Paramount, Comcast sign new carriage deal with streaming access
Paramount, Comcast sign new carriage deal with streaming access
Paramount-owned linear channels will remain on Xfinity TV plans for years to come thanks to the deal.
Paramount’s incoming leaders can cross one big item off their to-do list. The company is set to merge with Skydance Media in the coming months, but ahead of that deal, it’s making other critical agreements to secure its future. On Tuesday, Paramount announced it had reached a new carriage deal with Comcast, ensuring cable channels like BET, CBS, and Paramount Network stay available on Xfinity TV plans. The deal could also expand streaming access for some Xfinity subscribers.
Key Details:
- The new agreement between Comcast and Paramount is a multi-year deal.
- Comcast has the right to make Paramount+ with SHOWTIME available to more subscribers in the deal.
- Xfinity customers already had access to Paramount+, BET+, and Pluto TV through their devices.
The new deal between Comcast and Paramount will continue for multiple years, allowing Xfinity TV customers to breathe easy knowing that Paramount-owned channels won’t simply go dark on them when they’re anticipating a new show from Taylor Sheridan or access to Sunday afternoon NFL games.
As part of the agreement, Xfinity subscribers will “retain access to Paramount’s popular streaming services across Paramount+, Pluto TV and BET+.” It doesn’t sound as if Xfinity customers will be able to sign up for paid streamers from Paramount for free as part of the deal, as owners of Spectrum TV accounts can now do.
“We are pleased to renew and expand upon our broad partnership with Comcast,” Paramount distribution president Ray Hopkins said. “This new deal ensures that our dynamic portfolio of popular brands and premium programming continue to reach and entertain our valued audiences everywhere.”
The terms of the deal also allow Comcast “to make Paramount+ with SHOWTIME available to qualifying Xfinity customers.” It’s not clear if this refers to an agreement to allow some Xfinity TV customers to get the streaming service free as part of their plan, or if it means the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME linear channel is joining Xfinity TV plans for the first time.
“This agreement gives us the ability to offer customers more choice and flexibility in what they want to watch and how they want to watch it,” Comcast SVP John Dixon.
What is clear is that Xfinity customers will still be able to sign up for Paramount-owned streaming services through their connected TV devices, so long as they pick up their own paid subscriptions. They’ll also be able to flip on Paramount-owned cable channels with their Xfinity TV plans for multiple years to come.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.