13, 2019, August 15, 2019, George, Szalai, Paul, Bond, Etan, Vlessing, August 14, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190814215200/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-viacom-strike-deal-recombine-1075545, live, WEB,www.cbscorporation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ViacomCBS-Press-Release-FINAL.pdf, CBS and Viacom To Combine, CBS, August 13, 2019, November 4, 2019, August 13, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190813190148/https://www.cbscorporation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ViacomCBS-Press-Release-FINAL.pdf, dead, On October 29, 2019, National Amusements approved the re-merger deal. It closed on December 4, 2019. As part of the new structure the Showtime Networks unit and its assetsâ€”Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flixâ€”became part of the Premium Network Group division of ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks, along with BET and temporarily Pop TV (which was transferred to the Youth & Entertainment Group division the following month, later named MTV Entertainment Group), to be overseen by SNI CEO David Nevins.WEB,www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191111005169/en/Viacom-CBS-Announce-Content-Digital-Leadership, Viacom and CBS Announce Content and Digital Leadership, November 11, 2019, Business Wire, December 15, 2019, November 12, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20191112104817/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191111005169/en/Viacom-CBS-Announce-Content-Digital-Leadership, live, ViacomCBS renamed itself as Paramount Global on February 16, 2022; the company’s domestic networks division became Paramount Media Networks on the same day.WEB, Littleton, Cynthia, February 15, 2022, Goodbye Viacom and CBS: ViacomCBS Changes Corporate Name to Paramount,variety.com/2022/film/news/viacomcbs-paramount-corporate-name-change-1235182825/, April 26, 2023, Variety, en-US, WEB, Petski, Denise, April 29, 2022, Michael Fabiani Upped To SVP Communications, Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios,deadline.com/2022/04/michael-fabiani-promoted-svp-communications-paramount-media-networks-mtv-entertainment-studios-1235012916/, April 26, 2023, Deadline, en-US, On January 30, 2023, Paramount announced plans to fully integrate the Showtime direct-to-consumer service (which was sold directly to streaming-only consumers) with the premium tier of the Paramount+ streaming service; the combined service would be branded as Paramount+ with Showtime, replacing a streaming bundle of the same name that launched in August 2022. The merger commenced on June 27, 2023,WEB,appleinsider.com/articles/23/05/17/showtime-and-paramount-to-finally-merge-into-one-service-on-june-27, Showtime and Paramount+ to finally merge into one service on June 27, Selleck, Evan, Apple Insider, May 17, 2023, May 18, 2023, with the cable-specific Showtime Anytime TV Everywhere app (which was offered to subscribers of the linear Showtime television service) ceasing operations on December 14, and the standalone Showtime app being discontinued on April 30, 2024;WEB,variety.com/2023/digital/news/paramount-with-showtime-launch-us-showtime-app-shut-down-1235622045/, Paramount+ With Showtime to Launch in U.S. Next Month With Price Hike, Standalone Showtime App to Be Shut Down by End of 2023, Spangler, Todd, Variety, May 22, 2023, May 23, 2023, WEB,collider.com/showtime-anytime-shutting-down/, Showtime Is Officially Shutting Down Showtime Anytime Service, O’Rourke, Ryan, Collider, November 15, 2023, November 17, 2023, WEB,variety.com/2024/digital/news/showtime-streaming-apps-shutting-down-1235968145/, Showtime Streaming Service Is Shutting Down at the End of April, Spangler, Todd, Variety, April 11, 2024, April 11, 2024, the primary Showtime channel was rebranded as Paramount+ with Showtime on January 8, 2024, although the former name remains in use as a standalone brand for its multiplex channels and for marketing of the network’s original programs.WEB,deadline.com/2023/12/showtime-linear-network-rebrand-paramount-plus-streaming-1235661665/, Showtime Linear Network Sets Date Of Rebrand To Paramount+ With Showtime, Hayes, Dade, Deadline Hollywood, December 11, 2023, December 11, 2023,

Channels

Background

In 1991, after HBO and Cinemax debuted the first premium television multiplex service in the United States, Showtime followed with the testing of its own secondary serviceâ€“Showtime 2â€“on October 1 of that year. In April 1994, Showtime announced the creation of a new themed multiplex service, consisting of five channels: Spanish service Showtime En Espanol; family-oriented Showtime Family Television; action-oriented service Showtime Action Television; a service featuring comedy films and series called Showtime Comedy Television; and an all-movie channel called Showtime Film Festival.WEB, Richard Katz, April 25, 1994, Showtime announces five new value-added services,www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15417843.html, dead,www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15417843.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130515200949www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15417843.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130515200949www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15417843.html, May 15, 2013, March 13, 2013, Multichannel News, This planned extension to the multiplex did not come to fruitionâ€“although a third multiplex service, Showtime 3, would make its debut in 1996.WEB, December 4, 1995, A third from Showtime,www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17842950.html, dead,www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17842950.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130515211649www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17842950.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130515211649www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17842950.html, May 15, 2013, Broadcasting & Cable, The multiplex would eventually expand over time with the launch of the action film channel Showtime Extreme on March 10, 1998, followed by the debut of the science fiction channel Showtime Beyond in September 1999; the Showtime Unlimited name for the Showtime multiplex, TMC and Flix came into use around this time. Three additional themed channels made their debut in March 2001: Showtime Family Zone (which carries films intended for family audiences), Showtime Next (a channel featuring films and series that appeal toward adults between the ages of 18 and 34 years old) and Showtime Women (a channel featuring movies, specials,and Showtime original programs that appeal toward a female audience). The programming format of Showtime 3 was overhauled five months later on July 1, 2001, to focus on theatrical movie releases and Showtime’s original made-for-cable films, that under the new name Showcase.Showtime Family Zone, Showtime Next and Showtime Women do not have distribution by most pay television providers as extensive as the other Showtime multiplex channels. The availability of either of the three channels on cable providers varies depending on the market; Dish Network only carries Showtime Family Zone, and DirecTV carries Showtime Next and Showtime Family Zone, but not Showtime Women.

List of Showtime channels

Depending on the service provider, Paramount+ with Showtime provides up to sixteen multiplex channelsâ€“eight 24-hour multiplex channels, all of which are simulcast in both standard definition and high definitionâ€“as well as a video on demand service (Paramount+ with Showtime On Demand).WEB, About Showtime,www.sho.com/sho/about, Showtime, Showtime Networks, March 14, 2014, May 14, 2016,www.sho.com/sho/about," title="web.archive.org/web/20160514055443www.sho.com/sho/about,">web.archive.org/web/20160514055443www.sho.com/sho/about, live, Paramount+ with Showtime broadcasts its primary and multiplex channels on both Eastern and Pacific Time Zone schedules. The respective coastal feeds of each channel are usually packaged together (though most cable providers only offer the east and west coast feeds of the main Paramount+ with Showtime channel), resulting in the difference in local airtimes for a particular movie or program between two geographic locations being three hours at most.Subscribers to the separate premium film service The Movie Channel, which is also owned by Paramount, do not necessarily have to subscribe to the linear Paramount+ with Showtime service in order to receive TMC; both The Movie Channel and co-owned fellow movie service Flix are typically sold together in a package (although in the case of Flix, this depends on the channel’s provider availability), though DirecTV and Dish Network alternately sell TMC through a separate film tier. For unexplained reasons, live feeds of The Movie Channel and Flix have not been included alongside the other Showtime multiplex channels on its proprietary streaming services (including the Paramount+ premium tier) or its add-on tiers that are sold through live-TV streaming providers (such as Hulu, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream), restricting their distribution to traditional cable, satellite and telco/fiber optic television providers. From 1999 to 2005, the package encompassing Showtime and its sister networks was marketed as “Showtime Unlimited”; the broader tier sometimes included the Sundance Channel (now SundanceTV) during this period, by way of the stake Showtime Networks held in the network from its 1996 inception until Sundance’s 2008 purchase by Rainbow Media (now AMC Networks).{| class=“wikitable” style="width:100%; background:#fff;”

(File:Paramount+ with Showtime logo.svg

Paramount+ with Showtime >| The flagship service; Paramount+ with Showtime features blockbuster movies, first-run feature films, stand-up comedy specials and documentaries. The channel also carries original series, with newer episodes primarily being shown on Sunday and Monday evenings, and since November 2023, offers original programming from the Paramount+ library. the channel was previously named Showtime for nearly 50 years.

