It’s taken some time, but Paramount finally got into the streaming game by unveiling their service called Paramount+.
It should be said this isn’t a brand new streamer like Disney+, Apple TV+ and HBO Max were instead rebranding Viacom’s old service, CBS All Access.
A smart move by the studio as they just give it a new lick of paint and with the name might get fresh eyes on it. What will help is the launch yesterday with announcements of some massive film info and shows coming.
When it comes to film, the announcement stated from September. Many Paramount films will be available on the streamer 45 days after their theatrical release slashing the 90-day window in half.
This will include films like Mission: Impossible 7, A Quiet Place 2 and they’ve signed a deal with MGM, so No Time To Die will also be available on Paramount+.
Should be stated this is just for those in the US as there’s no news on or if the UK will get it like HBO Max.
I’m not sure if this MGM deal will include the whole James Bond catalogue, but if it does, the streaming service has there hook to get people signing up.
Also, this deal will depend if MGM is sold before the release of NTTD. If they do, they could remove Daniel Craig’s final outing from the streamer.
The launch begins in the US and one of the big announcements is Nickelodeon is starting up an Avatar Studios.
The newly created studio will build off the massive success and popularity of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and the sequel The Legend of Korra to create “original content spanning animated series and movies.”
What will get fans excited is to have Avatar and Korra’s original creators, Michael DiMartino and Byan Konietzko joining the studio as co-chief creative officers. Their first project will be an animated theatrical title beginning production soon.
Having both the creators not only returning but in control of the projects coming out is an important move. As it’s a home they know and will want to prove to Netflix that kicking them off the live-action Avatar wasn’t their smartest move.
Paramount Plus also announced a live-action Dora the Explorer series, and if they follow the surprisingly successful movie, they have a popular series to get people subscribing. They’ve also doing a live-action Fairly OddParents show, which might be a little bit too late as those who grew up on it won’t care.
As well as the film and Avatar Studios announcement, the other top reveal was confirmed (after weeks of speculation). Kelsey Grammer is reprising his role as Dr. Frasier Crane in the Frasier revival.
“Having spent over 20 years of my creative life on the Paramount lot, both producing shows and performing in several, I’d like to congratulate Paramount+ on its entry into the streaming world,” said Grammer. “I gleefully anticipate sharing the next chapter in the continuing journey of Dr. Frasier Crane.”
No details of the new series have been revealed, but Chris Harris (How I Met Your Mother) and Joe Cristalli (Life in Pieces) will be writing the reboot (via The Hollywood Reporter).
The Hollywood Reporter also revealed Paramount Plus will create five shows based on popular films to join a Grease prequel and the making of The Godfather starring Oscar Issacs and Jake Gyllenhaal.
The new takes will be on Love Story, Flashdance, Fatal Attraction, The Parallax View and The Italian Job (Michael Caine’s 1969 version, not 2003’s Mark Wahlberg remake).
The relaunch has begun well for Paramount, it’ll be interesting if they can grab subscribers with a headline show, possibly Fraiser, like Disney+ with The Mandalorian and WandaVision, and Ted Lasso got people signing up to Apple TV+.
The Bear Cave 