Paramount, Virgin Media join for UK streaming service

The renewed partnership will see Paramount+, the global subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, debut on Virgin TV in 2023. Full app integration on Virgin Media's set-top boxes will offer customers the opportunity to access more than 8000 hours of exclusive originals, blockbuster films, and iconic series across every genre from Paramount's world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME® and Paramount Pictures.

Under the new deal, Pluto TV, the leading free, ad-supported TV (FAST) service, will also gain wider UK distribution on Virgin Media's cutting-edge TV360 and Stream services, reaching new customers and providing access to more than 100 curated channels, including Hell's Kitchen, CSI: Miami and MTV Movie Hits, seasonal and thematic channels like Pluto TV Halloween and Pluto TV Crime, and a range of movies and on-demand series. 2023 will also see Pluto TV's channel line-up launch on a dedicated FAST section of Virgin TV's electronic programme guide, allowing customers seamless access to the channels. 

Virgin Media TV customers will continue to enjoy thousands of hours of entertainment from Paramount's pay TV brands MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon, as well as ongoing distribution of free-to-air brand Channel 5, its digital channel portfolio and Channel 5's on-demand service My5. 

Sarah Rose, Chief Operations and Commercial Officer, UK & Canada, at Paramount, said: "Our long partnership with Virgin Media continues to help us unlock the power of Paramount's content. The wider distribution of our SVOD and FAST services, Paramount+ and Pluto TV, will support our ambitious growth plans for streaming in the UK, as well as our popular free-to-air and pay TV channel portfolios." 

David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: "We're constantly looking to give our customers even more great entertainment to enjoy whenever and wherever they want to. Our enhanced partnership with Paramount offers access not only to award-winning drama, comedy, music and kids' channels, but also FAST channels via Pluto TV and premium SVOD with Paramount+.  This is fantastic news for our customers and gives them even more, to look forward to next year."