Channel 5 will launch an extended, early-evening weekday news bulletin this autumn. An hour-long 5 News programme at 5pm will replace the two existing 30-minute broadcasts, at 5pm and 6:30pm, in Channel 5’s early evening schedule. The broadcaster says this will” enable the programme to examine and unpack stories in greater detail and create space […]

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has announced that Pluto TV, the free streaming television service, will launch in Italy on October 28th. With over 52 million global monthly active users spanning 25 countries in three continents, Pluto TV will be Italy’s first Free ad-supported television (FAST) service and will complement Paramount+ when the premium streaming service […]

BET, a unit of ViacomCBS has launched BET Studios, a studio venture that offers equity ownership for Black content creators. Propelled by the infrastructure and financing of BET and ViacomCBS, BET Studios will create premium television series and films for an array of internal buyers, including Paramount+, Showtime, CBS, Nickelodeon, BET+ and BET, in addition […]

ViacomCBS has announced a leadership change at Paramount Pictures. Effective immediately, Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, will transition oversight of Paramount to Brian Robbins, who, as rumoured, has been appointed President and CEO of the studio in addition to maintaining his current responsibilities leading Nickelodeon. Gianopulos will serve in an advisory role […]

Brian Robbins, current Nickelodeon president, is reportedly set to be named head of Paramount Pictures in an inter-group move as ViacomCBS gears up to create more content for its Paramount+ streaming platform. Robbins would replace Jim Gianopulos, now chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, and retain his oversight of the kids business, says the WSJ. […]

Findings from Wurl Analytics, the research division of streaming TV specialist Wurl, suggest that lost US revenue for four of the top SVoD platforms as a result of churn totalled $80.2 million (€68.1m) in the month of April 2021 alone. In its first report, Churn Analysis Report 2021, Wurl Analytics uncovers the far-reaching financial impact […]

Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer at ViacomCBS Networks UK, has revealed that the business would be commissioning local content for the new SVoD service Paramount+, set to launch in the UK in 2022. Speaking at the Edinburgh Television Festival, Frow outlined plans for Paramount+ to feature high-end, original drama and documentary content from the UK, […]

Channel 5 is committing an annual seven-figure sum towards a dedicated training fund in order to boost industry learning and development. Production companies can submit applications to the fund for their employees and freelancers working on Channel 5 programming, at any stage during a contracted production. Production companies can choose the course topics and which […]

Comcast Corporation and ViacomCBS have announced a partnership to launch a new SVoD service, branded SkyShowtime, in more than 20 European territories. At launch, SkyShowtime will offer 10,000+  hours of entertainment, movies and original series from the NBCUniversal, Sky and ViacomCBS portfolio of brands, including titles from Showtime, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Paramount+ Originals, Sky Studios, […]

ViacomCBS and Sky, part of Comcast, have announced that Paramount+ will launch on Sky platforms in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria (GSA) in 2022 as part of a new multi-year distribution agreement that also includes the extended carriage of ViacomCBS’ portfolio of pay-TV channels and the renewal of Sky as an ad […]