(File:Showtime 2.svg

Showtime 2{{small>(alternately known asSHO2)}}

A secondary channel that offers a separate schedule of movies, original series and specials. Launched on October 1, 1991,SHOWTIME TESTS SHOWTIME 2; SHOWTIME ENTERTAINMENT INC. TO TEST MULTIPLEXED FEED>URL=HTTP://WWW.HIGHBEAM.COM/DOC/1G1-12501869.HTML

URL-STATUS=DEAD

AUTHOR=JANE GREENSTEIN

MULTICHANNEL NEWS >DATE=SEPTEMBER 16, 1991, the channel was previously named Showtime Too from 2001 to 2006.

(File:Showtime Showcase.svg

Showtime Showcase >

Showtime 3” until July 1, 2001.SHOWTIME RENAMES PLEX SERVICE

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20130515213920/HTTP://WWW.HIGHBEAM.COM/DOC/1G1-75534042.HTML

ARCHIVE-DATE=MAY 15, 2013

DATE=JUNE 4, 2001

Showcase (Canadian TV channel)>Canada, Showcase (Australian TV channel)

or (:ms:Showcase>Malaysia).)

(File:ShoBET logo 2020.svg

SHOÃ—BET{{small>(formerly Showtime Beyond)}}

Launched in September 1999,SHOWTIME TO LAUNCH TWO NEW CHANNELS>URL=HTTP://WWW.THEFREELIBRARY.COM/SHOWTIME+TO+LAUNCH+TWO+NEW+CHANNELS.-A054671985

VIA=THE FREE LIBRARY

ACCESS-DATE=MARCH 14, 2014

ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20140201162555/HTTP://WWW.THEFREELIBRARY.COM/SHOWTIME+TO+LAUNCH+TWO+NEW+CHANNELS.-A054671985, live, it was formerly known as Showtime Beyond and featured a mix of science fiction, fantasy and horror films, as well as made-for-cable science fiction series produced for Showtime. It was discontinued on July 15, 2020, and replaced with SHOÃ—BET.SHOÃ—BET now focuses on programming aimed at African American audiences and incorporating original scripted content targeted at that demographic from Showtime and BET’s respective libraries, in addition to BET+ programming to drive viewers to that streaming service.

(File:Showtime Extreme.svg

Showtime Extreme >| Launched on March 10, 1998, Showtime Extreme airs action and adventure films, thriller films, gangster films and sporting events (including mixed martial arts and boxing matches). The channel carries over 60 movies each month, along with a Sunday double feature spotlighting a different action star.

(File:Showtime Family Zone.svg

Showtime Family Zone{{small>(alternately known asSHO Family Zone)}}

Launched in March 2001, Showtime Family Zone features family-oriented programming, including movies and specials aimed at a younger audience. All movies are rated G, PG, or PG-13 (or the equivalent TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, or TV-14); no content rated R, TV-MA, or above are seen.

(File:Showtime Next.svg

Showtime Next{{small>(alternately branded on-airas SHO Next)}}

Launched in March 2001, Showtime Next features movies geared towards adults between 18 and 34 years old. The channel features over 50 films each month, including original made-for-cable movies, and live action and animated short films; it also broadcasts documentaries and concert specials.

(File:Showtime Women.svg

Showtime Women >| Launched in March 2001, Showtime Women features movies, Showtime original series and specials aimed at a female audience.

Other services

Showtime HD

Showtime HD is a high definition simulcast feed of Showtime that broadcasts in the 1080i resolution format. In addition to its main channel, all of Showtime’s multiplex channels also broadcast in the format, though availability of all of the HD feeds varies by provider. Showtime HD is available through virtually all providers which carry Showtime, along with Showtime’s streaming services. Films shown on Showtime’s HD simulcast feeds are broadcast in their domestic aspect ratio if that version is provided by the studios that maintain pay television distribution rights with the channel.WEB, Netflix, Studios Have Very Different Explanations for Widescreen Cropping,flavorwire.com/405833/flavorwire-exclusive-netflix-studios-have-very-different-explanations-for-widescreen-cropping, Jason Bailey, Flavorwire, Flavorpill Media, July 25, 2013, August 8, 2013, August 8, 2013,flavorwire.com/405833/flavorwire-exclusive-netflix-studios-have-very-different-explanations-for-widescreen-cropping," title="web.archive.org/web/20130808084139flavorwire.com/405833/flavorwire-exclusive-netflix-studios-have-very-different-explanations-for-widescreen-cropping,">web.archive.org/web/20130808084139flavorwire.com/405833/flavorwire-exclusive-netflix-studios-have-very-different-explanations-for-widescreen-cropping, live,

Showtime on Demand

Showtime operates a subscription video-on-demand television service called Showtime on Demand, which is available at no additional charge to Showtime subscribers. Showtime on Demand offers feature films, episodes of Showtime’s original series, adult programming and sports events. Showtime on Demand’s rotating program selection incorporates select new titles that are added each Friday, alongside existing program titles held over from the previous one to two weeks. The service began to be test marketed in 2001 and was officially launched in July 2002.WEB, Showtime, Starz tie SVOD bundles,www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89394686.html,www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89394686.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20121105153818www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89394686.html,">web.archive.org/web/20121105153818www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-89394686.html, dead, November 5, 2012, Matt Stump, Multichannel News, July 15, 2002, February 25, 2011,

