Linear Showtime Channel Rebranding as Paramount+ with Showtime on Jan. 8
The relaunch of the Showtime network will be accompanied by the offering of Paramount+ original series like ‘Halo’ and ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ on the channel.
Paramount is continuing to align its Paramount+ and Showtime brands more closely. Weeks after discontinuing all standalone options to subscribe to the on-demand SHOWTIME streaming service, the company has announced it will rebrand the linear Showtime network as Paramount+ with Showtime early next year.
- Showtime will transform into Paramount+ with Showtime on Jan. 8.
- Paramount+ originals like “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Wolf Pack” and more will air on the channel to celebrate the rebrand.
- Paramount clearly wants to put more emphasis on its streaming brands, even as its future as a company remains clouded.
Paramount+ with Showtime Coming to a Cable Plan Near You
Paramount first integrated Paramount+ with the on-demand SHOWTIME service in June, as a way to more closely align its two biggest streaming brands. The fact that Paramount saw Showtime as a cornerstone of its programming lineup going forward was confirmed by the fact that it turned down a $3 billion offer to sell the channel, and is latest announcement is yet another indication that the company’s thinking hasn’t changed.
Paramount has announced that it will rebrand linear Showtime as Paramount+ with Showtime starting Jan. 8, 2024. The new series “A Gentleman in Moscow” will debut on the channel, which will also offer Paramount+ original titles like “Halo,” “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Wolf Pack” and more to celebrate the closer alignment of the two brands.
What’s Next for Paramount Global?
The future is hard to foretell for any legacy media company, but Paramount’s especially is hard to prognosticate these days. It owes a substantial amount of money to the NFL in 2024, and some financial analysts don’t see how the company will be able to pull that money together easily. The company in its entirety could be on sale, though current economic conditions and regulations make such an acquisition difficult for other companies.
Paramount+ may be offered in a different on-demand configuration in the near future, as well. Reports indicate that Paramount and Apple have had discussions about offering a soft bundle of Paramount+ and Apple TV+ at a discounted price, though no deal has been closed yet.
What can be demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt is Paramount’s commitment to bringing two of its largest brands more closely together. The Showtime linear network’s rebrand is just the latest advancement of that strategy; Showtime will relaunch as Paramount+ with Showtime as of Jan. 8, 2024.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and more. The lineup includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.