Viacom, the owner of popular channels such as Comedy Central, Spike, and MTV, has for months now been talking about launching a sports-free TV option. Now it seems like it is getting closer to launch.
Recently Viacom launched a subscription streaming service in Europe called Paramount+, which offers a collection of Paramount movies and access to Viacom shows for subscribers living in Europe.
As Paramount+ is launching Viacom’s CEO Bob Bakish is reconfirming the company’s dedication to launch a $10 to $20 sports-free TV package.
“We fundamentally believe a lower-price offering would be very compelling,” said Bakish during a Viacom earnings call in May. Viacom CEO did add that it would likely not involve all of Viacom’s channels.
During early reports of the sports-free service it was hinted that there would be a streaming option similar to the new Paramount+ service in Europe. Now it sounds as though Viacom wants to team up with cable providers to offer the service. Yet there are still rumors that services like Hulu, DIRECTV NOW, Sling, and others could be launching a sports free package.
Discovery is also looking at launching its own sports-free service but this time streaming online. Discovery has hinted that its service may be as inexpensive as $5 a month for access to all Discovery and Scripps networks.
Unlike Viacom, Discovery has not set any time for it to roll out its sports-free service. It likely wants to wait till the deal to buy Scripps closes before it launches any streaming service.
Would you subscribe to a sports-free streaming service? Leave us a comment and let us know.
Source: FierceCable
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