Showtime will go hip-hop next month as part of a far-reaching evening of
programming.
The premium network will feature a live concert from Jay-Z Feb. 22 at 9 p.m.
from the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tenn.
The performance by the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, who has released
nine consecutive platinum albums over the past six years, will mark the first
live gig on Showtime in some 15 years, according to network officials. It may
also serve as the first in a series of musical events for Viacom Inc.'s premium
channel.
The Jay-Z show will serve as a prelude to the heavyweight fight between Mike
Tyson and Clifford Etienne later that night from the nearby Pyramid in Memphis
-- the site where "Iron Mike" was demolished by titleholder Lennox Lewis in
June.
The Tyson-Etienne fisticuffs will be followed by the premiere of Family
Business, a reality-series take on the adult-film industry.
"Jay-Z is the perfect performer to kick off Showtime's return to the
musical-event business," Showtime Networks Inc. programming president Jerry
Offsay said in a prepared statement.
"With the triple threat of Jay-Z, followed by Mike Tyson, followed by our new
series, Family Business, Showtime will display the full range of 'No
Limits' programming on Feb. 22 for our subscribers and our distribution
partners," he added.
