In a Nutshell
pros
- Access Showtime’s streaming library commercial-free
- Download shows to watch offline
- Can bundle your subscription with Paramount+
cons
- High-quality downloads only on tablets
- More expensive than other streaming services
Showtime: Plans & Pricing
Showtime
Best for streaming from Showtime’s library
ShowtimeAnytime
Best for those who have an existing TV bundle
Showtime & Paramount+ Essential
Best for those who want an extended library
Showtime & Paramount+ Premium
Best for commercial-free streaming from an extended library
Commercial-free streaming from the Showtime library
Watch on any supported device (TV, tablet, phone, or computer)
Paramount+ series, movies, documentaries, and sports
How Much Does Showtime Cost?
Showtime currently offers a 30-day free trial when you sign up through the Showtime website and if you add Showtime to your Amazon Prime or Hulu accounts. If you want a Paramount+ bundle, you can also access the same offer from the partner channel. After 30 days, you will either be charged monthly or annually unless you are able to get ShowtimeAnytime through a subscription with a participating TV service (including Cox, Dish, Frontier, and Xfinity).
If you’re interested in streaming Showtime original series, plus other TV shows, movies, documentaries, and sports included in its library, a regular Showtime subscription will give you plenty to watch, commercial-free. However, it is more expensive than other streaming services. For example, Disney+ is only $7.99 a month, and Starz is $8.99 a month. To get a full range of the content you want, you may need to subscribe to more than 1 channel, which could push the total cost even higher.
Luckily, if you’re looking for more content, you can bundle in a subscription to Paramount+ for just a small amount more. The Premium bundle removes commercials from the Paramount+ service. If you’re someone who gets annoyed by ads, spending a little more cash is worth it.
How Does Showtime Work?
If you want to watch Showtime through its website, you simply need to sign up for the free trial. To watch through a compatible device such as Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, or Roku, you need to find Showtime in the menu of channels, where you will be able to start your free trial. If you are an Optimum Online customer, you should call the company to request access to Showtime.
If you’ve purchased a Paramount+ bundle, you’ll need to create a separate account on the Paramount website. If you haven’t previously had a Paramount subscription, you can then activate your Paramount free trial.
Once you’ve signed in on Showtime’s website, you can scroll through the streaming options, with the library categorized according to genre. You can also use the search option to find a specific show or movie. Clicking on the thumbnail will bring up a description and further information about your choice. You can also watch via the Showtime app.
Showtime’s original series cover a variety of genres, including premium dramas like “Billions” and “Yellowjackets,” comedies like “Back to Life” and “Moonbase 8,” and documentaries like “The Circus” and “VICE.” The library also includes selected movies and sports games.
Is Showtime Reliable and Safe?
Showtime has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, although the business is not yet accredited. With only 2 reviews on the site, the sample size is not significant enough for comment. Out of the 68,257 people who left reviews on Amazon.com, 62% of them rated it 5 stars. Viewers praise the range of shows, but some find that the channel doesn’t deliver exactly what they want.
Help and Support
Showtime’s website features a help center with FAQs that cover details of all available packages and bundles. If you need further support, you can contact Showtime via live chat, phone, or email. Support is available 7 days a week, 8am-1am ET.
What About the Showtime App?
You can stream Showtime via its iOS, Android, or Amazon Fire apps. The app is free to download, but you’ll need a valid Showtime subscription to use it. Similar to streaming on the website, you can browse and select what you want to watch and explore specific categories. You can also download material to watch offline. On a phone, you can download at 540 pixels or 720 pixels, but on a tablet, you can also download at a high-quality level (1080 pixels).
Bottom Line
Showtime’s streaming service gives you access to some high-quality content across a range of genres. With a variety of supported devices, you can watch at home or on the go, and you can download programs for offline viewing, too. With all of Showtime’s content available commercial-free, you can enjoy it uninterrupted.
If you think 1 library isn’t enough and you’re not interested in Showtime’s offerings, you can add on a discounted Paramount+ subscription for more choices. But for fans of Showtime’s content or exclusive sports events, its streaming service is a worthwhile purchase that will bring you hours of entertainment.
