Paramount+ and Showtime: Everything You Need to Know About the Merger
Just weeks after Warner Brothers Discovery+ unveiled Max, another two streaming services will merge — Paramount+ and Showtime. On June 27th, Paramount Global’s flagship streaming service will merge with Showtime.
The merger, which was announced earlier this year, will not only combine the two streaming services catalogs but will also result in a price increase.
Another week, another bundle. Let’s unpack everything we know about this merger and what users can expect from the newly combined Paramount+ and Showtime catalog.
Why bring Paramount+ and Showtime together?
Hoping to mitigate continued shareholder loss, Paramount Global hopes that by combining platforms, they will be able to decrease content spending to make streaming more profitable.
What does this mean for the streamers’ original content?
Showtime, a long-running cable-TV network staple recently best known for series like
Yellowjackets, I Love That for You, and American Gigolo will undergo a rebranding and will be known as Paramount+ with Showtime. In addition, the company will shut down the standalone Showtime app by the end of the year.
By integrating the platforms, Showtime will feature Paramount+ original content like Yellowstone, Joe Pickett, and Rabbit Hole.
Paramount+ and Showtime: Merged Catalog Overview
Combined, Paramount+ and Showtime will boast a catalog containing 3,792 TV shows and movies, with Paramount+’s significant offering bolstering the number of TV shows and movies offered by the new combined platform. Only 5 of those titles overlap.
Catalog Depth: Paramount+ vs. Showtime vs. Merged Catalog
When the two platforms merge, audiences can continue to enjoy what they’ve already come to enjoy from both streamers. Showtime will boost the amount of Documentary content currently lacking in the Paramount+ catalog. Audiences will also be offered a steady stream of Comedy and Action & Adventure programming. It will be interesting to see how the merger affects original content production.
TV Catalog Quality: Paramount+ vs. Showtime vs. Merged Catalog
While Paramount+ has had great success with screenwriting powerhouse Tyler Sheridan, creator of Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, and more, bolstering their “high quality” television programming—defined as a television show rated 8.0 on IMDB with 300+ votes. They also have a significant number of “quality” programs.
Even though Showtime has a much smaller catalog regarding ranking quality programming, the platform offers an oddly balanced amount of quality and high-quality content.
Combining the two platforms, in terms of TV catalog quality, the new platform will boast 863 TV shows; less than one-fifth are high-quality, which will be a significant difference for each platform separately.
Movie Catalog Quality: Paramount+ vs. Showtime vs. Merged Catalog
Paramount+ has a vast catalog compared to Showtime. After all, Paramount Global has retained the rights to a sizeable amount of the legendary movie studios catalog. Additionally, Paramount holds the rights to some of Hollywood’s most famous and well-regarded filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese, J.J. Abrams, and Michael Bay.
In terms of high quality, they have Showtime beat. Conversely, Showtime has in the past been the go-to for comedy specials, renowned sporting events, and prestige originals from the 2000s like Dexter, Homeland, and Weeds, just to name a few.
While the joined platform will increase its high-quality movie catalog, the remaining catalog will still predominately consist of non-ranked movies.
What will it cost?
The cost of the new Paramount+ with Showtime will start at $11.99/month. This is how the tiers will break down:
Plan: Paramount+ Essential (with ads) + SHOWTIME
Cost: $11.99/month
What you get:
- Tens of thousands of episodes & movies
- NFL on CBS & top soccer
- Limited ads
- 24/7 live news with CBS News
- ALL of SHOWTIME, ALL commercial-free
Plan: Premium + SHOWTIME®
Cost: $11.99/month
What you get:
- Tens of thousands of episodes & movies
- NFL on CBS, top soccer & more sports
- No ads except live TV & a few shows
- 24/7 live news with CBS News
- ALL of SHOWTIME, ALL commercial-free
- Your local CBS station live
- Download your shows to watch later
When will the platforms merge?
Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
