Manage Showtime

How to cancel showtime in canada: your complete step-by-step guide

Understanding showtime in canada

Showtime is a premium streaming and cable brand that broadcasts original series, blockbuster movies, and live sports programming. In Canada, Showtime operates differently than in the U.S. - you cannot purchase it as a standalone subscription. Instead, access comes bundled with U.S. Paramount+ plans or through U.S.-based payment methods, which means many Canadian viewers subscribe via workarounds or family accounts.

The challenge? Cancelling requires you to navigate the exact platform where you signed up, whether that's Paramount+ directly, an app store, or a third-party service. At Stopee, we've helped thousands of consumers cancel similar bundled services, and we know how confusing these layered subscriptions can feel. This guide walks you through every cancellation path so you stay in control.

Why you might want to cancel showtime

You may decide to cancel for several reasons: you've finished the shows you wanted to watch, the monthly cost adds up faster than expected, or you prefer other streaming platforms. Unlike some services, Showtime doesn't offer a free trial in Canada, so you're paying from day one. If you subscribed through a U.S. account or VPN, you're also exposed to currency fluctuations in Canadian dollars.

Whatever your reason, cancelling sooner rather than later prevents unexpected charges. Stopee recommends cancelling at least 3 to 5 business days before your next billing date to ensure the cancellation processes cleanly.

How showtime pricing works in canada

Showtime pricing in Canada is tied to Paramount+ bundles, since you cannot buy Showtime alone. Below is the current pricing structure converted to Canadian dollars:

Important note: These prices are conversions of U.S. Paramount+ rates and are accessible only through U.S. billing accounts, VPN methods, or inherited family memberships. Your actual charge depends on your payment method and current exchange rates.

Your consumer rights in canada

Canadian consumer protection law protects you when cancelling subscriptions, even for services accessed through U.S. platforms. Understanding these rights strengthens your position if Showtime or Paramount+ resists your cancellation.

What the consumer protection act says about auto-renewals

Canada's Consumer Protection Act (which varies slightly by province) requires companies to:

• Disclose automatic renewal terms clearly before you complete your purchase
• Obtain your explicit, informed consent to automatic renewals
• Make cancellation "simple and straightforward" - ideally as easy as subscribing
• Provide a cancellation mechanism (online, phone, or written) within 15 business days

If Paramount+ or your payment platform made renewal terms unclear, or if cancellation is deliberately difficult, you have grounds to dispute charges or request a refund. At Stopee, we've seen this protection work for thousands of Canadian consumers who were charged without clear consent.

Your escalation options if cancellation fails

If Showtime or Paramount+ refuses to cancel or continues charging after you request cancellation, you can escalate to:

• Your provincial consumer protection authority - e.g., Service Alberta, Ontario Service Tribunal
• Your credit card issuer - request a chargeback for unauthorized charges (last resort)
• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) - if the service was bundled with cable or telecom
• Class action lawsuits - if you believe Paramount+ violated consumer law en masse

Stopee always recommends documenting every cancellation attempt, including screenshots, emails, and dates. This paper trail is essential if you need to escalate.

How to cancel showtime step-by-step

Cancellation steps depend entirely on how and where you subscribed. Follow the path that matches your account below.

Cancel through paramount+ (U.S. account)

If you signed up directly on the Paramount+ website using a U.S. billing address or payment method, cancel from your account dashboard.

1. Open a web browser and go to paramount.com (U.S. site)
2. Sign in with your email and password
   • If you used a VPN to sign up, you may need to use it again to access your account
   • If you used a U.S. payment method (U.S. credit card, PayPal with U.S. address), use that same method to sign in
3. Click on your profile icon (top right corner)
4. Select Account or Profile Settings
5. Find Subscriptions or Billing
6. Locate the active Paramount+ SHOWTIME plan and click Cancel Subscription
7. Follow the prompts to confirm; Paramount+ will ask if you want to keep the account (without SHOWTIME) or delete it entirely
8. You'll receive a confirmation email within minutes
9. Pro tip: Screenshot your confirmation email immediately - you may need it if billing disputes arise

Warning: If you used a VPN to sign up, Paramount+ may flag your cancellation request or ask for additional verification. Have your original payment method and account email ready.

Cancel through apple app store (iPhone, iPad, or mac)

If you subscribed via Apple's in-app purchase system, cancel directly in your Apple settings.

1. Open Settings on your Apple device
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen
3. Select Subscriptions
4. Find Paramount+ or SHOWTIME in the list
5. Tap on the subscription and select Cancel Subscription
6. Apple will ask for your reason and may offer a discount - decline if you want to leave
7. You'll receive a confirmation email from Apple within hours

Pro tip: If Apple won't process your cancellation, you can also contact Apple Support directly through the Settings app and request a refund for the last month or overcharges. Apple's refund policies are often more forgiving than Paramount+'s.

