First launched in 1976, Showtime has been among the premium cable and satellite networks that has been synonymous with great live boxing. The flagship channel has presented a number of championship boxing events for fans to enjoy over the years and isn't showing any signs of slowing down. Fans are able to watch the channel's presentations via television or live streaming the event online.
Back in 1986 was the original debut of the channel's "Championship Boxing," a live event which was shown on the first Saturday each month. Through the 80s and most of the 90s that involved televised bouts, but that has expanded today to include online streaming through various devices.
The "Championship Boxing" programming brought fans some memorable fights too. On the debut broadcast viewers saw "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler knock out John "The Beast" Mugabi in 11 rounds. In 2017, fans watched a huge bout take place from Wembley Stadium in London, England as Anthony Joshua took on Wladimir Klitschko. A four-fight series involving Israel Vazquez and Rafel Marquez in 2007 and 2008 also drew rave reviews.
"Championship Boxing" also spawned a sister show called "ShoBox: The New Generation." This newer program is usually presented on Friday nights and will have matches that involve new boxing prospects. It provides viewers with another perspective on the sport, adding to the impressive library of fights that the network has presented.
Over the years a number of impressive fighters and fights have appeared through the channel or it's pay-per-view events. Boxing stars have included Floyd Mayweather Jr., Oscar de La Hoya, and Manny Pacquiao. More recently, Saul Alvarez and Errol Spence Jr. have been among the featured fighters.
Showtime has provided some major pay-per-view fights over the years. It's hard to argue against the fact that the Floyd "Money" Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor generated a lot of viewers interested to see what would happen. Another unforgettable encounter featured Saul "Canelo" Alvarez taking on Gennady Golovkin. There will certainly be more great boxing events to come on this channel based on its rich history in showing the sport at its best.
One of the channel's biggest signings was when they inked Floyd Mayweather Jr. after he was originally with HBO. Anthony Joshua is among the new talented fighters who have signed on with the network as they battle for fights with competitor HBO. The British boxing star first signed a multi-year deal with the network in 2016. He'll be among the boxers carrying the sport and the network towards prominence in future years.
How to View Showtime
There are a number of different Showtime channels available for cable and satellite TV packages including "east," "west," "Showcase" and "Extreme." However, the main channel is the one that most boxing fans will watch for the latest bouts. That channel number is different depending on which cable or satellite service a viewer is using.
On DISH Network, the channels span from 318 to 323, while on DirecTV they span from 545 through 552. Verizon FIOS viewers usually find the channels from 365 to 380 (standard) or 865 to 874 (HD). AT&T Uverse viewers can find them from 852 to 866 (standard) or 1852 to 1866 (HD).
For other cable providers, customers will need to refer to their specific DVR on-screen guide, or the associated cable provider's website for specific channel numbers. Keep in mind, that some boxing events will be pay-per-view only and require purchase of the event through cable, satellite, or online method.
Streaming Showtime
Showtime Anytime is a complimentary live streaming service for anyone who currently subscribes to the premium channel on cable or satellite. Customers can use the service via web browser on a computer, or through an app or channel on a variety of devices. These include mobile phones, tablets, and smart TVs, video game systems, and other streaming devices.
The channel is also available to customers using live channel streaming services. These include DirecTV Now, Hulu with Live TV, PlayStation Vue, YouTube TV, and Sling TV. Each of these service has different channel packages and "extras" that customers can pay a monthly fee. It's best to consult with the specific service's website to determine applicable monthly charges.
It's also possible to subscribe to the channel for a regular subscription charge on Hulu, Amazon, Android, Apple, and Roku devices. Viewers using any of these platforms will need to add a specific channel or download an app in order to subscribe to the channel.
For any major pay-per-view events, these will need to be ordered separately online. Viewers can generally order major boxing PPVs through the Showtime PPV website.
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