Paramount

What Paramount does

Paramount is a diversified global media and entertainment conglomerate, publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker PARA and domiciled as Paramount Skydance Corporation following the August 2025 merger with Skydance Media (~$8B), with David Ellison as Chairman & CEO. The company was originally established through Paramount Pictures (founded 1912) and CBS (founded 1928) and operates across five core surfaces: premium subscription streaming via Paramount+, free ad-supported streaming via Pluto TV, broadcast television via CBS, a portfolio of cable networks (MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount Network, CBS Sports, Smithsonian Channel), and theatrical film distribution via Paramount Pictures with a library of more than 1,000 titles and rights to 2,800 additional films. It also operates Skydance Animation, BET Media Group, Paramount Sports Entertainment (unifying Skydance Sports, live events, and branded sports entertainment), and the newly formed Paramount Games Studio.

The company's multi-platform streaming technology infrastructure combines live sports, breaking news, and on-demand entertainment content across premium (Paramount+ with SHOWTIME tier) and free (Pluto TV) tiers, reaching billions of consumers and over 300 million households in 150+ countries. It monetizes through subscription recurring revenue (Paramount+, BET+), advertising sales across Pluto TV and Paramount+ ad-supported tiers, theatrical box office, content licensing to international buyers and platforms, and consumer products/experiences (e.g., TMNT Pizzeria, merchandise). Revenue is supported by long-dated exclusive sports rights including NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, the Masters, PGA Championship, and a seven-year $7.7B UFC deal (expanded to Canada for 2027).

Paramount serves two primary customer bases: end consumers (streaming subscribers, sports fans, kids & families via Nickelodeon, Black audiences via BET Media Group, theatrical filmgoers) and enterprise customers comprising advertisers (with dynamic AI-driven ad units in beta with Volkswagen of America and Princess Cruises) and content/sports rights partners. Paramount Skydance is currently pursuing a $110–111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery — one of the largest media combinations in years — with DOJ approval secured in June 2026, EU review by July 7, 2026, UK CMA Phase 1 by August 7, 2026, China cleared, and a target close of September 30, 2026, projecting $6 billion in synergies from elimination of overlapping operations.

Name

Paramount

Legal name

Paramount Skydance Corporation

Website

https://paramount.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Paramount is a diversified global media and entertainment conglomerate operating premium streaming (Paramount+), free ad-supported streaming (Pluto TV), broadcast (CBS), cable networks (MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central), and theatrical film (Paramount Pictures), serving billions of consumers worldwide and advertisers across more than 150 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Media and Entertainment

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)

akta.pro primary industry

Theatrical Distribution (Domestic) (MPADAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pay-TV / Premium Window Distribution (MPADAJAH), Premium/Movies & Specials Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAH)

Keywords

• Streaming video services
• Media and entertainment
• Film production distribution
• Broadcast television networks
• Content licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Streaming Subscriptions: Paramount+ and BET+ subscription revenue from direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand services
2. Advertising Revenue: Advertising sales across Pluto TV (free ad-supported streaming), Paramount+ advertising platform, and broader network advertising inventory
3. Theatrical Film Distribution: Global theatrical distribution of Paramount Pictures films including franchise blockbusters
4. Content Licensing: Licensing of content across global markets, platforms, and international TV buyers
5. Consumer Products & Experiences: Merchandise, branded experiences, theme parks, live events including TMNT Pizzeria and Jackass franchise

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Paramount is a global media and entertainment company that creates, produces, and distributes premium content across streaming, broadcast, cable, theatrical, and gaming platforms. Its core offerings include the Paramount+ subscription streaming service, the Pluto TV free ad-supported streaming service, theatrical film production and distribution through Paramount Pictures, broadcast television through CBS, and a portfolio of cable networks including MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, and Paramount Network.

Product overview

Paramount is a diversified global media and entertainment company offering a multi-platform portfolio of streaming, broadcast, cable, film, and gaming products. Its core streaming products are Paramount+ (a premium subscription VOD and live streaming service) and Pluto TV (a leading free ad-supported streaming television service). The company operates a wide array of sub-brands across studios (Paramount Pictures), broadcast entertainment (CBS Entertainment, CBS News), cable networks (MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Network, Showtime, CBS Sports), sports media (Paramount Sports Entertainment, including Skydance Sports), animation (Skydance Animation), and gaming (Paramount Games Studio). These brands collectively span theatrical film distribution, TV production, streaming platforms, free and premium linear channels, live sports rights, global content distribution, and consumer products/licensing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paramount+: Direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service combining live sports, breaking news and entertainment content.
• Pluto TV
• Paramount Pictures
• CBS Entertainment
• MTV
• Nickelodeon
• BET
• CBS Sports
• CBS News
• Comedy Central
• Paramount Network
• Showtime
• Smithsonian Channel
• TV Land
• Pop TV
• CMT
• Skydance Animation
• Skydance Games
• Paramount Sports Entertainment
• 5

