As of January 8, linear Showtime will be no more. Instead, it’ll be rebranded as “Paramount+ With Showtime,” an arrangement spurred by the fact Showtime content is now available on the Paramount+ streaming service and executives just have to change things to justify their salaries. It’s the latest rebrand in the streaming world, after previous high-profile shifts like HBO Max to Max earlier this year.
“The move aligns the brand with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan, a cornerstone integration for the streaming service, making this the first of its kind multiplatform brand that integrates streaming and linear content,” according to a company press release. It also means that people who subscribe to Showtime for shows like Yellowjackets and The Curse will now be able to watch Paramount+ Original series like Star Trek: Discovery, Halo, and more, though the release does note that only “select” Paramount+ Originals are included.
This may not be a seamless transition for certain existing customers, however; as Variety points out, “some subscribers of the linear Showtime channel will not have access to the Paramount+ With Showtime streaming plan. Instead, Paramount+ With Showtime cable subscribers will be able to access programming online via the authenticated streaming apps of pay-TV partners. Paramount Global does have agreements with some large pay-TV providers that allow Showtime cable subscribers to also access the Paramount+ With Showtime streaming service.” Confused yet? Oh, you will be.
Here’s a trailer for the old channel with a new name and some extra content:
