Paramount+ (Formerly CBS All-Access)

[vertigop1ayer]

This is a general thread for Paramount+, the rebranded successor to CBS All-Access. We can discuss new developments, ideas for improvement, etc.

Paramount+ launched on March 4, 2021. It uses a similar approach to Warner Bros Discovery's HBO Max: an expanded service that includes more of the company's networks and content in the flagship service. As noted prior, it is essentially a successor to Paramount Global's CBS All-Access service and does not replace any other services (as of this writing).

[Alan Gordon]

Preview Launch of Revamped CBS All Access to Take Place Later This Summer, ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish Says

Not much new, but looks like the full rebrand will be coming next year instead of this year.

[vertigop1ayer]

We have a name! It'll be called Paramount+. I assume the strategy behind that is using a brand that is associated with theatrical, higher-quality entertainment. Probably similar to why WarnerMedia went with the "HBO" in HBO Max - it elevates the service.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/media...cbs/index.html

[Schlockmeister]

I'll be first in line to sign up. However, there is a problem from the point of view of the cinephile interested in classic movies.

Every classic Paramount movie from before the year 1949 doesn't belong to Paramount anymore, but to Universal.

That's more than 700 movies that we'll never see here. I was hoping to see them on Peacock, as they're owned by Universal, but Peacock is no TCM let me tell ya.

They're adding 2 or 3 pre-1980 movies a month, either from the hundreds they own from Paramount or their own Universal-produced hundreds and hundreds.

Still, Paramount still owns scores of movies from 1949 onwards:

https://www.paramountmovies.com/movies

but only a few from before that year, mostly John Wayne stuff they've acquired from long-defunct "Republic" studios.

[kevin87]

Originally Posted by vertigop1ayer

We have a name! It'll be called Paramount+. I assume the strategy behind that is using a brand that is associated with theatrical, higher-quality entertainment. Probably similar to why WarnerMedia went with the "HBO" in HBO Max - it elevates the service.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/media...cbs/index.html

I just assumed they used HBO Max so they could include non-WB stuff that HBO airs, not just stuff owned by WB if it had been WB Max.

[Schlockmeister]

Website is live:

https://www.paramountplus.com

Before, the same URL just led to a news article on cbs.com

[Ryan1973]

I already have CBS All-Access at $9.99 a month with no commercials. Hopefully the price doesn't go up too much. It will be nice to be able to watch Yellowstone on there though.

[tjritter79]

Originally Posted by Ryan1973

I already have CBS All-Access at $9.99 a month with no commercials. Hopefully the price doesn't go up too much. It will be nice to be able to watch Yellowstone on there though.

I believe based on the conf V/CBS had announcing the new service, there will be a free, ad-supported/limited content tier added (similar to what Peacock has) accessible via cable/streaming credentials....in fact not having the documentation right in front of me I think that ability was added to CBS: AA immediately as I recall.

[Ryan1973]

Originally Posted by tjritter79

I believe based on the conf V/CBS had announcing the new service, there will be a free, ad-supported/limited content tier added (similar to what Peacock has) accessible via cable/streaming credentials....in fact not having the documentation right in front of me I think that ability was added to CBS: AA immediately as I recall.

So then the $9.99 a month for commercial free content could stay around that price since Peacock premium is $10.00 a month.

[vertigop1ayer]

I wonder if they'll have some type of add-on for Showtime original content, or if that will remain split for a while/ever.

Originally Posted by Schlockmeister

I'll be first in line to sign up. However, there is a problem from the point of view of the cinephile interested in classic movies.

Every classic Paramount movie from before the year 1949 doesn't belong to Paramount anymore, but to Universal.

That's more than 700 movies that we'll never see here. I was hoping to see them on Peacock, as they're owned by Universal, but Peacock is no TCM let me tell ya.

They're adding 2 or 3 pre-1980 movies a month, either from the hundreds they own from Paramount or their own Universal-produced hundreds and hundreds.

Still, Paramount still owns scores of movies from 1949 onwards:

https://www.paramountmovies.com/movies

but only a few from before that year, mostly John Wayne stuff they've acquired from long-defunct "Republic" studios.

There's the possibility, I assume, for Paramount and Universal to put together a deal where Paramount could license content from prior to 1949. If Universal isn't that interested, they'd probably be fine with making some money than no money. However, Paramount would have to be interested in the first place, and I don't know what demand they perceive to be for movies from that era (sadly).

[Don Corleone]

Great another streaming service. What happened to traditional TV

[vertigop1ayer]

Originally Posted by Don Corleone

Great another streaming service. What happened to traditional TV

Isn't streaming better than a TV channel? Any of the major services have endless content you can choose to watch whenever you want. I am all for discovering a cool movie at random when channel-surfing, but streaming offers effectively the same thing as you scroll through options. But there are still cable/satellite plans for people who want that.

