Showtime Is Rebranding With A Very Confusing Name

Paramount Global has officially bid farewell to the Showtime brand, repositioning its linear Showtime cable network as Paramount+ with Showtime, making for a strange name, at the very least. First reported by Variety and effective January 8, 2024, the rebrand signals a new platform that will integrate both streaming and linear content.

In this transition, starting from the mentioned date, Showtime subscribers will gain access to Paramount+ original series like Sexy Beast and the highly anticipated second season of the video game adaptation Halo, along with additional Paramount+ content. The rebranded cable network also includes select Paramount+ originals including Taylor Sheridan’s Mayor of Kingstown Seasons 1-2, Star Trek: Discovery Seasons 1-4, and Wolf Pack Season 1.

If the road to the new platform sounds straightforward, brace yourself for some confusion: Existing subscribers may face uncertainties in how this rollout will work. Notably, some linear Showtime channel subscribers won't automatically get access to the Paramount+ with Showtime streaming plan. Instead, these cable subscribers can access content online through authenticated streaming apps provided by pay-TV partners, reflecting Paramount Global's agreements with select pay-TV providers.

The transition also marks the gradual discontinuation of the standalone Showtime streaming app, aligning with the company's dedication to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan. The revamped network's lineup features additions like Paramount+ original series including The Woman in the Wall, plus Fellow Travelers, The Chi, The Curse, Yellowjackets, and Your Honor.

You can check out the newly released launch video with more information on the Paramount+ with Showtime launch. More information is expected to come out via Showtime's linear channels, so hopefully this will all make slightly more sense as the date draws nearer.