Sydney- Australia will get its first HBO-style channel, packed with original Australian and US series, independent features and documentaries, when Showcase launches on Foxtel and Austar on Dec. 1 2007. The premium channel is being launched by the largely Hollywood-owned Showtime, which airs three movie channels, at no extra cost to subscribers. “Showcase provides a real home at last for quality drama in Australia. With our continued commitment to producing and acquiring the best in television entertainment, the channel will continue to provide extraordinary original series through 2008 and beyond,” said Showtime Chief Executive Peter Rose. Much of the programming is being sourced from HBO, Showtime US and fx. Five new series will be launched each week. The line-up includes Satisfaction, a Showtime-commissioned Australian drama series set in a brothel, plus original series Dexter, The Riches, Meadowlands, John From Cincinnati, The Tudors and both seasons of Rome.