How to Watch Showtime Outside U.S. With a VPN in 2024
Showtime has paired with Paramount+, one of the most popular streaming sites in the United States. However, it’s only available in the U.S., meaning you’ll need a VPN to get a U.S. IP address to enjoy it abroad. We’ll explain how to watch Showtime from anywhere.
Written by Andrej Hadji-Vasilev (Writer)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Editor)
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)
Last Updated: 2024-04-10T12:52:00+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How to Watch Showtime With a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN, such as ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a U.S. server.
- Log in to Showtime and start streaming.
Facts & Expert Analysis
- Showtime is geoblocked: Showtime is currently only available in the U.S., so if you’re outside the country, you’ll need a VPN to access the service.
- ExpressVPN tops the list: Although it’s expensive, ExpressVPN is the best VPN to use if you want to enjoy Showtime from abroad.
- Watch Showtime on different devices: You can access Showtime via the Paramount+ app on several devices using a VPN, from desktop and mobile devices to smart TVs.
Showtime is an incredibly popular streaming service in the U.S. with plenty of big names in its content library. Unfortunately, due to licensing restrictions and geoblocks, Showtime is only available for viewers in the U.S. If you’re abroad, knowing how to watch Showtime can help you enjoy shows such as ‘Dexter,’ ‘Penny Dreadful’ and ‘Fellow Travelers’ from wherever you are.
Showtime used to be a standalone streaming service, but in June 2023, Paramount Network started offering it as part of the Paramount+ with Showtime subscription. Since Showtime is only available in the U.S., a virtual private network (or VPN) can give you a U.S. IP address that allows you to watch it.
A VPN will also add security and privacy by encrypting your internet connection, keeping it hidden from prying eyes. If you want to stream Showtime, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for the job, topping our list of the best VPNs thanks to its speed, security and server availability. Read on as we take a closer look at ExpressVPN, as well as some more affordable alternatives.
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04/10/2024 Facts checked
Since our original article, Paramount Network has acquired Showtime, and we have updated the methods you can use to watch it from abroad.
Why Use a Showtime VPN?
The Showtime streaming service is only available in the U.S. due to geoblocks. When you open Showtime, your IP address tells the service where you’re located, and geofilters decide whether or not you can access it.
If the service detects that your IP address is from outside the U.S., you’ll be denied access to its content library. A U.S. VPN server gives you a virtual U.S. IP address, so when you access Showtime, the service will think you’re in the United States, and it will let you start streaming.
Using a VPN to unblock Showtime will allow you to enjoy the streaming service’s content library from abroad. We’ll give a detailed tutorial on how to use a VPN to watch Showtime further down.
Best VPNs for Showtime
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming, and it’s also our top recommendation here. However, there are notable alternatives, so let’s dive a bit deeper.
1. ExpressVPN
to use on desktop and mobile devices.
ExpressVPN is our usual recommendation when it comes to unblocking all the major streaming sites. If you want to stream Showtime from abroad, ExpressVPN has U.S. servers in 17 locations, allowing you to choose the one that works best for you. Its performance and security are both excellent, and you can find out more about it in our ExpressVPN review.
ExpressVPN’s apps are very easy to use, whether you’re watching Showtime on a desktop or a mobile device. You can even set it up on a router and enjoy Showtime from a smart TV or console anytime. Pricing is ExpressVPN’s weak spot, but you can try it using the 30-day money-back guarantee and decide whether you like it.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
If you’re looking for the fastest VPN for streaming Showtime content, look no further than NordVPN. The VPN provider came out on top in our fastest VPNs roundup, thanks to its excellent server performance when connecting from any location. With servers in 16 U.S. locations, you can watch Showtime anytime, anywhere.
As we discuss in our NordVPN review, its security is excellent. This is mainly due to NordLynx, the proprietary implementation of WireGuard that allows a fast and secure connection. Lastly, while the desktop apps are a pleasure to use, the map UI is a bit difficult to navigate on a mobile device. Its pricing is reasonable, especially if you opt for the longer plans, and you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is our best free recommendation if you want to stream Showtime. It gives you 10GB of data and a selection of free servers that you can tunnel through, including servers in several U.S. locations. The VPN apps have a very intuitive UI — both on desktop and mobile devices — and you can set up PrivadoVPN on a router, too.
As much as we liked using PrivadoVPN, if you opt for the free plan, you’ll be sharing its servers with thousands of other free users, which may lead to a slower connection. This fact, along with the 10GB data limit, means that you may not have the best experience streaming Showtime on the free plan. You can find out more in our PrivadoVPN review.
- 10GB
- 1
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
How to Watch Showtime via Streaming Services
You can watch Showtime online via a selection of other streaming services. Some of them offer it as part of their premium packages, while others let you get it as an add-on.
| Service: | Cost |
|---|---|
| Paramount+ | $11.99/month |
| Amazon Prime Video | $11.99/month (Paramount+ with Showtime) as an add-on to the Prime Video subscription (from $8.99/month) |
| FuboTV | $79.99/month for the first month, $99.99/month afterwards with Fubo Premier |
| Sling TV | $5/month for the first month, $10/month afterwards as an add-on to any Sling TV plan (from $20/month) |
| Hulu | $11.99/month as an add-on to any Hulu plan (from $7.99/month) |
| YouTube TV | $10.99/month as an add-on to the Base plan ($72.99/month) |
| DIRECTV | Free for 3 months, then $11.99/month (Paramount+ with Showtime) as an add-on to any DIRECTV plan (from $79.99/month) |
How to Watch Showtime With a VPN: By Device
Depending on the device you want to watch Showtime on, the steps to access the Showtime app or website with a VPN can vary slightly.
