Paramount+ Price: New $4.99/Month Plan with Ads

Paramount+ Streaming Service Launch Details

ViacomCBS recently hosted a virtual investor conference to detail the plans for Paramount+, a streaming platform launching on March 4th. This service represents a significant evolution of CBS All Access, featuring an expanded content library and a refreshed brand identity.

Geographic Availability

The rollout of Paramount+ will begin in the United States, Latin America, and Canada on March 4th. Further expansion is scheduled, including a launch in Nordic countries within weeks, and availability in Australia later in the year.

Subscription Pricing

Consumers in the U.S. will have two subscription options. A plan with advertisements will be offered at $4.99 per month, a reduction from the $5.99 charged for CBS All Access. An ad-free tier, including live sports, news, and additional television content, will be available for $9.99 monthly.

Bundling options with existing premium services, such as Showtime, are also being considered.

Content Strategy and Brand Recognition

Despite the proliferation of streaming services, ViacomCBS believes Paramount+ will stand out. Streaming president and CEO Tom Ryan highlighted research indicating strong brand recognition for ViacomCBS properties.

• Paramount
• CBS
• Comedy Central
• MTV
• Nickelodeon

These brands will be prominently featured within the new service. ViacomCBS also boasts a track record of successful streaming shows produced for other platforms, including “13 Reasons Why,” “Emily in Paris,” and “Jack Ryan.”

Unique Content Offering

Executives emphasized that Paramount+ will provide a distinctive blend of live news, live sports, and a substantial amount of entertainment content. The service will support high-quality video formats, including 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, alongside convenient download capabilities.

Extensive Content Library

The platform is set to launch with a library of over 30,000 television episodes and 2,500 films. This collection will be continually updated with new programming.

Upcoming shows include a revival of “Frasier” starring Kelsey Grammer, and the “Halo” television series, which will now premiere on Paramount+ in early 2022 instead of Showtime.

Reboots of classic Paramount properties, such as “Love Story,” “Fatal Attraction,” and “Flashdance,” are also in development.

Star Trek Universe Expansion

Continuing the legacy of CBS All Access, Paramount+ will serve as the home for new Star Trek series. This includes existing shows like “Discovery,” “Picard,” and “Lower Decks,” as well as forthcoming series “Strange New Worlds” and the animated “Prodigy.”

Film Distribution Strategy

Paramount CEO Jim Gianopulos affirmed the company’s commitment to theatrical releases. However, select 2021 films, including “A Quiet Place Part 2,” the first “Paw Patrol” movie, and “Mission Impossible 7,” will be available on Paramount+ 30 to 45 days after their theatrical debut.

This approach is less aggressive than HBO Max’s simultaneous release strategy. Additionally, the service will feature original films created exclusively for streaming, beginning with reboots of “Paranormal Activity” and “Pet Sematary.”