On April 1st, the leading Pay-TV network cuts through the clutter with more content, more choice and more control, at no extra cost!

Dubai, 26 March 2007: Showtime Arabia the leading Pay-TV network in the Middle East today re-launched its locally-produced platform with more, great programming and new features offering more choice, more control and a better customer experience at no extra cost.

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. Alternatively, all information is available on the SHOWTIME website at: www.showtimearabia.com

-Ends-

About Showtime Arabia
Showtime  Arabia is the leading Pay TV network in the Middle East and North Africa broadcasting the very best and latest Blockbuster Movies through its exclusive deals with the leading Hollywood studios including Paramount, Dreamworks, Sony Columbia, NBC Universal,  Disney and local producers; exclusive Premium Sports including the world's most popular football league the Premier League, the Rugby World Cup and other major sporting events; and the best International Series and shows including Desperate Housewives, Lost , Prison Break, Heroes, 24 and Ugly Betty to name just a few, first on TV and one full year before any other channel.

Showtime Arabia based in Dubai owns and produces 20 premium channels branded SHOWCINEMA, SHOWMOVIES, SHOWSPORTS, SHOWSERIES, SHOWCOMEDY, SHOWKIDS and SHOWSHASHA. We acquire, produce and package the best programs to deliver an exciting and broad range of programming to meet all of the family's entertainment needs. These premium SHOWTIME channels are complemented with our selection of International partner channels including global brands like Al Jazeera, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, CNN, CNBC, and MTV amongst others.

In addition to providing the best and latest programming SHOWTIME is continuously introducing innovation to improve the customer viewing experience. With SHOWBOX our digital video recorder and SHOWGUIDE our 7 day electronic programming guide we offer the latest in advanced technology to allow customers to choose what they want to watch, when they want to watch it, at the touch of a button. Additionally SHOWTIME'S PARENTAL CONTROL features allow customers to choose what programs and channels can be viewed.

Our customers are supported by a customer service operation that is accessible and easy to deal with, our Customer Care Centers are available 24 hours a day to answer calls, e-mails or faxes. We also provide a range of flexible self-service facilities through the Internet, Mobile SMS or Automated Telephone Response.

Showtime Arabia is owned by Gulf DTH DC, which is a joint venture of Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) (KIPCO) owning 80% of Gulf DTH and Viacom, Inc. (Viacom) owning the remaining 20%.

Issued on behalf of Showtime by Impact Porter Novelli

For information contact:
Jennie Brown
Impact Porter Novelli
Tel: +971 4 3304030
Mobile: +971 50 8886316
Email: J.Brown@ipn.ae

© Press Release 2007