Pluto TV

Pluto TV first launched its beta website on March 31, 2014, and was co-founded by chairman and CEO Nick Grouf, Tom Ryan, and Ilya Pozin.{{cite web|title=Pluto.TV Launches 'Live' Web-Video Service with Backing from UTA's Jeremy Zimmer, Terry Semel|url=https://variety.com/2014/digital/news/pluto-tv-launches-live-web-video-service-with-backing-from-utas-jeremy-zimmer-terry-semel-1201150269/|author=Todd Spangler|periodical=Variety|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=February 11, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Colao |first1=J.J. |title=Hey Cord-Cutters: Pluto.TV Launches With 85 Channels Of Free, TV-Style Internet Video |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jjcolao/2014/03/31/hey-cord-cutters-pluto-tv-launches-with-85-channels-of-free-tv-style-internet-video/?sh=13e0b6d4441b |access-date=16 September 2022 |work=Forbes |date=31 May 2014}} Pluto TV was originally developed to provide curated channels of existing online content, offering a slate of nearly 100 categorized channels featuring content aggregated from various video-sharing platforms (including YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion) as well as additional content provided through partnerships with original web content services and television networks (including Funny or Die, QVC, Refinery29, RocketJump and TYT Network). The service was initially owned by Pluto Inc., which, during the second half of 2013 and early 2014, had raised $13 million in series A funding from investors that included Universal Music Group, Sky plc, UTA Ventures, and venture capital firms U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), QueensBridge Venture Partners, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Luminari Capital, Great Oaks Venture Capital and Chicago Ventures.{{Cite web |last=Peter Kafka |date=November 20, 2014 |title=Web Video Channel Guide PlutoTV Raises $13 Million |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/11/20/11633096/web-video-channel-guide-plutotv-raises-13-million |access-date=February 11, 2020 |website=Recode}} On May 14, 2014, Pluto unveiled a digital video recorder feature on its website known as "myPluto"; users could "record" content by clicking a "save show" button that would archive content from the channel as it played.{{Cite web |last=Josh Ong |date=May 15, 2014 |title=Web TV Service Pluto.TV Adds a DVR Feature |url=https://thenextweb.com/media/2014/05/15/web-tv-service-pluto-tv-adds-dvr-feature-can-save-shows-later/ |access-date=May 31, 2019 |website=The Next Web |publisher=The Next Web B.V.}}

On July 1, 2015, Pluto TV announced that it had signed a deal with Hulu (now Disney-owned) to distribute the ad-supported video content available for free on Hulu's website including current-season episodes of programs from ABC, NBC and Fox, recent and older classic television series, and domestic and foreign animated programs. Under the arrangement, Hulu handled advertising for content made available through Pluto TV. In the weeks preceding the Hulu deal, Pluto TV had separately reached content agreements with AOL, Endemol Beyond USA, Shout! Factory, Jukin Media and YouTube content channels Devin SuperTramp, Multicom, Around the World in 4K and Amazing Places on Our Planet to distribute their programming on the service.{{Cite web |last=Todd Spangler |date=July 1, 2015 |title=Hulu to Deliver Free TV Shows, Movies via Pluto TV Service (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/hulu-pluto-tv-free-tv-shows-1201532321/ |access-date=February 11, 2020 |periodical=Variety}}{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2015 |title=Hulu inks distribution deal with Pluto TV |url=http://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2015/07/hulu-inks-distribution-deal-pluto-tv |access-date=April 9, 2016 |website=CED |archive-date=April 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419165757/http://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2015/07/hulu-inks-distribution-deal-pluto-tv |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Edgar Alvarez |date=July 1, 2015 |title=Hulu's free, ad-powered shows are heading to Pluto TV |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/07/01/hulu-pluto-tv/ |access-date=February 11, 2020 |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL Inc.}}{{Cite web |last=Todd Spangler |date=March 13, 2015 |title=Pluto TV Inks Video-Distribution Deals with Endemol, AOL (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/pluto-tv-inks-video-distribution-deals-with-endemol-aol-exclusive-1201452164/ |access-date=February 11, 2020 |periodical=Variety}} In October 2015, 20 additional channels featuring content from AwesomenessTV, Cracked, IGN, Just for Laughs, Legendary Digital Networks, Newsy, The Onion and WildBrain were brought onto the service's lineup, bringing the total number of curated channels offered by Pluto to around 120.{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2015 |title=Pluto TV Adds 20 New Channels Including IGN, The Onion, AwesomenessTV, Newsy, And The Young Turks |url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/10/07/pluto-tv-adds-20-new-channels-including-ign-the-onion-newsy-and-the-young-turks/ |access-date=April 9, 2016 |website=Android Police |publisher=Illogical Robot LLC}}

