Nick Baker, TV and streaming expert at Uswitch.com, says: “Paramount Plus officially lands in the UK this week, hoping to win over the hearts of TV buffs looking for a change.
“The huge library of different shows will give viewers a touch of nostalgia, as classic TV series such as Star Trek become available to binge-watch.
“At a time when many consumers are looking to budget, the £6.99-a-month price tag compares well against many other streaming services. The platform will also be included as part of the Sky Cinema package, available to Sky Q customers.
“Paramount Plus will be particularly welcomed by parents, as the catalogue of content from the Paramount-owned Nickelodeon, including favourites like Spongebob SquarePants, will be made available for children to indulge in over the summer holidays.
“Yet when it comes to original content and must-see shows that generate new audiences, the service clearly has a mountain still to climb. The likes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and critically acclaimed drama Yellowstone will have their fans this side of the Atlantic but will struggle to build buzz and hook new viewers in the same way as Netflix big-budget shows or Disney Plus’s Star Wars spin-offs.
“In the US, Paramount Plus has been able to set itself apart by offering an abundance of sports content. While the upcoming Premier League is reserved for the likes of Sky, BT and Amazon, it will be interesting to see if it aims to carve out some territory in this space too.
“At first Paramount Plus will likely be considered something which is nice to have, rather than an essential. Yet like Disney Plus, which was also seen as an underdog, there is still room to grow in this busy market.
“The sheer volume of instantly available shows and movies will be a clear selling point for viewers who might have fatigue from what’s on offer elsewhere. Whether or not there is enough to keep people interested long-term remains to be seen.”