That said, I wonder if they would find a market for a feature that basically has "channels" running through a programmed cycle of content.

[Bubbles-11]

Originally Posted by vertigop1ayer

That said, I wonder if they would find a market for a feature that basically has "channels" running through a programmed cycle of content.

Pluto TV has already filled that niche (and is owned by ViacomCBS too! )

[vertigop1ayer]

Originally Posted by Bubbles-11

Pluto TV has already filled that niche (and is owned by ViacomCBS too! )

I meant like within the streaming service itself as opposed to a separate app, unless that feature is on CBSAA?

[Schlockmeister]

Originally Posted by vertigop1ayer

There's the possibility, I assume, for Paramount and Universal to put together a deal where Paramount could license content from prior to 1949. If Universal isn't that interested, they'd probably be fine with making some money than no money. However, Paramount would have to be interested in the first place, and I don't know what demand they perceive to be for movies from that era (sadly).

That notion occurred to me too, but realistically it will never happen. Those 700 movies have been 70 years now in the hands of Universal, and that's it.

A pity, because it seems clear that Paramount cares more about their ancient legacy than Universal, and I'm willing to bet that, regarding old movies, we'll see far more quantity and (HD picture) quality on Paramount+ than on Peacock.

[tjritter79]

Originally Posted by Schlockmeister

That notion occurred to me too, but realistically it will never happen. Those 700 movies have been 70 years now in the hands of Universal, and that's it.

A pity, because it seems clear that Paramount cares more about their ancient legacy than Universal, and I'm willing to bet that, regarding old movies, we'll see far more quantity and (HD picture) quality on Paramount+ than on Peacock.

I have to disagree, I think Universal is taking painstaking measures to archive/digitize their back catalog. The recent remasters of the Universal Monster movies is proof of that....have you seen how GREAT they look on Peacock?

100 Years of Universal: Dracula - The Restoration [1080p] - YouTube

[tjritter79]

Originally Posted by Ryan1973

So then the $9.99 a month for commercial free content could stay around that price since Peacock premium is $10.00 a month.

The only changes I expect from CBS:AA to Paramount+ is the addition of a limited content, ad-driven, free tier. No indication has told me otherwise.

[Schlockmeister]

Originally Posted by tjritter79

I have to disagree, I think Universal is taking painstaking measures to archive/digitize their back catalog. The recent remasters of the Universal Monster movies is proof of that....have you seen how GREAT they look on Peacock?

I've seen every classic movie on Peacock, the ones in HD that is. The couple of dozens they have in crap-tacular SD, they can shove them where the sun don't shine.

But that's the problem, the classics they have available are the tip of the tip of the iceberg. Universal's been around for over 100 years, and they were extremely prolific in the golden era, they made thousands, THOUSANDS of movies. And they own 700 oldies from Paramount on top of it.

Peacock doesn't even have the complete Monster movieverse, which is comprised of barely 30 titles. One of the Invisible movies (Invisible Agent) is missing. The first 2 of the 3 Lagoon Creature movies are missing...

I check the new additions religiously. The quantity of pre-1980 movies they add is negligible. Just last week, on mid-month day (October 15th), they added about 20 movies or so. None of them, zero, were pre-1980.

I'd bet next November 1st, if we're very lucky they'll add 2 or 3, and that'll be it. And so on and so forth. The tip of the tip of the tip of the iceberg I tell you.

And where are the classic theatrical cartoon shorts? The hundreds of Woody Woodpeckers and other characters. Not a single one yet.

I don't think I'm being impatient or unreasonable. I'm interested in a kind of product they don't care to provide in any acceptable measure. And that goes for Disneyplus too.

My hopes for Paramount+ are just wishful speculation based on the fact they have a comprehensive website (paramountmovies.com) where at least they acknowledge the existence of those movies, unlike Universal's (and other major studios') websites, and the fact they mentioned something about 30,000 hours of content.

These hopes might prove to be unfounded but we'll know soon enough.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by vertigop1ayer

I wonder if they'll have some type of add-on for Showtime original content, or if that will remain split for a while/ever.

Apple's got a deal where if you subscribe to Apple TV+, you can get CBS All Access + Showtime for $9.99 extra.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's not a hint at what's going to happen with Paramount+.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Ryan1973

I already have CBS All-Access at $9.99 a month with no commercials. Hopefully the price doesn't go up too much. It will be nice to be able to watch Yellowstone on there though.

"Yellowstone" is available on Peacock.