Paramount Plus Joins the Streaming Service Trend by Launching an Ad-Supported Plan, Making Me Feel Like We’re Returning to Cable Television.
Advertising everywhere.
Paramount Plus has announced the launch of a new, more affordable plan in the UK and Ireland that will include advertisements. This change also introduces a premium option for those seeking an enhanced viewing experience. Previously, the service did not show ads in these countries, so this decision has generated frustration among some users who were accustomed to an entirely interruption-free experience.
Despite this shift towards the inclusion of ads, the new plan will offer a price reduction, aligning with trends from other streaming services that already implement ad-supported options, like Disney Plus and Netflix. However, the proliferation of ads across multiple platforms has led some to feel that the experience is reverting to that of satellite television.
Lee Sears, President of International Advertising Sales at Paramount, commented on the strategy: "With the launch of the ad-supported plan in the UK and Ireland, we are creating a significant opportunity for advertisers, allowing them to engage with our global franchises, series, and films through our digital platform, EyeQ." This move will also enable Paramount's International Advertising team to represent a broader range of products, offering a connected platform for effective advertising campaigns.
In addition to the ad-supported option, Paramount Plus will feature a higher-cost Premium plan that will provide viewers access to high-quality content, including 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos on selected titles.
Regarding pricing, the "Basic With Ads" plan will start at £4.99 per month in the UK and €5.99 in Ireland, allowing access to the streaming library on one device at a time. Meanwhile, the standard plan will now cost £7.99 in the UK and €8.99 in Ireland, allowing for up to two concurrent streams and the option to download content for offline viewing. Finally, the Premium plan will be available at £10.99 in the UK and €11.99 in Ireland, offering an advanced streaming experience with capabilities for four devices at a time and the option to download titles, making it ideal for families or groups sharing an account.
