It was owned and operated by the Premium Movie Partnership (PMP), a joint venture in which Sony Pictures Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Viacom, News Corporation and Liberty Global had equal shares.Foxtel took over managing and producing the Showtime channels as of 31 October 2012, with it purchasing assets of the PMP.Formed in late 1994 through a joint partnership between Australis Media, Columbia TriStar, MCA, Viacom and Tele-Communications Inc.,[5] Showtime started broadcasting in 1995 as part of the basic package on the now-defunct Galaxy service, showing first-run films.Both channels were originally programmed in Burbank, California, until local operations commenced in October 1995.[7] showcase screens movies (mainly independent, arthouse and documentary features),some comedy programs as well as a number of television series.