Cancel through google play (Android)

Android users who subscribed via Google Play follow a similar process.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
2. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines, top left)
3. Select Payments & subscriptions
4. Tap Subscriptions
5. Find and tap Paramount+ or SHOWTIME
6. Select Cancel Subscription
7. Confirm your cancellation and provide feedback if prompted
8. Google will email you a cancellation confirmation

Like Apple, Google Play allows you to request a refund if you've been overcharged or if the service quality didn't match the description. Refunds within 48 hours of purchase are often approved automatically.

Cancel through amazon channels or roku channel

If you subscribed to SHOWTIME as an add-on channel through Amazon Prime Video or Roku, cancel from that platform's subscription menu.

1. For Amazon Prime Video:
   • Go to amazon.com and sign in
   • Click on your Account (top right)
   • Select Prime Video settings → Manage add-on subscriptions
   • Find SHOWTIME and click Cancel channel
2. For Roku:
   • Go to roku.com and sign into your Roku account
   • Click on your Profile
   • Select Payments & subscriptions
   • Find SHOWTIME/Paramount+ and click Cancel
3. Both platforms send confirmation emails; save them for your records

Cancel through a cable, satellite, or telecom provider

If you subscribed to Showtime as an add-on through a Canadian cable, satellite, or internet provider (Bell, Rogers, Shaw, etc.), you must contact the provider directly.

1. Locate your provider's customer service number (usually on your bill)
2. Call and say: "I want to cancel my Showtime add-on subscription"
3. Provide your account number or phone number tied to the account
4. Ask the representative for:
   • A cancellation confirmation number
   • The exact date cancellation takes effect
   • Confirmation that no further charges will occur
   • An email confirmation sent to you
5. Take notes on the representative's name, date, and time of call
6. Pro tip: If the provider is uncooperative, ask to speak with a supervisor or request the cancellation in writing (see the registered mail section below)

Warning: Providers sometimes hide Showtime charges in bundled package pricing. Ask your provider to clarify whether removing Showtime qualifies you for a bundle discount or if your rate will drop immediately.

If online or phone cancellation fails

If you've attempted cancellation and the company refuses or continues charging, send a registered letter to their corporate office.

1. Gather all evidence: screenshots of your account, billing statements, cancellation attempt confirmations
2. Write a clear, dated letter stating:
   • Your full name and account email address
   • Account number (if available)
   • "I request cancellation of my Showtime/Paramount+ subscription, effective immediately."
   • Your cancellation request date(s)
   • Reference any prior correspondence or support tickets
3. Send via registered mail with return receipt to the address provided in the final section
4. Keep the receipt and tracking confirmation
5. Contact Stopee or your provincial consumer protection office if charges continue after 15 business days

Registered mail creates legal proof that the company received your cancellation demand. This is your strongest lever if disputes escalate.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation can feel uncertain, so let's clarify exactly what changes and when.

Your access after cancellation

When you cancel Showtime, you retain access to the service until the end of your current billing period. If your next billing date is 30 days away, you can watch until then - no interruption. However, automatic renewals stop immediately, so the system will not charge your card again after that date.

Your account email, billing history, and watch history remain stored on Paramount+'s servers according to their privacy policy. If you want data deleted, you can request this through your account settings or by contacting Paramount+ support with a formal data deletion request under Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

Confirming cancellation worked

After 24 to 48 hours, verify your cancellation by signing back into your account:

• Check whether the Paramount+ SHOWTIME subscription still appears in your active subscriptions
• If it's gone, cancellation worked
• If it's still listed, contact the platform's support team immediately with your cancellation confirmation email

At Stopee, we recommend setting a calendar reminder for your original billing date. Log in on that day to confirm no charge appears. If you're charged after cancellation, you have the right to dispute it with your credit card company or provincial consumer office.

Refunds and billing adjustments

Refunds for Showtime cancellations are rare but not impossible - understanding your options prevents you from giving up too early.

Standard refund policy

Paramount+ does not offer refunds for partial billing periods as a standard policy. Once you've paid for a month or year, that payment is non-refundable unless specific conditions apply. This applies even if you cancel on day one of a new billing cycle.

