If you remember back in early January, Hulu announced a big deal with ViacomCBS that would bring 14 of its networks to the streaming service's live television plan. Now, months later, those channels are finally available to subscribers, offering the opportunity to watch Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and other popular networks.
The Paramount+ (or Paramount Plus, if you prefer) streaming service launched this month, and with it, the promise of a BUNCH of interesting programming. If you've previously subscribed to CBS All Access, you'll find the list of programming very, very familiar.* New content with this new service includes a reboot of Frasier, Reno 911! iCarly, and more. MTV and VH1 content is here too, including Yo! MTV Raps and Behind the Music.
Frasier, arguably one of TV's best sitcoms, is returning to the small screen as a streaming series for Paramount+. Kelsey Grammer, who played the main character Frasier, will return for the revival, which may also see other core cast members from the original series reprise their roles. Fans of the show aren't entirely excited, however, citing concerns that the reboot may end up tarnishing the sitcom.
By now, most subscribers to the CBS All Access TV streaming platform know that it will be turning into Paramount+ early next month. ViacomCBS has unveiled the streaming strategy and slate of original programming headed to the new network. One of the most exciting things that it has announced is that select Paramount Pictures films will stream on Paramount+ following a short theatrical release.
You know you made it big when you get your own live-action film and new studio just for you. Although The Last Airbender film adaptation was largely considered a terrible flop, the franchise it was built on still has a strong following that is eagerly awaiting more content from the fictional universe. Consider those wishes now answered as Nickelodeon establishes the Avatar Studios dedicated specifically to create more of that, including a new film, animated this time.
Hit crime drama Criminal Minds may be revived soon as a streaming series for Paramount+. The show ran from September 2005 until its series finale in early 2020, giving it a solid 15 seasons with a revolving cast and faithful fanbase. The revival show is said to be in 'early discussions,' meaning it may be a while before we see the new series launch.
CBS All Access, the standalone streaming app that provides access to the vast CBS content library and the live channel, will be going away in early March. Here to replace it is Paramount+ from ViacomCBS, something the company said it would offer in place of CBS All Access way back in September. Now we finally know the launch date and what to expect.
Television has a solid history of Star Wars content for kids but has historically lacked similar shows featuring the industry's other favorite science fiction universe (the short-lived 'Animated Series' aside): Star Trek. That changed last year when CBS revealed that it would launch an animated Star Trek show for younger audiences, though it didn't provide many details at the time. Fast-forward more than a year and we finally know more, including the show's name, logo, and release date
ViacomCBS has announced that it is selling reusable cloth face masks with various designs inspired by its popular shows, including Star Trek. The masks will be made available through retailers around the world in addition to the websites dedicated to specific shows. Fans will be able to purchase the masks starting later this summer.
The video streaming market has proven to be a very lucrative business and Disney's entry into the arena proved that Netflix's position isn't as secure as many thought. Now anyone and everyone with enough properties and money will try to topple the streaming king. That's exactly what the combined kingdoms of Viacom and CBS may try to do with a new streaming service that could see the shuffling of content around and create a more confusing landscape.
What in the world is going on here, you might be saying - aren't The Office and Parks and Recreation already over? Yes, both of these mocumentary-style television shows are done, and there will be no new episodes (for now). But the rights, the precious rights, like the spice melange, they must flow! The rights have been renewed for cable - exclusively*!
Viacom's BET Networks subsidiary has teamed with Tyler Perry Studios to launch BET+, a streaming service version of the network that'll offer more than 1,000 hours of programming, according to the company, including original shows and movies. The company plans a wide variety of original content for the service's first year, including a movie called Sacrifice starring Paula Patton.