Showtime is not free on its own, but it may come free with other services
Showtime costs money as a standalone subscription — there is no free tier. However, you can watch Showtime without paying Showtime directly if you already subscribe to certain other services. Paramount+ bundles Showtime into some of its plans. Hulu and Amazon Prime Video also offer Showtime as an add-on, and some cable or satellite packages include it. The route that costs you nothing depends on what you already pay for.
If you do not have any of those services, a Showtime-only subscription through the Paramount+ app or website runs about $12 per month (the price varies by region and changes periodically). Paramount+ itself starts lower, but the Showtime add-on costs extra on top of the base plan.
Key Takeaways
- Showtime has no free version; you must subscribe through Paramount+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or a cable provider to watch it.
- Paramount+ Premium includes Showtime at no extra cost, while Paramount+ Essential does not.
- Hulu and Amazon Prime Video both charge a separate monthly fee to add Showtime to an existing subscription.
- Some cable and satellite TV packages include Showtime; check your current bill to see if you already have it.
Showtime through Paramount+ Premium
Paramount+ Premium is the higher tier of Paramount's streaming service, and it includes Showtime at no additional charge. This is the most common way people watch Showtime without paying extra. If you already subscribe to Paramount+ Premium, you can watch Showtime shows and movies through the same app.
Paramount+ Essential, the lower-cost tier, does not include Showtime. If you have Essential and want Showtime, you must upgrade to Premium or add Showtime separately. The Premium plan costs more than Essential, but bundling Showtime into it often costs less than paying for both services separately.
Adding Showtime to Hulu or Amazon Prime Video
Both Hulu and Amazon Prime Video let you add Showtime as an optional add-on. You keep your existing Hulu or Prime subscription and pay an extra monthly fee on top of it. The add-on fee is separate from your base subscription cost, so your total bill goes up.
This route makes sense if you already use Hulu or Prime for other content and want to add Showtime without switching to Paramount+. The add-on appears in the same app, so you do not need to jump between services to watch Showtime shows.
Showtime through cable or satellite TV
If you have a cable or satellite TV subscription, Showtime may already be included in your package. Check your current bill or call your provider to confirm. Some packages bundle Showtime automatically; others offer it as an optional channel add-on that costs extra per month.
If your provider includes Showtime, you can watch it on your TV box and often through the Showtime app on phones, tablets, or streaming devices — you just need to sign in with your cable or satellite account credentials.
What you get with a Showtime subscription
Showtime produces and airs original series, movies, and sports programming. Shows like Dexter, Homeland, and Penny Dreadful are Showtime originals. The service also carries films and sports events, including boxing and mixed martial arts. The full catalog changes monthly as new shows premiere and older content rotates out.
The content library is smaller than Netflix or Paramount+, but Showtime focuses on prestige dramas and premium sports rather than volume. If you subscribe mainly for one or two shows, the cost may not be worth it — but if you watch several Showtime series or follow its sports coverage, a subscription pays for itself quickly.
Free trials and promotional offers
Paramount+ occasionally runs free trial periods for new subscribers, which may include Showtime if you sign up for the Premium tier. The length of the trial and whether it is currently running varies. Check the Paramount+ website directly to see what is available in your region right now.
Hulu and Amazon Prime Video sometimes offer discounted rates on Showtime add-ons for the first few months, though these deals are not always running. Your cable or satellite provider may also run promotions on Showtime as a channel add-on. These offers come and go, so there is no may provide one will be available when you want to subscribe.
Comparing the cost of each route
| Service | Showtime Included? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ Premium | Yes | Around $12/month (with ads) or $20/month (ad-free) |
| Paramount+ Essential | No | Around $6/month (with ads) |
| Showtime standalone | Yes | Around $12/month |
| Hulu + Showtime add-on | Yes (as add-on) | Hulu base + Showtime add-on fee |
| Amazon Prime Video + Showtime add-on | Yes (as add-on) | Prime membership + Showtime add-on fee |
The cheapest way to get Showtime is usually through Paramount+ Premium if you do not already subscribe to anything else. If you already pay for Hulu or Prime, adding Showtime to either one may cost less than switching to Paramount+ Premium, depending on which plan you have. If Showtime is already included in your cable package, that is free as long as you keep paying for cable.
Prices shift regularly and vary by region, so the exact dollar amounts you see may differ from these estimates. The comparison holds regardless: bundling through Paramount+ Premium typically costs less than paying for multiple services separately, while add-ons to Hulu or Prime make sense only if you already use those platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Showtime without paying anything?
Only if it comes free with a service you already pay for — Paramount+ Premium, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or cable TV. Showtime itself has no free tier. Some providers run free trial periods, but these are temporary and usually require a credit card to start.
Does Paramount+ Essential include Showtime?
No. Paramount+ Essential does not include Showtime. You must upgrade to Paramount+ Premium to get Showtime included. Premium costs more than Essential but includes Showtime at no extra charge on top of the Premium price.
Is Showtime cheaper through Paramount+ or as a standalone subscription?
They cost roughly the same — around $12 per month. The difference is that Paramount+ Premium gives you access to Paramount+ content plus Showtime, while a standalone Showtime subscription gives you only Showtime. If you want both services, Paramount+ Premium is the better deal.
Can I add Showtime to my existing Hulu or Prime subscription?
Yes. Both Hulu and Amazon Prime Video let you add Showtime as an optional add-on for a monthly fee on top of your current subscription. You watch it in the same app without switching services.
What if my cable provider already includes Showtime?
Check your bill or call your provider to confirm. If Showtime is in your package, you can watch it on your TV box and often through the Showtime app on other devices by signing in with your cable account. You do not pay extra for Showtime itself, though your overall cable bill may be higher because of the package you chose.