When refunds are possible

You may qualify for a refund in these cases:

• Billing error or duplicate charge: If you were charged twice in one billing cycle, dispute it immediately with your payment platform (Apple, Google, Amazon) or card issuer
• Service not as described: If Showtime content was unavailable in Canada as promised, or the service was non-functional for your entire billing period, request a refund through your payment platform
• Unauthorized charge: If someone charged your card without your consent, dispute it through your credit card company
• Cancellation within 48 hours (app stores only): Apple and Google often approve refunds if you cancel within 48 hours of purchase
• Consumer protection violation: If Paramount+ failed to disclose auto-renewal terms clearly or made cancellation unnecessarily difficult, your provincial consumer office may force a refund

How to request a refund

The fastest path depends on where you paid:

• Apple App Store: Go to Settings → [Your name] → Subscriptions → Paramount+ → Report a problem, or contact Apple Support directly
• Google Play: Open Google Play Store, tap your profile, then Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions → Paramount+ → Report a problem
• Paramount+ direct: Contact Paramount+ support via their website with your cancellation confirmation and reason for requesting a refund; provide evidence of any billing error
• Credit card chargeback (last resort): If the company won't refund, contact your credit card issuer and request a chargeback for unauthorized or mistaken charges

Pro tip: When requesting a refund, be specific: "I cancelled on [date] due to [reason]. I was charged $X on [date]. Please refund to my original payment method." Vague requests are easier to deny.

Common mistakes when cancelling

Cancelling subscriptions often feels frustrating because companies design obstacles. Knowing the traps helps you avoid them.

Mistake 1: pausing instead of cancelling

Some platforms offer a "pause" or "pause subscription" option that looks like cancellation but isn't. Pausing stops access for a set period (e.g., 3 months), then automatically renews and charges your card. If you want to leave permanently, select "Cancel," not "Pause."

Mistake 2: cancelling from the wrong platform

If you subscribed through Apple, cancelling on Paramount+'s website won't work - Apple still owns the recurring charge. Cancel from the platform where you paid. Stopee recommends double-checking your latest invoice to see which merchant name appears (Apple, Google, Paramount+, Amazon, etc.).

Mistake 3: not waiting long enough for confirmation

After clicking "cancel," some platforms show a message like "Your subscription will end on [date]" - this is not a confirmation that cancellation is complete. Wait 24 to 48 hours, then log back in to verify the subscription is gone from your active list.

Mistake 4: ignoring your cancellation confirmation

Save every cancellation confirmation email. If disputes arise or you're charged again, this email proves when and how you cancelled. Forward it to Stopee or your credit card company if you need to escalate.

Mistake 5: using a VPN after cancelling

If you originally used a VPN to sign up, don't assume you need it to cancel. Try cancelling without a VPN first - many platforms now allow it. A VPN during cancellation can trigger security blocks or failed transactions.

Checklist: your cancellation plan

Before you cancel, run through this checklist to stay organized and protect yourself.

Contact information and escalation

If cancellation fails or disputes arise, use these official channels to escalate.

Paramount+ support

For direct Paramount+ support, use their website chat or contact:

• Website: paramount.com (U.S. site; support available for U.S. account holders)
• Email: Check your account settings under "Help & Support" for the most current contact method
• Chat support: Available via the Paramount+ app or website

Payment platform support

• Apple Support: support.apple.com or call 1-800-My-Apple
• Google Play Support: support.google.com/googleplay
• Amazon Customer Service: amazon.com/contact-us
• Roku Support: support.roku.com

Canadian consumer protection authorities

If the company refuses to refund or continues charging after cancellation:

• Service Alberta (Alberta): 780-644-3000
• Ontario Service Tribunal: serviceontario.ca
• Complaint BC (British Columbia): consumerprotection.bc.ca
• Consumer Protection Office (other provinces): Search your provincial government website

Registered mail address for formal cancellation notice

Send a registered letter if online cancellation fails. Use this address for Paramount+ (U.S. corporate):

Paramount Global
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
USA

Include your full name, account email, subscription dates, and a clear cancellation request. Send via Canada Post registered mail with return receipt and keep the receipt.

Pro tip: Consider sending to both Paramount+ and your provincial consumer office as a courtesy copy - this shows you've exhausted internal channels.

Your path forward

Cancelling Showtime doesn't have to be a struggle. You now know exactly which platform to use, what to do if the first attempt fails, and how to escalate if the company resists. Most cancellations go smoothly when you follow the correct steps for your payment method and save your confirmation email.

Remember: automatic renewals are never truly automatic in Canada - the company must honor your cancellation request within 15 business days. If they don't, you have legal recourse. Stopee has helped thousands of Canadian consumers cancel bundled subscriptions like this one, and we've seen consumer protection laws work powerfully when documented properly.

Take action today. Identify your subscription platform from the guide above, follow the step-by-step instructions, and confirm cancellation within 48 hours. You're in control. Stopee is here to back you up if anything goes wrong.