# Pluto TV Gets Five-Year Protection in Paramount Deal

> Paramount-Warner Bros. merger secures Pluto TV's free streaming service for five years.
- Title: Pluto TV Gets Five-Year Protection in Paramount Deal
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: paramount, pluto tv, warner bros discovery, consent decree, free streaming service, cable carriage fees, nielsen gauge, Pluto, Gets, Five-Year, Protection, Deal
- Source: The Hollywood Reporter — https://hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-settlement-pluto-tv-protection-1236707112
- Author: Rick Porter
- Published: 2026-09-21T20:21:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paramount, pluto tv, warner bros discovery, consent decree, free streaming service, cable carriage fees, nielsen gauge
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.