The Movie Channel is an American cable television channel that is a spinoff from Showtime. TMX Xtra is companion digital cable television channel offering simuler content. The service was launched in 1979 and was originally owned by Warner AMEX Satellite Entertainment Company, but purchased along with WASEC's other assets by Viacom in 1985.
There was also a satellite television channel of the same name in the United Kingdom, running from March 1990 to November 1997, when it was renamed Sky Screen 2. Originally part of BSB, it became part of the newly merged BSkyB in November 1990. Since then it has become part of the Sky Movies network.
