Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated
Showtime
Showtime is a premium cable and streaming network doubling down on franchise expansion within the Paramount+ ecosystem, prioritizing proven IP over new originals.
Current mandate
Showtime is in the middle of a significant strategic realignment under Chris McCarthy, who is integrating the network into the soon-to-be-renamed Paramount+ on Showtime combined service. The clearest expression of that strategy is a franchise-first mandate: rather than greenlight a wide slate of new originals, McCarthy is expanding proven properties into multi-series universes. The Dexter franchise has already gone straight to series with Dexter: Origins, a prequel, while a new series centered on Harrison (Dexter's son) and character-focused spinoffs such as a Trinity Killer backstory are in active development. The Billions universe is being extended with up to four connected series, including Billions: Miami, Billions: London, Millions, and Trillions, all targeting themes of wealth, ambition, and global finance.
Alongside franchise expansion, Showtime has made a high-profile straight-to-series commitment to The Department, a political espionage thriller based on the French drama The Bureau, with George Clooney attached as executive producer and director. The project is positioned, in the network's own framing, to follow in the tradition of Homeland as a brand-defining global thriller. At the same time, the network has been pruning its slate, canceling underperforming originals including American Gigolo and Let the Right One In, and removing more than 20 library titles to sharpen the Paramount+ offering. Remaining scripted anchors include Yellowjackets and The Chi, with the Emma Stone comedy The Curse also on the upcoming roster.
Material reaches Showtime primarily through established production partnerships and high-profile attachments, consistent with the network's current emphasis on franchise extensions of existing IP and prestige projects with major talent already attached. McCarthy has publicly described conversations with production partners about franchise potential as a core part of the merger strategy. No open submission portal or named writer program is documented in tracked deal activity; every observed deal flows through existing relationships or named production partners.
Signature peaks
- Multiple Offshoots Dexter Franchise Expansion — Dexter: Origins, a Harrison-centered series, and Trinity Killer backstory are all in active development simultaneously.
- Up to 4 New Series Billions Universe Pipeline — Billions: Miami, Billions: London, Millions, and Trillions are all in development targeting global finance and elite ambition themes.
- The Department Prestige Straight-to-Series — George Clooney-attached espionage thriller based on French drama The Bureau ordered straight to series, positioned as the next Homeland.
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- drama, thriller, comedy
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Every tracked deal at Showtime flows through existing production partnerships or named talent attachments, consistent with the network's stated strategy of developing franchise extensions with established partners. No open submission portal, fellowship, or named writer program is documented in tracked deal activity; no unsolicited pathway is documented.
- Deal structure
- Showtime commissions and co-produces scripted television series, including straight-to-series orders and franchise extensions of owned IP, typically structured as network production deals with established production partners rather than rights acquisitions of completed films or spec scripts.
Recent acquisitions
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Dexter: Resurrection (Season 2)
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Dexter: Resurrection — Season 2
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Dexter: Resurrection Season 2
Market context
Showtime's franchise-first pivot, anchored by Dexter and Billions offshoots, signals a network betting on tentpole stability over broad original development.
Showtime is in the middle of a significant strategic realignment under Chris McCarthy, who is integrating the network into the soon-to-be-renamed Paramount+ on Showtime combined service. The clearest expression of that strategy is a franchise-first mandate: rather than greenlight a wide slate of new originals, McCarthy is expanding proven properties into multi-series universes. The Dexter franchise has already gone straight to series with Dexter: Origins, a prequel, while a new series centered on Harrison (Dexter's son) and character-focused spinoffs such as a Trinity Killer backstory are in active development. The Billions universe is being extended with up to four connected series, including Billions: Miami, Billions: London, Millions, and Trillions, all targeting themes of wealth, ambition, and global finance.
Common questions about Showtime
Does Showtime accept unsolicited scripts?
No unsolicited submission pathway is documented in tracked deal activity for Showtime. Every observed deal flows through established production partnerships, named talent attachments, or existing franchise relationships. Chris McCarthy has described his development conversations as happening with existing production partners. Writers and producers without existing relationships at the network are best served by securing representation or a producing partner with a Showtime track record before approaching.
What budgets does Showtime typically work at?
Showtime operates at the premium cable and streaming tier, consistent with high-end scripted television. Specific budget figures are not disclosed in tracked deal data, but the network's current slate, anchored by franchise extensions of Dexter and Billions and a straight-to-series George Clooney-produced thriller, reflects investment levels typical of prestige cable drama rather than low-budget or micro-budget production.
What festivals does Showtime source from?
Showtime's current acquisition and development pattern does not show a documented festival-sourcing pipeline. The network's active strategy centers on expanding owned IP franchises (Dexter, Billions) and commissioning prestige projects with major talent already attached, such as The Department with George Clooney. Festival-driven acquisitions of completed films or independently developed scripts are not a visible part of the current mandate based on tracked deal activity.
How do I get my script in front of Showtime?
Based on observed deal patterns, the most documented route to Showtime is through an established production partner or major talent attachment. McCarthy has publicly stated that franchise potential conversations are happening with existing production partners as part of the Paramount+ integration strategy. A producing partner with a prior Showtime relationship, or representation with existing network access, represents the most traceable pathway. No open call, fellowship, or submission portal is documented.
What genres is Showtime currently acquiring?
Showtime's current mandate strongly favors prestige drama with franchise potential. The active development slate centers on crime drama (Dexter extensions), financial and elite-world drama (the Billions universe targeting wealth, ambition, and global finance hubs), and espionage thriller (The Department, positioned in the Homeland tradition). The network has also retained a comedy strand with The Curse (Emma Stone) and continues with ensemble drama Yellowjackets and The Chi.
Is Showtime currently active in the market?
Showtime is active in development but in a highly selective, franchise-focused mode. The network has gone straight to series on Dexter: Origins and The Department, and has up to four Billions-connected series in development. At the same time, it has canceled underperforming originals and removed more than 20 library titles as part of its Paramount+ integration strategy. The overall signal is consolidation around proven IP rather than broad open-market acquisition.
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