US cable giant Showtime Networks has entered into a joint venture with Zone Vision, a UK-based broadcaster and distributor of thematic channels throughout Europe, to launch Showtime Turkey. Launched on Jan 15, 2001, the channel is available on the new direct-to-home platform DigiTurk, which is currently available in Turkey.

The announcement was made by Glenn Oakley, senior vice president of corporate strategy and international for Showtime Networks Inc and Chris Wronski, president and CEO of Zone Vision.

Showtime Turkey is a 24-hour service distributed exclusively to the Turkish market and is offered as part of the platform's "Extra" package. Its programming mix consists of theatrically-released films, made-for-TV movies and action series. Content will be dubbed into Turkish.