A new multi-year agreement between Paramount and Virgin Media O2 will enable the new entertainment streaming service Paramount+ to launch on Virgin TV boxes in 2023.
The agreement also ensures Paramount’s linear TV channels, which include Channel 5, MTV and Comedy Central, continue to be available to Virgin Media’s cable and IPTV customers.
Paramount+ on Virgin Media UK
During 2023, Paramount+ will be fully integrated into Virgin Media TV boxes to offer customers the option to access more than 8,000 hours of exclusive originals, blockbuster films and iconic series.
Content includes premium on-demand programming from Paramount brands including CBS, Nickelodeon and Showtime.
Paramount+ will be a premium add-on option. It’s currently available from £6.99 a month to UK subscribers.
Pluto TV
In addition to Paramount+, free streaming service Pluto will also become available on Virgin Media 360 boxes and Stream pucks.
Pluto TV’s channels will appear in a new section of the Virgin Media EPG dedicated to FAST channels. This means that unlike on other platforms and boxes, viewers will be able to easily select Pluto TV channels using a channel number.
Pluto TV includes channels dedicated to Starsky and Hutch, Homes Under The Hammer and Baywatch. It also offers channel spin-offs from MTV and Channel 5, plus the CBS streaming news channel.
▶ What are FAST channels?
FAST stands for ‘Free, Ad-supported Streaming Television’. These are generally channels dedicated to a particular programme, genre or even sub-genre, streamed via the internet rather than through traditional TV platforms.
My5
Finally, the deal also includes ongoing access to My5, the free streaming service from Channel 5 that contains on-demand programmes from across Channel 5’s family of channels.
Sarah Rose, Chief Operations and Commercial Officer, UK & Canada, at Paramount, said:
“Our long partnership with Virgin Media continues to help us unlock the power of Paramount’s content. The wider distribution of our SVOD and FAST services, Paramount+ and Pluto TV, will support our ambitious growth plans for streaming in the UK, as well as our popular free-to-air and pay TV channel portfolios.”
David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, added:
“We’re constantly looking to give our customers even more great entertainment to enjoy whenever and wherever they want to. Our enhanced partnership with Paramount offers access not only to award-winning drama, comedy, music and kids’ channels, but also FAST channels via Pluto TV and premium SVoD with Paramount+. This is fantastic news for our customers and gives them even more, to look forward to next year.”