There’s a new streaming service coming in 2021, but it’s really just an old one with a new face.
After being in development for a while, CBS All Access will officially rebrand as Paramount+ in early 2021.
ViacomCBS is (obviously) behind the change. They saw that to get the upper hand in the Streaming Wars it meant expanding the type of content on the service beyond just what CBS has in their catalogue. Other networks under the ViacomCBS name like Nickelodeon, Showtime, and MTV, as well as the film libraries of Paramount and Miramax are reported to be part of the upcoming Paramount+.
Here’s what ViacomCBS President and CEO Bob Bakish said in a statement:
“With Paramount+, we’re excited to establish one global streaming brand in the broad-pay segment that will draw on the sheer breadth and depth of the ViacomCBS portfolio to offer an extraordinary collection of content for everyone to enjoy.”
The press release stated the move is “part of the service’s expansion to feature content from ViacomCBS’ leading portfolio of broadcast, news, sports, and entertainment brands.” In addition to the rebrand, ViacomCBS announced five new original shows that are coming to Paramount+:
- a 10-episode scripted miniseries based on producer Al Ruddy’s experience making The Godfather;
- spy drama Lioness from Yellowstone‘s Taylor Sheridan;
- a reimagining of Behind the Music titled MTV’s Behind the Music — The Top 40;
- The Real Criminal Minds, a true-crime docuseries based on the CBS series; and
- a revival of The Game.
Paramount+ will also launch in Australia, Latin America, and the Nordics in 2021 before expanding to more international markets.
My take: I don’t know why companies think adding a + to the end of their company is a good streaming service name. Apple TV+ is a stupid name. Disney+ is only good because they thought of it first (and names suggested online like The Disney Vault are actually better).
All that said, I’m actually interested in seeing what Paramount+ has to offer. A few of us in the SAW offices were kicking around the idea of a new Mission: Impossible series that could tie into the films, and that would certainly be an attractive original series for Paramount+ to have at launch.
We’ll keep you updated as more on the rebrand becomes available.
Do you subscribe to CBS All-Access? Will you continue your subscription after it rebrands? What sort of content from ViacomCBS’ huge catalogue do you want to see on the service?
