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Showtime Networks facts for kids

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Showtime Networks, Inc.
Formerly
Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. (1983–1988)
Subsidiary
Industry Entertainment
Predecessor Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment
Founded September 6, 1983; 41 years ago (1983-09-06) (as Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc.)
1988; 37 years ago (1988) (as Showtime Networks)
Founder Viacom
Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment
Headquarters ,
United States
Key people
Products
Brands
Revenue $1 billion (2021)
Number of employees
1,000
Parent Paramount Media Networks

Showtime Networks, Inc. is an American company that creates and manages special TV channels. These are often called "premium" channels, like Paramount+ with Showtime. The company is part of a bigger media group called Paramount Global.

What is Showtime Networks?

Showtime Networks, Inc. (SNI) is an entertainment company. It runs several popular TV channels that you pay extra to watch. These channels offer movies, TV shows, and special events.

How Showtime Networks Started

The company began in 1983. It was first called Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. This happened when two companies, Viacom and Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, combined their premium channels. These channels were Showtime and The Movie Channel.

In 1985, Viacom became the full owner of the company. In 1988, the company changed its name to Showtime Networks, Inc.

Helping Families Choose TV Shows

In 1994, Showtime Networks worked with another company, Home Box Office, Inc. (which owns HBO). They created a system to help families know what's in TV shows. This system gives information about a program's content. It helps parents decide if a show is right for their kids.

The system uses labels to describe content. For example, it might say if a show has violence or other mature themes. This way, viewers can make informed choices about what to watch.

Showtime Networks Today

Showtime Networks has been part of different large media companies over the years. In 2005, it became part of CBS Corporation. Later, in 2019, it joined back with Viacom. This created a new company called ViacomCBS. In 2022, this company was renamed Paramount. Today, SNI is a key part of Paramount's TV network business.

TV Channels Owned by Showtime Networks

Showtime Networks manages several popular TV channels. Here are some of them:

  • Paramount+ with Showtime (started in 1983)
    • SHO2 (started in 1994)
    • Showcase (started in 1996)
    • Showtime Extreme (started in 1998)
    • SHO×BET (started in 2020)
    • Showtime Next (started in 2001)
    • Showtime Family Zone (started in 2001)
    • Showtime Women (started in 2001)
  • The Movie Channel (started in 1983)
    • The Movie Channel Xtra (started in 1999)
  • Flix (started in 1992)

Awards and Recognition

Showtime Networks has won awards for its shows and technology.

  • In 2002, SNI won a Peabody Award for the film Bang Bang You're Dead.
  • In 2008, the company was honored at the Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards. This was for its great work on the website for the TV series The L Word. The award was for using advertising well on personal computers.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Showtime Networks para niños

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