Is Showtime Leaving Boxing? Why is Showtime Leaving Boxing?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Oct 19, 2023
Is Showtime Leaving Boxing?
Yes, Showtime, a network known for broadcasting major boxing matches for 37 years, is preparing to exit the boxing world at the end of 2023. The network's parent company, Paramount Global, announced this decision as part of a strategic realignment of resources and content offerings.
While Showtime will fulfill its obligations for the remaining 2023 boxing schedule, it will no longer produce boxing and related content. This marks a significant shift in the boxing broadcast landscape, as Showtime's departure comes five years after HBO ceased its own 45-year boxing programming run.
Boxing fans will have to look to new platforms in 2024 and beyond for their boxing fix, with PBC, a prominent boxing stable, exploring deals with platforms like Amazon Prime Video and DAZN.
This decision comes after Showtime was home to several big boxing events, including fights involving Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta Davis. The shift is expected to impact both the network and the sport's landscape, leaving fans and fighters alike to adapt to new platforms and broadcasting arrangements.
Showtime's exit from boxing marks the end of an era for the network, which had previously secured top boxing stars like Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson, as well as broadcasting legendary bouts such as those between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.
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Why is Showtime Leaving Boxing?
Showtime's decision to exit the world of boxing has raised questions about the reasons behind this significant move. The network's parent company, Paramount Global, is realigning its strategy to use its resources more effectively and reshape its content offerings.
As part of this adjustment, Showtime has made the tough choice to discontinue its boxing programming, which had been a staple of the network for 37 years. This strategic shift means Showtime won't produce any more boxing content after the year 2023, signaling a major change in the boxing broadcasting landscape.
The move reflects a broader industry trend as networks and content providers adapt to new ways of allocating their resources and exploring different areas of entertainment, impacting how fans experience and follow the sport of boxing.
Showtime
Showtime is an American premium television network known for its wide range of content. It's part of Paramount Global's Showtime Networks division and offers viewers a diverse selection of entertainment, from theatrically released movies and original TV series to sports events like boxing and mixed martial arts. Showtime provides stand-up comedy specials and made-for-TV movies.
Based in New York City, Showtime operates multiple 24-hour channels, offers subscription video-on-demand services, and runs streaming platforms. These platforms are accessible to traditional cable subscribers, and Showtime's brand is also used by various international channels and platforms.
In 2023, Showtime's direct-to-consumer service will merge with Paramount+'s premium tier, creating a new platform called Paramount+ with Showtime. This transition will lead to the discontinuation of standalone Showtime apps by the end of the year.
Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport and martial art where two people engage in a physical contest within a designated area called a boxing ring. Participants wear protective gear like gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards to minimize the risk of injury.
The primary objective in boxing is to land punches on the opponent while avoiding their punches, all within a predetermined time frame. Boxing has evolved differently across various regions and cultures, leading to a diverse range of combat sports that focus on striking.
While the most common form of boxing involves using fists, some variants allow for additional techniques like kicks, elbow and knee strikes, and even headbutts, depending on the rules.
The history of boxing is ancient and has roots in different parts of the world. Some sources suggest that boxing may have originated in present-day Ethiopia as early as the sixth millennium BC.
When the Egyptians invaded Nubia, they adopted the sport from the local population and brought it back to Egypt, where it gained popularity. From Egypt, boxing spread to regions such as Greece, Mesopotamia, and Rome.
The sport is well-documented in ancient carvings from Egypt and Sumer, with the earliest recorded boxing rules dating back to Ancient Greece, where it was established as an Olympic game in 688 BC. Modern boxing, as we know it, began to take shape with the introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules in the mid-19th century.
Boxing has become a popular and widely recognized sport, at both amateur and professional levels. Amateur boxing is a part of prestigious international competitions, including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, and has its world championships.
Matches are divided into rounds, each lasting one to three minutes, and are closely monitored by a referee. A winner can be determined before the rounds are completed if one opponent is unable to continue, gets disqualified, or resigns.
When both fighters complete all rounds, judges' scorecards are used to declare a victor. In cases where the scores are tied, a match is declared a draw, except in Olympic boxing, where judges rely on technical criteria to decide the winner.
Is Showtime Leaving Boxing - FAQs
Yes, Showtime has announced its decision to exit boxing programming at the end of 2023.
Showtime's parent company, Paramount Global, is reallocating its resources and content offerings, which led to the difficult decision to discontinue boxing programming.
Showtime will continue to air and support the remaining 2023 boxing events and honor its obligations until the end of the year.
PBC (Premier Boxing Champions) had an exclusive deal with Showtime and played a key role in providing fights on the network. The future of this partnership is uncertain.
PBC boasts a star-studded roster, including Canelo Alvarez, Gervonta Davis, Deontay Wilder, Errol Spence Jr., the Charlo twins, David Benavidez, and Caleb Plant.