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Paramount Global

Paramount Global was an American mass media and entertainment conglomerate that used the Paramount name as its trade name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Paramount Global was an American mass media and entertainment conglomerate that used the Paramount name as its trade name. It was formed in 2019 by the merger of CBS Corporation and Viacom, was renamed from ViacomCBS to Paramount Global in 2022, and was later merged with Skydance Media in 2025 to form Paramount Skydance Corporation. Its businesses included film, television, cable networks, streaming, and publishing assets.

History

Paramount Global was formed in 2019 through the merger of CBS Corporation and Viacom. The company was renamed Paramount Global in 2022 and later became part of Paramount Skydance Corporation in 2025.

Businesses and brands

The company owned major entertainment properties including Paramount Pictures, CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Pluto TV, and Simon & Schuster. Its activities spanned filmed entertainment, television networks, and digital streaming.

Streaming services

Paramount Global operated Paramount+, a subscription streaming service, and Pluto TV, an ad-supported streaming service. These services formed part of its broader direct-to-consumer strategy.

Ownership and control

Before its 2025 merger with Skydance Media, Paramount Global was controlled by National Amusements, the Redstone family holding company.

Key facts

  • Paramount Global was the corporate parent of the Paramount brand in film, television, and streaming.
  • It was created through the 2019 merger of CBS Corporation and Viacom.
  • The company adopted the Paramount Global name in 2022 after operating as ViacomCBS.
  • Its portfolio included Paramount Pictures, CBS, cable networks, streaming services, and publishing.
  • In 2025, Paramount Global merged with Skydance Media to form Paramount Skydance Corporation.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Paramount mainly through Paramount+ streaming access, Paramount Pictures films, and television channels such as CBS-related and Nickelodeon-branded content distributed in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Paramount?
Paramount is the trade name used by Paramount Global, a former U.S. media and entertainment conglomerate that owned film, TV, streaming, and publishing businesses.
Who owns Paramount?
Paramount Global was formerly controlled by National Amusements. In 2025, it merged with Skydance Media to form Paramount Skydance Corporation.
What movies does Paramount make?
Through Paramount Pictures and related labels, it produced and distributed theatrical films and television programming, including releases under Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Players, Nickelodeon Movies, MTV Films, and BET Films.
Is Paramount a streaming service?
No. Paramount was the parent company, not the streaming service itself. Its streaming businesses included Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
What is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is a direct-to-consumer subscription video-on-demand and live streaming service operated within Paramount’s portfolio. It combines entertainment, live sports, and news content.
How much does Paramount+ cost?
Pricing varies by plan and country, and the provided sources do not give a current price for 2026. A verified up-to-date price should be checked on Paramount’s subscription pages for the relevant market.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Paramount-Global
    Supports: Founded by the CBS-Viacom merger, former name ViacomCBS, ownership by National Amusements, major holdings, and 2025 merger with Skydance Media.
  2. Paramount — https://www.paramount.com/about
    Supports: Company description, business focus, and Paramount as a media and entertainment company.
  3. Paramount Investor Relations — https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacomcbs-unveils-new-company-name-global-content-slate-and
    Supports: Announcement that ViacomCBS would become Paramount Global and that Paramount+ and the company’s brand portfolio were part of the business.
  4. Paramount — https://www.paramount.com/home
    Supports: Description of Paramount+ as a subscription streaming service and Paramount Pictures as a film studio with a large library.
  5. World Economic Forum — https://www.weforum.org/organizations/viacomcbs/
    Supports: Film brands and television/streaming business segments, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount+ and other labels.