Showtime bows digital nets

Beyond, Generation Y nets to launch in 2000

By JOHN DEMPSEY

NEW YORK -- Showtime, planning for the day when the average cable system delivers more than 100 channels, will launch two new digital multiplex networks, one devoted to sci-fi, horror and fantasy, and the other to programming of appeal to Generation Y Internet surfers.

The sci-fi network, called Showtime Beyond, will draw on Showtime's inventory of fantasy movies and TV series it commissions such as "The Outer Limits," "Stargate: SG-1" and "Total Recall 2070." Beyond will premiere in September.

The still unnamed Generation Y network "will tap into the lifestyles and cultural tastes of young people who were brought up on 50 channels of cable and are used to interacting with their PCs and Palm Pilots," says Mark Greenberg, executive VP of corporate strategy and communications/Showtime Event TV.

This network won't kick off until June 2000.