Tom Hayden Named General Manager
David Royle Named EVP, Programming and Production
NEW YORK, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Showtime Networks Inc. and the
Smithsonian Institution have joined forces to create Smithsonian Networks, a
joint venture dedicated to developing unique television services. Smithsonian
On Demand, the venture's first programming service, will celebrate the
American experience with branded, original content from the Smithsonian. The
announcement was made today by Matthew C. Blank, Chairman and CEO of Showtime
Networks Inc. and Gary M. Beer, Chief Executive Officer of Smithsonian
Business Ventures. The new venture will develop, launch, and operate
Smithsonian-branded television programming services for distribution to multi-
channel video distributors and new media platforms.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060131/SHOWTIMELOGO )
Smithsonian On Demand will feature original documentaries, events, and
short subject exploration of the major scientific, cultural, and historical
events of the day. It will include original, innovative, and groundbreaking
programs highlighting America's history and cultural and scientific heritage,
and will also feature children's programming, as well as programs on space,
science and nature, history, popular culture, art and design, sports, and
music. The programs will be drawn from the assets of the Smithsonian
Institution, the world's largest museum complex, and its scientific and
scholarly research centers, as well the editorial content of the Smithsonian
and Air & Space magazines.
The new service, slated to be launched in December 2006, will offer a
collection of up to 40 hours of programming, refreshed monthly for multi-
channel distributors' on demand-enabled households.
"Smithsonian On Demand will be a unique programming service that is as
entertaining as it is informative. This isn't 'Museum TV,'" said Blank, "It
will blend Showtime's gift for story telling with the Smithsonian's integrity
and treasure trove of fascinating resources."
"We feel that Showtime Networks has the resources and market knowledge to
bring the Smithsonian brand to television audiences. Smithsonian magazine has
enjoyed over 35 years of success with consumers and advertisers, connecting
the reader with the uniquely American heritage, and we expect Smithsonian On
Demand to enjoy the same success," said Beer.
The joint venture will establish operations in both Washington, D.C. and
New York City to produce and distribute television programming under the
Smithsonian brand. Showtime Networks is the managing partner and the
Smithsonian Institution will provide content and production assistance.
Smithsonian On Demand's first three executive hires are:
Tom Hayden, currently Executive Vice President, Direct To Home for
Showtime Networks, will assume the role of General Manager. He will be based
in New York City.
David Royle will be Executive Vice President, Programming and Production.
Royle spent nine years at National Geographic Television and Film, where he
was Executive Vice President, Production and won seven Emmy(R) awards. He
also developed award-winning television and video programming for various
networks including the A&E Network and NBC. Royle will be based in Washington,
DC.
Jeanny Kim, Vice President of Media Services for Smithsonian Business
Ventures, has been appointed to manage Smithsonian's content and production
assistance for the venture. Kim will also be based in Washington, DC.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS
Corporation, owns and operates 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(TM), SHOWTIME ON
DEMAND(TM) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND(TM). SNI is also an owner and
manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and
SNI. 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.
The Smithsonian Institution's brand is unparalleled, with a 94% brand
recognition among adult Americans and a ranking of #1 for quality and trust by
Equitrend. The Smithsonian attracts more than 20 million visitors to its 18
museums and 30 million visitors to traveling exhibits and public programs
every year, in addition to its 9 research centers around the world. Its more
than 100 million consumer touch points also span across the Institution's
portfolio of businesses which are managed by Smithsonian Business Ventures,
including a readership of over 7 million of Smithsonian magazine; over 5
million customers served by its 30 museum retail stores, restaurants, and the
Smithsonian Catalogue and online store; trade book publishing of over 100
books annually; a renowned educational and cultural travel tour business; and
3 IMAX theaters.
SOURCE Showtime Networks Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.SHO.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060131/SHOWTIMELOGO
CONTACT:
Stuart Zakim of Showtime Networks,
212-708-1590, or stuart.zakim@showtime.net; or Linda St. Thomas
of The Smithsonian Institution, +1-202-633-5188, or
stthomasl@si.edu
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