Showtime Anytime

SHO Sync

On September 22, 2011, Showtime launched Showtime Social, a second screen interactive app providing interactivity with Showtime programs including viewer-participant polls and trivia questions as well as real-time aggregation of Twitter, Facebook and blog comments about particular Showtime programs; the app utilizes Automated Content Recognition technology to generate interactive content regardless of whether it is being watched live, on-demand or by DVR; the app also displays heat maps depicting viewer reactions throughout the duration of an episode at the conclusion of the program. The appâ€“which was renamed SHO Sync on September 13, 2012â€“was originally released for Apple iOS devices (iPad and iPhone), with an app for LG-manufactured Smart TVs being released on August 15, 2013.NEWS, Todd Spangler, September 27, 2011, Showtime Whips Up Social App, Multichannel News,www.multichannel.com/news/mobile/showtime-whips-social-app/306243, dead, July 11, 2015,www.multichannel.com/news/mobile/showtime-whips-social-app/306243," title="web.archive.org/web/20150713001155www.multichannel.com/news/mobile/showtime-whips-social-app/306243,">web.archive.org/web/20150713001155www.multichannel.com/news/mobile/showtime-whips-social-app/306243, July 13, 2015, NEWS, Richard Lawler, October 3, 2011, Showtime launches Anytime streaming portal, social iPad app, Engadget, AOL,www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/showtime-launches-anytime-streaming-portal-social-ipad-app/, live, July 11, 2013,www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/showtime-launches-anytime-streaming-portal-social-ipad-app/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130803204137www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/showtime-launches-anytime-streaming-portal-social-ipad-app/,">web.archive.org/web/20130803204137www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/showtime-launches-anytime-streaming-portal-social-ipad-app/, August 3, 2013, NEWS, Jeff Baumgartner, August 15, 2013, Showtime Syncs Up With LG Smart TVs, Multichannel News,www.multichannel.com/news/content/showtime-syncs-lg-smart-tvs/357794, live, July 11, 2015,www.multichannel.com/news/content/showtime-syncs-lg-smart-tvs/357794," title="web.archive.org/web/20150713010444www.multichannel.com/news/content/showtime-syncs-lg-smart-tvs/357794,">web.archive.org/web/20150713010444www.multichannel.com/news/content/showtime-syncs-lg-smart-tvs/357794, July 13, 2015, WEB, Michael O’Connell, August 15, 2013, Showtime and LG Launch Interactive Smart TV App,www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/showtime-lg-launch-interactive-smart-607269, live,www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/showtime-lg-launch-interactive-smart-607269," title="web.archive.org/web/20150715104829www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/showtime-lg-launch-interactive-smart-607269,">web.archive.org/web/20150715104829www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/showtime-lg-launch-interactive-smart-607269, July 15, 2015, July 11, 2015, The Hollywood Reporter, On July 9, 2015, Showtime announced it would discontinue SHO Sync, immediately discontinuing support of the iPad app with the iPhone and LG apps to be discontinued at a later date. However, the channel hinted that the core interactive functions of SHO Sync may be restored in a different form, with the possibility of being incorporated into Showtime Anytime and the Showtime over-the-top streaming service.NEWS, Jeff Baumgartner, July 9, 2015, Showtime to Discontinue ‘SHO Sync’, Multichannel News,www.multichannel.com/news/next-tv/showtime-discontinue-sho-sync/392052, live, July 11, 2015,www.multichannel.com/news/next-tv/showtime-discontinue-sho-sync/392052," title="web.archive.org/web/20150710222344www.multichannel.com/news/next-tv/showtime-discontinue-sho-sync/392052,">web.archive.org/web/20150710222344www.multichannel.com/news/next-tv/showtime-discontinue-sho-sync/392052, July 10, 2015,

Streaming service

Absorption into Paramount+

The Showtime streaming service co-existed with Paramount Global’s flagship streaming service Paramount+,WEB, Andreeva, Nellie, February 24, 2021, ‘Halo’ TV Series Moves From Showtime To Paramount+,deadline.com/2021/02/halo-tv-series-latest-paramount-plus-move-1234698703/,web.archive.org/web/20210224213213/https://deadline.com/2021/02/halo-tv-series-latest-paramount-plus-move-1234698703/, February 24, 2021, February 25, 2021, Deadline Hollywood, and became part of a bundle offer with the service.WEB, Keck, Catie, September 21, 2021, Paramount Plus announces new streaming bundle with Showtime included,www.theverge.com/2021/9/21/22686594/paramount-plus-showtime-bundle, May 11, 2022, The Verge, en, In August 2022, the Paramount+ apps were updated with the ability to upgrade a subscription to the “Paramount+ with Showtime” bundle, and for subscribers to the bundle to access Showtime content from within the Paramount+ apps. Showtime would continue to be offered as a standalone service and application.WEB, Weprin, Alex, September 1, 2022, Streaming’s Battle of the Bundles Era Begins,www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/streamings-battle-of-the-bundles-era-begins-1235210535/, September 3, 2022, The Hollywood Reporter, en-US, WEB, Hayes, Dade, August 31, 2022, Paramount+ Combines With Showtime In Single Streaming App, Though Each Also Continue On Stand-Alone Basis,deadline.com/2022/08/paramount-plus-showtime-bundle-streaming-service-1235104150/, September 3, 2022, Deadline Hollywood, WEB, Maas, Jennifer, February 15, 2022, Paramount Plus to Integrate Showtime Content, Allow In-App Bundle Upgrade,variety.com/2022/streaming/news/paramount-plus-showtime-app-bundle-1235182576/, April 8, 2022, Variety, However, in September, the company was in talks of moving the entire Showtime content within Paramount+.WEB, Hayes, Dade, Hipes, Patrick, September 13, 2022, Paramount Exploring Shuttering Showtime’s Stand-Alone Streaming Service And Shifting Content To Paramount+,deadline.com/2022/09/showtime-streaming-service-paramount-plus-merger-talks-1235118122/, September 17, 2022, Deadline Hollywood, WEB, Spangler, Todd, September 13, 2022, Paramount Is Considering Shutting Down Showtime and Migrating Its Content to Paramount+,variety.com/2022/digital/news/paramount-shutting-down-showtime-merge-paramount-plus-1235371524/, September 17, 2022, Variety, By December 2022, Paramount CEO Bob Bakish said that it “didn’t make sense to run Showtime as a 100% stand-alone organization”.WEB,deadline.com/2022/12/paramount-showtime-george-and-tammy-1235191278/, Bob Bakish Says Showtime Will Lean Into Franchises; Promises Brand “Still Matters” Amid Integration With Paramount+, Deadline Hollywood, Jill, Goldsmith, December 6, 2022, On January 30, 2023, Paramount Global confirmed the two services would be fully merged in the near future in the United States, with both the Showtime service and the current Paramount+ Premium tier to be rebranded “Paramount+ with Showtime”, echoing similar integrations in other international markets. The “Showtime” brand will remain active as a distinct programming imprint.WEB,variety.com/2023/tv/news/showtime-renamed-paramount-plus-with-showtime-1235506843/, Showtime to Get Renamed ‘Paramount+ With Showtime’ on Linear, Streaming, Jennifer, Maas, Variety (magazine), Variety, January 30, 2023, January 30, 2023, WEB, Perez, Sarah, January 30, 2023, Amid growing competition, Paramount+ and Showtime are combining in the U.S.,techcrunch.com/2023/01/30/amid-growing-competition-paramount-and-showtime-are-combining-in-the-u-s/, January 30, 2023, TechCrunch, On May 20, 2023, Paramount Global announced that the merger of both services would take place on June 27, with the standalone Showtime app being shut down on April 30, 2024.WEB, Roth, Emma, May 22, 2023, Paramount Plus will raise its prices next month,www.theverge.com/2023/5/22/23733505/paramount-plus-showtime-price-increase, May 23, 2023, The Verge, The primary Showtime channel was rebranded as Paramount+ with Showtime on January 8, 2024, although the former name remains in use as a standalone brand for its multiplex channels.