On May 15, 2016, Pluto TV signed an agreement with Sony to make the Pluto TV app available on the PlayStation Store for download by users of the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. In 2016, Pluto Inc. raised $30 million in series B venture capital funding from ProSiebenSat.1 Media, Scripps Networks Interactive, and venture capital firms Luminari Capital, Chicago Ventures and Third Wave Ventures, valuing the company at $140 million. The round was led by German television network ProSieben, with additional funding from telecommunications company Sky UK. On April 30, 2017, Pluto Inc. added a chief programming officer role, appointing Robert Magdlen—who formerly served as senior vice president of program strategy and acquisitions for the NBCUniversal-owned E! and as a production executive for TNT—in the post, handling responsibilities for programming and channel development from the company's L.A. headquarters.{{Cite news |last=Todd Spangler |date=April 4, 2017 |title=Pluto TV Taps Former E! Exec Robert Magdlen as Chief Programming Officer |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/pluto-tv-robert-magdlen-chief-programming-officer-1202022419/ |access-date=April 30, 2017}}

On May 15, 2017, Pluto TV launched a traditional video-on-demand offering, consisting a large library of films and television series licensed from such distributors as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Viacom (which acquired the service itself two years later), Sony Pictures, Fremantle, Monstercat, King Features Syndicate along with two Canadian studios, Nelvana and WildBrain that are made available for individual viewing to Pluto users.{{Cite web |last=Todd Spangler |date=May 16, 2017 |title=Pluto TV, Angling to Become the Spotify of Premium Video, Launches Free On-Demand Service (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/pluto-tv-on-demand-free-spotify-1202427136/ |access-date=February 11, 2020 |periodical=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Sarah Perez |date=May 16, 2017 |title=Streaming TV service Pluto TV adds an on-demand video library |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/16/streaming-tv-service-pluto-tv-adds-an-on-demand-video-library/ |access-date=April 27, 2018 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=Verizon Media}} Variety reported that {{As of|2017|May|lc=y}}, the service was averaging 6 million users per month,{{Cite news |last=Todd Spangler |date=May 16, 2017 |title=Pluto TV, Angling to Become the Spotify of Premium Video, Launches Free On-Demand Service (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/pluto-tv-on-demand-free-spotify-1202427136/ |access-date=April 27, 2018}} and, {{As of|2017|October|lc=y}}, it was rated one of the most-watched Roku Channels on Roku.{{Cite web |title=Pluto TV — Roku |url=https://channelstore.roku.com/details/74519/pluto-tv |access-date=April 27, 2018 |website=Roku}}

By October 2017, Pluto TV reached over 15 million users. On October 17 of that year, Pluto TV announced that it received a $5-million investment from Samsung Venture Investment Corporation as part of an $8.3 million round of funding raised by various investors.{{Cite web |date=October 17, 2017 |title=Free streaming TV service Pluto TV raises $8.3M, in new round led by Samsung |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/17/free-streaming-tv-service-pluto-tv-raises-8-3m-in-new-round-led-by-samsung/ |access-date=April 27, 2018 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=Verizon Media}} On March 15, 2018, Pluto TV entered into a partnership with SpotX to provide advertising monetization services for Pluto, including engendering sales from media buyers breaking into over-the-top content services.{{cite news |last1=Briel |first1=Robert |title=Pluto TV teams up with SpotX |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2018/03/15/pluto-tv-teams-up-with-spotx/ |access-date=7 September 2022 |publisher=Broadband TV News |date=15 March 2018}} On August 1, 2018, Vizio launched a new ad-supported streaming platform powered by Pluto TV, called WatchFree. This service is built into several models of Vizio's line of Internet-connected smart TVs, particularly those supporting its SmartCast operating system, and is advertised as having "an easy-to-navigate, cable-like interface".{{Cite web |last=Janko Roettgers |date=August 1, 2018 |title=Vizio Integrates Pluto TV With New Ad-Supported WatchFree Service |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/vizio-watchfree-pluto-tv-1202892147/ |access-date=January 23, 2019 |periodical=Variety}}

