Viacom to Launch Flagship Networks on OTT Service Pluto TV
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Viacom to Launch Flagship Networks on OTT Service Pluto TV 04.29.2019 Viacom Digital Studios is launching channels based on flagship networks BET, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon on free over-the-top service Pluto TV, the company said Monday at its second annual NewFront presentation at the PlayStation Theater in New York on Monday. Viacom acquired Pluto TV last month for $340 million and is using it to deploy its own streaming service. "We're excited to return to the NewFronts after a year of rapid digital acceleration and momentum across the leading social and online video platforms," said Kelly Day, president of Viacom Digital Studios, in a statement. "Our remarkable growth continues to be driven by an investment in premium original programming and experiences that engage our young, diverse audiences on the platforms they love most, presenting an unprecedented opportunity for our advertising partners to join the conversation." The 14 new branded channels will debut Wednesday, May 1 on Pluto TV, which boasts more than 15 million monthly active users. Those channels will include co-branded and curated versions of the aforementioned channels, including BET Pluto TV, Comedy Central Pluto TV, MTV Pluto TV, Nickelodeon Pluto TV, Nick Jr. Pluto TV and Spike Pluto TV. Viacom also is creating signature channels for the OTT service that feature "the most celebrated and diversified programming from each brand;" as well as pop-up channels that "deliver binge-worthy series in marathon-style airings," according to Viacom. For example, MTV's pop-up channel will air a marathon of The Hills ahead of the debut of revival series The Hills: New Beginnings on Monday, June 24. "We are thrilled to expand the Pluto TV offering with the addition of Viacom's world-class channel brands and iconic programming. This is a major step forward in our mission of entertaining the planet," said Tom Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Pluto TV, also in a statement. According to the company, Viacom brands have seen year-over-year domestic increases in social video views and watch time by 83% and 119%, respectively, with a global average of 4 billion views and over 6 billion minutes watched each month. With the addition of Pluto TV, it expects to grow its monthly digital video impressions to 5 billion by next year. In addition to announcing the new branded networks, Viacom Digital Studios has several original series planned from AwesomenessTV, BET, Comedy Central MTV and Nickelodeon. It also plans to deliver new Viacom-branded programming to more than 880 million viewers on Facebook, Snap, Twitter and YouTube. The new content slate includes AwesomenessTV's scripted romantic comedy How to Survive: A Break-Up starring Eva Gutowski; BET's Black Coffee, a daily morning talk show in which Marc Lamont Hill catches up with Black Twitter's liveliest conversations and chats with celebrities, athletes and social media stars; Comedy Central's untitled late-night show hosted by David Spade; MTV No Filter: Tana Turns 21, which follows Tana Mongeau and her crew; and Nickelodeon's new digital series, SpongeBob Smarty Pants Game Show, in which two SpongeBob superfans compete to win The Golden Pineapple by answering trivia questions, completing messy stunts and competing in SpongeBob-themed games. [Images of Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and SpongeBob SquarePants courtesy of Viacom].