Release
<div>SHOWTIME NETWORKS LAUNCHES THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD ON DECEMBER 1, 2003</div>
Second HDTV Channel Represents The Company's Continued Commitment To Expand HDTV Offerings
New York, NY, October 1, 2003-- Showtime Networks will launch its second high definition television (HDTV) channel, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD, on December 1, 2003. The company will transmit an East Coast feed of Showtime Networks' all movie service in the highest picture resolution format available -- 1080i -- with the original widescreen aspect ratio (16:9) to preserve theatrical presentation. The announcement, made today by Mark Greenberg, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Communications for Showtime Networks, reinforces the company's commitment to providing its premium subscribers with the highest quality home entertainment experience.
In December, HDTV titles on THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD will include "Bandits," "Hardball," "Novocaine," "Rollerball," "Sidewalks of New York," "What's the Worst that Could Happen?" and many others. With 75% of the service's primetime schedule offered in HD, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD will also feature Dolby Digital 5.1, offering subscribers six-channel, theater quality directional surround sound.
According to Greenberg, "THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD will be an extremely attractive service for consumers in the emerging HDTV landscape. Research indicates that movies are among the top programming choice for potential HD customers. Seven out of 10 potential buyers say that they would be more likely to purchase an HDTV set if they knew their favorite movies would be broadcast in HD. We believe that THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD will not only add significant value to our affiliates HDTV offerings but it will also provide a powerful addition to the Showtime Unlimited package."
Showtime Networks' commitment to HDTV programming began in January 2000 when it launched SHOWTIME HD. SHOWTIME was the first network to launch Dolby Digital surround sound in conjunction with HDTV in 2000, and the first premium channel to launch a series fully produced in HDTV in 2002. Since then, the network has been substantially increasing the amount of programming available in HDTV. In 2003, in addition to providing theatricals in HDTV, SHOWTIME HD has aired returning series "Queer As Folk," "Jeremiah" and "Street Time," as well as its new series "Dead Like Me," "Free For All" and limited series "Out of Order" in HDTV. The new season of "The Chris Isaak Show" has also been shot in HD. Showtime Original Pictures which have aired in HDTV in 2003 have included "Our Town, "Soldier's Girl," "The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie," and "Jasper, Texas," to name a few. SHOWTIME also broadcast its first live HDTV broadcast in February 2003 with the Mike Tyson vs. Clifford Etienne heavyweight boxing match. SHOWTIME HD is currently available to more than 45 million homes via satellite on both DIRECTV and Dish Network and via cable by Cablevision Systems Corporation, Charter Communications Inc., Comcast Cable Communications, Inc. Cox Communications Inc., Insight Communications, and Time Warner Cable.