Paramount news and updates tease that its streaming service, Paramount Plus will merge with Showtime channel. It was also announced that rebranding will follow.
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CEO Bob Bakish announced that the company will be rebranding the channel to Paramount Plus with Showtime. Meanwhile, Paramount took to Twitter to confirm the change and considered the merger as a “natural step in our evolution.” Paramount will be carrying over some original content, such as Halo and Yellowstone spinoff 1923, from Paramount+ to the TV network.
The merger didn’t come as a surprise for many because Paramount already started offering Showtime and Paramount Plus in one app in August 2022. Not only that, there have been rumors about the merger for several months. Last November, Paramount chief financial officer Naveen Chopra teased a potential price increase for its streaming service amid the price increase imposed by competing services.
Paramount – What Changes To Expect Following The Merger?
“Now, with Showtime’s content integrated into our flagship streaming service, and select Paramount+ originals joining the linear offering, Paramount+ will become the definitive multiplatform brand in the streaming space — and the first of its kind to integrate streaming and linear content in this way,” Bakish said.
Bakish also acknowledged that the merger “brings uncertainty for the teams working on these brands and businesses” Aside from possible layoffs, the premium cable network, which is now under Chris McCarthy, has been reevaluating its current programs.
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Having said so, it’s been decided that Three Women, which stars Shailene Woodley, Betty Gilpin, DeWanda Wise, and Gabrielle Creevy, will not have a new season. Showtime may no longer proceed with it, but it’s been revealed that there have been offers to take the drama.
Paramount – Spokesperson Karen Shosfy Says That The Company Will Make Announcement
Showtime won’t be proceeding with season 2 for Let the Right One In and American Gigolo. The former, which stars Demián Bichir, and the latter, which stars Jon Bernthal, will be removed from the slate of Showtime’s streaming platforms.
In terms of pricing, Paramount Plus and Showtime already offer bundled plans. The essential plan with Showtime is priced at $11.99 per month, while the premium plan with Showtime and other local CBS networks is priced at $14.99 per month.
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In an interview with The Verge, Paramount spokesperson Karen Shosfy says that the company will announce the new prices in the coming weeks.
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