Manage Showtime

How to cancel showtime and stop paying for premium streaming you don't watch

What showtime is and why you might want to cancel

Showtime is a premium entertainment brand built on original series, documentaries, and feature films. However, the streaming landscape has shifted significantly. Showtime's content library now lives inside Paramount+, the broader streaming platform owned by Paramount Global. This means you no longer subscribe to Showtime as a standalone service in most cases-instead, you pay for a Paramount+ premium tier that includes Showtime content as a branded library.

For U.S. consumers, this consolidation matters because it affects where charges appear on your billing statement, which cancellation method you use, and whether you're canceling a direct subscription or a bundled add-on through a third-party platform.

How showtime content is structured today

Showtime content is primarily available through two Paramount+ subscription tiers. The essential tier (ad-supported) includes selective Showtime titles, while the premium tier (ad-free) gives you the full Showtime catalog. Some consumers also access Showtime through third-party bundles-like through Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime Video Channels, or Roku-where Showtime functions as an add-on rather than the main subscription.

This means your cancellation path depends on where you subscribed. You'll cancel differently if you signed up directly through Paramount+ than if you added Showtime through Amazon Prime Video.

Subscription plans and pricing breakdown

Pricing adjusts periodically and can vary based on promotions, your location, and partner agreements. Always confirm the exact charge on your most recent billing statement before you cancel.

Why cancellation matters and when you should act

Canceling Showtime or Paramount+ with Showtime saves you money immediately and gives you control over your entertainment budget.

Financial impact of canceling

At $12 per month, Showtime or a Paramount+ premium subscription costs $144 per year. For households juggling multiple streaming services, this is often the easiest reduction to make. If you're paying for 4-5 streaming subscriptions simultaneously, you could easily spend $40-$60 per month on services you use sporadically. Canceling one low-usage service produces an immediate impact on your monthly budget.

Many subscribers sign up during promotional periods-often $1-$2 per month for the first few months-then face sticker shock when standard pricing kicks in. If you signed up for a single show or event and finished watching, renewal at full price rarely makes financial sense.

Common reasons subscribers cancel

• Completed their viewing goal. You watched the show you signed up for, and the remaining catalog doesn't justify the ongoing cost.
• Content overlap. The Showtime library overlaps with content available on Netflix, Max, or other services you already pay for.
• Budget tightening. Recurring digital charges add up quickly; cutting a $12/month service is the easiest way to reduce monthly expenses.
• Sporadic usage. You log in once per month and realize the subscription isn't worth the fee relative to your actual viewing habits.
• Billing confusion. You notice unexpected charges or duplicate fees because your account is linked across multiple platforms.
• Promotional period ended. The discount offer expires, and you decline to pay full price.

Your consumer rights before you cancel

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the Negative Option Rule, which protects you when dealing with subscription services.

What the FTC's negative option rule requires

Under the Negative Option Rule (16 CFR Part 429), companies like Paramount Global must:

• Provide clear, conspicuous terms of your subscription before you agree to it.
• Obtain your explicit written consent before charging you.
• Provide a simple, straightforward cancellation mechanism that is as easy to cancel as it is to subscribe.
• Send you a reminder about the charge before each billing cycle (ideally 3-5 days in advance, though this varies).
• Honor your cancellation request promptly-typically within 3-5 business days.

If Showtime or Paramount+ continues to charge you after you've canceled, you have grounds to dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. Stopee recommends documenting your cancellation request-screenshot the confirmation page or email-so you have proof if a dispute becomes necessary.

Your escalation rights if cancellation fails

If you cancel and charges continue, you have recourse. First, contact Paramount Global's billing department and request a written confirmation of your cancellation. If charges persist, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also dispute unauthorized charges with your credit card company or bank, which is often the fastest route to a refund.

How to cancel showtime or paramount+ with showtime

Your cancellation steps depend entirely on where you subscribed and how your account is managed.

Cancel if you subscribed directly through paramount+

This is the most straightforward cancellation path and applies if you signed up directly on the Paramount+ website or mobile app.

1. Open the Paramount+ app or visit paramount.com on a web browser.
2. Sign in with your email address and password.
   • If you've forgotten your password, tap "Forgot password?" and reset it via email.
3. Tap or click your profile icon (usually in the top right corner).
4. Select "Account" or "Account & Billing" from the dropdown menu.
5. Scroll to the "Subscription" or "Plan" section and tap "Manage Subscription."
   • Warning: Some accounts display this as "Update Plan" or "Change Plan." Look for any option that shows your current billing information.
6. Tap or click "Cancel Subscription" or "Cancel Membership."
   • The app or website will ask why you're canceling. Provide honest feedback-companies use this data to improve retention offers, and you might see a promotional discount appear.
7. Review the final cancellation notice. It will confirm that your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle-not immediately.
   • Pro tip: You retain full access until your next billing date, so cancel anytime during your cycle if you know renewal is coming.
8. Confirm your cancellation by tapping "Yes, cancel" or a similar button.
9. You will receive a confirmation email at the address associated with your account. Save this email as proof.

