New SHOWTIME Screening Room Increases Online Video Usage Over 150% With Use of MACROMEDIA(R) FLASH(R) VIDEO

New SHOWTIME Screening Room Increases Online Video Usage Over 150% With Use of MACROMEDIA(R) FLASH(R) VIDEO

NEW YORK, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- A pioneer in the New Media arena and boasting two Interactive TV Emmy Awards(R), Showtime Networks Inc. recently teamed with Macromedia to create a SHO.com online screening room using Macromedia Flash Video software. The resulting SHO.com Screening Room (http://sho.com/video) allows instant access to programming clips through an intuitive user interface and has increased clip viewership over 150% since its launch in late May.

Using Macromedia Flash Professional MX 2004 and the Flash Video Streaming Service powered by Akamai, SHO.com's Screening Room brings together nearly 3,000 video assets -- from all of the network's websites -- into one central viewing area. It provides easy access to all of the network's promotional programming clips, including exclusive web content and is designed to encourage sampling of other programs by highlighting upcoming theatrical films and Showtime Original movies and series. The featured program dynamically updates depending on the visitor's point of entry, for example, viewers entering from the HUFF site will see content that appeals to that audience, while boxing fans might be offered other video recommendations. Users can also access the Screening Room directly from SHO.com's homepage.

In addition to general viewing of promotional clips, the application also has "member's only" content section. This portion links into a registration database and has become an invaluable mechanism for growing the network's online user list.

The Showtime Screening Room's increased usage together with dramatic increases in streams per visit make it a powerful marketing vehicle for the network.

"Because millions of users already have the Flash Player installed and can easily view online content, implementing Flash Video was the obvious choice for us," said Robert Hayes, Senior VP of New Media... "Plus, the ability to seamlessly embed Flash streaming video within the Screening Room provides an elegant and efficient user experience."

"Macromedia Flash Video is the first and only solution to offer full creative and functional control for integrating video directly on websites," said Chris Hock, director of product management, Macromedia. "We're thrilled to team up with Showtime and provide software tools and streaming solutions that enable them to develop and deliver customized rich, interactive video experiences."

ABOUT MACROMEDIA

Experience matters. Macromedia is motivated by the belief that great experiences build great businesses. Our software empowers millions of business users, developers, and designers to create and deliver effective, compelling, and memorable experiences -- on the Internet, on fixed media, on wireless, and on digital devices.

ABOUT SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME(R) TOO(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE(R) and TMC xtra. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD(R), SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND(TM). SNI also is an owner of the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL(R), which is a venture between NBC Universal, Robert Redford, and Showtime Networks Inc. 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(R) PPV. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.

CONTACTS: Brooks Jewell
Showtime PR
212-708-1380
brooks.jewell@showtime.net

Source: Showtime Networks Inc.

CONTACT: Brooks Jewell, Showtime PR, +1-212-708-1380,
brooks.jewell@showtime.net

Web site: http://www.sho.com/
http://sho.com/video

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