Paramount+, the American streaming service that launched in the UK earlier this year, is finally coming to Virgin Media’s TV boxes, along with Paramount’s free streaming service – Pluto TV.
The news came in today, following a new multi-year distribution agreement between Paramount and Virgin Media, which extends their existing long-term partnership.
Paramount+ will become available both on Virgin Media’s “traditional” TV box – TV360, and on its new streaming-based box, the Stream.
As part of the renewed agreement, Virgin Media TV customers will also continue to enjoy thousands of hours of entertainment from Paramount’s pay TV brands MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon, as well as ongoing distribution of free-to-air brand Channel 5, its digital channel portfolio and Channel 5’s on-demand service My5.
Furthremore, under the new deal, Virgin Media will also add Pluto TV to its boxes – a free, ad-supported TV service that offers both on-demand and linear, themed streaming channels.
Pluto TV includes more than 100 curated channels, including Hell’s Kitchen, CSI: Miami and MTV Movie Hits, along with seasonal and thematic channels like Pluto TV Halloween and Pluto TV Crime, as well as a range of free, on-demand films and series.
Pluto TV’s channel line-up will launch on a dedicated free-with-adverts section of Virgin TV’s electronic programme guide, allowing users seamless access to the channels.
Virgin Media’s customers will have some more waiting to do, however – as both Paramount+ and Pluto TV will only be added in 2023.
What Is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is a streaming service that offers content from CBS, Showtime and Paramount Pictures, as well as exclusive, original programmes and films.
In the UK, Paramount+ offers more than 8000 hours of exclusive originals, blockbuster films, and iconic series across every genre – such as Yellowstone, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Halo, and more.
It launched in the UK back in June 2021, and currently costs £6.99/month or £69.90/year in the UK, with a free 7-day trial available to everyone (although there are often some coupons that can give you a 30-days free trial).
The standalone Paramount+ app is available on most major streaming devices and Smart TVs sold in the UK, and you can sign up either directly via the Paramount+ app/website, or via Amazon Prime Video Channels.
Prime Video Channels require an Amazon Prime subscription, and you then subscribe to Paramount+ on top of that. You will then be able to watch Paramount+ on any device that supports the Prime Video app, not just those with the Paramount+ app.
Since Amazon’s Prime Video app is already available on Virgin Media’s TV boxes, then its customers already had a way to subscribe to Paramount+, as a Prime Video channel – but from 2023, they will also get access to the standalone Paramount+ app.
Sky Cinema subscribers, who also have Sky Q, Sky Glass or the new Sky Stream box, can get Paramount+ for free, but no such deals have been announced for Virgin Media customers, at least as of this writing.
Sarah Rose, Chief Operations and Commercial Officer, UK & Canada, at Paramount, said:
“Our long partnership with Virgin Media continues to help us unlock the power of Paramount’s content. The wider distribution of our SVOD and FAST services, Paramount+ and Pluto TV, will support our ambitious growth plans for streaming in the UK, as well as our popular free-to-air and pay TV channel portfolios.”
Will virgin media customers get the same deal as Sky customers for Paramount Plus, get a free app., If they subscribe to Sky Cinema. If they have to pay for the subscription it will work very expensive in a long run. As it is they have to pay for Liongate Plus, Disney plus after initial six month trial period, Britbox and Amazon Prime. If you tally them altogether it works out to be more than £25.
Could you please let me know, when will get the Paramount Plus and Pluto app., in 2023.
Also will Virgin Media get Peacock, Plex, Roku, Apple, Sling, Sony Crackle, Roxi and Spotify music apps. Please let me know as to above.