Showtime re-launches its 20 premium movies, sports and series channels in preparation for the Premier League

With the vast number of channels now available in the region, Showtime Arabia has developed a simpler and easier way for viewers to identify their favorite shows across its 20 locally produced premium TV channels whilst continuing to offer the best selection of international partner channels.

The new channels, available from April 1st, incorporate a modern new look and are now branded SHOWCINEMA, SHOWMOVIES, SHOWSPORTS and SHOWSERIES. SHOWTIME is putting its name on its channels as a sign of its commitment to deliver the best television entertainment and customer experience.

• 6 new SHOWCINEMA channels replace the current Home Cinema channels and deliver the best home theater selections from Paramount, Dreamworks, Sony Columbia, Universal, Disney and local studios.
• 5 new SHOWMOVIES channels replace The Movie Channel and MovieTime with unique and thematic premium movie channels: SHOWMOVIES 1, SHOWMOVIES 2, SHOWMOVIES ACTION, SHOWMOVIES COMEDY and SHOWMOVIES FAMILY. These leading channels allow customers to choose from up to 10 different first-time-on-TV movies broadcasting at any one time.
• 3 new SHOWSPORTS channels replace the Sportsnet channels with SHOWSPORTS 1, SHOWSPORTS 2 and SHOWSPORTS 3 - being the home of the Premier League from August 2007 and of many other exclusive leagues.
• 6 new SHOWSERIES channels replace TV Land, Style UK, Paramount Comedy and Al Shasha with unique series channels: SHOWSERIES 1 and SHOWSERIES 1 EXTRA, home of action series; SHOWSERIES 2, home of drama series; SHOWSHASHA, home of Arabic movies, series and talkshows; SHOWCOMEDY, home of comedy series and SHOWKIDS, home of the new BabyFirstTV and the best of Nickelodeon.

The content of each of these new channels offers TV fans the best in entertainment throughout the Middle East and North Africa region. The content is carefully scheduled by Dubai-based programming teams and acquired from the world's premier studios and sports leagues. SHOWTIME is currently airing exclusively the latest seasons of the world's best award winning action and drama series including Lost 3, Desperate Housewives 3, Prison Break 2, Heroes, Greys Anatomy 3, House and Ugly Betty at least one full year ahead of any other channel.

SHOWTIME has also secured the exclusive rights to broadcast all 380 matches per season of the English Premier League between 2007 and 2010. Football fans can expect to see all games live and exclusively on the SHOWSPORTS and other SHOWTIME channels in both Arabic and English with dedicated studios in both languages.

Marc-Antoine d'Halluin, President and CEO said:

"Providing increased choice and customer satisfaction is our mission. The new SHOWTIME platform is designed to maximize the viewer's entertainment experience by providing easily identifiable channels with a greater choice of exclusive premium movies, sports and series. As the leading provider of local and international Pay TV channels in the region our commitment to value for money and customer service is paramount. To this end, all current SHOWTIME customers will enjoy all of these improvements at no additional cost, including the Premier League. We have also introduced a new Family package at a lower entry price point that will delight new customers."

Added d'Halluin: "Our leadership is further enhanced by offering advanced technology in the form of the SHOWBOX DVR (Digital Video Recorder) and the English and Arabic SHOWGUIDE (Electronic Programming Guide). While both of these tools give the viewer the convenience and control to watch what they want, when they want at the touch of a button, an additional feature, 'Parental Control', rates programs and gives parents the choice to decide what can and can't be viewed. With their new SHOWTIME subscription associated with the SHOWBOX as part of their in home entertainment, our customers will truly reach the "maximum tv" paradigm."

Customers can find out more by reading the detailed information in the new April SHOWGUIDE, the monthly printed subscriber magazie which explains the changes and lists the many new additions that are now part of the SHOWTIME network.