Charter expands its most popular pay-TV packages with the ad-supported Paramount Plus
In May, Charter Communications, the largest pay-TV provider in the United States, announced concluded a far-reaching transport contract with Paramount Global, which allows the cable company to offer its subscribers direct-to-consumer streaming platforms at no additional cost in addition to the media conglomerate’s linear channels.
On Thursday, Charter announced that the ad-supported version of Paramount’s flagship streaming service, Paramount Plus Essentials, which regularly costs $5.99 a month, is now available at no additional cost to subscribers of the Spectrum TV Select and Mi Plan Latino packages.
“This partnership not only enhances the viewing experience by providing access to premium original content and live sports, but also creates new distribution opportunities for Paramount and is an important step toward building a healthier video ecosystem that benefits both our customers and the industry as a whole,” said Tom Montemagno, executive VP of programming acquisition at Charter, in a statement.
Charter lost 393,000 pay-TV customers in the second quarter and it is questionable whether the free Paramount Plus Essentials will provide new momentum.
End of July Pucks John Ourand reported that less than 10% of Spectrum TV users subscribe to the ad-supported version of Disney Plus, even though this SVOD has been available at no additional cost since January.
