Ad-Free Paramount+ Does Not Include Showtime

Paramount+ offers two subscription tiers: one with ads and one ad-free. Neither tier includes Showtime channels or Showtime content. If you want to watch Showtime programming without ads, you need to pay for Paramount+ ad-free and add Showtime as a separate subscription on top of it. They are two different services with separate costs.

Paramount+ is owned by Paramount Global, and Showtime is also owned by Paramount Global, but they operate as distinct services. You cannot unlock Showtime by upgrading your Paramount+ plan. You must purchase Showtime independently, either through Paramount+ directly or through other platforms like Amazon Prime Video Channels or Apple TV Channels.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount+ ad-free and Showtime are two separate subscriptions with separate monthly costs.
  • Paramount+ ad-free removes ads from Paramount+ content only and does not grant access to Showtime shows or movies.
  • To watch Showtime without ads, you must subscribe to both Paramount+ ad-free and Showtime add-on.
  • You can add Showtime directly through Paramount+ or through third-party platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.

How Paramount+ Subscription Tiers Work

Paramount+ has two tiers: Paramount+ with ads and Paramount+ Premium (ad-free). Both tiers give you access to the same Paramount+ library—movies, TV shows, originals, sports, and news. The only difference is that the ad-supported tier shows commercials during playback, while the ad-free tier does not.

Both tiers cost less than adding Showtime. The ad-supported tier is the lowest-cost option if you do not mind commercials. The ad-free tier removes those interruptions but still does not include Showtime content. Your Paramount+ subscription, regardless of which tier you choose, covers only Paramount+ programming.

What Showtime Adds and How to Get It

Showtime is a premium cable channel owned by Paramount Global. It produces and airs original series, movies, documentaries, and sports programming. Shows like Dexter, Homeland, Penny Dreadful, and boxing events are Showtime exclusives. None of these appear in your Paramount+ library unless you also subscribe to Showtime.

You can add Showtime to your Paramount+ account directly through the Paramount+ app or website. When you do, Showtime content becomes available in your Paramount+ library, and you can watch it ad-free if you are on the Paramount+ Premium tier. You can also subscribe to Showtime through Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, or Roku Channel if you prefer to manage it outside Paramount+.

Pricing and Bundling Options

Paramount+ with ads and Paramount+ Premium have their own monthly costs. Showtime has a separate monthly cost when added as an add-on. The total cost of both services combined is higher than either one alone. Paramount Global occasionally offers bundle deals that combine Paramount+, Showtime, and other services at a discount, but these promotions change and are not always available.

If you subscribe through a third-party platform like Amazon Prime Video Channels, the Showtime add-on cost is separate from any Prime membership you may have. Check the current pricing on the platform you use, because rates vary by region and change over time.

How to Add Showtime to Your Paramount+ Account

If you already have a Paramount+ account, you can add Showtime directly. Open the Paramount+ app or go to the website, navigate to your account settings, and look for the option to add Showtime. You will be asked to confirm the monthly cost and your payment method. Once confirmed, Showtime content appears in your Paramount+ library when ready.

If you do not yet have Paramount+, you can sign up for Paramount+ and add Showtime in the same transaction. During signup, you will see the option to add Showtime before you complete payment. Starting both services at once can be simpler than adding Showtime later.

Canceling Showtime Without Canceling Paramount+

You can cancel Showtime while keeping your Paramount+ subscription active. Go to your account settings in the Paramount+ app or website, find the Showtime add-on, and select the option to remove it. Your Paramount+ subscription continues unchanged, and you are no longer charged for Showtime. You can add it back later if you want.

If you subscribed to Showtime through a third-party platform like Amazon Prime Video Channels, you must cancel it through that platform, not through Paramount+. Log into your Amazon, Apple, or Roku account, find the Showtime subscription in your channel list, and remove it from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Showtime on Paramount+ without paying extra?

No. Showtime is a separate service. Your Paramount+ subscription, whether ad-free or ad-supported, does not include Showtime content. You must pay for Showtime as an add-on or through another platform.

Does Paramount+ Premium include Showtime?

No. Paramount+ Premium removes ads from Paramount+ content only. It does not unlock Showtime. You need both subscriptions if you want ad-free access to both services.

What is the cheapest way to get both Paramount+ and Showtime?

The cheapest option is Paramount+ with ads plus Showtime as an add-on. This costs less than Paramount+ Premium plus Showtime. Watch for occasional bundle promotions from Paramount Global, which may offer a discount on the combined cost.

Can I add Showtime through Amazon Prime Video instead of Paramount+?

Yes. You can subscribe to Showtime through Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, or Roku Channel. You do not need a Paramount+ account to watch Showtime through these platforms, though you will need a separate account with the platform itself.

If I cancel Showtime, do I lose my Paramount+ account?

No. Canceling Showtime removes only the Showtime add-on from your account. Your Paramount+ subscription remains active and unchanged. You can add Showtime back anytime.