Showtime to Launch Standalone OTT Service

Showtime will follow HBO and CBS with its own standalone, over-the-top service set to debut in July, the network said Wednesday.

Simply called Showtime, the service will debut on Apple devices, including the Apple TV, iPhone and iPad, for $10.99 per month. The service’s early July launch will coincide with the July 12 launch of new seasons of Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex, said network officials.

Subscribers will have unlimited on demand access to every season Showtime original series, and hundreds of hours of movies, documentary and sports programming, as well as the live broadcast of the east and west coast feeds of Showtime.

Showtime will offer a 30-day free trial to new customers who sign up through Apple in July.

 “Going over-the-top means Showtime will be much more accessible to tens of millions of potential new subscribers,” said Leslie Moonves, CBS Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer in a statement. “Across CBS, we are constantly finding new ways to monetize our programming by capitalizing on opportunities presented by technology.  This works best when you have outstanding premium content – like we do at Showtime – and when you have a terrific partner like Apple – which continues to innovate and build upon its loyal customer base.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.