CBS All Access Will Be Relaunching As Paramount+ Starting In March
Last fall, we learned that the CBS All Access streaming servicewould be rebrandingas Paramount+ following the ViacomCBS merger in 2019. The upcoming launch of Paramount+ is “part of the service’s expansion to feature content from ViacomCBS' leading portfolio of broadcast, news, sports, and entertainment brands.” You’ll see exactly what that means when the streaming service (re)launches onMarch 4in the United States and Latin America.
It sounds like ViacomCBS is hoping that Paramount+ will be like their own version of HBO Max. The WarnerMedia streaming service combines all of the entertainment that falls under their banner into one streaming outlet, including movies and shows from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies, and the DC Comics film and TV library. Though the ViacomCBS library isn’t nearly as impressive as WarnerMedia’s, they’re hoping to create “a linked ecosystem of differentiated offerings across free and pay streaming,” according to CEOBob Bakish.
Paramount Pictures, which falls under the Viacom CBS banner, has been selling off many of their theatrical movies to other streaming services (especially in the age of coronavirus). This has me wondering if ViacomCBS will be looking to use Paramount+ as a potential path to release their upcoming movies as long as movie theaters aren’t running at full capacity. Some of Paramount’s big upcoming movies includeA Quiet Place II,Top Gun: Maverick, and theG.I. JoemovieSnake Eyes, but I wouldn’t expect any of those to end up getting a streaming release because they’ll earn solid box office money. But perhaps the likes of big family movies such asClifford the Big Red DogorRumblecould go that route.
However, Paramount knew this streaming relaunch was coming in March, and they stillsoldThe Tomorrow Warto Amazon Prime. So it would seem that Paramount is keen to earn their money back by simply selling the movies rather than taking on the kind of experimental release strategy that Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max are embarking upon this year.
As for other Paramount+ details, including potential updates in pricing, ad-supported options, and more, we’ll have to wait until that virtual investor meeting on February 24, so be sure to come back next month to get all the information you need.
