ViacomCBS to Merge CBS All Access, Showtime Into New Streaming Service
Following the merger between CBS and Viacom, it appears the newly-formed ViacomCBS is looking to launch a new streaming service that will build upon CBS All Access.
Per CNBC, multiple anonymous sources familiar with the matter explain that while no definitive decisions have been made by ViacomCBS executives as of yet, the corporation is entertaining the idea of combining CBS All Access -- home to original series like Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard and The Twilight Zone -- with such Viacom assets as Pluto TV, Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount Pictures.
Click the button below to start this article in quick view. Start nowTentatively, this new service will run advertisements. However, the sources say an ad-free premium version that includes Showtime will also be available. Those at the executive level have not settled on a name for the new service, nor a price point. However, two sources claim it will be less than $10 per month. This is the latest development in the ongoing streaming wars between the likes of CBS All Access, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Peacock.
ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish has yet to open up about the company's streaming plans moving forward. However, company executives are expected to discussed the prospective new streaming platform during ViacomCBS' fourth quarter earnings conference call on Feb. 20. CNBC's sources also say the company will reveal statistics regarding the total amount of paid subscribers, as well as revenue figures for its pre-existing streaming services for the first time ever during the call.
A spokesperson for ViacomCBS declined CNBC's request for comment.
Source: www.cbr.com