Skip to main content

Showtime comes to LG smart TVs, no cable subscription required

Billions season 3
Jeff Neumann/SHOWTIME

If you’re planning on picking up one of LG’s stunning new OLED TVs but want to keep the area around it clutter-free, you’re probably trying to avoid plugging in hardware like external streaming boxes, but that might be a problem if you can’t access all the channels you want. Looking to watch Billions season 3 without plugging in a Roku or similar streamer? You’re in luck, as Showtime is now available on LG’s WebOS-powered smart TV platform.

A stand-alone subscription costs $11 per month, and grants access to the live feed of both Showtime’s East and West Coast feeds, as well as on-demand content. This lets viewers watch Showtime original series like Billions, Homeland, The Chi, Ray Donovan, Shameless, Twin Peaks, and more, as well as the upcoming limited series Patrick Melrose, all without having to plug any external devices into their TV. LG says this makes Showtime the first network to launch on its smart TVs.

Recommended Videos

That’s great if you don’t have a cable or satellite subscription, but what if you do have a subscription, and just want to watch Showtime on an LG smart TV located somewhere else in your house? That’s where Showtime Anytime, the network’s authentication service that has also just come to LG TVs, comes in handy. Once authenticated, you can watch all of the content mentioned above just as easily.

In addition to its stand-alone and cable offerings, Showtime is available via live TV streaming providers like Sling TV, DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and others. It’s also available via Amazon Channels, which consolidates various streaming networks and services in one place.

Showtime first introduced its stand-alone streaming service in 2015. At launch, the service supported a few streaming boxes like the Roku and Apple TV, as well as viewing on the web, with additional hardware support arriving over the years. Now in addition to the platforms already mentioned, the service is available on Amazon Fire TV devices, Samsung smart TVs, and Xbox One game consoles.

For more information or to sign up for a free trial, see the Showtime or Showtime Anywhere websites.

Kris Wouk
Former Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
LG’s new M-Series Wireless OLED TVs start at $5,000
The LG 97-inch Signature OLED M3 4K TV and Zero Connect box.

Digital Trends has acquired suggested U.S. pricing information for LG's new M-Series wireless OLED TVs. Three sizes are available for the so-called M3 OLED model, ranging from 77 to 97 inches. Exact availability dates have not yet been determined, but LG has told me that orders are expected to open in late August 2023.

The new M-Series, a wireless version of LG's popular gallery series G3 OLED TV, commands a premium of anywhere from $500 to $1500 over the G3, depending on the screen size of the OLED TV. Here's how the pricing breaks down:

Read more
LG’s $100 webcam lets its newest TVs do video calls and more
Woman working out at home using LG's Smart Cam.

LG has debuted its first add-on webcam for new webOS TVs -- the $100 VC23GA Smart Cam. The Smart Cam connects via USB to any 2022 or newer LG TV running either webOS 22 or 23. LG says that the camera can be used for a variety of activities including video chats, fitness instruction, interactive games, and even telehealth. You can buy the VC23GA Smart Cam from LG.com and various online retailers.

LG's announcement comes just days after Sony said that its Bravia Cam-equipped TVs are now able to support Zoom video calls. Sony's Bravia Cam sells for $200. LG's Smart Cam is a 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution device with two built-in microphones, a slidable privacy cover, and a series of magnets that let the camera mount securely to LG's TVs.

Read more
LG brings Apple TV, Apple Music, and AirPlay to webOS Hub-based TVs
Apple TV app for webOS Hub.

In October 2022, LG debuted webOS Hub, an enhanced version of the smart TV software it uses for its own TVs that can be licensed by other manufacturers. At the time, webOS Hub was not a full replica of the webOS that runs on LG TVs, given that it was missing some features like Apple's AirPlay and HomeKit support.

Today, LG says that webOS Hub is now compatible with all of those missing Apple ingredients. Apple TV app, Apple Music, AirPlay, and HomeKit are available to compatible webOS Hub TVs in more than 100 countries and regions.

Read more