'BBC Prime' joins Showtime from March 1st

The channel from BBC Worldwide provides audiences with a diverse mix of the very best programming from both the BBC and independent producers in the UK.

The all new BBC Prime a 24 hours channel, which will be available free of charge to all Showtime Family, Movies, Premier and Platinum subscribers, will present a mix of entertainment shows from award-winning comedies and dramas to ground-breaking documentaries and lifestyle series offering ideas on cooking, fashion, gardening and interior design.

The channel opens a window to a wider world with its wealth of BBC natural history and documentary programming and is the home of the UK's most talked-about dramas such as Eastenders, Spooks and Waking the Dead, plus perennial comedy favorites and offbeat smash hits, including Absolutely Fabulous and Little Britain.

Key shows on the channel include:

- Doctors

As the BBC's flagship drama for new talent, Doctors blends stand alone guest stories with the continuing personal lives of the regular characters and continues to gain high ratings and critical acclaim.

- Holby City

At Holby City every day brings fresh dilemmas. The patients are one vital half of the story, the other is the lives of the regular staff. Like all workplaces there are rivalries, liaisons, romance, tensions and fun.

- The Weakest Link

Nine contestants are brought together to play the fastest, meanest quiz show in television. They don't know each other, but they will have to work as a team if they want to win prize money of up to £20,000. But eight of them will leave with nothing, as round by round; they lose the player voted the weakest link.

- Eastenders

Set in the close-knit, multi-racial community of London's Albert Square, human interest stories intertwining relationships, social issues, triumphs and tragedies, loves and losses keep fans glued to the screen.

Commenting on the launch of BBC Prime Marc Antoine d'Halluin President and CEO of Showtime Arabia said, "We are very happy to extend our relationship with BBC Worldwide by offering BBC Prime to our subscribers. The new channel will complement the wide range of British must see programming available on Showtime including Sky News, BBC Lifestyle, and the full and exclusive coverage of the English Premier League."