Showtime Networks facts for kids
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Formerly
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Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. (1983–1988) |
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Predecessor | Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment |
| Founded | September 6, 1983 |
| Founder | Viacom Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment |
| Headquarters |
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United States
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Key people
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| Products | |
| Brands | |
| Revenue | $1 billion (2021) |
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Number of employees
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1,000 |
| Parent |
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Showtime Networks, Inc. is a company that manages special TV channels. It is part of a bigger entertainment company called Paramount Skydance Corporation. Showtime Networks oversees premium cable television channels, like its main channel, Paramount+ with Showtime.
Contents
About Showtime Networks
How the Company Started
Showtime Networks 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 TV channels. These channels were Showtime and The Movie Channel.
In 1984, Warner Communications became a co-owner of the company. Then, in 1985, Warner sold its share to Viacom. This made Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. fully owned by Viacom. The company officially changed its name to Showtime Networks, Inc. in 1988.
Helping Viewers Choose Shows
In 1994, Showtime Networks worked with Home Box Office, Inc. (which owns HBO). They created a system to help viewers understand TV show content. This system gave information about programs on Showtime, The Movie Channel, and HBO. It helped families decide if a show was right for children.
This system was created because parents were worried about some TV content. It allowed the TV services to give ratings for shows. These ratings explained if a show had violence, strong language, or mature themes. A new, more detailed system with special codes was put in place in June 1994.
Changes in Ownership
Showtime Networks became part of CBS Corporation in 2005. This happened when CBS officially separated from Viacom. For a while, Showtime Networks also helped manage Sundance Channel. However, Sundance Channel was sold in 2008.
In December 2019, CBS Corporation and Viacom merged again. They formed a new company called ViacomCBS, which is now known as Paramount Global. Showtime Networks is currently part of Paramount Media Networks.
TV Channels Owned by Showtime Networks
Here are the TV channels that Showtime Networks currently owns. The year in parentheses shows when each channel joined the company.
- Paramount+ with Showtime (1983)+
- SHO2 (formerly SHOTOO) (1991)
- Showcase (formerly Showtime 3) (1996)
- Showtime Extreme (1998)
- SHO×BET (2020)*
- Showtime Next (2001)
- Showtime Family Zone (2001)
- Showtime Women (2001)
- The Movie Channel (1983)+
- The Movie Channel Xtra (1997)
- Flix (1992)
+These channels started before 1983 under Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment. *This channel was called Showtime Beyond from 1999 to 2020.
Awards and Recognition
Showtime Networks has received awards for its work. In 2002, it won a Peabody Award for the film Bang Bang You're Dead. In 2008, the company was honored at the 59th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards. This award was for its excellent use of advertising on personal computers for the website of the series The L Word.
See also
In Spanish: Showtime Networks para niños