On October 1, 2018, Pluto TV expanded into parts of Europe, with the launch of a platform on Sky's Now TV service in the United Kingdom, offering an initial slate of more than 12 curated channels.{{Cite web |last=Andrew McDonald |date=October 2, 2018 |title=Pluto TV makes European debut on Now TV in the UK |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2018/10/02/pluto-tv-makes-european-debut-on-now-tv-in-the-uk/ |website=Digital TV Europe |publisher=Informa PLC}} Also in October 2018, Pluto TV picked Tru Optik to help with advertising inventory.{{Cite web |last=Jon Lafayette |date=October 11, 2018 |title=Pluto TV Picks Tru Optik to Measure Ad Inventory |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/pluto-tv-picks-tru-optik-to-measure-ad-inventory |access-date=February 22, 2022 |publisher=Future US |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable}} On December 4, 2018, Pluto TV launched a regional service in Germany and Austria, also through a separate collaborative agreement with Sky, with the app's content made available initially via the Sky TV stick; the German/Austrian service originally incorporated a slate of 15 streaming channels (consisted of both Pluto-exclusive services with both German and English-language content as well as channels compiled by third-party content providers).{{Cite web |last=Erik Greunwedel |date=December 5, 2018 |title=Pluto TV Bows Service in Germany, Austria |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/pluto-tv-bows-service-in-germany-austria/ |website=MediaPlayNews |publisher=JCH Media Inc.}}{{Cite web |last=Jörn Krieger |date=December 3, 2018 |title=Pluto TV launches in Germany and Austria |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2018/12/03/pluto-tv-launches-in-germany-and-austria/ |website=Broadband TV News |publisher=Broadband TV News LLP}}

On January 22, 2019, Viacom announced its intention to acquire Pluto TV for $340 million.{{Cite web |last=Natalie Jarvey |date=January 22, 2019 |title=Viacom Acquires Free Streaming Platform Pluto TV for $340 Million |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/viacom-acquires-free-streaming-platform-pluto-tv-340-million-1178191/ |access-date=February 22, 2022 |periodical=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Dade Hayes |date=January 22, 2019 |title=Viacom Acquires Pluto TV For $340 Million In Cash |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/viacom-acquires-pluto-tv-for-340-million-in-cash-1202539711/ |access-date=January 23, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Viacom's plans for Pluto TV included using the service as a marketing tool for its portfolio of linear media brands (including incorporating more licensed content from Viacom-owned properties) and to serve as a distribution outlet for its in-house digital content brands (such as AwesomenessTV), expanding the service into Latin America, and entering into partnerships with internet and mobile providers to cross-promote the service, and offer advertising inventory and revenue sharing.{{Cite web |last=Ben Munson |date=February 27, 2019 |title=Viacom eyes distributor partnerships for Pluto TV |url=https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/viacom-eyes-distributor-partnerships-for-pluto-tv |website=FierceVideo}} The deal was completed on March 4, 2019.{{Cite press release |title=Viacom Announces Completion of Pluto TV Acquisition |date=March 4, 2019 |publisher=BusinessWire |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190304005551/en/Viacom-Announces-Completion-Pluto-TV-Acquisition |access-date=March 4, 2019}} On March 18, 2019, Viacom—through its Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) unit—announced plans to launch Pluto TV worldwide; VIMN President James Currell stated that the company believed the global SVOD sector was "becoming too crowded and capital intensive," choosing to focus on building scale through ad-supported streaming platforms.{{Cite web |last=Peter White |date=March 18, 2019 |title=Viacom To Roll Out Ad-Supported Service Pluto TV Worldwide As It Warns Global SVOD Market Is "Too Crowded" |url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/viacom-pluto-tv-avod-1202577324/ |access-date=April 9, 2019 |website=Deadline}}

