What ViacomCBS does

ViacomCBS (legally Paramount Skydance Corporation following the 2025 Skydance merger) is a global media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered in New York with operations across 120+ countries. The company operates a diversified portfolio spanning subscription streaming (Paramount+), free ad-supported streaming (Pluto TV), broadcast television (CBS with 28 owned stations), cable networks (MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET), film production and theatrical distribution (Paramount Pictures, with a library of more than 1,000 titles), sports broadcasting (CBS Sports, Paramount Sports Entertainment), news (CBS News, CBS News Streaming Network), and animation (Skydance Animation).

The company's technology stack centers on streaming video platform infrastructure that delivers live sports, breaking news, and on-demand entertainment through both subscription and ad-supported tiers. Content distribution reaches consumers through self-serve direct-to-consumer streaming, traditional linear cable and satellite distribution, broadcast network transmission, theatrical exhibition, and free digital platforms. The product architecture follows a platform-plus-modules approach, with Paramount+ serving as the primary aggregation platform and individual sub-brands (Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, CBS Sports, CBS News, Paramount Pictures) contributing distinct content verticals that maintain their own audience identities while feeding into the broader streaming funnel.

ViacomCBS generates revenue through four primary streams: recurring subscription revenue from Paramount+ monthly and annual plans (both ad-supported and premium tiers), advertising revenue across Pluto TV and Paramount+ ad-supported tiers, content licensing and theatrical distribution through the Paramount Pictures library, and content production and distribution revenue from international operations including the Fox TeleColombia, Estudios TeleMexico, Chilevision, and Ananey acquisitions. The go-to-market is hybrid — direct-to-consumer self-serve streaming for end users complemented by enterprise sales for advertising partnerships, content licensing, and cable/satellite distribution agreements. Customer segments span general consumers, youth and family audiences (Nickelodeon), Black community audiences (BET), and sports enthusiasts (CBS Sports). The company employs 10,000+ people and is publicly traded (ticker PARA).

Name

ViacomCBS

Legal name

Paramount Skydance Corporation

Website

https://viacomcbs.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

ViacomCBS (now Paramount Skydance Corporation) is a global media conglomerate operating Paramount+ and Pluto TV streaming services, CBS broadcast network, cable brands (MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central), Paramount Pictures film distribution, and sports and news properties, serving consumers across 120+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Media and Entertainment / Broadcasting and Streaming

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Streaming Distribution & App Platforms (CTV, Mobile, Web) (MPAKAOAL)

Keywords

• Subscription streaming services
• Free ad-supported streaming
• Broadcast television networks
• Filmed entertainment distribution
• Cable television programming

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Content or Programming, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Subscription Streaming: Paramount+ generates recurring subscription revenue from monthly and annual subscription plans offering ad-supported and premium tiers with live sports, breaking news and on-demand entertainment content
2. Advertising Revenue: Pluto TV and Paramount+ ad-supported tiers generate advertising revenue through video ads served to viewers across the streaming platforms
3. Content Licensing and Distribution: Paramount Pictures library of 1,000+ film titles generates revenue through theatrical distribution, home entertainment sales, and content licensing to third parties
4. Acquisition Investment: ViacomCBS acquired majority stake in Spanish-language media companies Fox TeleColombia and Estudios TeleMexico to strengthen Latin American media market presence

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ViacomCBS, operating as Paramount Skydance Corporation, is a global media and entertainment company that produces, distributes, and monetizes premium video content across subscription streaming (Paramount+), free ad-supported streaming (Pluto TV), broadcast television (CBS with 28 owned stations), cable networks (MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET), theatrical and home entertainment (Paramount Pictures with a 1,000+ title library), sports broadcasting (CBS Sports, Paramount Sports Entertainment), news (CBS News), and animation (Skydance Animation). Its offering combines owned IP, branded channels, and proprietary streaming platforms reaching audiences across 120+ countries.

