Leading MENA pay-TV network to establish headquarters in Dubai Media City

Ahmad bin Byat, Director General of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority, said: "We are delighted that Showtime has chosen to establish its new headquarters at DMC.

"Showtime is the first satellite bouquet operator to choose DMC as its base. Its decision is strategically important because it confirms DMC has successfully established itself as an international media hub."

"As the leading pay-TV broadcaster in the Middle East and North Africa, the Showtime network has developed a reputation for innovative programming and entertainment, technical excellence and superior customer service.

"It has ambitious growth targets and I am confident that DMC will provide the infrastructure and world class working environment to realise those plans."

Peter Einstein, Showtime President and Chief Executive, commented: "We have watched the phenomenal pace of development at DMC as it has progressively established a dominant position as a global media hub.

"In a short period of time DMC has created an unrivalled opportunity for broadcasters, publishers and other creative producers to excel in the region and beyond.

"The move brings us in to the heartland of the creative community that is growing rapidly within DMC. We look forward to contributing a major element to the creative edge that DMC is giving Dubai and the region."

Initially, Showtime will relocate both its play-out and up-linking operations from Cairo, Egypt, and its sales and marketing activities currently operating in Dubai to a 50,000 square feet purpose-built headquarters at a prime location in DMC.

Subsequently, further technical and production operations will transfer from London to the Dubai Media City headquarters which will ultimately accommodate over 400 staff.

The Showtime facility will feature a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art broadcast and transmission centre to be operational in early 2004, together with advanced call centre and online customer service functions.

DMC will provide up-link services for Showtime's channels to two transponders on the NileSat 102 satellite, with services to a third transponder being added in the future.

Showtime has also signed a distribution deal with the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone to provide premium television entertainment alongside broadband Internet and cutting edge IP telephony to residential homes and offices across the campus.

Earlier this month Showtime launched its Online Services centre via the www.showtimeonline.tv portal, offering subscribers immediate access to all customer service requirements, including a payment gateway and immediate ordering of Home Cinema™ Pay Per View movies. Showtime Online Services will also be managed from its facility at DMC.

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