Products and services

• Paramount+
• Pluto TV
• BET+
• Paramount Pictures
• Paramount Games Studio
• Paramount Home Entertainment
• TMNT Pizzeria (Branded Consumer Experience)
• Dynamic Streaming Fixed Ad Unit

Quantifiable outcome

• 17 million viewers for UFC Freedom 250 exclusive event on Paramount+
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Warner Bros. DiscoverycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026Paramount Skydance's $110-111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery represents one of the biggest media combinations, consolidating HBO, CNN, CBS News, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros. studios under one company. DOJ approved in June 2026, EU review ongoing with deadline July 7, 2026. Deal expected to close by September 30, 2026 with $6 billion in projected savings.
• Omnicom MediacoreTechnology or Integration · 24 June 2026Collaboration to transform Paramount's Streaming Fixed Units into adaptive, intelligent advertising environment integrating Omnicom's Acxiom identity platform and production AI capabilities with Paramount's premium streaming inventory for personalized messaging and sequential storytelling during seven-day premiere windows.
• Duffer BrothersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Duffer Brothers (creators of Stranger Things) departed Netflix after their deal expired in April 2026 and signed new multi-year deal with Paramount. Previously developed The Talisman adaptation at Netflix which never went into production. The Duffer Brothers will develop new projects exclusively for Paramount platforms.
• UFCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcast deal for UFC streaming on Paramount+ in U.S., Latin America, and Australia. Expanded to Canada in 2026 with six-year exclusive rights deal for UFC Numbered Event main cards beginning 2027. UFC Freedom 250 drew 17 million viewers as biggest exclusive live event in Paramount+ history.
• CBS News / Bari WeisscoreOthersCBS News under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss following Paramount-Skydance acquisition. Weiss previously led The Free Press which was acquired by Paramount for $150 million. Major leadership changes including Scott Pelley firing, 60 Minutes overhaul, and focus on digital transformation.
• Paramount NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParamount Network broadcasts Yellowstone spinoff 'Dutton Ranch' alongside Paramount+ streaming, representing integrated linear and streaming distribution strategy. Dutton Ranch set records with 12.9 million global views, biggest original series launch for Paramount+.
• Antenna GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean entertainment company referenced as competitive landscape reference in industry discussions. Antenna Group CEO Henning Tewes outlined trends for Euro entertainment amid competition from merged Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery entity.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Warner Bros. Discovery: Owns HBO, Max streaming, CNN, Warner Bros. studios, and Discovery networks. Paramount's pending $110-111B acquisition target, and its closest direct competitor across premium streaming, theatrical film, broadcast news, and cable networks.
• The Walt Disney Company: Operates Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, ABC, and Walt Disney Studios. Direct competitor across streaming, theatrical distribution, broadcast television, and franchise-driven sports rights, with materially larger scale.
• Netflix: The global subscription streaming leader and Paramount+'s most direct competitor for original content investment and subscriber wallet share. Recently lost the Duffer Brothers to Paramount.
• Comcast (NBCUniversal): Operates Peacock streaming, NBC broadcast, Universal Pictures film studio, and cable networks. Overlaps with Paramount across streaming, theatrical distribution, broadcast, and cable, and is a JV partner in the film distribution business that EU regulators may require Paramount to exit.
• Sony Pictures Entertainment: Major film production and distribution competitor with theatrical franchises and TV studios. Currently co-distributing 'Heart of the Beast' with Paramount and a close theatrical peer.
• Fox Corporation: Operates the Fox broadcast network, Fox Sports (NFL, college football), and Tubi (free ad-supported streaming). Comparable in broadcast, sports rights, and FAST streaming segments, and a frequent sports rights counter-bidder.
• Amazon (Prime Video / MGM): Prime Video competes directly with Paramount+ for premium subscribers and ad-supported streaming dollars, and the MGM acquisition brings theatrical and library content overlap. Materially larger and able to subsidize content spend.
• Apple (Apple TV+): Apple TV+ competes with Paramount+ for premium streaming subscribers and is a key distribution partner for Skydance Animation films. Significant overlap in tentpole theatrical and streaming content.
• Lionsgate: Independent film and TV studio with Starz streaming. Comparable in theatrical and television production, though materially smaller and operating with less sports and broadcast exposure.

Emerging players

• Roku: Operates the leading streaming platform/device ecosystem and The Roku Channel (FAST). Jay Askinasi joined Paramount from Roku, and Roku competes for streaming advertising budgets and audience attention alongside Pluto TV and Paramount+.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/paramountco
• Xx.com/paramountco
• Facebookfacebook.com/ParamountCompany

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Paramount