Showtime will join rival HBO with an online streaming service for those that don't want to pay for cable.
The cable channel said Wednesday that it will begin streaming in July for $10.99 a month on all Apple devices, including the iPad, iPhone and Apple TV. CBS Corp., which owns Showtime, said it will be available on non-Apple devices soon.
There's been a shift to more online viewing. More cable company customers subscribe for Internet service than their TV offerings, according to data provider SNL Kagan.
HBO rolled out a stand-alone streaming channel as the new season of its blockbuster "Game of Thrones" began in April and Showtime has followed suit, seeking the same audiences that have flocked to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.com.
Networks and cable channels have begun to create stand-alone streaming services as a way to reach people who don't subscribe to traditional cable packages that have dozens of channels.
"Going over-the-top means Showtime will be much more accessible to tens of millions of potential new subscribers," said CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves, in a printed statement.
HBO Now can be had for $14.99 per month for anyone owning an Apple device and it will be available on Android devices this summer. CBS already has a streaming service for its network, where customers can watch "The Big Bang Theory" and other CBS shows for $5.99 a month. And Noggin, owned by Viacom Inc., lets users stream "Blue's Clues" and other children's shows for $5.99 a month.
Showtime launches its streaming service, also revered to as "over-the-top content," on July 12.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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