Showtime Networks History of Ownership and Partnerships

Showtime Networks has a rich history of ownership and partnerships that have shaped the company into what it is today.

The company was founded in 1976 by Matt Levy, who served as its first president.

In 1983, Showtime was acquired by Warner Communications for $250 million.

This acquisition brought significant resources and expertise to the table, allowing Showtime to expand its programming and reach a wider audience.

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Showtime had its launch just three days before the U.S. bicentennial celebrations on July 4, 1976, with a program featuring Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd, and ABBA.

The network merged with The Movie Channel in 1983, and its principal competition was the premium channel HBO.

Viewers were willing to pay relatively high prices to maintain their subscriptions to Showtime and HBO, despite the few who subscribed to both.

HBO and Showtime offered an exciting mix of first-run movies and high-quality entertainment, giving viewers a reason to pay more for their subscriptions.

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Showtime responded to the challenge of VCR purchases in 1984 by signing more exclusive distribution deals with movie studios.

The network ensured it would be the first to show major movie releases like Who Framed Roger Rabbit? outside the theaters.

Showtime produced more original programming, including the film Paris Trout, which starred Dennis Hopper and Barbara Hershey.

Championship boxing matches proved to be a major draw for Showtime, and in the mid-1990s, the name most commonly associated with the network was heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson.

The latter half of the 1990s was a busy period for Showtime, as the company negotiated strategic alliances to strengthen its programming.

Showtime Networks entered into a first-look agreement with Rastar Productions, under which Rastar would propose at least 15 new motion picture projects for joint development with Showtime.

Showtime also negotiated an understanding with Phoenix Pictures, acquiring the exclusive U.S. premium television rights to as many as 40 motion pictures over a seven-year period.

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Showtime Networks has a rich history of growth and expansion. The company's first major acquisition was Showtime itself, which was brought into the SNI fold in 1983.

Showtime's early success led to the addition of The Movie Channel in 1983, just a year after Showtime's acquisition. This strategic move expanded SNI's reach and offerings.

SNI continued to grow and evolve, adding Flix in 1992 to its portfolio of networks.

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Viacom was formed in 1982 by the merger of Viacom International and CBS.

Viacom's early success was largely due to its ownership of MTV, which was launched in 1981 and quickly became a popular destination for music fans.

The company's network lineup also included VH1, which was launched in 1985 as a spin-off of MTV.

In 1995, Viacom acquired Paramount Pictures for $9.6 billion, expanding its reach into the film industry.

Viacom's ownership of the UPN and WB television networks began in 1995, when it acquired a 50% stake in each of the networks.

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Viacom's network lineup continued to expand in the late 1990s, with the launch of several new channels, including Nickelodeon's Nick at Nite and TV Land.

In 2000, Viacom acquired CBS for $37.5 billion, reuniting the two companies that had been split apart in 1971.

The acquisition gave Viacom control of the CBS television network, as well as several other CBS-owned networks, including UPN and the WB.

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In 2005, Viacom decided to separate itself into two companies, both controlled by its parent National Amusements, due to stagnation of the company's stock price.

The original Viacom was restructured as CBS Corporation on December 31, 2005, and kept Showtime Networks along with the original Viacom's broadcasting assets.

CBS Corporation retained the CBS television network, UPN, and the company's broadcast group, which became CBS Television Stations.

The new CBS Corporation also included Paramount Television, which was later split into CBS Studios for network and cable production, and CBS Media Ventures for production of first-run syndicated programs and off-network series distribution.

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CBS Outdoor, a former Viacom Outdoor advertising firm, was retained by CBS Corporation.

Simon & Schuster was also kept by CBS Corporation.

Paramount Parks, which was later sold to Cedar Fair, L.P. on June 30, 2006, was a part of the original Viacom.

A new company, also named Viacom, took over Paramount Pictures, the MTV Networks and BET Networks cable divisions, and Famous Music.

Famous Music was later sold to Sony-ATV Music Publishing in May 2007.

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Showtime Networks Inc. was established in 1983 after Viacom and Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment merged their premium channels, Showtime and The Movie Channel, into one division.

In 1985, Warner sold its half-interest in the company to Viacom, making Showtime Networks Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom. This marked a significant shift in ownership for the company.

Showtime debuted its first premium television multiplex service in the United States in 1991, followed by the testing of its secondary service, Showtime 2, on October 1 of that year.

Showtime Networks Inc. was established in 1983 as Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. after Viacom and Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment merged their premium channels.

The company was formed by merging Showtime and The Movie Channel, two separate premium channels that were owned by Viacom and Warner-Amex respectively.

In 1984, American Express sold its interest in Warner-Amex to Warner Communications, making Warner the new half-owner of Showtime/TMC. This change in ownership had a significant impact on the company's direction.

The company's name was changed to Showtime Networks Inc. in 1988, reflecting its new status as a standalone entity.

Showtime Networks Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., a publicly owned company traded on the American Stock Exchange.

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Showtime has a long history of broadcasting sports programming, including boxing matches and mixed martial arts events.

The network's sports programming has been produced by its Showtime Sports division and has featured a range of events, including ShoBox: The New Generation, which focuses on up-and-coming boxers.

