SHOWTIME SPORTS DEBUTS
UNIQUE SHORT-FORM PROGRAMS
NEW YORK (Feb. 12, 2008)—SHOWTIME recently unveiled two unique short-form series in support of its live sports telecasts. Entitled Goldberg Toe-to-Toe (EliteXC/MMA) and All Access (boxing), the five-minute documentary-style episodes are available to viewers via a variety of media outlets, such as news, sports, entertainment and pop-culture websites, www.SHO.com, user generated websites such as YouTube, and interstitially on SHOWTIME and its multiplexes.
“We want to reach fans in a unique and compelling way,” said Ken Hershman, senior vice president and general manager, SHOWTIME Sports and Event Programming. “By creating these short-form programs and making them available across multiple media platforms, we are making it easier for fans to go where they have never been able to go before. Our viewers can now become the proverbial ‘fly on the wall’ as the athletes attend press conferences, go through training camp and participate in many other activities in the build-up to their events.”
Internet phenomenon Kimbo Slice is preparing to take on MMA legend and feared knockout artist Tank Abbott this Saturday, Feb. 16, on SHOWTIME (live at 10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). The first installment of Goldberg Toe-to-Toe follows Bill Goldberg, a former NFL football player and wrestling superstar, as he joins Kimbo for a full-day workout at Bas Rutten’s gym in Los Angeles. Tune in to see if Goldberg, now a SHOWTIME and EliteXC analyst, can keep up.
Goldberg Toe-To-Toe with Kimbo Slice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1C39PCW1Ls
All Access: Vazquez vs. Marquez III takes a behind-the-scenes look at Israel Vazquez’ and Rafael Marquez’ preparations for their third and deciding fight. From the kick-off press conference in Los Angeles to the fighters training camps and the gates of The Home Depot Center, All Access: Vazquez vs. Marquez III brings viewers into the gyms, homes and the hearts and minds of champions.
The first of the four-part short-form series debuted last week and is currently available at a variety of outlets. The remaining three episodes will debut on consecutive Thursdays leading up to the fight, with the final installment premiering on Tuesday, Feb. 26, online and on SHOWTIME.
All Access: Vazquez vs. Marquez III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_9LDqK1jhwThe first two fights were heralded as old school, classic give-and-take slugfests, with the second scrap capturing Fight of the Year honors from the most respected media outlets in boxing. Now, Vazquez and Marquez are set to battle for the World Boxing Council (WBC) 122-pound title, The Ring Magazine belt and super bantamweight supremacy in the third and final chapter of boxing’s best rivalry in years. Vazquez vs. Marquez III will air live on SHOWTIME, Saturday, March 1, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
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About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. 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®.