Showtime To Launch Free-Preview Weekend In June

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Showtime will team with DirecTV and Time Warner Cable to offer a free-review weekend targeted to primetime Emmy voters.

The June 15 to June 17 free preview weekend will be available to more than 20 million Time Warner Cable and DirecTV subscribers-- including members of the Academy of Television Arts and Science who vote for Emmy nominations and awards -- in Los Angeles and New York, said network officials. The preview will feature marathons on-air and full seasons on Demand of such Showtime shows as Homeland, Shameless, Dexter, House Of Lies; Nurse Jackie, The Big G, The Borgias and Weeds, said network officials. 

The "Best in SHO" free preview weekend is a key element in the network's overall 2012 Emmy campaign, which also  includes print and online ads in key trades, a major consumer media buy, and outdoor media, including digital billboards and wrapped buses targeting key routes in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area, the network said.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.