Paramount Global owns both Paramount+ and Showtime, but they operate as separate streaming services with different content libraries and subscription costs

Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) is the parent company of both services. Showtime has been part of the Paramount family since 1983, when it was a cable channel. Paramount+ launched in 2021 as a newer streaming platform. Even though one company owns both, they remain distinct products — you cannot watch Showtime content on Paramount+ without a separate Showtime subscription, and vice versa.

The two services target different audiences and carry different programming. Paramount+ focuses on movies, series, and sports from the broader Paramount catalog. Showtime specializes in prestige drama series, documentaries, and sports programming, particularly boxing and MMA events. If you want access to both, you pay for both subscriptions separately, though Paramount does offer bundle options.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Global owns Showtime outright, but the two remain separate streaming services with different content and pricing.
  • Showtime content does not appear on Paramount+ unless you also hold a Showtime subscription through a bundle or add-on.
  • You can subscribe to Showtime as a standalone service, as an add-on to Paramount+, or bundled with other services like Hulu or Disney+.
  • Paramount+ and Showtime have different content libraries — Paramount+ carries mainstream movies and series, while Showtime emphasizes original drama and live sports.

How Paramount Global Structures Its Streaming Services

Paramount Global operates multiple streaming platforms, each with its own business model and audience. Paramount+ is the flagship service designed to compete with Netflix and Disney+, offering a broad range of entertainment. Showtime, by contrast, maintains the brand identity it built as a premium cable channel — it is positioned as a service for viewers who want curated, higher-end content rather than a massive catalog.

The company keeps them separate because they serve different subscriber bases and pricing strategies. Paramount+ costs less and aims for volume. Showtime costs more and targets viewers willing to pay for specific shows and sports. This separation also lets Paramount charge different rates in different markets and test different features on each platform without affecting the other.

What Content Appears on Each Service

Paramount+ includes movies from the Paramount Pictures library, series from CBS and other Paramount networks, sports programming like NFL games and college football, and original series created for the platform. You will find mainstream entertainment, reality shows, and family content alongside prestige dramas.

Showtime carries original drama series for which it is known — shows like Dexter, Homeland, and The Affair — along with documentaries, stand-up comedy specials, and live sports events. Showtime originals do not automatically appear on Paramount+. If a Showtime series ends and Paramount decides to make it available elsewhere, it may eventually move to Paramount+, but that is not automatic and can take time.

Some content does cross over. For example, if you subscribe to Paramount+ and add Showtime as an add-on, you see both libraries within the Paramount+ app. But the underlying catalogs remain distinct — Paramount+ does not include Showtime originals unless you pay for Showtime access.

How to Subscribe to Showtime

You have three main routes to get Showtime. The first is a standalone Showtime subscription through Showtime's own website or app. The second is adding Showtime as an add-on to a Paramount+ subscription — this bundles both services into one bill and one app. The third is subscribing through a third-party service like Hulu, Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime Video Channels, or YouTube TV, which offer Showtime as an add-on to their own platforms.

Pricing varies by route. Standalone Showtime subscriptions typically cost more than adding Showtime to Paramount+. Bundling Paramount+ with Showtime costs less than buying them separately. If you already subscribe to Hulu or another service that offers Showtime as a channel, adding it there may be cheaper than a standalone subscription, depending on what you already pay.

When you add Showtime to Paramount+, both services appear in the Paramount+ app under a single login. You do not need separate apps or accounts. This is the most convenient option if you want both services, because you manage one subscription and see one combined library.

Why Paramount Keeps Them Separate Instead of Merging

Keeping Showtime and Paramount+ as separate services allows Paramount to charge different prices to different customer segments. Some viewers want a cheap, broad streaming service. Others want a premium service focused on quality over quantity and are willing to pay more. By maintaining two brands, Paramount captures both groups.

The separation also protects the Showtime brand. Showtime built its reputation over decades as a premium cable channel. Merging it into a mass-market service like Paramount+ could dilute that brand identity. Keeping it distinct lets Paramount maintain Showtime's positioning as a more selective, higher-end offering.

From a business standpoint, running two services also lets Paramount test features, pricing models, and content strategies on one platform without risking the other. If an experiment fails on Showtime, it does not affect Paramount+ subscribers.

Bundling Options and Cost Comparison

Paramount offers a bundle that combines Paramount+ with Showtime at a lower combined price than buying each separately. This bundle is available directly through Paramount's website. You can also bundle Paramount+ and Showtime with other services — for example, some plans include Paramount+, Showtime, and Hulu together.

If you subscribe through a third-party platform like Amazon Prime Video Channels or Apple TV Channels, you can add Showtime to your existing subscription without signing up for Paramount+ separately. This works well if you already use that platform for other channels or services.

The cost difference between standalone and bundled subscriptions varies. As a general rule, bundling saves money compared to paying for each service separately, but the exact savings depend on which bundle you choose and current promotional pricing. Check Paramount's website and the third-party platform directly for current rates, as prices change regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I subscribe to Paramount+, do I get Showtime automatically?

No. Paramount+ and Showtime are separate subscriptions. You must pay for Showtime separately, either as a standalone service, as an add-on to Paramount+, or through a third-party platform. Showtime content does not appear on Paramount+ unless you have an active Showtime subscription.

Can I watch Showtime originals on Paramount+?

Only if you add Showtime to your Paramount+ account. When you do, both libraries appear in the Paramount+ app. Without a Showtime subscription, Paramount+ does not include Showtime original series.

Is it cheaper to bundle Paramount+ and Showtime together?

Yes, bundling typically costs less than buying each subscription separately. Paramount offers a direct bundle, and you can also find bundled options through third-party platforms like Hulu or Amazon Prime Video Channels. Compare current pricing on Paramount's website to see the exact savings.

What happens to Showtime originals after they end?

Showtime originals remain on Showtime indefinitely. They may eventually appear on Paramount+ or other platforms, but this is not may provide and depends on Paramount's licensing and distribution decisions. Showtime is the primary home for Showtime original series.

Can I get Showtime through cable instead of streaming?

Yes. Showtime is still available as a cable add-on through most major cable and satellite providers. If you already have cable, adding Showtime through your provider may be cheaper than streaming, depending on your current package and promotional offers.