It was revealed last year that Paramount was considering merging Showtime with Paramount+, and now it’s official. Showtime will be integrated into Paramount+ across linear and streaming platforms, rebranding the channel to Paramount+ With Showtime. This move has already resulted in the cancellation of several series, including Let the Right One In, American Gigolo, and Three Women.
The rebranding will launch later this year, with the move aiming to bring Showtime and Paramount+ together in the streaming world. This will only affect the premium tier of Paramount+ and the Showtime linear network in the U.S. “This new combined offering demonstrates how we can leverage our entire collection of content to drive deeper connections with consumers and greater value for our distribution partners,” Paramount CEO Bob Bakish said in staff memo. “This change will also drive stronger alignment across our domestic and international Paramount+ offerings, as international Paramount+ already includes Showtime content. And, very importantly, this integration will unlock operational efficiencies and financial benefits across our broader portfolio.“
President and CEO of Showtime and Paramount Media Networks, Chris McCarthy, added, “As a part of Paramount+, we can put more resources into building out the lanes that have made the SHOWTIME brand famous, as well as turning our hit shows into global hit franchises. To do this, we will divert investment away from areas that are underperforming and that account for less than 10% of our views. We have already begun conversations with our production partners about what content makes sense moving forward and which shows have franchise potential.” That means that we can probably expect to see more shows getting the axe or being removed from the service.
As for those cancellations, the first season of Let the Right One In wrapped up its run last month. Based on the bestselling novel by Ajvide Lindqvist, the series stars Demián Bichir as a father who attempts to care for his daughter after she becomes a vampire. While this marks the end of the series on Showtime, it is being shopped to other platforms. American Gigolo was a present-day reimagining of the 1980 film and stars Jon Bernthal as Julian Kaye, who is exonerated 15 years after being arrested for murder. The third series, Three Women, hadn’t actually aired yet, but production has been completed. Starring Shailene Woodley, Betty Gilpin, DeWanda Wise, and Gabrielle Creevy, the series follows a group of women are on a crash course to radically overturn their lives. Much like Let the Right One In, Three Woman is also being shopped by its producers with the hope of finding a new home.
The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.
What’s Not Allowed