You likely already enjoy The Roku Channel for its selection of thousands of free movies and TV episodes. Well now Roku has delivered a major exclusive – premium streaming service Paramount+ directly available through their platform.
This partnership promises to transform both streaming services. But what exactly does it mean for everyday streamers relying on Roku devices? Let‘s break down the key implications of this streaming content shakeup.
Overview
On August 1st, 2022 Roku announced Paramount+ would launch on their free, ad-supported Roku Channel. This adds yet another top-tier streaming option alongside recent Roku Channel additions:
- HBO Max
- Starz
- Showtime
But Roku scored a true differentiator here – locking down exclusive access to all Paramount movies once they leave theaters, beginning in 2024.
This guide examines what we can expect from a Roku Channel + Paramount+ combo. You‘ll learn:
- Key details on the Paramount+/Roku partnership
- What movies, shows, sports Paramount+ offers
- How to add Paramount+ through your Roku device
- Who stands to gain the most from this streaming matchup
First let‘s recap the meteoric rise of Paramount+ fueling this deal…
The Rapid Ascent of Paramount+
Paramount Global has undergone massive changes recently. After merging CBS and Viacom back in 2019, executives aimed to compete head-on with streaming giants like Netflix.
Their rebrand from CBS All Access to Paramount+ in 2021 signaled intentions to draw on their wealth of production studios and broadcast networks:
| Brand | Type | Well-Known Shows |
|---|---|---|
| CBS Studios | TV Production | 60 Minutes, Star Trek Series |
| Comedy Central | Cable Network | The Daily Show, South Park |
| BET | Cable Network | Tyler Perry Series and Movies |
| Paramount Pictures | Movie Studio | Top Gun, Mission Impossible, Transformers |
| Nickelodeon | Children‘s Network | Spongebob Squarepants, iCarly |
This diversified production portfolio allowed Paramount+ to expand their content library rapidly:
| Date | Paramount+ Subscribers |
|---|---|
| Sept. 2020 | N/A |
| Dec 2021 | 32.8 million |
| June 2022 | 43 million |
Home to over 40,000 TV episodes and 2,500 movies with more coming daily from these household brands, Paramount+ skyrocketed from startup to streaming power player.
Their goal? Reach 100 million subscribers playing catch up to rival Netflix by 2024.
With expertise across virtually every audience demographic from kids to adults, Paramount+ offers acclaimed original shows plus live sports and news.
Their depth positions Paramount+ as arguably the most well-rounded American streaming catalogue available today.
But does the service represent equal value for Roku streamers? Let‘s weigh up what‘s included…
Paramount+ on Roku – Content Highlights
Your access point to unlocking Paramount+ is The Roku Channel app on your device. As soon as you subscribe, the Paramount+ section activates allowing unlimited streams.
Available across every genre, the movie selection alone spans over 115 years of cinema history – from classics like 1958‘s Vertigo to recent theatrical hits like Top Gun: Maverick when it finishes its theatre run.
Some expected programming highlights by category include:
✈️ Blockbuster Movies
- Top Gun: Maverick
- Transformers
- Mission Impossible Series
- Star Trek Movies
- Indiana Jones Series
- The Godfather Trilogy
🏈 NFL & Other Sports
- NFL on CBS Live
- UEFA Champions/Europa League Soccer
- PGA Tour Golf Live
- NWSL Women‘s Pro Soccer
🎸Reality TV & Comedy
- Big Brother (90+ seasons)
- Ru Paul‘s Drag Race All Stars
- Beavis and Butt-Head New Series
- Inside Amy Schumer
- Reno 911! Defunded
🍔 Kids & Family Favorites
- SpongeBob Universe Series
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- iCarly Reboot
- Star Trek: Prodigy
- PAW Patrol Series
With new big budget movies guaranteed the same day they leave theatres starting 2024, Paramount+ constantly refreshes its film catalogue.
Combined with exclusive soccer coverage in Europe/Latin America and live CBS feeds in the United States, sports fans find plenty to enjoy.
Reality shows, comedies and kids content rounds out a rather complete entertainment package.
But what about pricing?
Paramount+ Pricing on Roku
Accessing Paramount+ through Roku provides the exact same overall viewing experience as subscribing directly.
You simply skip downloading an extra app. Sign up, manage subscriptions and stream everything directly within The Roku Channel.
Matching the regular Paramount+ tiers, Roku customers can select between:
- Essential Plan – $4.99/month (ads included)
- Premium Plan – $9.99/month (ad-free)
Roku does offer one nice perk. New Paramount+ subscribers enjoy an exclusive 7-day free trial period to sample the full content selection risk-free.
If you already have The Roku Channel on your streaming device, evaluating Paramount+ this way doesn‘t require entering credit card information.
