Paramount+ building new, free tier
Paramount+ building new, free tier
The plan will have limited access to Paramount+ content, and will ideally convince more subscribers to sign up for a paid plan.
When David Ellison took over as CEO of Paramount Skydance, he laid out a vision for the company that included major upgrades to the Paramount+ streaming service. A new wave of such upgrades is now on the way, according to new reporting on Paramount’s plans for its streamer.
Key Details:
- Why not free?: Paramount+ is reportedly at work on a free tier.
- More updates: The streamer is also testing microdramas and working to expand its multiview.
- What’s the vision?: It will be intriguing to see how many of Paramount+’s new features make it to HBO Max.
According to Business Insider, Paramount+ is working on a “free front porch” version that will let American customers watch select movies and shows for free after creating a no-cost account. The free tier is expected to be available on the Paramount+ mobile app in the third quarter.
Now that the battle to reach profitability has been won by most streaming services, they face a new struggle: the battle for engagement. Each streamer is pondering different tactics to boost engagement; Paramount+’s new free tier is one strategy, while Netflix may be pondering the return of free trials to help lift its engagement numbers.
A free tier isn’t the only experiment Paramount+ is pondering. The streamer announcing in revealed that short-form video would be launching this year, and now, BI reports that Paramount+ is testing micro dramas. Vertical video podcast segments are also a priority for Paramount+, per the report.
BI has more details on future plans for Paramount+, including the expansion of the streamer’s multiview, more interactive viewing experiences for live events, and personalized artwork for shows and movies on the streamer. More changes could be on the way for the streamer going forward, as well.
As Paramount contemplates its own streaming future, it must also have an eye on that of HBO Max. Paramount Skydance is in the midst of a $110 million purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, and once it closes, it will own HBO Max as well. How many of these planned changes will launch on that platform? Will it soon be offering a free tier as well? Stick with The Streamable for all the coverage you need on any coming changes to the HBO Max or Paramount+ platforms.
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 League, 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.