Showtime Removes All Options to Subscribe to Standalone Service; Must Now Sign Up via Paramount+
As promised in January, Paramount Global is taking steps to sunset the standalone SHOWTIME streamer before the end of 2023.
The integration of Showtime into the larger Paramount+ streaming world is one step closer to being complete as Paramount Global has seemingly eliminated the ability for new customers to sign up for the standalone subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) version of the premium cable channel. Not only is the SHOWTIME streamer no longer available via the channel’s website, but it has also disappeared from Prime Video Channels as well.
- In June, the ad-free tier of Paramount+ was rebranded Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.
- At the time, Paramount said that it would be sunsetting the standalone SHOWTIME streamer later in the year.
- While existing customers will still have access for the time being, the only way to sign up for the service is now via Paramount+.
Why is the Showtime Streaming Service Shutting Down?
In January, Paramount Global announced that it would finally be taking the long-anticipated step of merging its two biggest streaming platforms in an effort to remove pain points for consumers and eliminate redundancies behind the scenes.
The goal was to add another well-respected spoke into the flywheel for the growing streamer. With strong footholds in sports, kids programming, and network and cable dramas, by bringing the premium prestige Showtime brand into Paramount+, the company is able to offer a wider content library to customers, which aids in acquisition and retention.
“This new combined offering demonstrates how we can leverage our entire collection of content to drive deeper connections with consumers and greater value for our distribution partners,” Paramount CEO Bob Bakish told company employees in a memo. “This change will also drive stronger alignment across our domestic and international Paramount+ offerings, as international Paramount+ already includes Showtime content. And, very importantly, this integration will unlock operational efficiencies and financial benefits across our broader portfolio.”
The user experience was also a factor in folding Showtime into Paramount+. In August 2022, Paramount began offering an in-app bundle of the two services, which essentially served as a test case for the eventually merged services.
“By further integrating SHOWTIME into Paramount+, we will now be able to deliver a seamless, fully integrated multiplatform premium service to our consumers with more of the original, culture-shaping content they love,” Paramount’s president and CEO of streaming Tom Ryan said. “This enhanced offering serves our audiences and our creative partners – with an even greater ability to scale our franchises and build hits across the Paramount+ universe in linear and streaming.”
What Does This Mean for Existing SHOWTIME Customers?
As of now, nothing. But, it is surely a sign of what is to come as Paramount moves forward with its plan to eliminate this streaming option, likely before the end of 2023. The Streamable has reached out to Paramount Global for clarification on what the future holds for Showtime streaming and will provide updates when further details are confirmed.
How Much Does Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Cost?
Currently, the Paramount+ Essential plan costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year. This is the lowest subscription level on the service and is ad-supported. While it does provide streaming access to NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League, it does not come with a live stream of your local CBS affiliate. For that, you would need to sign up for the premium Paramount+ with SHOWTIME tier.
Not only is this ad-free, it also comes with your local CBS channel and the full Showtime library and live stream feeds for the network’s various cable channels. The package costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually.
The platform introduced a price increase in June, but analysts believe that there is still room for Paramount+ to increase its rates, given the value associated with the service.
Previously, the standalone SHOWTIME streamer cost $10.99, so even with the increased fees, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME is likely still a solid streaming value.
What Titles Are Included in the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Plan?
Everything that was previously available on the SHOWTIME streamer is already streaming on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME tier. This includes all of the biggest hit series in Showtime like “Yellowjackets,” “Billions,” “The Chi,” “Ray Donovan,” “Homeland,” “Shameless,” and more. The recently released “Fellow Travelers,” “Heist 88,” and “Dexter” are also available to stream right now.
In addition to the prestige TV series from Showtime, there is also a host of films from the A24 studio like Best Picture winner “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Whale, “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” and more. You can also stream the new “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” “The Prestige,” “Fear the Night,” “Follow Her,” and many more.
From the Paramount+ side of the equation, viewers can also watch all of the shows from “Star Trek” Universe including “Picard,” “Lower Decks,” and “Strange New Worlds,” “as well as “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Spongebob SquarePants,” “iCarly,” “NCIS,” “Criminal Minds,” and more.
Also included is the Taylor Sheridan universe which consists of “1883,” “1923,” “Tulsa King,” “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Special Ops: Lioness,” the upcoming “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” and the yet-to-be-titled “Yellowstone” spinoff.
When combined with the football, golf, and soccer available on Paramount+, the streamer offers a plethora of programming for everyone in the family.
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.