Paramount+ with SHOWTIME vs. SHOWTIME Anytime: Which Is Best for You?
UPDATE: As of December 2023, the SHOWTIME Anytime service is no longer available.
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME price: $11.99/mo.
Free trial: 7 days (or 30 with code NEWHOME)
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME price: $11.99/mo.
Free trial: 7 days (or 30 with code NEWHOME)
App price: Free with SHOWTIME subscription
SHOWTIME add-on price: $10.99/mo.
Free trial: Up to 30 days, depending on service and plan
App price: Free with SHOWTIME subscription
SHOWTIME add-on price: $10.99/mo.
Free trial: Up to 30 days, depending on service and plan
What’s SHOWTIME Anytime?
SHOWTIME Anytime is just the app that cable or live TV streaming customers can download to get SHOWTIME on the side. Of course, our favorite way to watch SHOWTIME bypasses this entirely: the best value option is the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan for $11.99 a month.
If you have TV and internet service through , though, you could save a lot of money by adding Paramount+ with SHOWTIME to your bundle.
What’s the difference between Paramount+ with SHOWTIME (streaming service) and SHOWTIME Anytime?
The SHOWTIME streaming service no longer exists as a standalone, but you can subscribe to SHOWTIME through Paramount+ and access all of its content (including live channels) through the Paramount+ app. SHOWTIME Anytime, on the other hand, is an app that cable, satellite, and live TV streaming subscribers can use to stream SHOWTIME for free at home or on the go.
There are no programming differences between the two options; the difference is in price and user interface.
Both Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME Anytime feature a large selection of popular SHOWTIME original series, making them the only places on the web that have most of the SHOWTIME library on demand. (Netflix has some shows like Dexter and Shameless, but not every one of them.)
You can also stream Paramount+ with SHOWTIME West and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME East live on the Paramount+ app or the SHOWTIME Anytime app.
Just remember that you need a compatible streaming device to use SHOWTIME Anytime or Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. You can find a full list of compatible devices on our Paramount+ with SHOWTIME review.
Pro tip: Not sure which streaming device is right for you? Check out our guide, Best Streaming Devices, to get our expert recommendations.
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME without cable
The main way to get SHOWTIME service is through Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME’s new home that costs $11.99 per month (which in 2024, is actually pretty good.) This gets you access to every SHOWTIME show, movie, and live channel, including SHOWTIME Boxing.
You can also add Paramount+ with SHOWTIME as an add-on to most existing live TV streaming subscriptions. You’ll get all the same Paramount+ with SHOWTIME content as the above for just $11.99 per month. The catch is, of course, that you’ll have to also pay for live TV.
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME with cable
The thing about getting Paramount+ with SHOWTIME with cable TV is that you usually have to sign a contract. Contract? Ew, you may say.
Okay, okay, hear us out. A cable package with Paramount+ with SHOWTIME can be more convenient and save you money if you bundle it with home internet.
Let’s get this started with a truly tantalizing possibility. Remember how we said getting Paramount+ with SHOWTIME through a cable provider could save you money? Well, is that cable provider.
If you live in Chicago in an Astound Broadband service area, you could pay as little as $56.64 per month for 70+ TV channels, 20+ Paramount+ with SHOWTIME channels with the add-on, and high-speed internet. That’s a real steal.
That said, cable deals on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME are highly contingent on your location. You could also get three months of free Paramount+ with SHOWTIME through DIRECTV—not bad.
Just watch out for the price hike after the second year of your contract. DIRECTV loves doing that.
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME vs. SHOWTIME Anytime FAQ
Do you pay for SHOWTIME Anytime?
No, the SHOWTIME Anytime app is free. But you’ll need a TV provider login to use it, which costs money (obvi).
Can you watch shows live on SHOWTIME Anytime?
Yes, you can watch live TV shows and movies on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME West and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME East with the SHOWTIME Anytime app.
Why is SHOWTIME Anytime not working?
Most likely, SHOWTIME Anytime isn’t working because your streaming device, internet browser, or internet connection is having problems.
While there are myriad solutions to these problems, usually the simplest solution is to restart your streaming device, internet browser, or internet connection (unplug and replug in your modem/router).
This allows your equipment to reset and remove any bugs that might be messing with their performance.
What’s the cheapest way to get Paramount+ with SHOWTIME?
The cheapest way to get Paramount+ with SHOWTIME is through the cable provider Astound Broadband, which offers Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plus some other premium channels for $7.95 per month.
If you don’t want cable, you can subscribe to the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME streaming service for $11.99 a month. Subscribing directly to Paramount+ with SHOWTIME as a live TV streaming add-on is also cheap at $11.99 a month.
Is Paramount+ with SHOWTIME on demand free on DIRECTV?
If you subscribe to Paramount+ with SHOWTIME through DIRECTV, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME on demand is free through the SHOWTIME Anytime app.
What are the best movies on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME?
Movies on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME rotate frequently. We recommend visiting Sho.com to see the best movies on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME that are currently playing.
How do I cancel my Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscription?
If your Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscription came from your cable TV provider, you’ll have to call your provider’s customer service to cancel Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. If you want to cancel a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME streaming subscription, follow these steps:
- Go to Paramount+’s website and access your account settings.
- Click Cancel Subscription.
How do I get Paramount+ with SHOWTIME for free?
Cable providers sometimes provide free Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscriptions to new customers. You can also watch free episodes of Paramount+ with SHOWTIME shows on the channel’s website.
Methodology
Our experts spent thousands of hours watching and testing Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, evaluating everything from ease of use to pricing to add-ons and bundles.
Check out our How We Rank page for more info on how we evaluate streaming services.
Mike Strayer, PhD, has written and edited TV, internet, and tech content across the interwebs for over eight years. As Managing Editor of CableTV.com, he nerds out dissecting labyrinthian channel lineups and sifting through massive on-demand libraries. Off the clock, catch him on his couch deep in The Twilight Zone or wandering Westworld.
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