Showtime vs Starz/Encore

[DT4K]

My wife wants HBO. We currently have Time Warner including the basic HD channels.
I can add just HBO for like $12 or I can add HBO plus one other premium for $17/month. I know Starz sucks so it would be Showtime or Cinemax. Which one is better and are either one worth an extra $5 per month.

Also, I assume getting HBO would include their HD channel. Is this correct?

EDIT: Ok, everyone seems to agree that Showtime and Starz are both better than Cinemax. So now the question is Showtime vs. Starz.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Showtime for me.
But i have them all...

Showtime also has Weeds and The L Word... good shows.. Also lots of Soft Porn late night.

 

[GML3G0]

Cinemax

I think they have a better selection of movies.

 

[jpeyton]

Both have an equal quantity of late night softcore.

 

[mugs]

IMHO the premium channels are only worthwhile for their original content (and the softcore porn if you want that). I could rent as many movies as I'd watch on HBO in a month for less money, and they wouldn't be suck-ass movies like the ones they show on premium channels.

HBO has the best original programming. Showtime has some good stuff from what I hear (I think they did Dead Like Me? Sad that ended). I've neverheard of anything great being on Cinemax.

So I'd go with Showtime.

 

[amish]

it all depends.

obviously you aren't a 16 year old male that needs something to fap to. so skinemax might not be worth it. but you did state that you are married so skinemax might be worth it.

showtime has some pretty good mini series. they used to be on the cutting edge of gay & lesbian tv (queer as folk & L word). so that may or may not work out for you.

personally i would just go with netflix.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: amish
it all depends.

obviously you aren't a 16 year old male that needs something to fap to. so skinemax might not be worth it. but you did state that you are married so skinemax might be worth it.

showtime has some pretty good mini series. they used to be on the cutting edge of gay & lesbian tv (queer as folk & L word). so that may or may not work out for you.

personally i would just go with netflix.

I agree with your last sentence. I have all the channels through DirecTV and the only good thing are the seasonal shows. HBO: The Wire, Entourage, Sho: Weeds etc etc.
When it comes to movies, mos of the time I already saw them through netflix.

 

[SophalotJack]

ummm... whichever one plays "Playmate of the Apes."

Best fwap session ever!

 

[thepd7]

since when does Starz suck? I don't have it but everytime I see a recent release movie I want to watch its on Starz and not HBO or Shotime(which I both have).

 

[Rage187]

Skinemax


edit: and Starz>HBO>.*

Starz has the best movies first, Early Premieres On Demand, oh yeah and HDTV On Demand!

 

[KillyKillall]

Showtime for the new Dexter show and Weeds.

 

[ultimatebob]

Here's my opinion:

Stars has the best selection of movies, but you would be much better off with Netflix if you can't get it as a package deal.
HBO's movie selection sucks, but they have the best original series programming.
Both Cinemax and Showtime have lousy movies and lame original programming. If it wasn't for the late night softcore pr0n, most people wouldn't bother watching them at all.
I'm not sure if anyone bothers to watch TMC or Encore. By the time movies make it to those networks, you can watch them on network TV.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: thepd7
since when does Starz suck? I don't have it but everytime I see a recent release movie I want to watch its on Starz and not HBO or Shotime(which I both have).

Maybe I'm wrong. We had Starz as part of a package a couple years ago and it seemed like there was never anything I wanted to watch.

We don't really care about the movies. Unless it's in HD, I'd rather get the DVD. Although our kids would probably record some movies. I don't even remember which show my wife wants to watch, but I know it's on HBO. I just figured it would be worth another $5 to also add one of the other premiums.

 

[vi edit]

Stars for movies
HBO for series/mini-series
Showtime has better movies than HBO but not as good of series
Cinemax is only good for late night softcore if that's your thing

The Stars movie pack is pretty decent for movies. They have the best variety at any given time.

 

[lokiju]

HBO has the best shows with Showtime following.

Penn & Teller: Bullsh!t is just great IMO.

 

[UNCjigga]

Dude I'm regretting my decision to go with Cinemax. All they have is soft-porn and movies that were on HBO 3-4 months ago. Showtime has newer, better movies, original series, good specials (concerts, fights, etc.) and all-around is a better complement to HBO. I'm going to call my cable provider this week and see if I can switch--I totally forgot about the 2nd season of "Weeds"!!

 

[FrequencyX]

Showtime On Demand \ Late Night FTW

 

[Rage187]

for HDTV Starz>.*

Starz and it's offshoot Encore have HDTV Movies On Demand.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: Rage187
for HDTV Starz>.*

Starz and it's offshoot Encore have HDTV Movies On Demand.

Time Warner says that On-Demand is not yet available with the Starz package.
Since everyone seems to agree that both Showtime and Starz are better than Cinemax, which should I get? Like I said, HBO is a given, but I also want to pick one of the following:

Starz!, Starz! Edge, Black Starz!, Starz! Kids & Family, Starz! Cinema, Starz! Comedy, Encore, Encore Love Stories, Encore Westerns, Encore Drama, Encore Mystery, Encore Action, WAM!, Fox Movies

OR

Showtime, Showtime West, Showtime Extreme, Showtime Extreme West, Showtime Too, Showtime Too West, Showtime Showcase, Showtime Showcase West, Showtime Beyond, Showtime Beyond West, Showtime Women, Showtime Women West, Showtime Family Zone, Showtime Family West, Showtime Next, Showtime Next West, Showtime On Demand1

I'm not sure if HD channels are included. I didn't see any info on that.