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Showtime OTT service unveiled

CBS has confirmed the launch of a standalone OTT service for its Showtime premium cablenet from July, joining HBO Now on Apple TV.

Showtime's OTT offering on various platforms

Showtime’s OTT offering on various platforms

The service, to be known as Showtime, will coincide with the release of new seasons of Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex, which premiere on July 12.

CBS moved into the OTT space last October with the launch of its CBS Access service.

The announcement follows the launch of HBO’s streaming service HBO Now in April, which also launched on Apple TV.

“Going over-the-top means Showtime will be much more accessible to tens of millions of potential new subscribers,” said Leslie Moonves, CBS Corporation president and CEO.

“Across CBS, we are constantly finding new ways to monetise our programming by capitalising 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.”

Moonves made the announcement today alongside Matthew C Blank, chairman and CEO of Showtime Networks. Showtime will offer a 30-day free trial to new customers who sign up through Apple in July.

iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Apple TV users will be able to subscribe to Showtime anywhere in the US via an app for US$10.99 a month. However, Apple’s plan to launch an OTT pay TV service this fall could be delayed as the tech giant continues to face problems accessing live TV feeds of local broadcasters.

Showtime’s news is the latest chapter in the race to launch an on-demand, OTT platform in the US. Cablenet Starz (Black Sails) recently announced plans to enter the online space, while Viacom-owned Nickelodeon also confirmed its service earlier this year, continuing the challenge against Netflix and Amazon in the SVoD arena.

Showtime is home to dramas Homeland, The Affair, Penny Dreadful, Shameless, House of Lies, Nurse Jackie, Happyish and Episodes, as well as forthcoming series Billions and Twin Peaks.

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