From The Hollywood Reporter · Rick Porter · · 1m 20s
Pluto TV Gets Five-Year Protection in Paramount Deal
Paramount-Warner Bros. merger secures Pluto TV's free streaming service for five years.
In brief
Paramount-Warner Bros. merger secures Pluto TV's free streaming service for five years. The merged company must keep Pluto TV or a rebranded service for at least five years after the deal closes to maintain its free streaming service. Originally reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Consent Decree Terms
The consent decree between Paramount and 12 states requires increased U.S. production commitments, an editorial independence board for CBS News and CNN, and separate cable carriage negotiations.
Pluto TV's Protected Status
Pluto TV, the only free streamer operated by either Paramount or Warner Bros. Discovery, receives specific protections under the consent decree.
Five-Year Obligation
For five years after the deal closes, the merged company must maintain a free, ad-supported streaming service under the Pluto TV brand or a successor.
Service Quality Standards
The merged company must maintain service and quality levels at or above those provided on the consent decree's effective date.
Pluto TV's Market Position
Pluto TV offers live channels, a large movie and tv library, and after-air streaming of CBS series, commanding about 1 percent of U.S. TV use.
Market Share Context
Pluto TV and Paramount+ combined account for about 2.2 percent of all U.S. TV use, with Pluto TV alone representing 1 percent.
The short version
The merged company must keep Pluto TV or a rebranded service for at least five years after the deal closes to maintain its free streaming service.