How to Watch Showtime on a PC
To watch Showtime on a PC, you can use a VPN or a browser — we’ll use ExpressVPN as an example.
- Download and Install the VPN
Go to the ExpressVPN website and click the “get ExpressVPN” button in the middle. Follow the instructions to start a subscription and download the desktop app for your device.
- Sign In to the VPN App
On your PC, launch ExpressVPN and log in using your subscription activation code.
- Connect to a U.S. Server
In the ExpressVPN app, click the location to open a list of servers. Use the search bar at the top to find the U.S. servers, then select a U.S. server and click the “connect” button. Wait a few seconds for the connection to be established.
- Create a Showtime Account
Go to the Paramount+ with Showtime website and click “try Paramount+” in the upper-right corner. Follow the instructions to create an account, and make sure you choose “Paramount+ with Showtime” as a subscription plan.
- Watch Showtime
Once you’ve created an account, go to the Paramount+ with Showtime homepage and start streaming.
How to Watch Showtime on a Mobile Device
If you want to start streaming Showtime on a mobile device, you’ll need a mobile VPN app and the Paramount+ app. Showtime content is now available in the Paramount+ app, as opposed to the standalone Showtime app.
- Download and Install the VPN
On your device, open the Apple app store or the Google Play store if you’re using an Android device. Search for ExpressVPN and download the app.
- Sign In to the VPN App
Open the ExpressVPN app on your device and tap “sign in.” If you’re already subscribed, log in with your email and password. If not, tap “new user?” and follow the instructions to start a subscription. Then log in with your credentials. Note that any free trial or money-back guarantee will be linked to your Apple or Google account, so you’ll need to cancel it from there.
- Connect to a U.S. Server
In the ExpressVPN app, tap the “selected location” button to open the list of servers. Use the search bar at the top to find the United States, then tap a U.S. server to select it as your location. Tap the “connect” button and wait a few seconds for the connection to be established.
- Download and Install the Paramount+ App
Open the Apple app store or the Google Play store if you’re using an Android device. Search for Paramount+ and download the app.
- Sign In and Watch Showtime
Open the Paramount+ app, then click “try it free” to create an account. Log in and enjoy the content.
How to Watch Showtime on a Streaming Device
If you want to stream Showtime on a device such as Google Chromecast, an Amazon Firestick or a Roku device, here are some things you should keep in mind.
If you’re using an older Chromecast device, you can use your smartphone and a mobile VPN to cast Showtime content. However, if you’re using the latest Chromecast with Google TV, you can install a VPN and the Showtime app directly on your device. Amazon’s Firestick also has an app store, so you can install a Firestick VPN and the Showtime app to enjoy your content.
Last but not least, if you’re using a Roku device to watch Showtime, unfortunately there is no native VPN app. What you can do instead is install a VPN on a router, connect your Roku to a U.S. server and then install the Paramount+ app to watch Showtime content. Alternatively, you could use a VPN router, though that might be a pricey investment.
VPN Not Working With Showtime: Troubleshooting
When using a VPN for Showtime, there is a small chance that things may not go as smoothly as you’d like. The most common reasons that could prevent you from accessing geo-restricted content when using a VPN include your browser leaking your actual location, an IP or DNS leak, or the VPN server being blocked by Showtime.
- If your browser is leaking your real location, you can try deleting your cache and cookies, or try accessing Showtime using a different browser and a private window.
- To deal with an IP or DNS leak, try disconnecting and reconnecting to the VPN server. Alternatively, if your VPN offers leak protection as a feature, make sure it’s enabled.
- If Showtime is blocking the VPN server you’re tunneling through, you’ll need to connect to a different U.S. VPN server and try to access Showtime again.
Can I Use Free VPN Services for Showtime?
Even though you can use a free VPN for Showtime, we wouldn’t recommend just any free VPN. Plenty of free VPN providers out there aren’t exactly secure and won’t even encrypt your internet connection. Some will even go so far as to bundle malware or spyware with their installation files, causing more harm than good.
On the other hand, reputable free VPN providers such as PrivadoVPN or Windscribe are solid choices if you want to bypass geo-restrictions without compromising on security. Both offer solid performance, though they each come with data limits — PrivadoVPN offers 10GB for free, and Windscribe has a 15GB data limit on its free plan.
What’s On Showtime?
have you sitting on the edge of your seat.
Showtime has quite the selection of content, both in terms of movies and series. There is something for everyone, from crime TV series to comedy movies and documentaries — here is a short list of popular shows and movies to enjoy.
- ‘The Woman in the Wall’
- ‘Fellow Travelers’
- ‘Billions’
- ‘Uncoupled’
- ‘Boys in Blue’
- ‘The Whale’
- ‘Who Is America?’
- ‘The Last Manhunt’
- ‘Bang Bang You’re Dead’
- ‘The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial’
Final Thoughts
If you want to stream Showtime content without interruptions but aren’t in the U.S., a VPN is the right tool for the job. Not only do VPNs provide IP addresses from U.S. locations, but they also add a layer of privacy and security to your connection. ExpressVPN is the best provider for Showtime streaming, and you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee to try it out.
Have you tried bypassing geo-restrictions to enjoy your favorite movies on Showtime with a VPN? Do you prefer ExpressVPN’s pricey yet no-compromise approach, or do you opt for more affordable pricing? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading.
FAQ: How to Unblock Showtime
Yes, you can use a VPN to watch Showtime content, as long as its server network covers the U.S.
You can watch Showtime from anywhere by using a VPN to get a U.S. IP address and virtually changing your location to the U.S.
The best VPN for Showtime is ExpressVPN. However, if the price is a bit too high, then NordVPN and PrivadoVPN are solid alternatives.
No, using a VPN to stream content is not illegal.