Programming

Paramount+ with Showtime’s programming schedule currently consists largely of theatrically released feature filmsâ€”which occupy much of the service’s daily schedule, varying in quantity depending on channelâ€”and original series targeted at adult audiences (including, {{As of|June 2020|lc=y}}, dramas like Shameless, Homeland, Yellowjackets, Billions, The Chi, (The L Word: Generation Q), and (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels); comedies such as Black Monday, Our Cartoon President and Kidding; and docuseries including (The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth|The Circus) and Vice). In addition, Showtime has documentary films, boxing matches, sports-centric magazine series, occasional original stand-up comedy specials, and short-form behind-the-scenes specials centered mainly on theatrical films (either running in their initial theatrical or Showtime Networks broadcast window).{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}Since the early 1980s, Showtime has run an adult-oriented late night programming block on its main channel called “Showtime After Hours” (which was briefly branded as “Showtime Late Night” during the mid-1990s) each night after 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time; programs featured within the block include feature films, series produced specifically for broadcast during the block and occasional stand-up comedy specials.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} Softcore erotica programming has previously aired during the “After Hours” block, though adult films have been absent from Showtime’s primary channel since the mid-2000s; the network began broadcasting a limited amount of original erotica series (such as (Beach Heat Miami|Beach Heat: Miami)) on its main channel in 2010, after having been removed for most of the previous decade.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} The network’s multiplex channels Showtime 2 and Showtime Extreme also occasionally feature adult films during the overnight hours, though this has become less commonplace since late 2011.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}Until the formation of Showtime Family Zone in 2001, Showtime heavily incorporated programming (both American and foreign) aimed at children and teenagers as part of its daytime schedule; in particular, the main channel ran a late afternoon block of teen-oriented series on Sundays (such as Ready or Not, Chris Cross and Degrassi High), as well as a morning block of shows aimed at younger children (such as OWL/TV, A Bunch of Munsch and The Busy World of Richard Scarry) during the early and mid-1990s, and a weekday mid-afternoon and Sunday morning film block called “Showtime Familytime” that ran during the 1980s and 1990s.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}The main Showtime network also carried, unusually for a premium channel, news programming; the now-defunct All News Channel (partially owned by Viacom) produced 90-second long news updates that aired during Showtime’s primetime promotional breaks in the early 1990s (ANC also produced news updates for fellow Viacom network VH1), in part as a response to the first Gulf War.WEB, 25 February 1991, Showtime news service,www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/91-OCR/BC-1991-02-25-OCR-Page-0042.pdf, 2 January 2024, World Radio History,

Original programming

Showtime has become known in recent years for the network’s original television programs, the most popular of which include the crime drama Dexter, the dark comedy drama Weeds, family dramas Ray Donovan and Shameless and the drama/thriller series Homeland. Other notable past and present original series include Stargate SG-1 (which ran on Showtime for its first five seasons, before moving to the Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy) for the remainder of its run); Dead Like Me; Californication; Gigolos; Nurse Jackie; The Tudors; Brotherhood; Soul Food; Queer as Folk; The L Word; The Big C; (Penn & Teller: Bullshit!); and United States of Tara. In mid-2017, the channel aired the critically acclaimed{{Citation|title=Twin Peaks|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/twin-peaks/season-3|access-date=July 17, 2019|archive-date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930203332www.metacritic.com/tv/twin-peaks/season-3|url-status=live}}WEB,www.indiewire.com/2017/12/sight-and-sound-best-films-2017-get-out-twin-peaks-the-return-1201904034/, Sight & Sound Names ‘Get Out’ and ‘Twin Peaks: The Return’ the Best Films of 2017, Sharf, Zack, December 5, 2017, IndieWire, en, July 17, 2019, July 17, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190717134632/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/12/sight-and-sound-best-films-2017-get-out-twin-peaks-the-return-1201904034/, live, third season of David Lynch’s TV series Twin Peaks. From 2007 to 2013, multiplex service Showtime 2 broadcast an original program exclusive to that channel, the seasonal late night reality series Big Brother After Dark, a companion to sister broadcast network CBS’ American adaptation of Big Brother; the program moved to TVGN (which has since been renamed Pop) starting with the June 26, 2013, premiere of Big Brother{{’}}s 15th season.WEB, ‘Big Brother: After Dark’ Moves To TVGN,www.deadline.com/2013/05/big-brother-after-dark-moves-to-tvgn/, Nellie Andreeva, Deadline Hollywood, Penske Media Corporation, May 29, 2013, April 17, 2020, September 28, 2013,www.deadline.com/2013/05/big-brother-after-dark-moves-to-tvgn/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130928042503www.deadline.com/2013/05/big-brother-after-dark-moves-to-tvgn/,">web.archive.org/web/20130928042503www.deadline.com/2013/05/big-brother-after-dark-moves-to-tvgn/, live, Showtime formerly produced its own original made-for-cable movies, originally branded as “Showtime Original Movies” until 1994 and “Showtime Original Pictures” thereafter until the channel discontinued producing television films in 2007. Showtime is also one of only two premium cable services (alongside Disney Channel during its existence as a premium channel prior to 1997) that has produced original movies aimed at family audiences; these films were originally broadcast under the separate banner “Showtime Original Pictures for Kids” from 1995 to 1997 and “Showtime Original Pictures for All Ages” from 1997 to 2005.

Showtime After Hours

A signature feature of Showtime was a late-night block known as Showtime After Hours, which featured softcore pornographic films and original series. Showtime did not have set start or end times for the block, as they varied depending on the mainstream feature filmsâ€“and original series on certain nightsâ€“that aired prior to and following it, and also depended on the number of programs and programs in particular that were scheduled to air within the block. Programs that aired under the Showtime After Hours banner carried either a TV-MA or R rating (usually the former), primarily for strong sexual content and nudity. The block had often been the subject of both scrutiny in the media and a source of humor in popular culture, with references to Showtime’s late night programming being featured in various films and television shows.

Movie library

{{As of|December 2022}}, Showtimeâ€“and sister channels The Movie Channel and Flixâ€“maintains exclusive first-run film licensing agreements with Amblin Partners (including releases produced in conjunction with DreamWorks Pictures, which maintains a pay television licensing agreement for its other releases with Showtime rivals HBO and Cinemax, and Participant),WEB, Amblin Extends Pay-TV Deal With Showtime Through 2024,deadline.com/2021/07/amblin-extends-pay-tv-deal-with-showtime-through-2024-1234787207/, Anthony D’Alessandro, Deadline Hollywood, Deadline, July 6, 2021, June 23, 2022, July 6, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210706233008/https://deadline.com/2021/07/amblin-extends-pay-tv-deal-with-showtime-through-2024-1234787207/, live, A24,WEB,deadline.com/2019/11/showtime-networks-inks-output-feature-deal-a24-films-1202784988/, Showtime Networks Inks Output Film Deal With A24, Deadline Hollywood, Deadline, November 1, 2019, September 16, 2020, Nellie Andreeva, December 21, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20191221024528/https://deadline.com/2019/11/showtime-networks-inks-output-feature-deal-a24-films-1202784988/, live, and Bleecker Street.WEB,deadline.com/2022/02/showtime-bleecker-street-output-deal-1234930673/, Showtime & Bleecker Street Enter New Exclusive Output Deal, Deadline, February 10, 2022, June 23, 2022, Anthony D’Alessandro, Despite being corporately reunited with Paramount Pictures in 2019 as a result of the ViacomCBS merger, that film studio maintains an existing output deal with MGM+ (formerly Epix, which Paramount co-owned with Lionsgate and MGM from its 2009 launch until 2018) until the end of 2025. New films from Paramount Pictures will not be able to air on Showtime until 2026 unless further negotiations are made.Paramount’s output deal with MGM+ was renewed for another 2 years, extending the studio’s output deal through the end of 2025.WEB, Andreeva, Nellie, January 19, 2024, Paramount Pictures’ Output Deal With MGM+ Extended,deadline.com/2024/01/paramount-pictures-output-deal-mgm-plus-extended-1235797124/, May 8, 2024, Deadline, en, Showtime also shows sub-runs â€“ runs of films that have already received broadcast or syndicated television airings â€“ of theatrical films distributed by IFC Films, Sony Pictures (including content from Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems, Revolution Studios and Morgan Creek Productions), Warner Bros. Pictures (including content from New Line Cinema), Universal Pictures (including content from subsidiary Focus Features), Open Road Films, Screen Media, Oscilloscope (select films), Summit Entertainment (for films released prior to 2013), Paramount Pictures (for films released prior to 2020), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (including content from subsidiary United Artists), Lionsgate (sub-run rights with the latter two studios are for films released prior to 2015), and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (including content from Pixar, 20th Century Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures, and Marvel Studios).The window between a film’s initial release in theaters and its initial screening on Showtime and sister channels The Movie Channel and Flix is wider than the grace period leading to a film’s initial broadcast on HBO/Cinemax, Starz/Encore, and Epix. Films that Showtime has pay cable rights to will usually run on The Movie Channel and Flix during the period of its term of licensing.

