Network is now an MMA promoter

Press Release: Showtime Networks Inc. today said it has made an investment in ProElite, Inc., the MMA promoter whose events will appear on Showtime.  The announcement was made jointly today by Matthew C. Blank, chairman and chief executive officer of Showtime Networks, and David Marshall, chairman of ProElite. The investment was made in association with a previously announced exclusive programming agreement between ProElite and Showtime Networks, and the introduction of ProElite’s newly formed Elite Xtreme Combat (EliteXC) organization.  The debut event will air live on February 10, 2007 (10:00 p.m. EST/PST) from the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi -- featuring MMA legends Frank Shamrock and Renzo Gracie in the main event. In addition, Showtime will televise four undercard matches.  Additional undercard fights will be streamed live on the Internet beginning at 7:00 p.m. at ProElite.com -- a growing destination for the MMA community. “As evidenced by the tremendous success of our boxing franchises, Showtime is the innovator in sports programming on premium television,” said Blank. “We will continue that innovation by being the first premium network to televise world-class mixed martial arts competitions.”