Streaming Wars: CBS All Access Becomes Paramount+ Soon, Launch Date Set

Paramount+ officially has a launch date. ViacomCBS announced the new streaming service will launch Thursday, March 4.

Paramount+ will roll out across the U.S., Canada and Latin America on March 4 while other international markets are phased in throughout the year. The launch is actually a rebrand of CBS All Access.

Launched in 2015, CBS All Access is believed to have about 8-9 million subscribers, Variety reports, and the rebrand obviously hopes to expand that reach. Though it launched early, it's still fighting in the streaming wars against newcomers like Disney+, HBO Max and Peacock, all of which launched within the last 18 months.

CBS All Access currently costs $5.99 per month with limited commercials, but customers can opt-out of ads for $9.99 per month. The streamer offers 15% discounts for those who pay yearly instead of monthly. In July, chief digital officer Marc DeBevoise told CNBC pricing will not change with the rebrand.

CBS All Access already has a portfolio of originals, including “Star Trek: Discovery” and “The Good Fight.” As Paramount+, original programming will continue to grow with “Kamp Koral” (a “SpongeBob SquarePants” prequel), “The Game” (a revival of the CW/BET sitcom) and “The Real Criminal Minds” (a true-crime show based on the fictional CBS drama).

Paramount+ will carry programs from CBS Television Studios, Paramount Television Studios, BET, Nickelodeon and MTV.

ViacomCBS will update investors on what they can expect from Paramount+ as well as premium cable network Showtime’s streaming service and the free, ad-supported Pluto TV on Feb. 24.