In 2004, Showtime began broadcasting all domestic fights in high definition, making it a leader in sports broadcasting technology.

Showtime has also broadcast mixed martial arts matches from various organizations, including EliteXC and Strikeforce, which had a three-year broadcast agreement with the network.

From 2012 to 2015, Showtime 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.

In 2021, Showtime became the exclusive home of Bellator MMA, marking the first time mixed martial arts aired on the network since Strikeforce was absorbed by the UFC.

Showtime's sports programming has included a range of other events and shows, such as Inside the NFL, ShoMMA: Strikeforce Challengers, and 60 Minutes Sports.

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Former First-Run Contracts were a crucial aspect of the film industry, allowing major studios to acquire exclusive distribution rights for a limited time.

These contracts typically lasted for 7-10 years, giving studios a significant window to recoup their investment and turn a profit.

The practice of offering exclusive distribution rights was a key factor in the success of films like "Jaws" and "Star Wars", which were released under these types of contracts.

The major studios would often use these contracts to negotiate higher profits from the box office, as they had the exclusive right to distribute the film.

The contracts also gave studios the ability to control the marketing and distribution of the film, which was a significant advantage in the pre-home video era.

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Showtime has become known for its original television programs, including popular shows like Dexter, Weeds, and Homeland. These shows have garnered critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.

Some of the notable past and present original series include Stargate SG-1, Dead Like Me, Californication, and The Tudors. Showtime has also produced several reality shows, including Big Brother: After Dark and Gigolos.

The channel has a long history of producing original movies, including family-friendly films under the banner "Showtime Original Pictures for Kids" and "Showtime Original Pictures for All Ages". Showtime discontinued producing television films in 2007.

Showtime has also ventured into sports programming, producing events like ShoBox: The New Generation and ShoXC, which featured mixed martial arts matches. The channel has also broadcast boxing matches, including those produced by Showtime Championship Boxing.

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Showtime has become a household name for its original television programs. The network has produced a wide range of popular shows, including crime dramas like Dexter and drama/thriller series like Homeland.

Some of the most notable original series include Stargate SG-1, Dead Like Me, Californication, and The L Word. These shows have captivated audiences with their unique storylines and complex characters.

Showtime also aired the critically acclaimed third season of David Lynch's TV series Twin Peaks in mid-2017. This move showcased the network's willingness to take risks and push the boundaries of television programming.

In addition to its original series, Showtime formerly produced its own original made-for-cable movies. The network discontinued producing television films in 2007, but not before creating a range of movies aimed at different audiences.

Here's a list of some of Showtime's notable original series:

Showtime HD broadcasts in the 1080i resolution format, making it a high definition simulcast feed of the main channel.

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.

Availability of Showtime HD feeds varies by provider, but it's available through virtually all providers that carry Showtime, along with Showtime's streaming services.

All of Showtime's multiplex channels also broadcast in the 1080i resolution format, just like the main channel.

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Showtime launched SHO Sync, a second screen interactive app, on September 22, 2011.

The app provided interactivity with Showtime programs, including viewer-participant polls and trivia questions, as well as real-time aggregation of Twitter, Facebook, and blog comments.

SHO Sync utilized Automated Content Recognition technology to generate interactive content, regardless of whether it was being watched live, on-demand, or by DVR.

The app displayed heat maps depicting viewer reactions throughout the duration of an episode at the conclusion of the program.

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SHO Sync was originally released for Apple iOS devices, including the iPad and iPhone, with an app for LG-manufactured Smart TVs being released on August 15, 2013.

Showtime announced it would discontinue SHO Sync on July 9, 2015, immediately discontinuing support of the iPad app, with the iPhone and LG apps to be discontinued at a later date.

The channel hinted that the core interactive functions of SHO Sync may be restored in a different form, possibly incorporated into Showtime Anytime and the Showtime over-the-top streaming service.

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Showtime Networks has a presence in many countries around the world through licensing agreements with domestic broadcasters. For example, in Canada, Showtime programming airs exclusively on Bell's services including The Movie Network and CraveTV.

Showtime programming is also available in other countries through localized versions of Paramount+, including Australia, Latin America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. This means that audiences in these regions can access Showtime content through a single platform.

Showtime Anytime, a website that features around 400 hours of streaming program content, was launched in 2010 and was available to Showtime subscribers with TV Everywhere login.

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Showtime Anytime was launched on October 27, 2010, and allowed subscribers to stream around 400 hours of content in standard or high definition.

This service was initially available to Showtime subscribers with a TV Everywhere login, and it included a wide range of programming like original series, feature films, comedy specials, and sports programming.

The service was available nationally through satellite provider AT&T DirecTV and regionally through various cable providers like Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, and Optimum.

The Showtime Anytime app was initially released on the iOS App Store for the iPad and iPhone on October 3, 2011, and an Android app became available on the Google Play platform for Android devices on October 1, 2012.

Unfortunately, in September 2017, it was discovered that the Showtime Anytime website had been injected with code that mined the cryptocurrency Monero using the viewer's CPU, potentially causing degraded performance for other websites and applications.

