It’s the beginning of the end for Showtime as a stand-alone brand.
Paramount Global will launch its newly integrated Paramount + With Showtime service in the US on June 27, making it the company’s best commercial-free streaming product. As previously announced, the Paramount + With Showtime plan will cost $11.99 per month — up 17% from $9.99 per month, but still less than standard ad-free packages from competitors like Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max (nee HBO Max) and Netflix.
At the same time, the price of Paramount + Essential Plan (without Showtime) will increase from $4.99 to $5.99 per month.
By the end of the year, the company plans to decommission Showtime and rebrand its linear pay-TV channel to “deliver a premium premium service with original varieties across linear and over-the-air—the first to truly integrate streaming and linear content in this way.”
“This summer, Paramount+ will become the premier streaming platform for Showtime, further extending our lead in being a complete home service,” Tom Ryan, President and CEO of Paramount Streaming, said in a statement. “By combining Showtime’s signature package and critically-acclaimed portfolio with the service’s already extensive and popular roster, all at a competitive price, we will solidify Paramount+ as a cornerstone of streaming.”
The move is designed to unite Paramount+ and Showtime to make the top-tier plan more stable and attractive as competition continues to thrive in the streaming world. The announcement of the initial launch of Paramount+ With Showtime comes as WBD is set to launch Max on May 23 (combining HBO Max and Discovery+); Meanwhile, Disney plans to roll out an integrated experience for Disney+ and Hulu later in 2023.
Paramount + With Showtime Unified Service includes Showtime originals like “Yellowjackets,” “Dexter,” “Your Honor,” “Billions,” and “George & Tammy,” as well as nonfiction projects including “Couples Therapy” and the Peabody Award-winning “We Need It.” Talk about Cosby.”
That will be combined with Paramount+’s portfolio of franchises including the world of Taylor Sheridan (“1923,” “Tulsa King”), Star Trek, SpongeBob SquareParnts, and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as well as films like “Top Gun” and “Scream.” and a library of series including “NCIS” and “PAW Patrol.” In addition, Paramount+ offers live events and sports—including the NFL—through local CBS stations, as well as thousands of exclusive NFL football games annually. UEFA Europe.
“From ‘Yellowjackets’ to ‘Your Honor’, Showtime is home to great, iconic and cutting-edge series that will now be complemented by large-scale originals and films alongside Paramount + With Showtime,” said Chris McCarthy, President and CEO. Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks. “Together, Paramount+ and Showtime will provide our customers with a much more rewarding experience through our vast collection of unique originals and a deep library of blockbuster shows and blockbuster movies.”
