ViacomCBS is taking another step toward bringing its two biggest subscription streaming services together into one platform.
After last year launching a reduced-price bundle for Paramount+ and Showtime OTT, the company said this summer it will begin making Showtime programming available through the Paramount+ app.
Paramount+ subscribers will have the option to add Showtime to their subscription—and pay the $12 per month (with ads) or $15 per month (ad-free) bundle price—and will have access to the programming within the existing Paramount+ app instead of needing to switch between the two apps. According to Deadline, Showtime content will be presented without ads when viewed through the Paramount+ ad-supported service.
Both Paramount+ and Showtime OTT will continue to be available separately.
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Tom Ryan, president and CEO of ViacomCBS Streaming, said last year’s Showtime OTT and Paramount+ bundle “performed very well out of the gate.”
ViacomCBS added 9.4 million new global streaming subscribers during the fourth quarter to reach more than 56 million by the end of 2021. Paramount+ accounted for 7.3 million of the new additions during the quarter and brought its total up to 32.8 million. Showtime OTT didn’t break out its subscriber numbers but said it had a record quarter for sign-ups and engagement thanks to “Dexter: New Blood” and “Yellowjackets.”
CEO Bob Bakish said that his company’s subscriber growth has put it on pace to reach its 2024 goals by the end of 2022. ViacomCBS now expects to have more than 100 million total streaming subscribers by 2024, up from the 65 million to 75 million forecast it previously shared for that timeline.
News of the integration came during Tuesday’s ViacomCBS investor day touting upcoming content releases and updated strategy including a name change, from ViacomCBS to Paramount Global.