Showtime Networks Announces Breakthrough Interactive Television Application

Showtime Networks Announces Breakthrough Interactive Television Application

Remote Control Ordering Application Drives SHOWTIME Subscriptions

NEW YORK, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Showtime Networks has developed a breakthrough interactive TV (ITV) application that is transforming the way premium channels are marketed and sold. The SHOWTIME Marketing Application uses ITV to bring together long form marketing video, remote ordering, and free full-length episodes of SHOWTIME programming, in an easy to use interface. The application will be demonstrated at the upcoming NCTA Cable Show that will be held in Washington, D.C. from April 1-3.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060131/SHOWTIMELOGO )

One of the major benefits of this new application is that it creates an innovative new way for the viewer to access custom video segment that communicate the full value of a SHOWTIME subscription, including Original Series, Movies and Sports as well as high definition and On Demand. The most valuable component is the ease with which a viewer can now order SHOWTIME and the upgrade to Showtime can be processed and authorized within seconds.

"Working closely with our operator partners, we're empowering customers to sample and order SHOWTIME right on the TV," said Robert Hayes, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Showtime Digital. "This self service approach is a win-win for everyone involved. The viewer can sample our hit programming, while the automated approach generates additional sales and reduces call center expenses for the operators."

The SHOWTIME Marketing Application is comprised of a series of dynamically updatable templates. This flexible approach allows the network and operator partners to update the content using the various templates to support almost any kind of marketing and acquisition campaign. The backend ties into an operator's billing system, so accurate pricing is displayed and orders take place in real time.

SHOWTIME is platform agnostic so versions of the SHOWTIME Marketing Application can be developed for all leading ITV platforms for partnering cable, satellite and telco operators. This includes ActiveVideo, OpenTV, EBIF and other technologies. The EBIF version, developed by itaas, Inc., (www.itaas.com) will allow interactive functionality of the new application to reach millions of viewers on both legacy and next generation set-top boxes from Cisco and Motorola.

Showtime Networks is also working with Verizon FiOS TV to deploy the SHOWTIME Marketing Application. "SHOWTIME's innovative approach to marketing using ITV will give our customers even more ways to interact with FiOS TV by giving them an easy way to learn more about SHOWTIME and sign up using their remote control," said Joe Ambeault, director of video product development for Verizon.

The SHOWTIME Marketing Application will be demonstrated at the NCTA in the ActiveVideo (#1423) and itaas (#1401) booths.

ABOUT SHOWTIME NETWORKS

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(R) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL(R) XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(R) HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(R) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL(R) ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. 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 PPV(R).

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060131/SHOWTIMELOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Showtime Networks

CONTACT: Stuart Zakim of Showtime Networks, +1-212-708-1590,
stuart.zakim@showtime.net

Web Site: http://www.itaas.com/

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