Question: What’s the best way to lessen customer confusion in the convoluted world of streaming video-on-demand services? Answer: Add another title with a “+” at the end of it, of course.
That’s exactly what the service formerly known as CBS All Access said it will do Tuesday, as the service changes its name to Paramount+, joining the list of plus-named competitors like Apple TV+ and Disney+.
The change will come into effect in early 2021, as the service expands beyond the United States to make its international debut in Australia, Latin America and the Nordics. To be fair to the newly rechristened Paramount+, it is a smart move. While it’s easy to josh about yet another “+” moniker for a streaming service, the name Paramount is certainly better known than CBS internationally. As the company points out in a press release.
“Paramount is an iconic and storied brand beloved by consumers all over the world, and it is synonymous with quality, integrity and world-class storytelling,” said Bob Bakish, president and CEO of ViacomCBS, 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.”
New series coming to CBS All Access Paramount+
To coincide with the international launch, Paramount+ will add more original series. These include The Offer (based on producer Al Ruddy’s experiences making The Godfather), spy drama Lioness and a reimagining of MTV’s Behind the Music.
The service already offers upward of 20,000 episodes of shows such as Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard and The Twilight Zone. There are also classic shows like Magnum, P.I., Cheers, Twin Peaks, Wings and Taxi, in addition to a slew of movies.
CBS All Access (soon to be Paramount+) can be watched via an app on iPhone and iPad, along with Apple TV. Mac users can watch through CBS.com. The service costs $5.99 per month, or $9.99 a month for a commercial-free option. A two-for-one Showtime and CBS All Access bundle is available for Apple TV+ subscribers
