New York, NY, May 3, 2004 -- Showtme Networks and Paramount Parks, both divisions of Viacom Inc., have joined forces on an acquisition/awareness campaign to kick off in May and run throughout the summer.  The campaign, which offers new SHOWTIME subscribers two free tickets to a participating Paramount Park (including Paramount's Carowinds in North/South Carolina, Paramount's Kings Dominion in Virginia and Paramount's Kings Island in Ohio), is being done in conjunction with local cable affiliates in the various park vicinities.  These include Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Bright House Networks and Insight. 

 

The promotion will target cable households without Showtime Networks services, and analog households in the hopes of upgrading them to digital and Showtime Networks services.

According to Geof Rochester, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Showtime Networks Inc., "The promotion was designed to be a win-win for all parties concerned.  Not only will it drive SHOWTIME subscriptions, but it will drive digital penetration for our cable affiliates, and generate awareness of the new thrilling rides Paramount Parks have to offer including the 'Star Trek Borg Assimilator' rollercoaster at Carowinds, 'Scooby Doo and the Haunted Mansion' at Kings Dominion and 'Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay' water park resort at Kings Island."

Consumers who sign up for SHOWTIME during the promotional period will be treated to hit movies including The Italian Job, Star Trek: Nemesis and Legally Blonde 2 as well as explosive Championship Boxing, original series including the return of DEAD LIKE ME, and more. 

The promotion will be supported with customizable direct mail, ad slicks, television avails, radio spots and a local incentive.

 

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL" and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO", SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC xtra.  SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD®, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND". SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV.  Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME® is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.

 

Paramount Parks is a leading developer and operator of world-class theme parks and location-based attractions, entertaining more than 13 million guests annually.  The company currently owns and operates five of the most popular theme parks in North America including: Paramount Canada's Wonderland (Toronto, Ontario, Canada); Paramount's Carowinds (Charlotte, N.C.); Paramount's Great America (Santa Clara, Calif.); Paramount's Kings Dominion (Richmond, Va.); and Paramount's Kings Island (Cincinnati, Ohio).  The company also developed and manages the award-winning STAR TREK: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton (Las Vegas, Nev.) and manages Bonfante Gardens horticultural theme park (Gilroy, Calif.); CBS Television City at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.); and Terra Mitica theme park (Benidorm, Valencia, Spain).  More information about Paramount Parks is available at www.paramountparks.com.