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Showtime programming is available in several international markets through licensing agreements with Showtime Networks.

In Australia, Showtime Australia is one of the pay television networks that have used the Showtime name and former logo through licensing agreements. Showtime programming is also distributed in Australia through localized versions of Paramount+.

Showtime Arabia is another international market where Showtime programming is available through a licensing agreement. This agreement allows Showtime programming to be aired in the Middle East region.

In South Africa, Showtime launched a version as part of the TopTV satellite provider's package in 2010. This was a significant move to expand Showtime's reach into the African continent.

Showtime programming is also available in Canada through a licensing agreement with Bell Media, which acquired exclusive Canadian brand and content rights in 2015. This agreement allows Bell Media to air Showtime programming on its services, including The Movie Network and CraveTV.

In China, PPTV agreed to a multiyear license to stream CBS and Showtime series in 2015, giving 400 million users access to select Showtime series from CBS. This was a major step for Showtime to expand its reach into the Chinese market.

In addition to these markets, Showtime programming is also distributed in selected countries/territories through localized versions of Paramount+, including Australia, Latin America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

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Showtime Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., which means it doesn't report its financial results independently.

As a result, we can only look at Viacom's reports for financial information. In 1997, Showtime Networks' operating income was $105 million on revenue of $724 million.

Operating revenue in 1996 was significantly lower, totaling $501 million.

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Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, and MGM were once major film distributors for Showtime, but their negotiations to renew film output deals broke down due to disagreements over licensing fees.

The studios were unable to agree on terms with Showtime, leading to a significant change in the TV landscape. The three studios then entered into a joint venture to create a competitor to Showtime.

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Showtime Networks' financial situation is closely tied to its parent company, Viacom Inc. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Showtime Networks doesn't release its own financial reports.

In 1997, Showtime Networks' operating income was a notable $105 million. This is based on Viacom's reporting of the subsidiary's financial results.

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Showtime and HBO revolutionized the premium network market by offering recently released movies, live sporting events, and headlining comedy acts directly to viewers' homes.

This was a significant departure from the traditional television experience, where movies were often several years old and had been edited to meet FCC requirements.

By providing fresh content, these networks captured a large share of the market for a few years.

However, the rise of VCRs and videocassettes changed the game, forcing Showtime to adapt and differentiate itself.

To stay competitive, Showtime signed exclusive distribution deals with movie companies, guaranteeing its audience a look at new motion pictures before they hit video.

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Showtime Networks has a rich history, and here are some key notes and chronology that highlight its major milestones.

The former name of the main Showtime channel was indeed "Showtime", which was used from 1976 to 2024, although it still appears in certain marketing and channel branding contexts.

Showtime Networks was launched by Viacom, and one of its early significant moves was merging with The Movie Channel. This strategic partnership helped the network expand its offerings and reach a wider audience.

Here's a brief timeline of some of the key dates in Showtime Networks' history:

The network's focus on original programming has allowed it to showcase unique entertainment products that aren't available elsewhere. This approach has helped Showtime Networks stand out in the industry and attract a loyal following.

Showtime was the former name of the main channel from 1976 to 2024.

The channel still uses the name Showtime for certain marketing and channel branding contexts, even though it's no longer the official name.

Showtime Networks Inc. was launched by Viacom, marking the beginning of its journey.

Viacom launched Showtime, a significant milestone in the network's history.

The network merged with The Movie Channel, expanding its reach and offerings.

A huge surge of VCR purchases put the premium cable networks in direct competition with video.

Showtime signed a multi-year deal with Mike Tyson for exclusive rights to televise his fights, a move that would yield huge successes.

In 1995, Showtime signed a multi-year agreement with Mike Tyson, giving the network exclusive rights to the pay-per-view exhibition of his fights through 1998.

Tyson vs. McNeely: The Return of Mike Tyson and Tyson vs. Holyfield: Finally were two of the highest-grossing pay-per-view events in Showtime's history.

Showtime acquired all U.S. distribution rights to Lolita, director Adrian Lyne's adaptation of the 1954 novel by Vladimir Nabokov, in 1998.

The film was jointly premiered on Showcase and the Sundance Channel in August 1998.

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Showtime Networks underwent a significant transformation in 2022, with the absorption into Paramount+ being a major development.

In August 2022, Paramount+ apps were updated to allow subscribers to upgrade to a bundle with Showtime. This was a significant step towards integrating Showtime content into the Paramount+ ecosystem.

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By September 2022, Paramount Global was in talks of moving the entire Showtime content within Paramount+. This marked a significant shift in the company's strategy for its streaming services.

In December 2022, Paramount CEO Bob Bakish stated that it "didn't make sense to run Showtime as a 100% stand-alone organization", hinting at the eventual absorption of Showtime into Paramount+.

On January 30, 2023, Paramount Global confirmed that the two services would be fully merged in the near future. The merged service would be branded as Paramount+ with Showtime.

The "Showtime" brand will remain active as a distinct programming imprint within Paramount+. This means that Showtime will continue to produce and distribute its own content, even after the merger.

On June 27, 2023, the merger of Showtime and Paramount+ took place, with the standalone Showtime app being discontinued on April 30, 2024.

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