Former first-run contracts

Within years of its launch, Showtime entered into licensing agreements with several movie studios. Following Viacom’s 1983 acquisition of a joint stake in The Movie Channel, Paramount Pictures (then owned by Gulf+Western) signed a five-year exclusive first-run distribution agreement with Showtime and The Movie Channel to carry the studio’s films through 1989.NEWS, THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Paramount Sues Viacom Over Fees,www.nytimes.com/1989/05/12/business/the-media-business-paramount-sues-viacom-over-fees.html, Geraldine Fabrikant, The New York Times, May 12, 1989, March 14, 2014, March 6, 2014,www.nytimes.com/1989/05/12/business/the-media-business-paramount-sues-viacom-over-fees.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140306132520www.nytimes.com/1989/05/12/business/the-media-business-paramount-sues-viacom-over-fees.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140306132520www.nytimes.com/1989/05/12/business/the-media-business-paramount-sues-viacom-over-fees.html, live, On July 15, 1987, HBO signed a five-year deal with Paramount Pictures to broadcast 85 of their films released from May 1988 onward;NEWS, HBO Buying Rights To Paramount Films,www.nytimes.com/1987/07/15/business/hbo-buying-rights-to-paramount-films.html, Geraldine Fabrikant, The New York Times, July 15, 1987, March 14, 2014, February 2, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1987/07/15/business/hbo-buying-rights-to-paramount-films.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170202015753www.nytimes.com/1987/07/15/business/hbo-buying-rights-to-paramount-films.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170202015753www.nytimes.com/1987/07/15/business/hbo-buying-rights-to-paramount-films.html, live, NEWS, Pay-TV Rights to 85 Films : Paramount, HBO Sign Licensing Deal,articles.latimes.com/1987-07-15/business/fi-2300_1_licensing-deal, Keith Bradsher, Los Angeles Times, July 15, 1987, March 14, 2014, February 24, 2014,articles.latimes.com/1987-07-15/business/fi-2300_1_licensing-deal," title="web.archive.org/web/20140224165933articles.latimes.com/1987-07-15/business/fi-2300_1_licensing-deal,">web.archive.org/web/20140224165933articles.latimes.com/1987-07-15/business/fi-2300_1_licensing-deal, live, in May 1989, after it signed a licensing deal with HBO, Paramount filed a lawsuit against Showtime Networks, Viacom and its parent National Amusements over Showtime’s alleged refusal to pay a total of $88 million in fees for five films (that underperformed in their theatrical release) to reduce the minimum liability for its 75-film package from the studio. After Paramount Pictures was purchased by Viacom in 1994, Showtime (which was also owned by Viacom at the time) signed a seven-year distribution deal with that studio which took effect in January 1998, following the expiration of Paramount’s contract with HBO.PRESS RELEASE, Showtime Networks (SNI) and Paramount Pictures announce exclusive output deal,www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+%28SNI%29+and+Paramount+Pictures+announce+exclusive...-a016877979, Business Wire, The Free Library, May 18, 1995, March 14, 2014, April 3, 2015,www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+(SNI)+and+Paramount+Pictures+announce+exclusive...-a016877979," title="web.archive.org/web/20150403053010www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+(SNI)+and+Paramount+Pictures+announce+exclusive...-a016877979,">web.archive.org/web/20150403053010www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+(SNI)+and+Paramount+Pictures+announce+exclusive...-a016877979, live, In 1986, Showtime signed an agreement with Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group; its contract with Walt Disney Pictures expired after 1992, while output deals with Touchstone and Hollywood expired after 1996.NEWS, Showtime Extends Pact,www.nytimes.com/1989/03/16/business/showtime-extends-pact.html, The New York Times, March 16, 1989, February 12, 2017, August 12, 2017,www.nytimes.com/1989/03/16/business/showtime-extends-pact.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170812214809www.nytimes.com/1989/03/16/business/showtime-extends-pact.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170812214809www.nytimes.com/1989/03/16/business/showtime-extends-pact.html, live, Rival pay channel Starz signed a deal with Disney in 1994,WEB, Starz goes from second-tier movie channel to Hollywood power broker,fortune.com/2010/03/22/starz-goes-from-second-tier-movie-channel-to-hollywood-power-broker/, Jessica, Shambora, Fortune (magazine), Fortune, March 22, 2010, April 20, 2015, March 12, 2015,fortune.com/2010/03/22/starz-goes-from-second-tier-movie-channel-to-hollywood-power-broker/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150312111857fortune.com/2010/03/22/starz-goes-from-second-tier-movie-channel-to-hollywood-power-broker/,">web.archive.org/web/20150312111857fortune.com/2010/03/22/starz-goes-from-second-tier-movie-channel-to-hollywood-power-broker/, live, carrying only Touchstone and Hollywood films released from January 1997 onward early on.WEB, Encore snares Disney films from Showtime,business.highbeam.com/4377/article-1G1-14532845/encore-snares-disney-films-showtime,business.highbeam.com/4377/article-1G1-14532845/encore-snares-disney-films-showtime," title="web.archive.org/web/20130515205303business.highbeam.com/4377/article-1G1-14532845/encore-snares-disney-films-showtime,">web.archive.org/web/20130515205303business.highbeam.com/4377/article-1G1-14532845/encore-snares-disney-films-showtime, dead, May 15, 2013, Kim Mitchell, Multichannel News, October 4, 1993, March 14, 2014, By 1989, the channel had already made exclusive deals with Carolco Pictures (signed in 1988),NEWS, Showtime Buys Film Rights,www.nytimes.com/1988/05/20/business/showtime-buys-film-rights.html, subscription, The New York Times, May 20, 1988, February 12, 2017, September 30, 2016,www.nytimes.com/1988/05/20/business/showtime-buys-film-rights.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20160930212413www.nytimes.com/1988/05/20/business/showtime-buys-film-rights.html,">web.archive.org/web/20160930212413www.nytimes.com/1988/05/20/business/showtime-buys-film-rights.html, live, Atlantic Entertainment Group,WEB, Showtime/The Movie Channel signed a deal,articles.latimes.com/1986-04-11/business/fi-4151_1_movie-channel, Los Angeles Times, April 11, 1986, March 14, 2014, February 24, 2014,articles.latimes.com/1986-04-11/business/fi-4151_1_movie-channel," title="web.archive.org/web/20140224211759articles.latimes.com/1986-04-11/business/fi-4151_1_movie-channel,">web.archive.org/web/20140224211759articles.latimes.com/1986-04-11/business/fi-4151_1_movie-channel, live, Cannon Films (both signed in 1986),WEB, Viacom And Cannon Ink Cable Deal,articles.latimes.com/1986-04-02/entertainment/ca-2569_1_cannon-films, Morgan Gendel, Los Angeles Times, April 2, 1986, March 14, 2014, February 24, 2014,articles.latimes.com/1986-04-02/entertainment/ca-2569_1_cannon-films," title="web.archive.org/web/20140224161138articles.latimes.com/1986-04-02/entertainment/ca-2569_1_cannon-films,">web.archive.org/web/20140224161138articles.latimes.com/1986-04-02/entertainment/ca-2569_1_cannon-films, live, Universal Pictures, De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, Imagine Entertainment (signed in 1986),NEWS, Greenberg, James, September 17, 1986, Showtime-TMC In Production Deal With Howard-Grazer’s Imagine Pix, 63, Variety (magazine), Variety, and Weintraub Films.On April 13, 1990, Showtime signed an exclusive first-run film output deal with New Line Cinema; the deal expired after 1995. In July 1993, Encore signed an output deal with New Line Cinema, broadcasting its films released between 1994 and 2004.WEB, Encore Media Corp. has signed an agreement with New Line Cinema,www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15288664.html,www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15288664.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130515210303www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15288664.