Showtime Arabia
Final logo, used from 1 April 2007 relaunch to 2009 merger | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunication |
| Founded | June 1996 |
| Defunct | 12 July 2009 |
| Fate | Merged with Orbit Communications Company into OSN |
| Headquarters | Dubai Media City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
Key people | Faisal Al Ayar (Chairman) Marc Antoine d’Halluin (CEO) |
| Products | Direct broadcast satellite |
| Parent | KIPCO (79%) CBS Corporation (21%) |
| Website | ShowtimeArabia.com |
Showtime Arabia was Showtime Networks pay television service in the Middle East and North Africa. It was a joint venture between Kuwaiti holding company KIPCO (79% stake) and American media firm Viacom Inc. (21% stake). The company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands and had its headquarters at Dubai Media City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Showtime Arabia was one of three Pay TV networks in the Middle East and North Africa, it offered motion pictures, sporting events and original content, some of which was localized. It had the exclusive rights to broadcast the Barclays Premier League in the Middle East and North Africa. On 12 July 2009, the company announced a merger with competitor Orbit Communications Company to form Orbit Showtime Network (OSN).