Paramount Global is planning to merge two of its popular free streaming services, Pluto TV and My5, to create a larger streaming platform for viewers in the United Kingdom.
The combined service is expected to launch in the second half of the next year, which is 2024.
Regarding this, Paramount said on Wednesday to Hollywood Reporter:
“Further details on the brand and product will be announced in early 2024,”
They basically want to offer a more complete and flexible streaming experience for UK viewers because they believe there’s a big demand for it in the UK.
Now, you might be wondering, what extra benefits will viewers get from this merger?
According to Paramount Global, the new service will encompass a wide spectrum of content, including:
- New, exclusive, and archived shows from Channel 5.
- An on-demand section.
- Various curated channels from Pluto TV.
- Broadcast video-on-demand (BVOD).
- FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) and AVOD (Ad-supported Video On Demand).
- Live TV all in one convenient package.
The reason behind this merger is also because Channel 5 and My5 have become more popular in recent years.
Shows like “Dalgleish,” “All Creatures Great and Small,” and engaging documentaries like “The Yorkshire Vet” and “Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly” have attracted more viewers to these platforms.
Maria Kyriacou, President of Broadcast & Studios at Paramount International Markets, said:
“As we look ahead to an IP-delivered future, this is the right time for us to fully leverage the Paramount ecosystem and combine the reach and scale of our free-to-air network in the U.K. with the global success of our FAST service, Pluto TV.”
This is part of Paramount’s plan to adapt to the changing TV landscape as more people switch to online streaming.
They want to offer a range of streaming options, from free services like this one to premium paid services like Paramount+.
Abdur Rahman is a seasoned journalist who covers all things related to TV and streaming. As of May 2, 2023, Abdur is writing for Homespoiler.com. More about him