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130515210303www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15288664.html, dead, May 15, 2013, Dana Harris, Broadcasting & Cable, July 26, 1993, March 14, 2014, PRESS RELEASE, Encore Media Corp. corrects release regarding output agreement,www.thefreelibrary.com/Encore+Media+Corp.+corrects+release+regarding+output+agreement.-a017481125, Business Wire, Englewood, Colorado, September 27, 1995, March 14, 2014, February 4, 2014,www.thefreelibrary.com/Encore+Media+Corp.+corrects+release+regarding+output+agreement.-a017481125," title="web.archive.org/web/20140204011042www.thefreelibrary.com/Encore+Media+Corp.+corrects+release+regarding+output+agreement.-a017481125,">web.archive.org/web/20140204011042www.thefreelibrary.com/Encore+Media+Corp.+corrects+release+regarding+output+agreement.-a017481125, live, On November 22, 1993, Showtime signed exclusive first-run premium cable rights with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (renewing an existing pact with the studio) and United Artists,NEWS, MGM/UA, Showtime renew deal,variety.com/1993/film/news/mgm-ua-showtime-renew-deal-116021/, Christian Moerk, John Dempsey, Variety, November 22, 1993, March 14, 2014, July 31, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200731014731/https://variety.com/1993/film/news/mgm-ua-showtime-renew-deal-116021/, live, which were renewed for nine additional years in 2000.WEB, MGM extends Showtime domestic pay-TV deal to 2008, Mike Goodridge,www.screendaily.com/mgm-extends-showtime-domestic-pay-tv-deal-to-2008/402171.article, ScreenDaily, April 25, 2000, March 14, 2014, August 5, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200805211108/https://www.screendaily.com/mgm-extends-showtime-domestic-pay-tv-deal-to-2008/402171.article, live, WEB, MGM Agrees to Showtime Production Deal,articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/25/business/fi-23228, Bloomberg, L.P., Bloomberg News, Los Angeles Times, April 25, 2000, March 14, 2014, February 24, 2014,articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/25/business/fi-23228," title="web.archive.org/web/20140224172630articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/25/business/fi-23228,">web.archive.org/web/20140224172630articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/25/business/fi-23228, live, On March 5, 1996, Showtime announced a seven-year output deal with Phoenix Pictures (as part of an agreement that also included the purchase of an 11% equity interest), broadcasting titles from that studio released between 1996 and 2002.PRESS RELEASE, Showtime Networks announces seven-year licensing deal with Phoenix Pictures; SHOWTIME to acquire 11% equity interest in Feature Film Production Company,www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+announces+seven-year+licensing+deal+with+Phoenix...-a018056718, Business Wire, The Free Library, March 5, 1996, March 14, 2014, February 4, 2014,www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+announces+seven-year+licensing+deal+with+Phoenix...-a018056718," title="web.archive.org/web/20140204023643www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+announces+seven-year+licensing+deal+with+Phoenix...-a018056718,">web.archive.org/web/20140204023643www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+announces+seven-year+licensing+deal+with+Phoenix...-a018056718, live, During that time, Showtime also maintained output deals with TriStar Pictures (between 1994 and 1999),NEWS, Showtime, TriStar re-up cable deal,variety.com/1993/tv/news/showtime-tristar-re-up-cable-deal-108747/, Variety, July 15, 1993, March 14, 2014, March 8, 2014,variety.com/1993/tv/news/showtime-tristar-re-up-cable-deal-108747/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140308053932variety.com/1993/tv/news/showtime-tristar-re-up-cable-deal-108747/,">web.archive.org/web/20140308053932variety.com/1993/tv/news/showtime-tristar-re-up-cable-deal-108747/, live, Castle Rock Entertainment (which expired after 1999), PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (which expired after 2001), and Artisan Entertainment.WEB, Artisan adds to Showtime deal,business.highbeam.com/2012/article-1G1-54103556/artisan-adds-showtime-deal,business.highbeam.com/2012/article-1G1-54103556/artisan-adds-showtime-deal," title="web.archive.org/web/20130515213047business.highbeam.com/2012/article-1G1-54103556/artisan-adds-showtime-deal,">web.archive.org/web/20130515213047business.highbeam.com/2012/article-1G1-54103556/artisan-adds-showtime-deal, dead, May 15, 2013, Scott Hettrick, The Hollywood Reporter, March 1, 1999, March 14, 2014, NEWS, Castle Rock, Showtime reup,variety.com/1994/film/news/castle-rock-showtime-reup-119255/, John Dempsey, Variety, March 15, 1994, March 14, 2014, March 8, 2014,variety.com/1994/film/news/castle-rock-showtime-reup-119255/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140308053919variety.com/1994/film/news/castle-rock-showtime-reup-119255/,">web.archive.org/web/20140308053919variety.com/1994/film/news/castle-rock-showtime-reup-119255/, live, In 2006, Showtime entered into a partial deal with Rogue Pictures to broadcast select films released by the studio (especially those originally produced for home video release).On December 4, 2008, Showtime signed a four-year exclusive first-run distribution deal with Summit Entertainment, broadcasting 42 films that were released by that studio between 2009 and 2012.PRESS RELEASE, Showtime Networks and Summit Entertainment Enter Into Exclusive Output Agreement,www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+and+Summit+Entertainment+Enter+Into+Exclusive...-a0190065242, PRNewswire, The Free Library, December 4, 2008, March 14, 2014, February 3, 2014,www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+and+Summit+Entertainment+Enter+Into+Exclusive...-a0190065242," title="web.archive.org/web/20140203232823www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+and+Summit+Entertainment+Enter+Into+Exclusive...-a0190065242,">web.archive.org/web/20140203232823www.thefreelibrary.com/Showtime+Networks+and+Summit+Entertainment+Enter+Into+Exclusive...-a0190065242, live, On May 27, 2011, rival premium channel HBO had signed an output deal with Summit, allowing films that were released between 2013 and 2017 to be broadcast on the channel.NEWS, Summit signs pay-TV deal with HBO, dumping Showtime,articles.latimes.com/2011/may/27/business/la-fi-ct-summit-20110527, Ben Fritz, Los Angeles Times, May 27, 2011, March 14, 2014, February 24, 2014,articles.latimes.com/2011/may/27/business/la-fi-ct-summit-20110527," title="web.archive.org/web/20140224154258articles.latimes.com/2011/may/27/business/la-fi-ct-summit-20110527,">web.archive.org/web/20140224154258articles.latimes.com/2011/may/27/business/la-fi-ct-summit-20110527, live, Showtime formerly had a deal with The Weinstein Company (since 2009, including releases by Dimension Films). Netflix assumed the rights to The Weinstein Company’s films starting in 2016.WEB, Showtime and Weinstein Co. Sign 7-Year Deal,www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46855, ComingSoon, July 14, 2008, March 14, 2014, May 2, 2014,www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46855," title="web.archive.org/web/20140502085737www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46855,">web.archive.org/web/20140502085737www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46855, live, WEB, Deal for Showtime and Weinstein Company,www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/arts/16arts-DEALFORSHOWT_BRF.html?_r=0, Julie Bloom, The New York Times, July 16, 2008, February 12, 2017, November 7, 2017,www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/arts/16arts-DEALFORSHOWT_BRF.html?_r=0," title="web.archive.org/web/20171107121137www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/arts/16arts-DEALFORSHOWT_BRF.html?_r=0,">web.archive.org/web/20171107121137www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/arts/16arts-DEALFORSHOWT_BRF.html?_r=0, live,

Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, and MGM

The future of Showtime was put into question after negotiations to renew film output deals with Paramount Pictures (which was separated from the channel following the December 2005 split of Viacom and CBS into two separate companies, with CBS Corporation taking ownership of Showtime; the companies would however re-merge 14 years later), MGM, and Lions Gate Entertainment broke down, due to the failure between the studios and Showtime to agree on licensing fees for movies from the channel’s three largest film distributors.NEWS, Paramount Ready to End Movie Sales to Showtime,www.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/business/media/21viacom.html?_r=0&gwh=D850C6825C2821E07CAC8F2D56518A89&gwt=pay, Tim Arango, The New York Times, April 21, 2008, November 14, 2012, December 5, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20181205193455/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/business/media/21viacom.html?_r=0&gwh=D850C6825C2821E07CAC8F2D56518A89&gwt=pay, live, All three studios then entered into a joint venture, Studio 3 Partners, to form Epix as a competitor to Showtime, HBO and Starz; Epix debuted in May 2009 as a broadband Internet service, with the television channel launching on October 30 of that year.NEWS, Showtime’s Film Suppliers Start Up Rival TV Channel,www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/showtime%E2%80%99s-film-suppliers-start-rival-tv-channel/32169, Robert Marich, Broadcasting & Cable, April 21, 2008,www.broadcastingcable.com/article/ca6553110.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20080907170322www.broadcastingcable.com/article/ca6553110.html,">web.archive.org/web/20080907170322www.broadcastingcable.com/article/ca6553110.html, September 7, 2008, NEWS, New Online TV Channel ‘Epix’ to Debut in May,seekingalpha.com/article/117280-new-online-tv-channel-epix-to-debut-in-may, Seth Gilbert, Seeking Alpha, January 29, 2009, February 8, 2009, February 13, 2009,seekingalpha.com/article/117280-new-online-tv-channel-epix-to-debut-in-may," title="web.archive.org/web/20090213134541seekingalpha.com/article/117280-new-online-tv-channel-epix-to-debut-in-may,">web.archive.org/web/20090213134541seekingalpha.com/article/117280-new-online-tv-channel-epix-to-debut-in-may, live, The loss of newer films from Paramount, MGM, and Lions Gate Entertainment left Showtime without rights to any major studio’s films for the first time in the channel’s history, leaving “mini-majors” DreamWorks and The Weinstein Company as its principal film distributors, along with agreements with several independent studios.

A24

From November 13, 2019 to December 31, 2023, Showtime is the exclusive premium cable broadcaster for films distributed by A24 (excluding titles part of the latter’s already-existing partnership with Apple Inc.) through an output deal made between the two entities.