Cancel if you subscribed through apple TV channels

If you added Showtime as a channel through your Apple ID, cancellation happens in the Apple ecosystem, not through Paramount's website.

1. On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open the Settings app.
2. Tap or click your name at the top of the settings menu.
3. Select "Subscriptions."
   • On older iOS versions, this might be under "iTunes & App Store" or "Media & Purchases."
4. Find "Showtime" or "Paramount+" in the list of active subscriptions and tap it.
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Cancel Free Trial" (depending on your status).
6. Confirm your cancellation by tapping "Confirm."
   • Pro tip: Apple will often offer you a discounted rate to keep the subscription. If you're not interested, proceed with cancellation anyway.
7. Look for a confirmation page or email from Apple. This is your proof of cancellation.

Warning: Do not cancel the Paramount+ app itself; that only deletes the app from your device. You must cancel the subscription through the Settings app to stop billing.

Cancel if you subscribed through amazon prime video channels

If you added Showtime as a channel within Prime Video, you'll cancel through Amazon's account management system.

1. Visit amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account.
2. Navigate to "Your Account" (usually in the top-right corner or in the dropdown menu next to your name).
3. Select "Memberships and Subscriptions" or "Digital Subscriptions."
   • On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and scroll to find this option.
4. Find "Showtime" or "Paramount+" in the list and tap "Manage Membership" or "View Membership Details."
5. Tap or click "Cancel Channel" or "End Membership."
   • Amazon will display your next billing date and confirm that cancellation takes effect after the current cycle.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation.
7. Amazon will send you a confirmation email. Retain this as your cancellation record.

Cancel if you subscribed through roku

Roku customers manage subscriptions through the Roku account portal or directly within the Roku device.

1. Visit roku.com and sign into your Roku account.
2. Go to "Subscriptions" under "Your Account" or "Account Settings."
   • If you're on a Roku device, press the Home button, navigate to "Settings," then "Subscriptions," and find your Showtime membership.
3. Select Showtime or Paramount+ from the list.
4. Tap "Cancel subscription" or "Remove subscription."
5. Confirm the cancellation at the final prompt.
6. You'll receive a confirmation email and a final billing notice before the cancellation takes effect.

What happens immediately after cancellation

Canceling your subscription is emotionally satisfying-you've taken control of your spending-but understanding the timeline helps you avoid confusion or missteps.

Your access timeline

When you cancel Showtime or Paramount+, your access does not end immediately. Instead, Paramount honors your current billing cycle. If your next billing date is January 15, and you cancel on January 10, you keep full access until January 14 at 11:59 p.m. After that, your account is downgraded or deactivated, and you can no longer stream content.

Pro tip: If you cancel early in your billing cycle, you still have full access for the remainder of that month. There's no refund for the time you've already paid, but you're not forced out immediately.

Confirmation documentation

After you cancel, you should see:

• A confirmation message on the website or app stating "Your subscription has been canceled" or "Your membership will end on [date]."
• A confirmation email sent to your registered email address within minutes to a few hours.
• Updated billing information in your account showing no upcoming charge.

If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, contact Paramount's support team (see the address below) or your third-party platform's customer service. Stopee advises that this confirmation is critical proof of your cancellation, especially if a charge reappears unexpectedly.

Refunds and billing disputes

Canceling stops future charges, but refunds for charges already billed are not automatic.

When you can request a refund

Paramount typically does not refund the subscription fee for the current billing cycle, even if you cancel mid-cycle. However, you may have grounds for a refund if:

• You were charged after your cancellation took effect (a billing error).
• You were charged more than once in a single cycle (duplicate charge).
• You were never given clear terms before charging began (violates the FTC's Negative Option Rule).
• You cancelled successfully but were billed again (failed to honor the cancellation).

How to dispute a charge

If you see an unexpected charge after cancellation, follow this sequence:

1. Log into your Paramount+ or Paramount-linked account and confirm the cancellation status. Screenshot the page showing "Membership Cancelled" or "No upcoming charges."
   • This is your first proof point.
2. Contact Paramount's billing department directly at the address provided in this guide. Request a written explanation for the charge and a refund. Include your cancellation confirmation email.
3. If Paramount doesn't respond within 7-10 business days, or if they deny your refund claim, file a dispute with your credit card company or bank.
   • Provide your confirmation email, screenshots, and a clear timeline of when you canceled and when you were billed.
4. Your bank or credit card company will typically issue a temporary credit while they investigate, and the burden shifts to Paramount to justify the charge.

This process usually takes 3-6 weeks. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription disputes, and credit card disputes are highly effective when you have clear documentation of your cancellation.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Canceling a subscription feels straightforward until something goes wrong-and these mistakes can leave you paying long after you thought you'd quit.

