Paramount Plus with Showtime costs more but gives you access to Showtime's full channel library on top of what you already get

Paramount Plus with Showtime adds Showtime's programming to your Paramount Plus subscription for an extra monthly fee. The bundle runs about $15.99 per month (the price varies by region and changes periodically), compared to Paramount Plus alone at around $5.99 with ads or $11.99 ad-free. Whether it's worth the extra cost depends entirely on whether you watch Showtime's shows and movies regularly enough to justify paying roughly $50 to $100 more per year.

The decision comes down to three concrete questions: What shows or movies on Showtime do you actually want to watch? How often would you use them? And would you otherwise pay for Showtime separately or through a cable package? If you're adding it just to have it available "someday," you're spending money on content you won't use.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus with Showtime costs roughly $4 to $10 more per month than Paramount Plus alone, depending on which tier you choose.
  • Showtime's library includes original series, movies, sports events, and documentaries that do not appear on the base Paramount Plus service.
  • The bundle makes financial sense only if you regularly watch Showtime content or would otherwise pay for Showtime separately.
  • You can add and remove Showtime from your account month to month, so you can subscribe when shows you want are airing and cancel when they end.
  • Paramount Plus and Showtime are separate services with separate apps, even when bundled together on your account.

What Showtime content you actually get

Showtime's library includes original series like Dexter, Homeland, Penny Dreadful, and The Affair, plus newer shows that rotate in and out. The channel also carries movies, sports programming (primarily boxing and MMA events), stand-up comedy specials, and documentary series. None of this content appears on the base Paramount Plus service.

The catch is that Showtime's library is smaller than Paramount Plus's. If you're mainly interested in Paramount's own shows, movies, and sports (like NFL games and NCAA football), you don't need Showtime. But if there are specific Showtime series you've been wanting to watch or you follow Showtime's sports events, the add-on gives you access without a separate subscription.

How the pricing actually breaks down

Paramount Plus offers two tiers: an ad-supported version and an ad-free version. Adding Showtime to either tier costs the same extra amount, roughly $4 to $10 per month depending on your region and current promotions. That means your total monthly bill could be anywhere from $10.99 (ad-supported Paramount Plus plus Showtime) to $21.99 (ad-free Paramount Plus plus Showtime).

Some people find it cheaper to subscribe to Showtime for a few months when shows they want are airing, then cancel, rather than pay year-round. Paramount Plus allows you to add and remove Showtime from your account without canceling your base subscription, so you can do this without losing your Paramount Plus history or settings.

When the bundle makes financial sense

The bundle is worth the cost if you watch at least one Showtime series regularly or follow Showtime's sports events. If you're already paying for cable or another streaming service that includes Showtime, adding it to Paramount Plus is redundant and wastes money. If you've never watched Showtime before and are curious about one show, consider subscribing for one or two months to watch it, then canceling rather than committing to a year.

The bundle also makes sense if you want to consolidate subscriptions. Instead of paying for Paramount Plus and Showtime as separate services, bundling them in one place simplifies billing and login management, even though you'll still use two separate apps.

Comparing Showtime to other streaming options

Showtime is also available through other services. You can add Showtime to an Amazon Prime Video subscription for roughly the same price as adding it to Paramount Plus. Some cable packages and other streaming bundles include Showtime as well. If you're already paying for one of those services, adding Showtime there might be simpler than subscribing to Paramount Plus separately.

The decision isn't really about Paramount Plus versus Showtime—it's about where you want to watch Showtime content and what other services you're already using. If Paramount Plus is your main streaming service and you want Showtime shows, adding it to Paramount Plus is straightforward. If you primarily use a different service, adding Showtime there instead might make more sense.

What to do before you subscribe

Before paying for Showtime, check what's currently available in the Showtime library. Paramount Plus and Showtime both publish their current offerings online, and you can browse without subscribing. Look for shows or movies you actually want to watch right now, not shows you might watch eventually.

If you find one or two shows you're interested in, check how many episodes are available and when new episodes air. If a series is already complete, you can binge it in a month or two and then cancel. If a show is in the middle of its season, you might want to keep the subscription through the finale, then cancel. This approach keeps you from paying for months of content you don't use.

The technical side: apps and streaming quality

Paramount Plus and Showtime are separate apps, even when you bundle them. You'll need to log into both apps with the same account credentials, and your Showtime content will appear in the Showtime app, not in the Paramount Plus app. This isn't a major inconvenience, but it's worth knowing if you prefer having everything in one place.

Both services stream in 4K on compatible devices, though not all content is available in 4K. Streaming quality depends on your internet connection and the device you're using. If you're watching on an older TV or phone, the difference between standard and 4K won't be noticeable anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try Showtime for free before paying for it?

Paramount Plus occasionally offers free trial periods for Showtime add-ons, but these are not may provide and change frequently. Your best option is to browse the Showtime library on the Paramount Plus website to see what's available, then decide whether the content is worth the monthly cost.

What happens to my Paramount Plus account if I remove Showtime?

Your Paramount Plus account stays active and unchanged. Removing Showtime straightforward stops the extra charge and removes your access to Showtime content. Your watch history, saved shows, and settings on Paramount Plus remain intact.

Is Showtime worth it if I only want to watch one series?

It depends on how long the series is and how quickly you'll watch it. If you can finish a season in one month, paying for one month of Showtime is reasonable. If the show has multiple seasons and you watch slowly, you might end up paying for several months. Calculate how many months you'd need and compare that to the total cost.

Can I watch Showtime on multiple devices at the same time?

Showtime's simultaneous streaming limits depend on your subscription tier and current policies, which change periodically. Check Showtime's support page or your account settings for the current number of devices allowed to stream at once.

Do I need Paramount Plus to subscribe to Showtime?

No. You can subscribe to Showtime through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV Channels, or directly from Showtime as a standalone service. Bundling it with Paramount Plus is just one option among several ways to access Showtime content.