Product overview

ViacomCBS operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture under the Paramount brand umbrella. The core product is Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer subscription video-on-demand and live streaming service that serves as the primary aggregation platform. Supporting this are sub-brands including Pluto TV (free ad-supported streaming), CBS Entertainment (linear TV programming), CBS Sports and Paramount Sports Entertainment (sports content), BET Media Group (Black entertainment), and Paramount Pictures (filmed entertainment distribution). Additional entertainment brands include MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, CBS News, and Skydance Animation, all contributing content to the portfolio while maintaining distinct brand identities.

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.
• Paramount Pictures
• CBS Entertainment
• Pluto TV
• MTV
• Nickelodeon
• CBS Sports
• Paramount Sports Entertainment
• BET
• Skydance Animation
• CBS News
• Comedy Central

Products and services

• Paramount+
• Pluto TV
• Paramount Pictures
• CBS Entertainment (CBS Television Network)
• MTV
• Nickelodeon
• CBS Sports
• Paramount Sports Entertainment
• BET Media Group
• Skydance Animation
• CBS News
• Comedy Central

Quantifiable outcome

• Extensive content library with 1,000+ film titles through Paramount Pictures

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Zeus NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026MTV/Viacom (now Paramount) is in litigation with Zeus Network over trademark infringement claims related to Nick Cannon's rap battle show 'Bad vs. Wild' being allegedly similar to 'Wild 'N Out'. The case is proceeding to discovery with trademark infringement claims allowed to move forward.
• Fox TeleColombiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2021ViacomCBS acquired a majority stake in Fox TeleColombia, a Spanish-language media company, to strengthen presence in the Latin American media market through local content production and distribution capabilities.
• Estudios TeleMexicocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2021ViacomCBS acquired majority stake in Estudios TeleMexico, a Spanish-language media company, to expand content creation capabilities in Latin America and serve Spanish-speaking audiences with local programming.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Roku: Roku operates the Roku Channel, a free ad-supported streaming service that competes with Pluto TV for free streaming audience and ad inventory, and provides streaming distribution infrastructure across CTV devices.
• Lionsgate: Lionsgate is a film and television studio with Starz streaming, comparable in scale and business mix to a sub-segment of Paramount's film and TV operations, and competes for content licensing and streaming subscribers.

Direct peers

• Netflix: Netflix is the global leader in subscription streaming, directly competing with Paramount+ for subscribers, content, and advertising revenue, with comparable investment in original programming and live programming extensions.
• Warner Bros. Discovery: Warner Bros. Discovery operates Max streaming, HBO, CNN, Discovery, Warner Bros. film studio, and linear cable networks — a direct peer as a similarly structured media conglomerate with streaming, broadcast/cable, and film assets competing head-to-head with Paramount.
• The Walt Disney Company: The Walt Disney Company operates Disney+, Hulu, broadcast (ABC), cable (ESPN, FX, National Geographic), and film studios (Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm) — directly comparable diversified media conglomerate competing with ViacomCBS/Paramount across streaming, broadcast, cable, and theatrical.
• Fox Corporation: Fox Corporation operates Fox broadcast network, Fox Sports (NFL, college sports), Fox News, and Tubi free ad-supported streaming — a direct peer competing with Paramount in broadcast, sports rights, and free streaming.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon (Prime Video): Amazon Prime Video is a major streaming competitor to Paramount+, leveraging Amazon's broader e-commerce and AWS ecosystem. It is identified alongside Paramount as a top-10 US entertainment player with comparable investment in original content and live sports (e.g., Thursday Night Football).
• Sony Pictures Entertainment: Sony Pictures Entertainment produces and distributes filmed entertainment and operates Crunchyroll streaming — comparable to Paramount Pictures' film operations and identified alongside Paramount as a top-10 US entertainment and media player.
• Apple TV+: Apple TV+ is a subscription streaming service from Apple that competes with Paramount+ for premium content subscribers, with comparable investment in original series and theatrical-adjacent feature films (e.g., Apple Original Films).
• Comcast (NBCUniversal): Comcast owns NBCUniversal including Peacock streaming, NBC broadcast, Universal Pictures, and cable networks (Bravo, MSNBC, USA) — a broad incumbent in the same diversified media space with comparable streaming, broadcast, and film operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/viacomcbs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/viacomcbs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles29 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A6 records

Investments3 records

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

Frequently asked questions about ViacomCBS