Paramount+ to Raise Subscription Price Essential and Premium Tiers After Weak Quarterly Revenue

Paramount Global said on Thursday it would raise prices of its flagship streaming service in some markets after reporting a lower-than-expected quarterly revenue, as a broader slump in the advertising market hit the CBS network owner.

Shares in the company fell 7 percent before the bell. The stock has gained about 45 percent since the start of 2023 to Wednesday's close. 

Rising prices, higher borrowing costs, easing consumer demand across products and services, and geo-political unrest in certain regions have forced companies to pull back on advertising spending.

TV advertising revenue fell 7 percent in the three months to December, despite a lift from political advertising on the back of US mid-term elections in November.

Paramount+ added a record 9.9 million subscribers, partly due to the streaming release of hit film Top Gun: Maverick, as the business cushions the company in the face of increased cord-cutting.

The company last month said it would integrate Showtime, known for popular shows, including Billions, Yellowjackets and Dexter, with Paramount+ across platforms later this year as it prioritizes streaming services.

Chief Executive Bob Bakish said the company plans to raise prices for its Paramount+ Premium and Essential tiers this year in the United States and in some non-US markets.

The company said it will rise to $11.99 (nearly Rs. 1,000) per month from $9.99 (nearly Rs. 820) for the tier that includes Showtime, and to $5.99 (nearly Rs. 500) from $4.99 (nearly Rs. 410) for the tier that does not include Showtime. 

Total revenue rose 2 percent to $8.13 billion (nearly Rs. 67,300 crore) in the quarter, but missed expectations of $8.16 billion (nearly Rs. 67,550 crore), according to Refinitiv data.

Operating losses in the company's direct-to-consumer unit, which houses its streaming services like Paramount+ and PlutoTV, rose to $575 million (nearly Rs. 4,760 crore) from $502 million (nearly Rs. 4,150 crore). Investors have focused on the service as the company has outlined plans to spend aggressively on content to fend off competition.

© Thomson Reuters 2023