Mistake 1: deleting the app instead of canceling the subscription

Removing the Paramount+ or Showtime app from your phone does nothing to stop billing. You've merely deleted the software. The subscription remains active in the background, and charges continue. You must follow the cancellation steps listed above within your account settings or through the third-party platform's management page. Stopee recommends checking your app store's subscription settings if you've deleted the app-open the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or equivalent and look under "Subscriptions" to cancel if you cannot access the app anymore.

Mistake 2: assuming cancellation is complete without a confirmation email

A confirmation page on-screen is helpful, but an email is your legal record. If you don't receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, follow up with customer support. Some users cancel successfully on-screen but later discover that the cancellation never registered in Paramount's backend system, and charges resumed after the free-access period ended. The email is your proof that you acted in good faith.

Mistake 3: canceling on the wrong platform

If you subscribed to Showtime via Amazon Prime Video Channels, canceling directly through the Paramount+ app won't work. You must cancel through Amazon's account settings. Similarly, if you added Showtime through Apple TV Channels, you cannot cancel through the Paramount website. Always cancel on the platform where you subscribed. When in doubt, start with the platform where your payment method is saved.

Mistake 4: ignoring the final billing notice

Before your access ends, you'll receive a "Final Billing" or "Last Charge" email. This is your last chance to verify that the cancellation is proceeding as expected. If this email shows a charge that contradicts your cancellation, contact support immediately. Stopee advises reading these notifications carefully, as they are often your only warning that something has gone wrong.

Mistake 5: failing to check your statements after cancellation

After you cancel, monitor your bank or credit card statement for one full billing cycle. Verify that no new charge appears after your access date has passed. If you spot an unexpected charge, don't assume it will resolve on its own-reach out to Paramount's billing team with your cancellation email in hand and file a dispute if necessary. The first 30-60 days after cancellation are the most critical for catching errors.

Comparison: paramount+ without showtime vs. other streaming services

Before you cancel entirely, consider whether downgrading instead of canceling might fit your budget better.

If you love Showtime originals but want to reduce spending, downgrading to Paramount+ essential ($5.99-$7.99) keeps your access to limited Showtime content while cutting your bill in half. You lose ad-free viewing and some exclusive series, but many casual viewers find this trade-off worthwhile. Contact Paramount's support team if you want to downgrade rather than cancel, as the process is similar to cancellation but preserves your account.

Checklist: before, during, and after cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you complete cancellation correctly and protect yourself from billing errors.

Before you cancel

• Know your billing date and how many days remain in your current cycle.
• Write down or screenshot your account details (email, subscriber ID, current plan).
• Confirm which platform you subscribed through (Paramount, Apple, Amazon, Roku, etc.).
• Check your last billing statement to verify the exact charge amount.

During cancellation

• Log into the correct platform where you subscribed.
• Navigate to Account or Subscriptions settings.
• Select the option to cancel (not delete or hide).
• Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page.
• Complete the cancellation prompt (there is usually a final "Confirm" step).

After cancellation

• Wait for and retain the confirmation email (save to a folder or archive).
• Log back into your account 24 hours later and verify that cancellation shows.
• Monitor your bank or credit card statement for 30-60 days after access ends.
• If a charge reappears, immediately contact support with your confirmation email.
• If support does not respond within 7 business days, file a credit card dispute.

Contact information and escalation

If you cancel and encounter problems, or if you need to escalate a billing dispute, use this contact information.

Paramount global billing and support

Official mailing address for billing disputes:

Paramount Global
Showtime Networks Inc.
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
United States

Online support: Visit help.paramountplus.com for chat, email, or phone support. You can also contact Paramount through the account settings page in your Paramount+ app or website.

Federal Trade Commission complaint: If Paramount refuses to honor a cancellation or continues to charge you, file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is a free, official channel that the FTC uses to investigate consumer protection violations.

Third-party platform support (if applicable)

If you subscribed through Apple, Amazon, Roku, or another third-party platform, that platform's support team can also help investigate billing issues, since they are responsible for processing the charge on your behalf.

• Apple support: support.apple.com or call 1-800-MY-APPLE
• Amazon support: amazon.com/contact-us or 1-888-280-4331
• Roku support: support.roku.com

Final thoughts: take control of your subscriptions

Canceling Showtime or Paramount+ with Showtime is straightforward when you follow the correct steps for your platform and keep clear documentation of your cancellation. The process is designed to be easy under FTC rules, but mistakes-like deleting the app instead of canceling the subscription-can leave you paying long after you intended to quit.

The key is to cancel on the correct platform, save your confirmation email, and monitor your statement for one full cycle after your access ends. If a charge reappears, you have legal recourse through your bank or the FTC.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover unauthorized charges, and take back control of their digital spending. Use this guide as your blueprint, reference the checklist before you cancel, and don't hesitate to escalate to Paramount's billing team or your credit card company if something goes wrong. Your subscription should serve your entertainment needs, not drain your budget. Cancel with confidence.