On May 1, 2019, Pluto introduced branded channels based on Viacom Media Networks-owned cable outlets and other Viacom properties, including content from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, VH1, Logo, TV Land and MTV, along with Spike-branded channels based on the network's past formats of men's interest and outdoors programming. The free channels are not simulcasts of their namesake networks, as contractual restrictions with traditional pay television providers prevent it from distributing the full linear feeds, but instead focus primarily on archival content and series that Pluto TV has acquired from other content providers.{{Cite web |last=Todd Spangler |date=April 29, 2019 |title=Viacom Launching 14 Free Channels on Pluto TV, Sets Broad Digital Originals Slate |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/viacom-newfronts-pluto-tv-channels-originals-slate-1203200042/ |access-date=April 30, 2019 |periodical=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Daniel Frankel |date=April 29, 2019 |title=Viacom to Launch Nick, MTV, BET and Other Channels on Pluto TV |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/viacom-launches-networks-on-pluto-tv |access-date=February 22, 2022 |publisher=Future US |periodical=Multichannel News}}{{Cite web |last=Tim Peterson |date=April 16, 2019 |title=Viacom will debut 15 channels on Pluto TV to bolster its upfront pitch |url=https://digiday.com/media/viacom-will-debut-15-channels-pluto-tv-bolster-upfront-pitch/ |access-date=April 29, 2019 |website=Digiday |publisher=Digiday Media}}{{Cite web |last=Luke Bouma |date=July 23, 2019 |title=Pluto TV Adds 3 New Channels Including Totally Turtles |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-adds-3-new-channels-including-totally-turtles/ |access-date=July 23, 2019 |website=Cord Cutters News}} Some of these branded services are direct offshoots of their linear counterparts, while others (such as CMT, Cheer 24/7, TV Land Sitcoms, TV Land Drama, MTV Teen, VH1: I Love Reality, and Nickelodeon offshoots Dora TV{{Cite web |last=Luke Bouma |date=July 17, 2019 |title=Pluto TV Adds a 24/7 Dora Channel Getting You Ready For The New Dora Movie |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-adds-a-24-7-dora-channel-getting-you-ready-for-the-new-dora-movie/ |access-date=February 11, 2020 |website=Cord Cutters News}} and Totally Turtles,.) maintain theme formats offering specialty programming owned by Viacom and other program library partners.

On June 13, 2019, Pluto TV was launched on Comcast's Xfinity X1 cable boxes.{{Cite web |last=Eli Blumenthal |date=June 13, 2019 |title=Pluto TV brings free streaming network to Comcast's Xfinity X1 cable boxes |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/pluto-tv-brings-free-streaming-network-to-comcasts-xfinity-x1-cable-boxes/ |access-date=June 18, 2019 |website=CNET |publisher=CBS Interactive}} On July 1, 2019, the service launched a Spanish-language programming tier, Pluto TV Latino, consisting initially of eleven Spanish and Portuguese-language channels (including two sports-focused channels, Lucha Libre and Combate World, that were previously assigned to the service's main sports tier) that incorporate programming originally produced natively in those languages and Spanish-dubbed versions of English and Portuguese programs.{{Cite web |last=Veronica Villafañe |date=July 1, 2019 |title=Viacom Launches Pluto TV Latino |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2019/07/01/viacom-launches-pluto-tv-latino/#6e42491d4bc7 |access-date=February 11, 2020 |publisher=Forbes LLC |periodical=Forbes}}

