Sling TV has expanded its premium channel lineup, adding Showtime as one of the options for those who want it. The add-on can be tacked onto one's existing channel package for $10/month extra, giving subscribers access to the network and its eight individual channels. Showtime joins the service's existing premium offerings, including HBO, Starz and Cinemax.
Amazon has just announced a new Streaming Partners Program that allows Prime users to add subscriptions to premium video services like Showtime and Starz to their existing account. Not only does this allow customers to completely bypass the need for cable or satellite packages, but they can even manage their video service subscriptions and payments through their Amazon Prime account.
In early June Showtime announced it would be following in competitor HBO’s footsteps by launching its own online video streaming service, lending fans of the network’s shows a way to watch them without springing for a cable subscription. The online service is simply called “Showtime”, and though we knew it would be coming before July 12, we didn’t know the exact launch date. As it turns out, today is the big day and those with certain devices can now sign up for a subscription.
Hulu, though still maligned for showing advertisements to paying subscribers, has done impressive work when it comes to expanding its library, and it has boasting rights as the current and future home of many well-known shows. Now the service has announced in conjunction with Showtime a new ‘first’ — the ability for Hulu subscribers to subscribe to and access Showtime’s own service. Under this partnership, those who sign up can access the Showtime content via the Hulu app, meaning the content will be available on an expansive lineup of devices. Says Hulu, the Showtime shows can be streamed "the moment they air".
CBS recently announced that Showtime would get a standalone Internet streaming service akin to what competitor HBO launched earlier this year. The service, at the time, was said to have Apple as its first launch partner, but its exclusive designation is already over. Now both Roku and PlayStation Vue have been added as launch partners, opening the roster of support to a wider audience. The price will still be $10.99 per month; most of Roku's streaming devices will be supported, it seems.
Showtime has confirmed recent rumors, officially announcing that it will be launching a standalone Internet streaming service next month. The service will follow in line with HBO's recent embracing of the Internet (as well as Dish and many networks with its Sling TV), and it will be called simply "Showtime". Apple will be the first partner for the service, CBS Corporation announced this evening. The standalone Internet-based Showtime service will go live some time in early July. More after the jump.
The most over-hyped fight in a decade watched an aging Mayweather hold onto his undefeated record against Pacquiao, whose career is also on the wane. Outside the ring, another battle was being fought: Pay-Per-View vs. Periscope, Twitter's live-streaming app. The fight cost viewers a hefty $100 Pay-Per-View fee, which could be manageable with a large party gathered around a big screen TV. But, the fee remains a huge obstacle for most viewers, especially those without enough friends to split the bill. Periscope viewers could even tune into a ringside live stream thanks to these guys. Although some low-maintenance users just aimed their smartphone at their Pay-Per-View feed to live-stream the fight.
Director David Lynch has dropped out of the much-anticipated Twin Peaks revival, parting ways with the Showtime project after arguments over money. Rather than being a case of the high-profile director demanding a bigger fee, the issue is one of how much the new Twin Peaks should cost, with disagreements said to be around the overall budget. However, while initial reports suggested that Showtime had axed the new season of the show altogether as a result, Lynch says that may not in fact be the case.
The promise of HBO without a cable subscription has many excited for what’s on the horizon for non-cable TV service. Not to be outdone, CBS is now saying Showtime will join the streaming fracas in 2015. In the company’s third quarter earning’s call, CBS Chief Executive Leslie Moonves was more than on the fence about Showtime’s streaming-sans-cable aspirations in 2015, saying it’s “fairly definitive”. In the hopes we won’t take it lightly, Moonves also called what’s coming “over the top”.
Twin Peaks is returning, with the cult TV show being reborn for 2016 as co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost ink a deal with Showtime. Nine new episodes of the surreal show will be produced, it's reported, airing 25 years after the original was cut by ABC after just two seasons. However, with casting yet to be announced, it's unclear whether Kyle MacLachlan will reclaim his role as FBI Agent Dale Cooper, investigating murder in the oftentimes-bizarre (and thankfully fictional) town of Twin Peaks, Washington.
On Tuesday, Showtime announced the availability of Showtime Anytime for the Xbox 360. This marks a big move for Showtime Networks -- the first time its Anytime has launched on a game console -- and precedes the eventual availability for the Xbox One.
The Halo series Xbox Entertainment Studios has been working on could end up on Showtime, it has been tipped. According to sources, the Microsoft division is "deep in negotiations" that have been long and drawn out due to the unique nature of what Xbox has planned.
