Observed Signal · May 16, 2026 · Deprecation · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Paramount Shuts Down Showtime Website, Redirects to Paramount+
Paramount has discontinued the standalone Showtime website and now redirects visitors to Paramount+ when accessing sho.com, showtime.com, or ParamountPlusWithShowtime.com. The change, implemented without a formal announcement, continues Paramount Global’s multi-year consolidation of legacy cable brands into the Paramount+ streaming platform following the 2023 merger of Showtime into Paramount+. The move aligns with an industry trend of retiring dedicated channel websites to centralize content distribution, subscription management, and audience data on parent streaming services and has been mirrored by other Paramount-owned channel sites such as CMT, Comedy Central, TV Land and the Paramount Network.
A major media owner consolidating a legacy channel's digital presence into its streaming platform affects content distribution, subscriber funnels and centralization of audience data—important for publishers and streaming ad strategies but not industry‑shifting on its own.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Paramount discontinued the standalone Showtime website and now redirects sho.com and showtime.com (and ParamountPlusWithShowtime.com) to Paramount+.
- The change was implemented without a formal public announcement or press release.
- In 2023 Paramount announced it would merge Showtime into Paramount+, shutting down the separate Showtime streaming subscription service.
- Other Paramount-owned channel websites (CMT, Comedy Central, TV Land, Paramount Network) have also been streamlined or removed to drive traffic to Paramount+.
Connected Companies & Entities
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Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
State of Streaming Adds Showtime Profile
State of Streaming's Showtime publisher page lists Showtime as a legacy premium network now operating as a streaming app and integrated into Paramount+ via a Showtime tier. The page records corporate details (parent: Paramount Global; HQ: New York, NY; founded 1976), a short content description (notable shows: Billions, Yellowjackets; boxing), a link to the app website (sho.com), and related Paramount family streaming apps (e.g., Paramount+, Pluto TV, BET+). The page also aggregates recent State of Streaming articles and resources and notes a related coverage item: Paramount+ rebrand removing 'Showtime' (Feb 25, 2026).
Paramount+ Drops 'Showtime' From Top Tier Name
Paramount Global has renamed its top-tier streaming plan from “Paramount+ with Showtime” to “Paramount+ Premium” to simplify the service’s branding. The change does not affect price (remains $13/month) or content access: ad-free Premium subscribers retain the full Showtime library, including series such as Yellowjackets and Dexter. The rebrand follows the 2023 integration of Showtime into Paramount+ and the shutdown of the standalone Showtime app. While the Showtime name will persist on its linear cable channel, Paramount is using different tier strategies internationally, rolling out Premium and ad-supported plans in markets including Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The move contrasts with rivals like Warner Bros. Discovery, which recently restored the HBO name to its streamer.
Paramount Shutting Down BET+ Streaming Service
Paramount Global is discontinuing the standalone BET+ streaming service in a phased shutdown that begins in June 2026 and is expected to complete by mid‑August 2026. The company—following its full acquisition of BET+ after buying out Tyler Perry Studios’ stake—will migrate more than 1,000 hours of BET+ originals, movies, and specials into Paramount+, create a dedicated “BET Hub” inside Paramount+, and move select original movies to the ad‑supported Pluto TV. New subscriptions to BET+ are closed and current subscribers are being offered discounted Paramount+ access and communicated transition options. The consolidation is positioned as an efficiency and discovery play to centralize Black‑focused programming onto Paramount+’s global platform while preserving the BET brand within the larger service.
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