Showtime To Launch HDTV On January 23
Paramount Pictures' ""Star Trek: Insurrection"" To Be Network's First HDTV Broadcast
Showtime will launch its east and west coast High Definition Television (HDTV) services on January 23, 2000 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), announced Mark Greenberg, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Communications for Showtime Networks Inc. Showtime will debut its HDTV service with its exclusive theatrical hit ""Star Trek: Insurrection"" from Paramount Pictures. Showtime's HDTV launch is part of the network's ongoing commitment to provide consumers and affiliates with the latest in video and audio enhancements. In making the announcement Greenberg stated, ""HDTV represents a very significant milestone in the evolution of TV. Showtime subscribers are heavy entertainment users and tend to be early adopters of new entertainment devices. The availability of Showtime programming in high definition, which offers the highest quality picture and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, will allow viewers to enjoy the ultimate entertainment experience while watching their favorite movies and other programs. At the same time, this HDTV programming will help affiliates attract new subscribers into the premium category and satisfy the needs of their existing premium customers."" As previously announced, Showtime HDTV will be in 1080i ñ the highest-resolution format. It will be transmitted in the widescreen 16:9 (1.78:1) aspect ratio, offering viewers the opportunity to experience the ultimate in home theatre performance. The HDTV feeds will be offered to affiliates at no additional cost, providing that there is no additional charge to subscribers. In addition to offering HDTV programming and Dolby Digital 5.1 multichannel audio on Showtime, SNI also plans to offer Dolby Digital 5.1 multichannel audio on its digital feeds of Showtime, Showtime 2, Showtime 3, Showtime Extreme, Showtime Beyond, The Movie Channel and The Movie Channel 2 in the first quarter of 2000. Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks Showtime, The Movie Channel and FLIX. SNI operates and manages the premium television network Sundance Channel, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI also markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis.