Another streaming app is about to be integrated into Paramount Plus. Records indicate that BET+, which has operated as a streaming service dedicated to television and films focused on black culture since 2019, will soon be integrated into the broader Paramount Plus offering. The move is part of Paramount CEO David Ellison’s stated desire to increase the offerings of the Paramount Plus service and bring more content to viewers under one banner.
According to the memo shared in reports we’ve seen around the move, Paramount Plus will continue to offer BET+ more than 1,000 hours of originals, series, films and other “cultural touchstones that reflect the full spectrum of the Black experience.” Reports also indicate that this move only came after Paramount Plus managed to buy back the BET+ shares formerly owned by Tyler Perry Studios. Perry’s deal with Paramount has not been disclosed, but some reports suggest it could reach eight figures.
The integration of BET+ into the Paramount Plus platform comes as the service continues to grow, with a buyout from Warner Bros. Discovery also in progress. This purchase was originally intended for Netflix, but Paramount managed to swoop in at the last minute and claim it for themselves. If this transition goes through, it would bring even more content to Paramount Plus, including HBO Max’s vast library. Obviously, the BET+ move is much more modest than HBO’s, but it nonetheless marks a significant shift in how content is presented to viewers.
BET content isn’t going away
BET has been carving out a place for black culture on television since the ’80s. Over the years, the network has expanded, launching BET+ in 2019. Although the move brings everything back into the Paramount Plus bubble, BET Networks president Louis Carr shared a note with company members, stating that BET will remain a “critical part of Paramount’s long-term content portfolio and strategy.” That means the space is expected to remain active and growing, especially as Tyler Perry Studios will continue to carry several shows under the service’s broader umbrella, including “All the Queen’s Men,” “The Ms. Pat Show” and “Diarra From Detroit.”
Carr says BET will remain strong with the transition and this move by Paramount will fuel the future growth of the brand and what it can offer, while attracting new viewers to the platform’s shows and movies. The transition should take place sometime in June, although no exact date has been given. However, new signups for BET+ have already been halted, pushing new users to sign up for Paramount Plus instead. It’s still unclear whether or not BET’s content will be available on all Paramount Plus plans currently offered, including its Essential streaming plan, which makes it one of the most affordable streaming services.
Of course, this isn’t the first time in recent years that we’ve seen two streaming apps merge into one. Disney has also worked to create a more unified experience for Hulu and Disney+ by consolidating the elements into a single app.
