ViacomCBS has made an appeal to UK independent TV producers to pitch series ideas that will resonate with both UK and global audiences on the company’s new SVOD streaming service, Paramount+. Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer at ViacomCBS Networks UK, told the Edinburgh Television Festival two weeks ago that his company has a dedicated budget to invest in premium local content. He outlined plans for Paramount+ to feature high-end, original drama and documentary content from the UK, alongside an expansive catalogue of hit shows and movies from ViacomCBS’ global brands and studios. Paramount+ is set to launch in the UK next year. “We’re starting to work on our Paramount+ factual and drama slates – all ideas are welcome,” Frow declared.
Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Director of Programmes at ViacomCBS, talked about his dual role commissioning drama for both Paramount+ and Channel 5 (the UK public commercial broadcaster owned by ViacomCBS) and, without commenting on budget levels, declared: “If the idea is good enough, we will go for it.” Meanwhile, Daniel Pearl, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted at the company, is overseeing unscripted originals for both Paramount+ and Channel 5, and he welcomed the opportunity to develop premium shows for a global audience and asked indies to submit a broad range of ideas covering anthologies, feature documentaries, box-sets and more. “We have an ongoing commitment to commissioning premium shows for SVOD and we are listening to the best ideas out there,” he added.
