The Desk appreciates the support of readers who purchase products or services through links on our website. Learn more...

Paramount may close streaming version of Showtime

Showtime content appears within the Paramonut Plus app on August 31, 2022. (Graphic by The Desk)

Executives at Paramount Global are weighing plans to close the streaming version of its Showtime movie service, according to a new report.

The report comes less than two weeks after Paramount Global began offering subscribers of its flagship streaming service Paramount Plus access to Showtime content within the app for a discounted price.



According to the Wall Street Journal, that move may have been part of a broader strategy to wind down the Showtime streaming app as part of a process that would see Showtime’s movies, television shows and original programming live exclusively within Paramount Plus.

A spokesperson for Paramount Global didn’t acknowledge those plans, but said the company is “always exploring options to maximize the value of our content investment by giving consumers access to great Paramount content through an array of services and platforms.”



Last month, Paramount Plus offered subscribers the option to add Showtime for just a few dollars more a month, with annual subscribers seeing the biggest savings on a combined subscription. Separately, Showtime costs $11 a month for a subscription through its own streaming app; a Showtime subscription through cable or satellite generally runs about the same, though some pay TV providers charge a little more for the service.

Showtime subscribers who pay for their service through a traditional cable or satellite platform stream content through the Showtime Anytime app. It was not clear if Paramount Global’s plan to shut down the Showtime app would also affect Showtime Anytime, though the Journal said Paramount executives have discussed plans to wind down Showtime with at least one major pay television provider.



Along with Paramount Plus and Showtime, Paramount operates a handful of other streaming services, including BET Plus and the independently-operated free streaming service Pluto TV.

Get stories like these in your inbox, plus free email alerts on breaking tech and media news.

Photo of author

About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally-recognized, award-winning journalist who has covered the business of media, technology, radio and television for more than 11 years. He is the publisher of The Desk and contributes to Know Techie, Digital Content Next and StreamTV Insider. He previously worked for Thomson Reuters, the Walt Disney Company, McNaughton Newspapers and Tribune Broadcasting. Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn by clicking or tapping here.
Home » News » Industries » Streaming » Paramount may close streaming version of Showtime