Showtime streaming service to shut down this month

After almost a decade of operating as a separate platform, Showtime will shut down its streaming apps on April 30th. This move reflects the integration of Showtime’s content library into Paramount+, Paramount Global’s flagship streaming service.

This decision mirrors a similar one by Warner Bros. Discovery, which announced last year the merger of HBO Max with Discovery+. Consequently, the industry is experiencing a wave of consolidation as streaming services tackle rising content costs and a crowded marketplace.

What does this mean for Showtime subscribers?

Paramount+ with Showtime, a combined offering launched in 2023, will become the new home for Showtime’s programming. Existing Showtime subscribers can access Showtime’s content through the Paramount+ platform using their current login credentials. However, to continue enjoying Showtime’s shows and movies, they’ll need to subscribe to the Paramount+ with Showtime bundle, priced at $11.99 per month.

Some third-party subscribers were automatically transferred to a Paramount+ with Showtime plan, while others were not. You should have received communication from your original billing provider (Roku, Apple, etc.) clarifying this. If you weren’t transferred, you’ll need to subscribe to Paramount+ with Showtime to keep watching.

Showtime’s future as a brand under Paramount+

The shutdown of Showtime apps marks the end of an era for the network. Showtime pioneered premium cable streaming services, launching its platform in 2015. Over the years, the Showtime app gained popularity for its original series like Dexter, Billions, and Homeland.

Though Showtime’s standalone service is ending, the brand itself is not disappearing. Showtime will continue to produce content, finding a new home on Paramount Plus. This move represents a strategic decision by Paramount Global to streamline its streaming offerings and provide customers with a more comprehensive content library under one roof.

The integration of Showtime into Paramount+ will likely impact viewership and subscriber numbers, but the full effects remain to be seen. Ultimately, this decision reflects the evolving landscape of the streaming industry, where consolidation is becoming increasingly prevalent.