Another major streaming app follows Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime with ads and pricier subscription

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ANOTHER major streaming service is introducing ads as part of a subscriber shake-up.

Paramount+ has announced that it’ll roll out adverts to some countries, as well as a new Premium tier.

James Dimmock/CBSParamount+ plots new subscription plans[/caption]

Paramount+ is home to hits including Top GunAlamy

In recent years the big players including Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video have all introduced advert-supported subscriptions which haven’t always gone down well with users.

Amazon recently made ads on Prime the default so you have to pay an extra £3 / $3 a month to avoid them.

Meanwhile, Netflix and Disney+ brought in cheaper ad-based tiers with some limitations, like fewer shows and reduced video quality.

Now Paramount+ is looking to do the same as the US broadcasting giant seeks to expand its streaming service.

A new basic plan with ads is coming to Canada in April, followed by Australia in June.

This will cost C$6.99 / A$6.99, just around £4 / US$5.

There are currently no plans to roll this out to any other countries.

Meanwhile, a new Premium tier is coming to Europe, having already landed in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico.

Paramount+ Premium will provide the added bonus of 4K for the first time, as well as being able to stream on four different devices at the same time.

It’ll arrive in France first, followed by the UK and Ireland.

There, Premium will cost 10.99 euros, which is around £9 / $12 – though the exact pricing in pounds is yet to be announced.

CUTS

It follows reports that Paramount Global is laying off about 800 employees (around 3 per cent of its workforce) as broadcasters grapple with a drop in ad revenue.

Other broadcasters are planning similar moves – Channel 4 recently announced it is slashing 200 positions to save money.

ITV, NBC, Disney and Sky are also planning cuts.

“As we launch ‘Basic (with ads)’ in our international markets, we can also offer our incredible content at an even more competitive price to ultimately increase our reach and expand our advertising offerings to partners,” said Paramount+ international general manager and executive vice president Marco Nobili.

“The ‘Basic’ tier allows us to continue to lead on value by providing consumers an even more affordable entertainment choice for the entire family.”

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