1.   As a premium channel, though, Showtime did not have to worry about ratings and advertising.

2.   Because premium cable channels do not rely on advertising revenues the way broadcast networks do, they do not obtain ratings.

3.   Beginning on that date, customers will have six months to either watch their movies or sign up for their free month of a premium channel.

4.   Black Entertainment Television and Encore Media Corp. said Tuesday they will launch a premium cable movie channel dedicated to providing content oriented to African-American audiences.

5.   All the services run multiple versions or East and West Coast feeds of premium cable channels like Home Box Office and the Disney Channel.

6.   Cable has more creative freedom in general than the broadcast networks, and commercial-free premium channels have the most freedom of all.

7.   Cable operators are accustomed to scrambling the signals of premium channels for subscribers who have not paid for the extra service, he said.

8.   During the transition, Pacific Bell will offer cable customers free service, including premium movie channels.

9.   Eventually, they hope to attract the attention of a premium cable channel such as HBO or Cinemax.

10.   Executives familiar with the situation said New Line was on the verge of shifting the rights to Showtime, the premium cable channel owned by Viacom Inc.