There was a time when the majority of streaming service options included Netflix, Hulu, and a handful of others. As broadcasters have exploded in popularity over the past decade or so, Paramount Plus, which may or may not be worthy of acquisition, has emerged as a dominant player in the industry. Now, Paramount’s library is expanding, as parent company Paramount Skydance Corporation is bringing BET+ into its broadcast fold.
The move comes after Paramount bought Tyler Perry Studios’ stake in BET+ in March 2026, giving the company full ownership of the broadcast platform. As a result, the BET+ program will be included in its own branded section on the Paramount Plus app. If the change occurs, the standalone BET+ app will no longer be available, and current customers will have the opportunity to sign up for Paramount Plus through discounted offers.
Paramount has been here before, starting with the Showtime merger in 2023. Showtime’s standalone app was discontinued, and the library was added to Paramount Plus, packaged as a higher value tier. This gave viewers access to both platforms under one subscription (which you can get with a military discount). Paramount is also in the midst of a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, on the move you can see Paramount Plus meets HBO Max in one app.
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Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery made headlines after it was officially announced in February 2026. The issue is now back in the spotlight, as several states, including California and New York, are reportedly preparing to challenge the $110 billion acquisition (via Reuters). As of now, it is unclear how this news will affect the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.
If the deal goes through, the two companies have indicated that Paramount Plus and HBO Max will operate under a shared broadcast structure as part of a joint strategy to target the consumer. Key details of how that will play out have yet to be revealed. It’s unclear whether HBO Max, which has its own issues, will remain a standalone app or be integrated into the broader hub. It’s also unknown how HBO’s marketing will evolve going forward. Pricing tiers and subscription packaging have also not been announced.
Years before Paramount Plus became the broadcasting juggernaut it is today, Paramount was known as Viacom, the predecessor of the company that eventually became Paramount. In 2019, Viacom made one of its first major moves into the broadcast market by purchasing Pluto TV. At the time of its acquisition, Pluto TV was an ad-supported free streaming platform, offering live channels and on-demand content. Unlike later acquisitions, Pluto TV was not folded into Paramount Plus and continues to exist independently as an independent streaming service.