Paramount+
On the 28th of October 2014, CBS Corporation introduced a new service called CBS All Access. This platform marked the first over-the-top offering from an American broadcast television network. The initial focus was not on movies or exclusive dramas but on live streaming local CBS affiliates. Subscribers could watch their local news and sports in real time across 194 markets covering 92% of the United States. The pricing model offered two tiers: $5.99 per month with advertising and $9.99 without ads. By the 7th of April 2015, the service became available on Roku devices, followed by Chromecast support in May of that year. Early adoption numbers remained modest as the company tested the waters of direct-to-consumer broadcasting.
In November 2015, CBS announced plans to expand into original programming for the first time. Alex Kurtzman produced a new Star Trek series titled Star Trek: Discovery which premiered in September 2017. This launch drove the largest single-day increase in subscribers since the Grammy Awards. The Good Fight served as the first original drama on the platform, debuting in February 2017 before Discovery arrived. Big Brother: Over the Top began airing in September 2016 as a reality spin-off season. These early experiments proved that exclusive content could drive significant subscriber growth beyond simple library access. By January 2019, the service reported its largest weekend increase in subscribers following the premiere of Discovery's second season.
On the 4th of March 2021, CBS All Access officially rebranded as Paramount+. This change coincided with the inclusion of content from Viacom brands like Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. The new name honored Paramount Pictures while signaling a broader entertainment portfolio. Plans to add films from Paramount Pictures began in May 2020 with over 100 titles added immediately. The rebrand also integrated Showtime content starting in August 2022 through a combined subscription tier priced at $11.99 per month with ads. By the 14th of December 2023, the standalone Showtime Anytime app was discontinued to encourage migration to the unified platform. The transition marked a strategic pivot from a niche cable alternative to a major streaming competitor.
International rollouts began in April 2018 when Canada received the first expansion outside the United States. Australia launched a version called 10 All Access on the 4th of December 2018, leveraging Network 10 programming. The service entered the United Kingdom and Ireland on the 21st of June 2022, available via Amazon Prime Video and as a standalone app. France and German-speaking Switzerland joined the global network in late 2022, with Germany following shortly after. Japan received its own hub on the 15th of November 2023, operating through J:COM and Wowow platforms. Some regions like the Nordics saw their local versions replaced by SkyShowtime, a joint venture with Comcast, beginning in September 2022. These efforts demonstrated a complex strategy of partnerships rather than direct launches everywhere.
In November 2019, CBS acquired streaming rights to the UEFA Champions League for European soccer matches. This deal replaced Turner Sports and covered seasons running through 2023-24 before extending until 2030. The platform also secured rights to the National Women's Soccer League and CONCACAF competitions. A major milestone arrived on the 11th of August 2025, when Paramount bought exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to UFC events for an estimated $7.7 billion over seven years. Starting in 2026, all UFC mainline events would stream exclusively on Paramount+. World Rugby signed a multi-year agreement in May 2025 making the service the home for men's and women's World Rugby events through 2029. These deals transformed the platform from a general entertainment hub into a sports powerhouse.
By February 2017, CBS All Access had nearly 1.5 million subscribers. That number grew to over 2 million by early 2018 following the Discovery premiere. December 2020 saw the service reach around 8 million subscribers globally. After the rebranding to Paramount+, numbers surged rapidly. By March 2022, the platform hit 43.3 million subscribers. The count reached 79 million paid memberships by March 2025, placing it among the top ten most-subscribed video on demand services worldwide. In 2021, combined subscriptions for Paramount+ and Showtime totaled 36 million across all platforms. These figures reflect aggressive marketing and content expansion strategies that prioritized scale over niche audiences.
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Common questions
When did CBS All Access launch and what was its initial focus?
CBS Corporation introduced the service on the 28th of October 2014 with an initial focus on live streaming local CBS affiliates. Subscribers could watch their local news and sports in real time across 194 markets covering 92% of the United States.
What date did CBS All Access officially rebrand to Paramount+?
CBS All Access officially rebranded as Paramount+ on the 4th of March 2021. This change coincided with the inclusion of content from Viacom brands like Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.
Which countries received international rollouts for Paramount+ after the United States?
International rollouts began in April 2018 when Canada received the first expansion outside the United States. Australia launched a version called 10 All Access on the 4th of December 2018, while the United Kingdom and Ireland joined on the 21st of June 2022.
How much did Paramount pay for exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to UFC events?
Paramount bought exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to UFC events for an estimated $7.7 billion over seven years starting in 2026. World Rugby also signed a multi-year agreement in May 2025 making the service the home for men's and women's World Rugby events through 2029.
When did Paramount+ reach 79 million paid memberships globally?
The count reached 79 million paid memberships by March 2025, placing it among the top ten most-subscribed video on demand services worldwide. This growth followed rapid surges after the rebranding to Paramount+ which saw numbers jump from 8 million subscribers in December 2020.