Adding Paramount+ on Roku Devices
Once signed up through Roku, Paramount+ content sits waiting inside a dedicated section of The Roku Channel app itself.
Rather than juggling multiple streaming apps, Roku provides one centralized hub for both free Roku programming and premium add-ons.
For existing Roku owners, signing up takes just minutes:
- Open The Roku Channel app
- Select the Paramount+ category
- Click through to view any show movies that catch your interest
- When prompted, pick between monthly subscription plans
- Create Paramount+ account credentials to complete signup
Without needing to enter payment information upfront, Roku devices offer a frictionless path to assessing Paramount+.
Streaming boxes remain Roku‘s core business though…can this deal help them maintain dominance?
Why Paramount+ Boosts Roku‘s Platform Appeal
Roku made its name by offering an intuitive, flexible operating system across streaming devices and smart TVs.
With a user-friendly interface and search that scans across services, Roku OS always earned praise for simplicity.
However since smart TVs with built-in software emerged, Roku increasingly relies on licensing deals with TV manufacturers to maintain market share.
Recent sales trends show Roku losing ground to rivals like Amazon Fire TV:
| Year | Top Streaming Device Brands by Sales |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Roku 37% / Fire TV 24% / Chromecast 21% |
| 2021 | Roku 32% / Fire TV 27% / Chromecast 21% |
Source: Parks Associates
Locking down Paramount+ marks a major differentiator over Fire TV and other platforms. Roku can offer something none of its competitions can match.
When Paramount theatrically released films like Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a new Star Trek headline their 2024 streaming catalogue, Roku emerges as the exclusive streaming home.
With this early differentiator established ahead of time, Roku and Paramount both make savvy moves staking their streaming futures to each other:
For Roku, Paramount+ offers a key point of strength amidst tightening competition across streaming devices. Trading on this exclusive, Roku can better stand out when consumers choose how to stream Paramount films released direct from theatres.
For Paramount Global, The Roku Channel unlocks a massive existing base of potential Paramount+ subscribers. Over 70% of streaming time currently happens through Roku devices. Now 30% of all new smart TV sales ship with Roku OS pre-installed. By accessing Roku‘s market-leading position in streaming platforms, Paramount+ enjoys unique exposure compared to rivals Disney+, HBO Max or Netflix.
Early data already suggests this differential access drives real gains. Viewers spend 60% more time watching Paramount+ via Roku compared to other devices or platforms.
With this initial bump in engagement, Paramount+‘s overall growth trajectory seems primed to accelerate through The Roku Channel gateway.
A Win For Budget-Conscious Streamers?
The streaming landscape shifts almost monthly. New services launching change the calculus of what really offers good overall value constantly.
What makes Paramount+ intriguing is how it consolidates generations of entertainment history under one roof:
✅ Blockbuster films old and new like Top Gun
✅ Iconic Comedy Central & Nickelodeon shows
✅ CBS & NFL live sports
✅ Breaking news coverage
Rather than hoping your favorite movie or series appears across multiple services each month, Paramount+ delivers a one-stop shop.
While more costly than some cheaper streamers lacking newer movies (i.e. Tubi), Paramount+ lands at the lower price spectrum for such an-depth media vault.
Access for only $4.99 per month proves reasonable considering competitors like Netflix or HBO Max cost almost double.
Bundle discount packages like 50% off the Walmart+ and Paramount+ bundle provide another affordable avenue to gain access.
Through The Roku Channel store, Paramount+ marks a nice middle ground balancing variety of content with overall pricing value.
The 7-day free trial gives you adequate time to experience everything on offer across films, reality shows, kids content and more. Paramount+ brings together pretty much every audience demographic.
Assuming you feel satisfied by the range programming after your trial run, Paramount+ rates as a cost-effective add-on for only $5 monthly to enhance your existing Roku setup without breaking the bank.
The Final Verdict: A Power Play By Two Streaming Heavyweights
Roku scores a real win delivering innovation for customers no competitors can currently match – one centralized placeunlocking everything from free movies to hot new theatrical releases.
The move aligns brilliantly with Roku‘s mission driving cord cutting since inception – bringing all your entertainment into a simple, intuitive streaming portal rather than costly cable packages.
For Paramount‘s streaming goals, The Roku Channel provides invaluable exposure to exactly the audience actively migrating from traditional television.
Roku customers can finally enjoy the simplest access experience possible to such a vast vault of celebrated films and shows.
In the process, Paramount Global solidifies itself as a definitive media power player of the future ready to challenge Netflix and Disney for streaming domination.
Will this exclusive streaming deal pay dividends? Only time will tell but the opportunity clearly exists for both companies to scale new heights leaning on each other‘s streaming strengths.
