You may have heard of Showtime, and you may be considering subscribing to it. In comparison, Netflix and Hulu are more popular, but that doesn't mean you should choose one over the other just because they're more popular. There are different reasons to choose one service over another and to decide whether or not it's worth the price. Let's take a look at what Showtime has to offer so that we can answer the question - is it good? What sets it apart from its competitors, and is it worth the cost?

In 1976, Showtime the company was founded. The company has existed inside of two different millennia, with few modern streaming services being able to make that claim. Back in the 1970s, it was a premium television network that included a wide variety of programming, including theater-released films, original TV series, sports events, and stand-up comedy. In 2000s, the company launched Showtime on Demand, mainly to compete with HBO. In 2010 they got with the times and came out with Showtime Anytime- their first iteration of their online streaming service. Five years later they released Showtime- the standalone service that has since become a force to be reckoned with in the premium streaming arena.

If you have an existing Showtime account but no traditional subscription, you can purchase a standalone Showtime Anytime subscription for $8 per month. People are often confused about the differences between Showtime and Showtime Anytime. So here’s the deal: if you have a traditional subscription with Showtime through a participating TV provider, you have access to the Showtime Anytime app at no additional cost. If you already have an account with Showtime but no traditional subscription, you can purchase a standalone Showtime Anytime subscription for $8 per month.

So, are you curious as to what types of content Showtime offers and if it can compete with some of the bigger names in the industry? Though they don't boast a massive library comparable to Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, Showtime instead focuses on developing high-quality original programming. This philosophy results in fewer but quality shows. In comparison, their library size is minute when compared to those of the industry giants. However, by avoiding 'junk' programming that can be found on other networks, Showtime does have a few series worth mentioning. Ready? Here are a few: Shameless This series follows the lives of down-on-their-luck family members who live in Chicago's impoverished neighborhoods. Ray Donovan Starring Steven Van Zandt as an L.A.-based Hollywood fixer, this show tells the story of his clients and how he helps them navigate life in Tinseltown. Twin Peaks Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost and released in 1990, this mystery seriesfollows FBI Agent Dale Cooper as he investigates the death of a young girl in Twin Peaks, Washington. Dexter A serial killer whose exploits are televised for the pleasure of law enforcement officers across America investigates his latest murder - only to find himself constantly one step ahead of detectives Harry Morgan and Mike Anderson from Miami Metro. Who is America? Created by Sacha Baron Cohen (who also stars) and presented as an investigative journalism show within an American tv network that follows reporter Ali G as he tries to uncover the secret lives of everyday Americans. Kidding Jeffrey Tambor stars as "Archie Bunker" -a caricature of a old school 1950s American white dad who is forced to deal with changes in his life after his son divorces and moves out - while also trying to keep up with his buddies Norm (Alan Arkin) and Jerry (Jack McBrayer). Episodes Based on Bill Paxton's novel about a television network executive whose life takes an unexpected turn when he returns home from rehab to find that his daughter has written an entire season's worth of episodes for her new show without consulting him first. Homeland Created by Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon after they left Fox News following controversy over its coverage during The Bush years Homeland is set primarily during President Obama's second term in office but still features plenty regarding The War on Terror

The library has a sizeable selection of movies, television shows, and books. In addition, the library offers a variety of programming including Below the Belt with Brendan Schaub. If you want to browse the library, you can visit it here. You can download anything from the library for offline use, and you'll never have to worry about commercials interrupting your favorite show.

As far as content goes, Showtime excels at the original series. It also offers a small selection of movies and sports programming (including live sports matches). Those expecting a centralized entertainment hub like Netflix are going to be sorely disappointed. Showtime is a premium television network who releases content that is aligned with their brand's image. In other words, they are picky.

This focus on quality has a downside. Rather than spending hours scrolling through an enormous library, with Showtime, what you see is what you get. You don't have to wade through the digital murk to find something good. Spent five minutes browsing, and you'll more or less see all there is to see. This is bad - there are very few things more frustrating than sitting down to enjoy some downtime in front of the TV, only to be paralyzed by the endless possibilities on Netflix or Hulu.

If you're drawn to this streaming model, there is one important consideration you'll want to make: HBO is opposite Showtime in terms of its minimalist approach. Both services have advantages and disadvantages, so it's worth reading our [HBO Go review]((link when published) before making a decision.

The UI is sleek and simple, making it easy to navigate. Showtime's landing page is simple and sleek. It is straightforward and clean, which makes it a user-friendly experience. The client has a lot in common with Netflix, but with less clutter and no annoying auto-play previews overlaying the landing page. A single drop-down menu displays all the subcategories you would want: series, movies, sports, comedy, documentaries, etc. The UI is sleek and simple, making it easy to navigate.

If you're using Showtime, it's important to know that users have recently raised concerns about the terms-and-conditions agreement you have to consent to when downloading Showtime Anytime. The agreement gives Showtime rights over your user data that many believe is excessive and unnecessary. I don't know exactly what Showtime does with that data, but it's important you're aware of this.

The Showtime Anytime app is not very good when it comes to integration and performance. This is especially true when it comes to integrating it with a Smart TV. The process is needlessly complicated, and it may take multiple tries to do it successfully. Even when you do link them, the app frequently requires you to log in again, even if you are sure that you have saved your credentials. While this is a small inconvenience rather than a glaring flaw, it is annoying as hell, and should be fixed ASAP.

The standard Showtime app for cable subscribers is better but still has some issues. I am peeved by the download speeds and I notice that my shows are buffering more often than they do on, say, Hulu. However, the interface is fairly easy to navigate and when things are running smoothly, I don't have any issues.

So, now that I have given Showtime a brief overview, let's recap its strengths. I really like the programming that this network offers, and although some prefer HBO, I am going to stick by my guns and side with Showtime. Shows like Kidding, Who is America?, Shameless and Homeland are unique enough to win my nod of approval. Combined with commercial-free, downloadable content, an intuitive web client, and some decent live programming options, there is a lot to like here.

Despite its popularity, there is still a reason that Showtime isn't the most popular streaming service out there. The library is largely small, and while it may have some original series, movies, documentaries, and comedy specials, it's unlikely that they will be enough to sell someone on the service if they don't like Showtime's originals. Moreover, at $10.99/month it's not cheap, which further discourages potential users. In addition to these inconveniences with the mobile apps, there is room for improvement in Showtime's current state.

The division between Showtime Anytime and Showtime (the standalone service) creates difficulties for users, especially for new customers. We understand the need to create separate portals for those who are through a cable provider vs. those going directly through the company, but perhaps Showtime can find a way to integrate all of its subscribers into one single platform. As it stands, the company has to split its resources between the two for things like updating and troubleshooting both of the apps. I think that having a single app to focus on would result in a more expertly-crafted end product.