Showtime Arabia has announced a major restructuring of its programme packages. The Dubai-based DTH platform says that the 20 locally produced premium channels will make it easier for viewers to navigate its content.
From April 1, content will be divided into four key brands. The six Showcinema channels will replace the Home Cinema channels with content from Paramount, Dreamworks, Sony Columbia, Universal, Disney and local studios. Five Showmovies channels will replace The Movie Channel and MovieTime with five genre-based channels. The three Showsports channels will replace the existing Sportsnet channels and from August will be home to coverage of the English Premiership – secured from rival ART in a three-year exclusive deal. Finally, the six Showseries channels will replace channels including the Viacom brands TV Land and Paramount Comedy.
CEO Marc-Antoine d’Halluin said the new packages had been added at no extra cost to the subscriber. “Our leadership is further enhanced by offering advanced technology in the form of the Showbox DVR and English and Arabic Showguide EPG.”
Separately, business new channel CNBC will join the Showtime package from April 1.
Showtime Arabia is 80% owned by the Kuwait Projects Company and 20% by Viacom Inc.