Sports programming

Showtime broadcasts a limited amount of sports programming, which is produced by the channel’s Showtime Sports division. Showtime also operates Showtime PPV (formerly Showtime Entertainment Television or SET), which broadcasts boxing matches and other select event programming for pay-per-view. Beginning in March 1986, Showtime’s sports programming consisted largely of boxing matches produced under the banner Showtime Championship Boxing; in 2001, the network launched ShoBox: The New Generation, focusing primarily on up-and-coming boxers. In 2004, Showtime began broadcasting all domestic fights telecast on the channel in high definition.WEB, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING to Broadcast All Domestic Fights in High Definition On SHOWTIME HD,www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/showtime-championship-boxing-to-broadcast-all-domestic-fights-in-high-definition-on-showtime-hd-58830397.html, PR Newswire, February 5, 2004, April 21, 2015, November 18, 2015,www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/showtime-championship-boxing-to-broadcast-all-domestic-fights-in-high-definition-on-showtime-hd-58830397.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20151118234321www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/showtime-championship-boxing-to-broadcast-all-domestic-fights-in-high-definition-on-showtime-hd-58830397.html,">web.archive.org/web/20151118234321www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/showtime-championship-boxing-to-broadcast-all-domestic-fights-in-high-definition-on-showtime-hd-58830397.html, live, In December 2006, Showtime announced a deal to broadcast mixed martial arts matches from the then-newly formed Elite Xtreme Combat (or EliteXC), an MMA organization formed by Showtime Networks and ProElite, Inc., with all events broadcast under the banner ShoXC; the league folded two years later in 2008.WEB, Pro Elite Launches Elite Xtreme Combat on SHOWTIME,www.thefreelibrary.com/Pro+Elite+Launches+Elite+Xtreme+Combat+on+SHOWTIME.-a0155879403, Business Wire, The Free Library, December 14, 2006, March 14, 2014, March 14, 2014,www.thefreelibrary.com/Pro+Elite+Launches+Elite+Xtreme+Combat+on+SHOWTIME.-a0155879403," title="web.archive.org/web/20140314032933www.thefreelibrary.com/Pro+Elite+Launches+Elite+Xtreme+Combat+on+SHOWTIME.-a0155879403,">web.archive.org/web/20140314032933www.thefreelibrary.com/Pro+Elite+Launches+Elite+Xtreme+Combat+on+SHOWTIME.-a0155879403, live, In 2008, Showtime acquired Inside the NFL, the longest-running program in the history of HBO, from that network after it had cancelled the seasonal analysis and interview program in February of that year; Inside the NFL moved to Showtime that September. In 2021, Inside the NFL moved to Paramount+.NEWS, Bucholtz, Andrew, February 24, 2021, Inside The NFL is heading from Showtime to Paramount+, the rebranded CBS All-Access streaming service,awfulannouncing.com/paramount/inside-the-nfl-is-heading-from-showtime-to-paramount.html, Awful Announcing, In February 2009, mixed martial arts promotion Strikeforce announced a three-year broadcast agreement with Showtime, allowing it to broadcast up to 16 events per year, as well as a deal with sister network CBS for an option to produce up to four events for that network;NEWS, Strikeforce Wins The ProElite Sweepstakes,www.mmaweekly.com/strikeforce-wins-the-proelite-sweepstakes-2, Tom Hamlin, Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos, MMA Weekly, February 5, 2009, April 21, 2015, September 10, 2011,mmaweekly.com/strikeforce-wins-the-proelite-sweepstakes-2," title="web.archive.org/web/20110910083637mmaweekly.com/strikeforce-wins-the-proelite-sweepstakes-2,">web.archive.org/web/20110910083637mmaweekly.com/strikeforce-wins-the-proelite-sweepstakes-2, live, Strikeforce ended its run on Showtime when the league folded in January 2013.WEB, The bittersweet demise of Strikeforce,espn.go.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/15223/the-end-of-strikeforce-is-bittersweet, Chuck Mindenhall, ESPN, November 9, 2012, November 14, 2012, November 12, 2012,espn.go.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/15223/the-end-of-strikeforce-is-bittersweet," title="web.archive.org/web/20121112223723espn.go.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/15223/the-end-of-strikeforce-is-bittersweet,">web.archive.org/web/20121112223723espn.go.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/15223/the-end-of-strikeforce-is-bittersweet, live, In addition to broadcasting big-ticket Strikeforce events on Showtime, the promotion also announced it would produce (ShoMMA|ShoMMA: Strikeforce Challengers), an event series highlighting up-and-coming fighters.WEB, Strikeforce CEO Outlines Rough Events Schedule for 2009,www.mmaweekly.com/blog/2009/03/strikeforce-ceo-outlines-rough-events.asp, MMA Weekly, March 14, 2009, March 14, 2009, dead,www.mmaweekly.com/blog/2009/03/strikeforce-ceo-outlines-rough-events.asp," title="web.archive.org/web/20090316210556www.mmaweekly.com/blog/2009/03/strikeforce-ceo-outlines-rough-events.asp,">web.archive.org/web/20090316210556www.mmaweekly.com/blog/2009/03/strikeforce-ceo-outlines-rough-events.asp, March 16, 2009, In 2010, Showtime debuted another original sports insider program, Inside NASCAR, focusing on interviews and analysis from around the NASCAR circuit. In 2011, Showtime expanded its MMA programming by televising events produced by M-1 Global,WEB, SHOWTIME SPORTSÂ® AND M-1 GLOBAL ANNOUNCE M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT TO AIR LIVE ON SHOWTIMEÂ®,www.m-1global.com/2011/02/23/showtime-sports%C2%AE-and-m-1-global-announce-m-1-challenge-event-to-air-live-on-showtime%C2%AE/, M-1 Global, March 14, 2009, March 10, 2011, dead,www.m-1global.com/2011/02/23/showtime-sports%C2%AE-and-m-1-global-announce-m-1-challenge-event-to-air-live-on-showtime%C2%AE/," title="web.archive.org/web/20110224121944www.m-1global.com/2011/02/23/showtime-sports%C2%AE-and-m-1-global-announce-m-1-challenge-event-to-air-live-on-showtime%C2%AE/,">web.archive.org/web/20110224121944www.m-1global.com/2011/02/23/showtime-sports%C2%AE-and-m-1-global-announce-m-1-challenge-event-to-air-live-on-showtime%C2%AE/, February 24, 2011, the Russian PTC company of popular Strikeforce fighter Fedor Emelianenko. In November 2012, Showtime debuted a sports-themed spinoff of CBS’ long-running newsmagazine 60 Minutes, titled 60 Minutes Sports.NEWS, 60 Minutes plans sports version for Showtime,www.usatoday.com/life/tv/story/2012/09/13/60-minutes-plans-sports-version-for-showtime/57776812/1, Gary Levin, USA Today, September 13, 2012, September 20, 2012, September 18, 2012,www.usatoday.com/life/tv/story/2012/09/13/60-minutes-plans-sports-version-for-showtime/57776812/1," title="web.archive.org/web/20120918070103www.usatoday.com/life/tv/story/2012/09/13/60-minutes-plans-sports-version-for-showtime/57776812/1,">web.archive.org/web/20120918070103www.usatoday.com/life/tv/story/2012/09/13/60-minutes-plans-sports-version-for-showtime/57776812/1, live, From 2012 to 2015, Showtime also aired an hour-long program called Jim Rome on Showtime, featuring the CBS Sports Radio host’s commentary and interviews with personalities in the sports world.WEB, December 8, 2015, Jim Rome’s Showtime series has been canceled,awfulannouncing.com/2015/jim-romes-showtime-series-has-been-canceled.html, March 30, 2019, March 30, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190330231714/https://awfulannouncing.com/2015/jim-romes-showtime-series-has-been-canceled.html, live, On February 9, 2021, it was announced that Showtime would be the exclusive home of Bellator MMA beginning with Bellator 255 on April 2 (the ViacomCBS merger made Bellator and Showtime corporate siblings). It was the first time mixed martial arts aired on Showtime since Strikeforce was absorbed by the UFC.WEB,www.cbssports.com/mma/news/bellator-set-for-showtime-debut-in-april-as-star-studded-light-heavyweight-world-grand-prix-headlines-slate/amp/, Bellator set for Showtime debut in April as star-studded Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix headlines slate, CBS Sports, Brent Brookhouse, February 9, 2021, February 9, 2021, Showtime Sports ceased operations on December 31, 2023, and sports programming has been moved to the CBS Sports branding.WEB, Weprin, Alex, Showtime Sports to Shut Down Later This Year,www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/showtime-sports-shut-down-boxing-strategy-shift-1235620873/, The Hollywood Reporter, October 17, 2023, October 17, 2023,

International

Outside of the United States, several pay television networks have used the Showtime name and former logo through licensing agreements with Showtime Networks for a while such as Showtime Australia, Showtime Arabia, Showtime Scandinavia and Spain’s (:es:XTRM|Showtime Extreme) (now XTRM). Showtime launched a South African version as part of the new TopTV satellite provider’s package on May 1, 2010.WEB, On Digital Media reveals ‘Top TV’ channels,www.mediaupdate.co.za/News/Article/23826/On-Digital-Media-reveals-Top-TV-channels, Media Update, March 18, 2010, April 20, 2015, November 13, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201113194325/https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/media/23826/on-digital-media-reveals-top-tv-channels, live, In January 2015, CBS announced an exclusive Canadian brand and content licensing agreement with domestic broadcaster Bell Media, under which Showtime programming would air exclusively on Bell’s services including The Movie Network and CraveTV (later consolidated under the Crave name); prior to this, The Movie Network and now-defunct counterpart Movie Central had been licensing Canadian rights to current Showtime programming.WEB,deadline.com/2015/01/cbs-bell-media-showtime-canada-1201362289/, CBS, Bell Media Pact To Bring Showtime Brand To Canada, Nancy, Tartaglione, Deadline Hollywood, January 29, 2015, September 28, 2022, Later that year, Chinese streamer PPTV agreed to a multiyear license to stream CBS and Showtime series in the country, giving 400 million users access to select Showtime series from CBS.WEB, CBS, Showtime stream into China,www.c21media.net/cbs-showtime-stream-into-china/, C21media, November 13, 2015, November 16, 2015,www.c21media.net/cbs-showtime-stream-into-china/," title="web.archive.org/web/20151116082301www.c21media.net/cbs-showtime-stream-into-china/,">web.archive.org/web/20151116082301www.c21media.net/cbs-showtime-stream-into-china/, live, Showtime programming is also distributed in selected countries/territories through localized versions of Paramount+, including Australia, Latin America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

SkyShowtime

(File:SkyShowtime Logo.svg|thumb|right|SkyShowtime logo)SkyShowtime is a joint-venture between Paramount Global’s Showtime and Comcast’s Sky which combines programming from the corporations’ Paramount+ and Peacock services. SkyShowtime launched in European markets where Sky does not operate their satellite and cable services.

Notes

References

External links

{{Official websiteparamountpluswithshowtime.com|Paramount+ with Showtime}}

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