ViacomCBS breaks down theatrical windows
ViacomCBS unveiled more details on the content release strategy for Paramount+ which officially launches on March 4. One of the major new developments was the break-down of the traditional theatrical window. Following in the footsteps of other recent studio announcements, Paramount Pictures movies will be made available to the streamer and home entertainment 30-45 after theatrical release. Furthermore, MGM titles will be made available on Paramount+ 90 days after theatrical release following an exclusive window on Epix further bolstering a robust movie content slate.
The NPD Take:
- Shortening the theatrical window allows studios to provide exclusivity to theater chains, continue to capitalize on theatrical revenues and migrate them to streaming sooner. The hope, more viewers will subscribe to and stay engaged with Paramount+.
- The migration to subscription at the same time as transactional will, to some extent, split the engagement and revenues between the two distribution channels. Some level of would be transactions will turn into Paramount+ views that the company is hoping will lessen subscriber churn.
Paramount+ to have two pricing tiers
Paramount+ is launching with an ad-free subscription service priced at $9.99, loaded with a mountain of content from live news and sports to originals, kids programming and more. Then in June, ViacomCBS is set to come out with an ad-supported version of Paramount+ at $4.99 which will feature less exclusive content.
The NPD Take:
- The Paramount+ tiered subscription offering is designed to step people up to the premium tier, as it offers incremental exclusive programming, as opposed to only ad-free content. SVOD services with ad and ad free tiers have largely seen a 70/30 split favoring the lower cost option. It remains to be seen if the exclusive programming will be effective at driving more of the audience to the premium tier.
Paramount+ brings on the content
ViacomCBS revealed a full slate of content coming to the new Paramount+ that builds off the CBS All Access base of programming. The service will offer everything from live news and sports, exclusive content, drama, comedy, reality and kids programming. The company is hoping the wide breadth of content will be enough to entice viewers to include the service as part of their bundle of TV services.
The NPD Take:
- The wide array of programming available across SVOD services leaves little left to keep consumers paying for traditional linear television. Indeed, regional sports is among the last thing that will keep viewers beholden to the cord.
- Paramount+ is the latest service to lean into kids programming. Kids content makes the service stickier as it increases the number of household viewers which further protects against churn.