SHOWTIME Is Merging with Paramount+: What It Means for Streamers

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The video streaming service market has a sizeable shakeup on the docket for 2023.

Long-time premium cable stalwart SHOWTIME will soon be merging its streaming service with Paramount+. Both products are owned and operated by Paramount Global (formerly known as ViacomCBS).

This could save cord cutters money in the long run by potentially merging two bills into one for customers who enjoy both services.

Let’s look at what we know about Paramount Global’s plans to merge the two assets and what it could mean for you.


Report: SHOWTIME Will Soon Become ‘Paramount+ with SHOWTIME’

According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish has informed employees of a plan to move forward with merging SHOWTIME and Paramount+.

The SHOWTIME television channel, which still appears on many cable and live TV streaming menus, will reportedly be rebranded as “Paramount + with SHOWTIME” in the near future.

What’s less clear for SHOWTIME subscribers is what the merger means for the budgetary future of your favorite shows that are being produced for SHOWTIME.

SHOWTIME’s streaming service is still available for $10.99 per month as of this writing, but that reportedly will be going away.

The end goal appears to be a rebranding of SHOWTIME as a part of the Paramount+ streaming ecosystem. The premium ad-free version of Paramount+ reportedly will include SHOWTIME and be branded as the streaming version of “Paramount+ with Showtime.”

“While we are confident this is the right move for our company, our consumers, and our partners, we know this change brings uncertainty for the teams working on these brands and businesses,” Bakish wrote in a memo to employees, per The Hollywood Reporter. “We are committed to being as transparent and thoughtful as possible throughout this process, and we expect to share additional details in the coming weeks.”


So What Does This Mean for Streamers Who Pay for One or Both Products?

In short: SHOWTIME subscribers should get familiar with the Paramount+ ecosystem.

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And Paramount+ subscribers may want to start taking stock of how they like their existing subscription tier. New options may be on the way in the coming weeks.

You may have noticed that “Paramount+ with SHOWTIME” already exists as a subscription option for Paramount+ customers.

That option existed prior to this merger announcement. It was introduced in 2022 as a way to give streamers of both products a discount.

The existing pricing model that includes SHOWTIME looks like this:

Pre-Merge PackagesMonthly PriceAnnual Price
Ad-supported Paramount+ with SHOWTIME$11.99$119.99
Ad-free Paramount+ with SHOWTIME$14.99$149.99

But the report cited above indicates that this could change in the coming weeks, with SHOWTIME potentially becoming an included part of the Paramount+ Premium (ad-free tier) subscription. Paramount+ Premium pricing is $9.99 per month or $99 per year.

New pricing details could be on the way, but as it stands it appears that SHOWTIME being available on the Paramount+ Premium tier could provide a nice value for customers.

Remember, SHOWTIME as a standalone streaming product costs $10.99 per month on its own.

Will you be open to trying to Paramount+ with SHOWTIME as a combined streaming option? Will this change the way you view Paramount+ as an alternative to Netflix or HBO Max? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the Clark.com community.

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