VIP viewing as Showtime subscribers go Platinum

Showtime, a leading pay-TV network in the Middle East has had its finger on the pulse of key trends emerging in the market with regards to what subscribers want from their pay TV subscription. Three key opportunities have been identified:

1. A premium package to provide subscribers with more choice, more flexibility and exclusive benefits

2. Access to all Showtime channels and services in one comprehensive package

3. A family friendly package providing excellent quality entertainment for every member of the family

Showtime has redesigned its packages taking into account these findings and has launched a premium package for the first time - PLATINUM. With Platinum, in addition to subscribers getting all channels, they also get unlimited access to all Home Cinema movies, a second subscription, a priority hotline and a members' card which will offer additional, incremental and exclusive benefits.

The Platinum package will be available in all markets for new subscribers from May 1. Coupled with the recent launch of the region's first DVR service Showbox, the 7 day EPG (the on screen TV Guide) and the great programming line up, Showtime subscribers are really in a position to choose to watch what they want, when they want.

Movies Premiere is targeting those who want access to all 50 Showtime channels including the 15 movie channels showing at least 70% of the Top 100 box office hits annually and no less than 1700 movies a month. Add to that 8 out of the 10 most successful TV series seen on US television in 2005 (including Desperate Housewives, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, 24 and CSI) and such global TV brands as BBC Food, Discovery, Disney, E! Entertainment, Extreme Sports, Hallmark, MTV and VH1.

For the family conscious who want quality entertainment, the entry level package now provides more choice too, offering clusters of thematic channels which combine children's programming, documentaries, general entertainment, sports and music including the two new sports channels launching on May 1: Sportsnet World and Sportsnet America. The options to choose from are Kids and Knowledge, Lifestyle and Variety and Sports.

Commenting on the new packages, Peter Einstein, President and CEO of Showtime said,

"We have listened to what the market is telling us. Showtime is committed to bringing superb entertainment to its subscribers and the new Showtime packages deliver a great additional benefit - more choice! The packages offer choice for families, choice for those who want all of our channels, and choice for those who want all of that and more. The new Platinum package will be the VIP entertainment package for customers, offering flexibility across the price and programming spectrum. The new packages deliver the ultimate TV solution!"