# List of Showtime original programming
Showtime original programming is the slate of series, films, documentaries, comedy specials, and sports events produced or commissioned by [Showtime](https://www.edgepedia.org/showtime-tv-network), an American premium cable and satellite television network now branded [Paramount+](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount) with Showtime.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Network launch | Premiered July 1976; launched nationally in 1978 by Viacom as a platform for Hollywood films without commercial interruption[1](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Total-Television-Programming-1948-1991-McNeil.pdf) • [2](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/10053137/2007-08-NRI-e9a.pdf) |
| First original movie | *The Ratings Game* (1984), directed by and starring Danny DeVito[2](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/10053137/2007-08-NRI-e9a.pdf) |
| Breakthrough era | 2000s hits *Queer as Folk*, *The L Word*, and the network's first big hit, *Dexter*[3](https://www.cabletv.com/showtime/tv-shows) |
| Streaming integration | Showtime app folded into Paramount+ on June 27, 2023; channel rebranded Paramount+ with Showtime on January 8, 2024[3](https://www.cabletv.com/showtime/tv-shows) |
## History
Showtime began as a premium movie service. It premiered in July 1976 and was launched nationally in 1978 by Viacom as a platform to air Hollywood films without commercial interruption.[1](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Total-Television-Programming-1948-1991-McNeil.pdf) • [2](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/10053137/2007-08-NRI-e9a.pdf) The network ventured into its own programming in 1984 with the premiere of its first original movie, *The Ratings Game*, directed by and starring [Danny DeVito](https://www.edgepedia.org/danny-devito).[2](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/10053137/2007-08-NRI-e9a.pdf)
**The 2000s breakthrough.** Showtime began producing original programming in the 1990s, but it was in the 2000s that the network made a splash with *Queer as Folk* (2000–2005), *The L Word* (2004–2009), and the network's first big hit, *Dexter* (2006–2013).[3](https://www.cabletv.com/showtime/tv-shows) *[Queer as Folk](https://www.edgepedia.org/queer-as-folk-american-tv-series)* and *The L Word* were landmark LGBT-inclusive series that addressed parenting, marriage, and HIV/AIDS, and the reality series *The Real L Word* followed a group of lesbians and bisexual women living in Los Angeles.[4](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/10053241/GLAAD_2012_NRI-408.pdf) Later entries into the pop-cultural mainstream included *Weeds*, *Californication*, and *Homeland*.[3](https://www.cabletv.com/showtime/tv-shows)
## Current programming
| Title | Genre | Premiere | Seasons | Runtime | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *The Chi* | Drama | January 7, 2018 | 7 seasons, 78 episodes | 46–58 min | Renewed for final season |
| *Yellowjackets* | Drama | November 14, 2021 | 3 seasons, 29 episodes | 52–61 min | Renewed for final season |
| *The Agency: Central Intelligence* | Political thriller | December 1, 2024 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 44–60 min | Renewed |
*Yellowjackets*, a dual-timeline thriller about a 1996 plane crash that strands a high school girls soccer team in the wilderness, was one of the surprise hits of 2022, starring [Juliette Lewis](https://www.edgepedia.org/juliette-lewis), Christina Ricci, and [Melanie Lynskey](https://www.edgepedia.org/melanie-lynskey).[3](https://www.cabletv.com/showtime/tv-shows) Recent hits cited for the network also include *[George & Tammy](https://www.edgepedia.org/george-and-tammy)* and *Billions*.[3](https://www.cabletv.com/showtime/tv-shows)
## Sports and other genres
Sports have been a Showtime staple since early in its original-programming era.
## Former programming
- *Dexter* (2006–2013), the network's first big hit, later continued with *[Dexter: New Blood](https://www.edgepedia.org/dexter-new-blood)* (2021)[3](https://www.cabletv.com/showtime/tv-shows)
## Rebranding under Paramount+
Showtime's identity has been restructured within Paramount's streaming business. On June 27, 2023, the standalone Showtime streaming app folded into Paramount+, and on January 8, 2024, the premium channel officially rebranded as Paramount+ with Showtime, while the channel itself remained as-is across cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services.[3](https://www.cabletv.com/showtime/tv-shows) Paramount described the move as combining Paramount+ and Showtime into a single integrated product offering across both linear and streaming services.[5](https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/cedbb98c-0fb8-45e0-b0ff-ab235dc233a6) On June 23, 2025, the ad-free top-tier subscription formerly known as Paramount+ with Showtime was rebranded again as Paramount+ Premium, though the linear Paramount+ with Showtime network name remained on cable, satellite, and live TV services, and Showtime remains a prominent branding name for original programming.[6](https://www.kiplinger.com/business/ecommerce/paramount-plus-premium-rebrand-why-showtime-name-changed) • [7](https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-with-showtime-rebrands-as-paramount-premium/)
## References
1. [Total Television Programming 1948–1991, McNeil, WorldRadioHistory](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Total-Television-Programming-1948-1991-McNeil.pdf)
2. [2007–08 Network Responsibility Index, GLAAD](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/10053137/2007-08-NRI-e9a.pdf)
3. [TV Shows to Watch on SHOWTIME, CableTV.com](https://www.cabletv.com/showtime/tv-shows)
4. [2012 Network Responsibility Index, GLAAD](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/10053241/GLAAD_2012_NRI-408.pdf)
5. [Form CORRESP for Paramount Global, filed December 16, 2024](https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/cedbb98c-0fb8-45e0-b0ff-ab235dc233a6)
6. [Paramount+ Premium Debuts: Why "With Showtime" Got the Cut, Kiplinger](https://www.kiplinger.com/business/ecommerce/paramount-plus-premium-rebrand-why-showtime-name-changed)
7. [Paramount+ With Showtime Rebrands as Paramount+ Premium, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-with-showtime-rebrands-as-paramount-premium/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Awards and screen reference*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license