Showtime’s Standalone Streaming Service Hits Xbox One

Xbox owners can get their fill of “Billions” and “Twin Peaks” for $10.99 a month

Cord-cutting gamers who love premium television just got a new way to watch Showtime, as its standalone streaming service is now available on Microsoft’s Xbox One console.

Xbox One owners can download the Showtime streaming service app and use the activation code displayed to sign up and subscribe to the $10.99/months service. New subscribers get a 7-day free trial — plenty of time to get hooked on “Billions” and “Twin Peaks”

The streaming service includes unlimited on-demand access to the premium cable channel’s biggest hits, including “Homeland,” “Billions,” “Ray Donovan,” “Shameless,” and “Twin Peaks.” It also comes with the live broadcast of Showtime’s East Coast and West Coast feeds, as well as its library of movies, comedy specials and sports programming.

In addition to Xbox One, Showtime’s over-the-top service is also available on streaming devices from Apple, Roku, Amazon, Google and Samsung. Last month, Showtime parent CBS introduced a combined CBS All Access — CBS’ standalone streaming service — and Showtime package, which is priced at a discount compared with adding each service individually. CBS All Access with limited commercials and Showtime costs $14.99 a month, while CBS All Access’ commercial free plan and Showtime checks in at $18.99 a month. CBS All Access costs $5.99 monthly for the limited commercials plan, and $9.99 a month with no commercials.

During CBS’ most recent earnings call last month, Chairman and CEO Les Moonves declined to share current All Access or Showtime streaming subscriber counts, but said the company is on pace to hit its goal of 8 million between the two by 2020. But an event closed to media in February, he said Showtime’s streaming service had already reached 1.5 million subscribers  — with All Access not far behind.

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