File:Pluto TV logo.svg

On August 13, 2019, National Amusements announced that Viacom and CBS Corporation—which had split into two separate companies in 2005, five years after the original Viacom first acquired CBS's assets—would recombine their assets into a singular entity to be named ViacomCBS in a deal valued at up to $15.4 billion.{{Cite news |last1=Charles Gasparino |last2=Lydia Moynihan |date=August 13, 2019 |title=CBS, Viacom agree to merge, forming a $28B entertainment firm |work=Fox Business |publisher=Fox News Networks LLC |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/cbs-viacom-merger-agreement |access-date=February 11, 2020}}{{Cite web |last1=George Szalai |last2=Paul Bond |last3=Etan Vlessing |date=August 13, 2019 |title=CBS, Viacom Strike Deal to Recombine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cbs-viacom-strike-deal-recombine-1075545/ |access-date=February 22, 2022 |periodical=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite press release |title=CBS and Viacom To Combine |date=August 12, 2019 |publisher=CBS Corporation |url=https://www.cbscorporation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ViacomCBS-Press-Release-FINAL.pdf |access-date=August 22, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813190148/https://www.cbscorporation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ViacomCBS-Press-Release-FINAL.pdf |archive-date=August 13, 2019}} Following the announcement, Deadline Hollywood, citing sources within the company, identified Pluto TV as a potential outlet for CBS streaming content. Pluto had recently carried CBS News's CBSN, and technology and video-game-oriented CNET Video.{{Cite web |last=Dade Hayes |date=August 20, 2019 |title=NFL And Pluto TV Team For Streaming Channel "Celebrating" Pro Football's Past |url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/pluto-nfl-channel-viacom-cbs-streaming-100th-anniversary-1202671140/ |access-date=August 21, 2019 |website=Deadline}} Additional channels from CBS, including the CBS News New York and Los Angeles services, and an Entertainment Tonight-branded entertainment news channel (ET Live), were added to the service on November 13, 2019, prior to the completion of the merger.{{Cite web |last=Luke Bouma |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Pluto TV Adds Several CBS Stations Including ET Live For Free |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-adds-several-cbs-stations-including-et-live-for-free/ |access-date=November 13, 2019 |website=Cord Cutters News}}

File:Pluto TV logo 2020.svg

In September 2019, Pluto TV became available on mobile platforms in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the United Kingdom; the service first became available in those countries on iOS and Apple TV devices on September 6, and on Android devices on September 24.{{Cite news |last=Jess Barnes |date=September 6, 2019 |title=Pluto TV Now Available for Apple TV Devices Across Europe |work=Cord Cutters News |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-now-available-for-apple-tv-devices-across-europe/ |access-date=February 11, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Jess Barnes |date=September 24, 2019 |title=Pluto TV Europe is Now Available on Android Devices |work=Cord Cutters News |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-europe-is-now-available-on-android-devices/ |access-date=September 25, 2019}} By November 2019, the service was estimated to have 20 million monthly active users.{{Cite web |last=Ben Munson |date=November 14, 2019 |title=Pluto TV claims 20M monthly active users |url=https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/pluto-tv-claims-20m-monthly-active-users |website=FierceVideo |publisher=Questex LLC}}

On February 3, 2020, ViacomCBS announced that Pluto TV would launch in Latin America at the end of March, offering 17 channels available in two languages, Spanish and Portuguese at launch; additional channels would be added on a monthly basis with more than 80 channels expected to be available by the end of 2020. Alongside content carried by ViacomCBS Networks International-owned local versions of its corporate parent's U.S. media properties, co-owned Argentine network Telefe and Porta dos Fundos would also provide content for the service.{{Cite web |last=Dade Hayes |date=February 3, 2020 |title=Pluto TV Sets Latin America Launch In March, With Brazil Coming By Year-End |url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/pluto-tv-sets-latin-america-launch-in-march-with-brazil-coming-by-year-end-1202849672/ |access-date=February 11, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Veronica Villafañe |date=February 4, 2020 |title=Viacom Announces Launch Of Pluto TV In Latin America |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2020/02/04/viacom-announces-launch-of-pluto-tv-in-latin-america/#75b7fb5730ac |access-date=February 11, 2020 |publisher=Forbes LLC |periodical=Forbes}} The service was expected to launch in Brazil in December 2020,{{Cite web |date=August 19, 2020 |title=Data definida! Pluto TV chega ao Brasil com streaming gratuito de 24 canais |trans-title=Defined date! Pluto TV comes to Brazil with free streaming of 24 channels |url=https://www.tudocelular.com/novos-produtos/noticias/n161879/pluto-tv-data-chegada-brasil-streaming-gratuito.html |access-date=October 22, 2020 |website=TudoCelular |language=pt}} but was anticipated and was launched on November 17, 2020.{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2020 |title=Pluto TV adianta lançamento e já está disponível no Brasil |trans-title=Pluto TV anticipates launch and is already available in Brazil |url=http://vcfaz.tv/2020/11/pluto-tv-adianta-lancamento-e-ja-esta-disponivel-no-brasil/ |access-date=November 18, 2020 |website=VCfaz.tv |language=pt |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117204518/http://vcfaz.tv/2020/11/pluto-tv-adianta-lancamento-e-ja-esta-disponivel-no-brasil/ |url-status=dead }}

