Paramount combining My5 and PlutoTV
Paramount is to combine its UK PSB Channel 5 ’ s BVoD , My5 , with its FAST service Pluto TV , to bring UK audiences in 2024 what it describes as a “ supersized ”, free streaming service .
The streaming destination will give access to an extensive range of new , exclusive and archived content from Channel 5 , as well as an on-demand section and collection of curated FAST channels from Pluto TV . The product , which will leverage Pluto TV ’ s technology platform , will combine BVoD , FAST , AVoD and Live TV all at once . “ We ’ re proud of the huge success and growth in viewing that we have seen on our BVoD service , My5 ,” declared Maria Kyriacou , president , broadcast and studios , Paramount International Markets .” As we look ahead to an IP-delivered future , this is the right time for us to fully leverage the Paramount ecosystem and combine the reach and scale of our
“ We ’ re proud of the huge success and growth in viewing that we have seen on our BVoD service , My5 ”
free-to-air network in the UK with the global success of our FAST service , Pluto TV . We ’ re well underway with work on this product , and I ’ m incredibly excited about the content and user experience we ’ ll be able to offer our audiences and our advertising partners when we launch next year .”
“ As an early pioneer of FAST globally , we ’ ve seen incredible growth and excitement for Pluto TV in markets around the
world ,” added Olivier Jollet , EVP and general manager Pluto TV , Paramount International Markets . “ By joining forces with our leading BVoD platform in the UK , we are offering audiences , partners , and clients a supersized free streaming destination that we know they ’ ll love . This is a significant evolution for our free streaming business in this important market and a testament to how we strategically approach our platforms and the future of streaming .”
Paramount says the newly combined streaming service will enable Channel 5 to extend its provision of public service content in a digitally delivered future – and build on the network ’ s recent success . Channel 5 has grown its share of the UK television audience over the last four years consecutively , and its BVoD service My5 has grown its viewing over the last three years consecutively – thanks to popular shows such as Dalgleish , All Creatures Great And Small , Ben Fogle : New Lives In The Wild , The Yorkshire Vet and Dogs Behaving ( Very ) Badly .
Pluto TV has grown exponentially during the past several years , reaching annual revenue in excess of $ 1 billion and expanding its footprint across four continents and over 35 markets .
Work on the new product is underway , with a launch planned for the second half of 2024 . Further details on the brand and product will be announced in early 2024 .
Disney + UK rolls out ad tier
Disney + has introduced its ad-supported subscription plan in the UK , alongside two ad-free options .
This expanded offering allows customers to watch Disney + from £ 4.99 (€ 5.76 ) per month through the Standard with Ads plan , which gives access to all content and allows two concurrent streams . The ads plan will feature up to four minutes of
“ All of our customers can enjoy a wide range collection of award-winning original TV series and blockbuster movies .”
commercials per hour .
The Standard plan , priced ad £ 7.99 per month or £ 79.90 annually , gives subscribers HD 1080p video ,
two concurrent streams , and the added benefit of downloads . Additionally , the Premium plan , at £ 10.99 per month or £ 109.90 annually , offers up to 4K UHD and HDR video quality , four concurrent streams , Dolby Atmos audio , and downloads .
“ Today ’ s launch represents a significant milestone for Disney + in the UK , offering customers the flexibility to select a plan that suits their needs and budget ,” stated Luke Bradley Jones , general manager of Disney + EMEA . “ All of our customers can enjoy a wide range collection of award-winning original TV series and blockbuster movies , including FX ’ s The Bear , Elemental and Coleen
Rooney : The Real Wagatha Story , along with fan favourites such as Season 2 of Marvel Studios ’ Loki and the latest series of The Simpsons and Grey ’ s Anatomy .
“ Disney + offers advertisers a prime opportunity to join our premium streaming platform , featuring our beloved brands and an exceptional line-up of movies and TV series ,” added Deborah Armstrong , county manager UK & I , GM Media Networks and Advertising EMEA . “ The response from our clients and agencies has been overwhelmingly positive , firmly showcasing the quality of our content and the strong bond our brands share with audiences worldwide . We ’ re partnering with a fantastic range of brands in all markets right from day one .”
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