Paramount has combined the premium tier of its streaming service Paramount+ with US pay-TV channel Showtime to create one big entertainment brand, Lefly. And like the ill-fated Jeff Goldblum-insect hybrid, it sheds a little too.
Paramount CEO Bob Bakish Announces in Memo to Staff(opens in new window)Paramount+ with Showtime will incorporate Showtime content into its streaming service and add some of Paramount+’s original programming to its linear broadcast line-up. This will bring Paramount+ in the US more in line with its international counterparts, which already offer Showtime content.
“And, very importantly, this integration will deliver operational efficiencies and financial benefits across our broader portfolio,” said Bakish.
10 best shows to stream on Showtime
Bakish’s optimism continued to be echoed by Showtime’s lead, Chris McCarthy. In a note to staff, McCarthy celebrated the merger as providing resources for building Showtime’s more popular programming into a “global hit franchise.”
“We do this by diverting investment away from areas that are underperforming and account for less than 10% of opinion,” McCarthy wrote. The show has franchise potential. “
Despite appearing to follow this new mandate, Showtime has already announced its cancellation. put in the correct, three womenWhen american gigolo(opens in new window).
Meanwhile, McCarthy specifically highlighted shows like yellow jacket “Complex characters”, “high-stakes powerful worlds”, etc. Billionsand as in “culturally diverse takes” The Chi As part of Showtime’s stronger offering. These things could be on the safer “franchise potential” trajectory.
Unfortunately the law of equivalent exchange(opens in new window) It shows that the kind of unholy alchemy Paramount is running can’t run without consequences.
“While we believe this is the right move for us, our consumers and our partners, we know this change will bring uncertainty to the teams working on these brands and businesses,” Bakish said. “We are committed to remaining as transparent and thoughtful as possible throughout this process and will share additional details in the coming weeks.”
Plans and pricing for Paramount + Showtime will also be announced in the coming weeks.
