Another American media giant is set to launch its own bespoke streaming service in the UK. Paramount+ will offer viewers the corporation's back catalogue as well as new content - while matching the cost of a Netflix subscription.
Launching tomorrow (June 22) the Paramount+ streaming service will officially launch in the UK with original shows, including the latest Star Trek series Strange New Worlds and small screen adaptation of The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Brits will be able to stream films and brands that come under the Paramount umbrella, including sci-fi epic Interstellar and Quentin Tarantino's classic Pulp Fiction, as well as TV staples like Comedy Central's South Park.
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This will be another headache for the world's largest streaming platform Netflix, which saw its subscriber count drop by more than 200,000 in the first three months of this year.
Paramount has confirmed that the UK's latest streaming service will cost the same as Netflix's basic package, starting at £6.99 per month for the online platform.
However, viewers can subscribe to the new service for a whole year at a discounted rate of £60.90 - working out £13.98 cheaper than Netflix for 12 months.
On June 2022, viewers will be able to catch up on content via their website, or by connecting with an Apple, Amazon, Google, or smart TV device - with Sky Cinema customers having access to the platform at no extra cost.
The service will also include access to the wider library of Star Trek content, as well as that of South Park, the MTV Shores series and family content such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol and Rugrats, the company said.
"Paramount is known for its leading portfolio of premium entertainment brands and a robust content engine that fuels our rapidly expanding streaming service, Paramount+," Raffaele Annecchino, Paramount Global president of international networks, studios and streaming, said.
"This year will be monumental for our streaming strategy as we accelerate our global ambitions, rapidly expanding Paramount+ in Europe beginning with the UK, Italy, Germany, France and more by the end of this year and debut in Asia with South Korea in June, followed by India in 2023.
"With an already expansive global footprint and a strong, long-term market-by-market strategy, we are well-poised to continue our positive momentum."
Maria Kyriacou, Paramount's UK president, said the platform would be a "one-stop destination" for the company's biggest brands and a place where "fans of all ages can find exclusive original premium content, global hits, and discover a world of favourites from Paramount's vast catalogue".
