Showtime Networks Inc. News

SHOWTIME, an established leader in outstanding original programming, continues to expand its aggressive push into high-end, filmmaker-driven documentaries with a captivating new doc SUGE KNIGHT (tentative title), directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Brooklyn's Finest) and produced by Bradley J. Fischer (Black Swan, Shutter Island, Zodiac) and Fuqua.

On the heels of HOMELAND's biggest numbers yet, for this past Sunday's airing, SHOWTIME has ordered a season two, consisting of 12 new one-hour episodes.

Beneath the streets of every major global city lies a dark and ugly secret. It's the hidden ingredient that has transformed primitive outposts into wondrous metropolitan areas, forcing mankind into radical urban and architectural directions, propelling advances in science and jump-starting revolutions.

Slithering in at 48 feet long and weighing an estimated one-and-a-half tons, the largest snake the world has ever seen will be brought back to life for television viewers in the spring of 2012. Sixty million years ago, in the mysterious era after the mass extinction of the dinosaurs, a colossal snake related to modern boa constrictors ruled a lost world that is only now coming to light. With exclusive access, Smithsonian Channel and Wide-Eyed Entertainment will tell the extraordinary true story in TITANOBOA: MONSTER SNAKE.

SHOWTIME, an established leader in outstanding original programming, continues to expand its aggressive push into high-end, filmmaker-driven documentaries with a captivating new doc SUGE KNIGHT (tentative title), directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Brooklyn's Finest) and produced by Bradley J. Fischer (Black Swan, Shutter Island, Zodiac) and Fuqua.

Showtime Networks Inc. has named Amy Israel as its new Senior Vice President, Original Programming. Israel will be responsible for the development and creative oversight of new SHOWTIME original series.

Today, Showtime Networks appointed Trisha Cardoso to serve in their top Communications post, as Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, Showtime Networks Inc. The announcement was made by Matthew C. Blank, Chairman and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc., David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. and Gil Schwartz, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, CBS Corporation.

Multi-hyphenate comic impresarios Steve Carell (The Office) and David Steinberg (Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg) are bringing the biggest names in comedy to the table as executive producers of LAUGHING STOCK, a revealing new comedy interview series featuring the world's funniest personalities, one-on-one with host Steinberg, it was announced today by SHOWTIME President of Entertainment David Nevins.

As the country prepares to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, SHOWTIME will premiere the highly-anticipated feature documentary THE LOVE WE MAKE, which chronicles Paul McCartney's poignant and cathartic journey through the streets of New York City in the aftermath of the World Trade Center's destruction. It also traces the planning and performance of the monumental benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, 'The Concert for New York City,' which took place less than six weeks after the terrorist attacks. Directed by iconic documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Salesman, Grey Gardens) and his award-winning filmmaking partner, Bradley Kaplan (Muhammad and Larry, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!, Sand and Sorrow), THE LOVE WE MAKE was shot in the signature cinéma vérité style that Maysles pioneered and made famous when he filmed the Beatles' first visit to America in the legendary 1964 documentary What's Happening! The Beatles in the U.S.A. Shooting once again in 16mm black & white, Maysles' camera intimately captures McCartney's personal journey to help heal the city that welcomed him with open arms in 1964. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.

SHOWTIME has announced its panel line-up for the 2011 Comic-Con which will feature stars from some of the network's biggest original series.

To mark the return of the second season of the Golden Globe(R)-nominated original series THE BIG C, SHOWTIME will launch a number of campaigns in support of the American Cancer Society. The network has partnered with DIRECTV to create a special offer that allows DIRECTV customers to get $25 back when they subscribe to SHOWTIME - the customer can then choose either to receive a $25 prepaid debit card or contribute the $25 to the American Cancer Society.

To mark the return of the second season of the Golden Globe(R)-nominated original series THE BIG C, SHOWTIME will launch a number of campaigns in support of the American Cancer Society.

The Big C: The Complete First Season, Sony Pictures Television's critically acclaimed Showtime original dark comedy series, debuts on DVD and digital download June 7th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

The Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation (JCCF) at UCLA hosts its 16th annual Taste for a Cure Friday, April 15, 2011 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

SHOWTIME(R) will be available in a record 61 million households for a Free Preview Weekend from Friday, January 7 through Monday, January 10. Viewers across the country will have the opportunity to sample the premium network's award-winning programming on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME HD(TM) and SHOWTIME On Demand(R). The Free Preview weekend will include the anticipated series premieres of two new SHOWTIME original series SHAMELESS and EPISODES, the fourth season premiere of CALIFORNICATION, the Showtime Sports mixed martial arts series STRIKEFORCE Challengers live from Nashville, and the premium television premiere of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON.

SHOWTIME(R) will be available in a record 61 million households for a Free Preview Weekend from Friday, January 7 through Monday, January 10. Viewers across the country will have the opportunity to sample the premium network's award-winning programming on SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME HD(TM) and SHOWTIME On Demand(R). The Free Preview weekend will include the anticipated series premieres of two new SHOWTIME original series SHAMELESS and EPISODES, the fourth season premiere of CALIFORNICATION, the Showtime Sports mixed martial arts series STRIKEFORCE Challengers live from Nashville, and the premium television premiere of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON.

According to a report by Deadline.com, Eddie Izzard, who recently starred in the Broadway production of Race, is set to join the third season of Showtime's 'United Sates of Tara'. Though details on his character remain unknown, Izzard will appear in more than one episode.

David Nevins, an Emmy(R) Award-winning producer and veteran network programming executive, has been named President of Entertainment at Showtime Networks Inc., it was announced today by Matthew C. Blank, Chairman and CEO of Showtime Networks Inc., to whom he will report. Mr. Nevins will succeed Robert Greenblatt, who announced he will leave the network after completing his current contract in July.