Showtime is not included in Paramount Plus—it's a separate paid add-on

Paramount Plus and Showtime are owned by the same parent company, but they remain two distinct services. Your Paramount Plus subscription gives you access to CBS shows, movies, sports, and Paramount's film library. Showtime's content—including its original series like Dexter, Yellowjackets, and The L Word: Generation Q—requires a separate subscription or an add-on purchase.

You have two ways to watch Showtime content. You can subscribe to Showtime as a standalone service through its own app or website, or you can add Showtime to your existing Paramount Plus account for a monthly fee. The add-on route is simpler if you already use Paramount Plus, because both services appear in one app and one bill.

Key Takeaways

  • Showtime content does not come with any Paramount Plus plan, even the most expensive tier.
  • You can add Showtime to Paramount Plus for a monthly fee, which bundles both services into one account and app.
  • Showtime is also available as a standalone subscription through its own app or through other streaming platforms that carry it.
  • The price of adding Showtime to Paramount Plus varies and changes periodically, so check your account settings or the Paramount Plus website for current rates.

How to add Showtime to your Paramount Plus account

If you already have Paramount Plus, adding Showtime takes a few minutes. Log into your Paramount Plus account on a web browser or the app, go to your account settings, and look for the "Add-ons" or "Subscriptions" section. You'll see Showtime listed as an option. Select it, confirm the monthly price, and complete the purchase using your existing payment method.

Once you've added Showtime, both services merge into a single bill. You'll see Showtime content mixed into your Paramount Plus app's recommendations and search results. You don't need a separate Showtime account or app—everything appears in Paramount Plus.

If you cancel the add-on later, Showtime content disappears from your account when ready, but your Paramount Plus subscription continues unchanged. You can turn the add-on on and off without affecting your base Paramount Plus plan.

Showtime as a standalone subscription

You don't have to own Paramount Plus to watch Showtime. Showtime operates its own app and website where you can subscribe directly. This route costs the same monthly amount as adding it to Paramount Plus, but you get only Showtime content—not Paramount Plus movies and shows.

Standalone Showtime is useful if you don't want Paramount Plus or if you prefer to keep your streaming services separate. You can also subscribe to Showtime through other platforms: some cable providers include it, and certain streaming bundles (like Amazon Prime Video Channels) offer Showtime as an add-on.

What content is exclusive to Showtime

Showtime produces and airs original dramas, comedies, documentaries, and sports programming that you won't find on Paramount Plus. Series like Homeland, Penny Dreadful, The Affair, and Billions are Showtime originals. The network also carries boxing and MMA events, stand-up comedy specials, and documentary series.

Some Showtime content eventually moves to Paramount Plus after its exclusive window ends, but new episodes and current seasons air on Showtime first. If you want to watch Showtime shows as they release, you need the Showtime add-on or subscription.

Comparing the cost of adding Showtime versus standalone

The monthly price for adding Showtime to Paramount Plus is the same as subscribing to Showtime alone. Both options charge the same rate because you're paying for Showtime content either way. The difference is what else you get: with Paramount Plus, you also have access to CBS programming, movies, sports, and other content included in your base plan.

If you're deciding whether to add Showtime, the real question is whether you want both services or just Showtime. If you already use Paramount Plus regularly, adding Showtime to your existing account is simpler than managing two separate subscriptions. If you only want Showtime, a standalone subscription works just as well and costs the same.

Free trial periods and promotional offers

Paramount Plus occasionally offers free trial periods for new subscribers, but these typically don't include Showtime. When you add Showtime to an existing Paramount Plus account, you usually start paying when ready—there's no separate trial for the add-on.

Promotional pricing sometimes appears during sign-up or special events. Check the Paramount Plus website or app directly to see what's currently offered, because deals change and vary by region. If you see a discounted rate for adding Showtime, that price usually increases to the regular rate after the promotional period ends.

Canceling Showtime without canceling Paramount Plus

You can remove Showtime from your account at any time without affecting your Paramount Plus subscription. Go to your account settings, find the add-ons section, and select the option to cancel or remove Showtime. Your Paramount Plus plan continues, and you're only charged for that service going forward.

There's no penalty for canceling the add-on, and you can add it back later if you change your mind. Your billing date and Paramount Plus subscription remain exactly the same—only the Showtime charge stops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Showtime on the Paramount Plus app?

Yes, if you've added Showtime to your Paramount Plus account. Showtime content appears in the same app alongside Paramount Plus shows and movies. If you have only a Paramount Plus subscription without the Showtime add-on, Showtime content won't be available in the app.

Is there a bundle that includes both Paramount Plus and Showtime at a discount?

Paramount Plus and Showtime are priced separately, and adding Showtime to Paramount Plus costs the same as a standalone Showtime subscription. There is no discounted bundle rate. However, promotional offers on either service may appear periodically.

What happens to my Showtime content if I cancel the add-on?

Showtime content becomes unavailable when ready when you cancel the add-on. You lose access to all Showtime shows and movies, but your Paramount Plus subscription and content remain active. If you re-add Showtime later, you can pick up where you left off on most shows.

Can I share my Paramount Plus account with Showtime added?

Paramount Plus allows multiple profiles on one account, and Showtime content is available to all profiles if it's added to the account. However, check Paramount Plus's current terms about account sharing, as policies change. The same restrictions that explore to Paramount Plus also explore when Showtime is added.

Do I need a credit card to add Showtime to Paramount Plus?

Yes, you need a valid payment method on file with Paramount Plus to add Showtime. You'll use the same payment method already linked to your Paramount Plus account, so you don't need to enter new information unless you want to update it.