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

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

Paramount+ has announced that it will be rolling out ads in some countries, as well as a new Premium tier.

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

Amazon recently set ads on Prime as default, so you’ll have to pay an extra £3/$3 per month to avoid them.

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

Now Paramount+ wants to do the same, as the US broadcast giant looks to expand its streaming service.

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

This costs C$6.99 / A$6.99, only about £4 / US$5.

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

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

Paramount+ Premium offers the added bonus of 4K for the first time and can stream on four different devices simultaneously.

It arrives in France first, followed by Britain and Ireland.

There, Premium costs €10.99, which is around £9/$12 – although the exact price in pounds has yet to be announced.

TO CUT

It follows reports that Paramount Global is laying off about 800 employees (about 3 percent of its workforce) as broadcasters struggle with a decline in advertising revenue.

Other broadcasters are planning similar steps. Channel 4 recently announced it is cutting 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 point to ultimately expand our reach and expand our advertising offering to partners,” said Paramount+ International General Manager and Executive Vice President Marco Nobili.

“The ‘Basic’ level allows us to continue to lead the way in value by offering consumers an even more affordable entertainment choice for the whole family.”