In the latest stage of the Streaming Wars, Paramount Plus has added a staggering 1,000+ new movie releases to its catalog, almost doubling the streaming services film offerings in one big move.
Among those flicks the ViacomCBS-owned streamer picked up Infinite, Paramount’s new sci-fi thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and Chiwetel Ejiofor, for an exclusive debut. By the end of summer, Paramount Plus says it will have more than 2,500 movies on the service. To make that happen, Paramount Pictures renegotiated its pay TV deal with Epix, a network owned by MGM, which in turn was just acquired by Amazon.
As well, on Aug. 20 Paramount Plus will add the animated kids’ flick Paw Patrol: The Movie, the same day it hits theaters. The subscription service also will become the streaming home for A Quiet Place Part II following its theatrical release.
Paramount Plus is working hard to make up ground and compete head to head with major competitors like Netflix, which boasts more than 200 million subscribers, Amazon Prime with 150 million, and Disney+, which is closing in on 100 million members.
The move to boost the film lineup comes at the same time ViacomCBS unveils its new, less expensive plan for Paramount Plus, which starts at $4.99 a month but includes some advertising. That service will be available starting Monday.
Paramount Plus is also touting its lineup of new and returning TV series, which include the likes of iCarly (June 17), Evil (June 20), RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (June 24), RuPaul’s Drag Race Untucked! (June 24), The Good Fight (June 24), Behind the Music (July 29) and Star Trek: Lower Decks (Aug. 12).
“The breadth and depth of premium feature films and exclusive series coming to the service further strengthens our position in the market as a premium entertainment destination,” said Tom Ryan, CEO of the ViacomCBS streaming division.