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February 1, 2012
 

THE SKED: It’s Not HBO; It’s Showtime

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Written by: Mitch Salem
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Showtime is having a very good season.  Subscriptions are up, HOMELAND has, for the first time, put the network in HBO’s orbit of prestige, and the reburbished Sunday night line-up of SHAMELESS, HOUSE OF LIES and CALIFORNICATION has burst out of the winter starting gate, with double-digit gains for the 2 returning shows (a remarkable 30% increase for Shameless) and very promising numbers for the new House of Lies (its 0.6 last Sunday in 18-49s was double the debut of HBO’s Luck).

Consequently, and to no one’s surprise, Showtime has renewed all 3 shows for next season, adding to a bench that includes the returning Dexter, Weeds, Nurse Jackie, The Big C and of course Homeland.  Showtime hasn’t yet found its signature ratings-plus-acclaim smash Sopranos or Game of Thrones… but it’s getting closer all the time.  



About the Author

Mitch Salem
MITCH SALEM has worked on the business side of the entertainment industry for 20 years, as a senior business affairs executive and attorney for such companies as NBC, ABC, USA, Syfy, Bravo, and BermanBraun Productions, and before that, at the NY law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. During all that, he has more or less constantly been going to the movies and watching TV, and writing about both since the 1980s. His film reviews also currently appear on screened.com and the-burg.com. In addition, he is co-writer of an episode of the television series "Felicity."