Showtime Joins HBO In Streaming-Only Service
Showtime is going to join HBO in offering a streaming-only service. It is expected by July 2015, and it will allow people to watch all shows on the channel, without having to subscribe to the cable option. Streaming-only services have been called for by a number of TV fans, who are fed up of paying the high fees when they will not watch anything on their TV but prefer to watch online while on the go.
Until recently, HBO had a cable subscription only. Showtime followed the same pattern, arguing that if people really wanted to watch the shows, they would pay the full amount. However, many people are turning to illegal downloading. HBO was hit the hardest, as it turned out that Game of Thrones was the highest downloaded program over the last few years.
The New York Times reports that the monthly fee for the streaming-only service from Showtime will be $11. It will only be available to Apple users at the moment, and there is no news of when other devices will be included in this streaming option. New customers will be able to get a 30-day free trial when they register through Apple during the month of July.
Showtime is hoping that the premieres of Masters of Sex and Ray Donovan will be enough to entice people into opting for the streaming service. They both premiere on July 12. HBO opted for timing the release of its streaming-only service with the season five premiere of Game of Thrones in April.
Showtime streamers will get access to all the on-demand access, so they can catch documentaries, movies, sports programs and original shows whenever they need. There will also be the live feed, so people can watch from their devices at the exact time their programs are on. Fans will no longer need to avoid the internet for spoilers.
According to USA Today, Matt Blank, CEO of Showtime, said that other providers and platforms will be available later. Less Moonves, CBS CEO, also said that tens of millions of new subscribers would be able to access the shows thanks to this new service.
“Going over-the-top means Showtime will be much more accessible to tens of millions of potential new subscribers.”
–Lee Moonves, CBS CEO
“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.”
–Matt Blank, Showtime CEO
More cable companies are looking into streaming-only services to be able to compete in the online world. The likes of Amazon Video and Netflix have made it essential for TV networks to remain ahead in the game if they want to survive. More people are turning to streaming services to get their hands on programs, and with HBO making the move, it is not that surprising the Showtime has now followed suit.
