Last week Wednesday Showtime announced that their network will be offered over the internet as a stand-alone streaming service, launching in early July.
[dropcap size=small]I[/dropcap]t would seem that HBO isn’t the only premium cable TV network that offers it’s content on the internet for streaming. Known simply as just Showtime, the service will rival HBO Now. The best part? It’s cheaper than HBO Now and only costs $11 a month, beating out HBO Now which costs $15 a month.
There is one downside however. Showtime’s standalone service will be exclusively offered for Apple devices like the iPad, the iPhone and the Apple TV. Fortunately for those of you who don’t own any Apple products, the service will eventually be available on PC once you’ve confirmed your subscription. Plus, if you’re curious if its worth paying the $11 a month fee Showtime is offering a 30 day free trial to people who own an Apple product.
While Showtime doesn’t have Game of Thrones to offer its current and potentially new customers, the company does have some great shows of its own. Shows like Homeland, Masters of Sex, Ray Donovan, and Shameless among others have won many awards and that will certainly add to the appeal of subscribing to the standalone service. In addition to these current shows, subscribers will also have the ability to watch Showtime’s older shows, including its immensely popular show, Californication.
Matthew C. Blank, Chairman and CEO of Showtime Networks Inc. had this to say about the announcement:
“At Showtime, we’re excited to offer consumers the opportunity to subscribe in new ways, by simply having an internet connection. Our intent is to make SHOWTIME available to viewers via every manner possible, giving them an enormous amount of choice in accessing our programming, starting with the season premieres of our award-winning series Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex”
Showtime, which is owned by CBS, hasn’t revealed if their standalone service will be coming to consoles like the Playstation 4 or the Xbox One.
Showtime’s standalone service will be available in July if you own an Apple product. The service will be offered at a later date for PC owners.
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