Hotstar signs agreement with CBS to bring 'Showtime' in India

Hotstar and CBS Corporation have announced an SVOD content licensing and trademark agreement for ‘Showtime’ in India. The agreement will introduce the ‘Showtime’ brand to India for the first time and bring a roster of Emmy and Golden Globe winning programming from ‘Showtime’ to the territory.

The agreement will provide Hotstar Premium subscribers in India access to future ‘Showtime’ series such as the new comedy ‘Smilf’, the new limited series; ‘Escape At Dannemora’, starring Oscar winners Benicio Del Toro and Patricia Arquette and Golden Globe nominee Paul Dano, and the new ‘Twin Peaks’. Also available to Hotstar Premium subscribers are hundreds of hours of critically-acclaimed series, including ‘The Affair’, ‘Billions’, ‘Ray Donovan’ and the recently premiered, ‘I’m Dying up here’.

Ajit Mohan, CEO, Hotstar, said, “Over the last year, we have established Hotstar Premium as the most exciting destination for American TV shows and movies in India on demand. We have been continuously raising the bar on what is already the best streaming service for an Indian audience interested in international stories. The deal with CBS is in line with our strategy of bringing the best of new shows and movies from around the world to our Premium subscribers. Today, ‘Showtime’ joins an exciting slate on Hotstar. It is clear that there is no equivalent service like this in India, or, frankly, anywhere in the world. We are clear that we are building Hotstar Premium as the most compelling subscription service that will showcase the best storytellers from around the world.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Hotstar to bring critically-acclaimed programming from Showtime to Indian audiences,” said Armando Nuñez, President and CEO, CBS Studios International. “Thanks to this agreement and other partnerships with top platforms around the world, the footprint of the Showtime brand and programming continues to expand in the global marketplace.”

For CBS Corporation, similar agreements for ‘Showtime’ have been announced with Fox Networks Group in Asia, Canal+ Group in France, along with Sky UK, Germany and Italy, Bell Canada, Stan Australia, Movistar Spain and other output partners around the world.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com