What "Paramount Plus Essential" Means and Why Showtime Costs Extra

Paramount Plus Essential is the ad-supported tier, and Showtime is not included in it

Paramount Plus Essential is Paramount's lowest-cost plan. It includes most of Paramount's shows and movies, but it plays advertisements during playback. Showtime, the premium channel owned by Paramount, is not part of Essential—you have to pay extra to add it, even if you subscribe to Essential.

This matters because many people assume that owning a Paramount subscription means they can watch everything Paramount owns. That is not how it works. Showtime content (series like Dexter, Yellowjackets, and The Affair) lives behind a separate paywall, even for paid subscribers.

Key Takeaways

Paramount Plus Essential includes most Paramount content but shows ads and does not include Showtime programming.
To watch Showtime shows on Paramount Plus, you must add the Showtime add-on, which costs extra per month on top of your Essential subscription.
Paramount Plus with Ads and Paramount Plus Premium (ad-free) are the two base tiers; Showtime is an optional add-on for either one.
Showtime content is also available through the standalone Showtime app or through cable and streaming bundles, which may be cheaper than adding it to Paramount.

The difference between Paramount Plus tiers

Paramount offers two main subscription tiers for Paramount Plus itself. The Essential tier (with ads) is the cheaper option. The Premium tier removes ads but costs more per month. Neither tier includes Showtime by default.

If you want to remove ads from Essential, you upgrade to Premium. If you want to add Showtime to either tier, you pay a separate monthly fee on top of your base subscription. These are two separate decisions—you can have Essential without Showtime, Essential with Showtime, Premium without Showtime, or Premium with Showtime.

How much the Showtime add-on costs

The Showtime add-on through Paramount Plus costs a fixed amount per month, though the exact price varies by region and changes over time. You can add it to either the Essential or Premium tier. The add-on gives you access to Showtime's full library of series, films, and sports programming within the Paramount Plus app.

Before you add Showtime through Paramount, check whether a standalone Showtime subscription or a bundle (like Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ with Showtime) might cost less. Sometimes buying Showtime separately is cheaper than paying for Paramount Plus plus the Showtime add-on.

What content you get with Essential alone

Paramount Plus Essential includes most of Paramount's library: current and past seasons of CBS shows, movies from Paramount Pictures, original series made for Paramount Plus, sports (including some NFL games and college sports), and news from CBS News. You also get access to other Paramount-owned content like MTV and Comedy Central programming.

What you do not get is Showtime's exclusive content. Showtime produces its own original series and acquires films and shows that air only on Showtime. Those titles do not appear in Essential, even if you own the subscription.

What you get if you add Showtime

Adding the Showtime add-on gives you access to Showtime's full catalog within the same Paramount Plus app. You will see Showtime series, films, documentaries, and sports programming (including boxing and other live events) mixed into your library. You can watch them on the same devices and with the same account—no separate app or login needed.

The add-on does not change whether you see ads. If you have Essential with ads and add Showtime, you still see ads. If you have Premium (ad-free) and add Showtime, Showtime content is also ad-free. The add-on only unlocks the content; it does not change the ad experience of your base tier.

Alternatives to adding Showtime through Paramount

You have other ways to watch Showtime without buying it as a Paramount add-on. Showtime offers its own standalone app and website, where you can subscribe directly. You can also get Showtime through cable or satellite TV if you have a pay-TV subscription. Some streaming bundles (like the one offered through Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV Channels) include Showtime as an add-on option.

Compare the monthly cost of each option before you decide. Sometimes the standalone Showtime app is cheaper than adding it to Paramount Plus. Sometimes a bundle is cheaper than both. The math depends on what else you already subscribe to and what you plan to watch.

How to add Showtime to your Paramount Plus account

If you decide to add Showtime through Paramount Plus, you do this in your account settings. Log into your Paramount Plus account on the website or app, go to your subscription or billing section, and look for the option to add Showtime as an add-on. You will see the monthly price and can confirm the purchase. The add-on usually starts when ready, and you will see Showtime content in your library right away.

You can remove the Showtime add-on at any time through the same settings. Canceling the add-on does not cancel your base Paramount Plus subscription—you keep Essential or Premium, whichever you have, and just lose access to Showtime content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Premium to watch Showtime?

No. You can add Showtime to either Essential (with ads) or Premium (ad-free). The add-on works with both tiers. Your choice of tier only affects whether you see ads in Paramount content, not whether you can add Showtime.

Can I watch Showtime on my phone or TV if I add it to Paramount Plus?

Yes. The Showtime add-on works on all devices where Paramount Plus works—phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices. You use the same Paramount Plus app and account on all of them.

What happens to my Showtime access if I cancel Paramount Plus?

If you cancel your Paramount Plus subscription entirely, you lose access to both Paramount content and Showtime. If you only remove the Showtime add-on but keep your Essential or Premium subscription, you keep watching Paramount content but lose Showtime.

Is Showtime ever included free with Paramount Plus?

Not as a standard feature. Paramount occasionally runs promotions where new subscribers get a free trial period of Showtime or a discount on the add-on, but these are temporary offers. The regular price for Showtime is separate from your base subscription cost.

Can I get Showtime cheaper another way?

Possibly. Compare the cost of Paramount Plus Essential plus the Showtime add-on against standalone Showtime, Showtime through Amazon Prime Video Channels, or Showtime bundled with other services. Prices and bundles change, so check current rates before you subscribe.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.