Paramount+, the direct-to-consumer streaming service from ViacomCBS that includes series and movies from brands including SHOWTIME, Comedy Central, MTV and Paramount Pictures, will launch across Sky platforms in Europe in 2022 (specifically the UK, Ireland and Italy, and the Germany, Switzerland and Austria markets that are being referred to as GSA). Upon launch, Sky Cinema subscribers will have Paramount+ included at no additional cost in an example of the integrated product marketing that Pay TV operators can agree with long-standing channel partners as they look to boost their credentials as the ‘super-aggregators’ of all the best content.
The Paramount+ ‘carriage’ is part of a wide-ranging partnership extension between Sky and ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI). This means:
- Paramount Pictures’ feature films will remain available on Sky Cinema in the UK and will join Sky Cinema in Germany and Italy in 2022.
- Continued long-term carriage of ViacomCBS’ linear channels (including Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon), complemented by a strong selection of box sets, in the UK, Ireland, Italy and GSA.
- Renewal of the deal that sees Sky act as the ad sales partner for ViacomCBS across all platforms and channels in the UK and Italy. This includes sales for Channel 5, the UK public broadcaster.
“We are thrilled to expand our long-standing partnership with Sky to continue delivering ViacomCBS’ leading portfolio of premium entertainment brands to Sky customers and importantly bring Paramount+ to new audiences in all Sky markets, including the UK, Ireland, Italy, and GSA,” says Raffaele Annecchino, President and Chief Executive Officer, ViacomCBS Networks International. “This transformative distribution deal is key to accelerating our global ambitions in streaming while also supporting Sky’s strategic objectives to better serve audiences with greater flexibility in how they consume our content across all platforms.”
Paramount+ is the latest in a series of apps to come to Sky Q, with Sky committed to a next-generation aggregation strategy that converges broadcast TV, VOD and streaming. Stephen van Rooyen, Executive VP & Chief Executive, UK & Europe at Sky, comments: “This is another example of how we are aggregating all the best apps and content together in one place on Sky Q, giving them more great TV to watch than ever before. Paramount+ is an excellent service with a huge range of fantastic films and TV series, and our new, broader agreement with ViacomCBS will benefit both businesses.”
Paramount+ will also be available direct-to-consumer in the UK, Ireland, Italy and GSA through the Paramount+ app for iOS and Android and across supported connected TV devices and OTT platforms.
