Pluto TV, the leading FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) service from Paramount Global, will launch in Canada this fall and is set to become one of the largest free and premium ad-supported streaming services in the country. The service will launch with more than 100 unique curated channels and over 20,000 hours of content. Pluto TV will offer a full spectrum of free programming including drama, comedy, lifestyle, kids, movies, around-the-clock news, and more.
Pluto TV is notable because of its commitment to linear television (albeit streamed) and a linear advertising experience that largely mirrors broadcast TV – meaning ad breaks rather than pre-rolls, so that viewers joining a linear stream, who have just missed an ad break, may not see one for up to ten minutes. The service also stands out because users do not need to register. The content on Pluto TV is not all from the Paramount stable either – this is an aggregator service with third-party content partners.
Corus Entertainment – the leading Canadian television group that features broadcast linear channels and streaming services, will be the ad representative for Pluto TV at launch. This advertising arrangement is part of a wider deal that sees a slate of Corus Original library series, spanning multiple genres, curated on the Pluto TV platform.
“Corus’ relationship with Pluto TV underlines our commitment to ad-supported premium video, building on the success of STACKTV, the Global TV App, and Premium Video on Demand,” declares Greg McLelland, EVP and Chief Revenue Officer, Corus Entertainment. “The agreement further expands the volume of digital video inventory Corus has to offer, in a premium, brand-safe environment, allowing our clients to achieve the impact of TV with the measurement and targetability of digital and to connect with audiences wherever they are streaming.”
Pluto TV recently launched into the Nordics via a partnership with Viaplay and this served as the framework for the deal with Corus Entertainment. Olivier Jollet, Executive Vice President and International General Manager at Pluto TV, talks of a game-changing partnership with Corus that is testament to Pluto TV’s commitment to expanding globally.
“The upcoming launch in Canada will combine Corus’ incredible local content offering with Pluto TV’s global content and world class platform,” Jollet explains. “It positions Pluto TV to become the leading free ad-supported streaming TV service in the country upon launch in the fall.”
Pluto TV has nearly 68 million monthly active users who have streamed over 4.8 billion total viewing hours across over 30 countries and territories spanning three continents. Canadian users will be able to watch Pluto TV via browser (at www.pluto.tv) and the Pluto TV app for Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Samsung and LG devices. The service can also be accessed via mobile apps on the App Store and Google Play.