In January 2020, Pluto TV unveiled a new logo at CES 2020, and later unveiled a redesign of its Apple iOS apps, which included a new channel guide and on-demand menu interface.{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2020 |title=Pluto TV Rolls Out New Logo at Start of Its First CES Under ViacomCBS Tent |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/pluto-tv-new-logo-ces-viacomcbs-streaming-1202822328/}}{{Cite web |last=Jess Barnes |date=February 20, 2020 |title=Pluto TV Has Updated Their iOS App With a New Interface, Watch Lists & More |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-has-updated-their-ios-app-with-a-new-interface-watch-lists-more/ |access-date=February 25, 2020 |website=Cord Cutters News}} The redesigned interface—absent the new logo—was rolled out to the website and desktop app the following day on February 21, its Roku app on February 26, and Android devices and other platforms on March 2.{{Cite web |last=Luke Bouma |date=February 21, 2020 |title=Pluto TV Has Updated Its Website With a New Interface, Watch Lists & More |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-has-updated-its-website-with-a-new-interface-watch-lists-more/ |access-date=February 25, 2020 |website=Cord Cutters News}}{{Cite web |last=Luke Bouma |date=February 27, 2020 |title=Pluto TV Has Updated Its Roku Channel With a New Interface, Watch Lists & More |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-has-updated-its-roku-channel-with-a-new-interface-watch-lists-more/ |access-date=February 28, 2020 |website=Cord Cutters News}}

On February 20, 2020, ViacomCBS estimated that Pluto TV generated a monthly average of 22 million viewers in the fourth quarter of 2019, with expectations of its user base reaching 30 million monthly viewers by December 2020. The company also announced that Pluto content would be incorporated into a revamped version of CBS All Access, which would also add content from ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks cable properties, Paramount Pictures and CBS Television Distribution. ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish stated that Pluto TV—which will remain a free, standalone offering—would be part of the company's refocusing on three core streaming services, alongside the subscription-based CBS All Access and Showtime's OTT service, which would act as its mid-level and premium offerings and which Pluto will also be used to upsell along with ViacomCBS's other niche streaming platforms.{{Cite web |last=Erik Greunwedel |date=February 20, 2020 |title=Pluto TV Expected to Generate 30 Million Monthly Viewers by December |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/viacomcbs-pluto-tv-expected-to-generate-30-million-monthly-viewers-by-december/ |website=MediaPlayNews |publisher=JCH Media Inc.}}{{Cite web |last=Julia Alexander |date=February 20, 2020 |title=CBS is planning an improved streaming service after squandering its head start with All Access |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/20/21144199/cbs-streaming-service-all-access-price-house-of-brands-live-news-sports |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media}}{{Cite web |last=Sarah Perez |date=February 20, 2020 |title=CBS All Access to gain content from Nick, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures & more |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/20/cbs-all-access-to-gain-content-from-nick-mtv-comedy-central-paramount-pictures-more/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=Verizon Media}}{{Cite web |last=Kelsey Sutton |date=February 20, 2020 |title=ViacomCBS Details Plans to Bulk Up CBS All Access and Accelerate Streaming Growth |url=https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/viacomcbs-details-plans-to-bulk-up-cbs-all-access-and-accelerate-streaming-growth/ |publisher=Beringer Capital |periodical=Adweek}}

On July 9, 2020, the service launched an app for Virgin Media customers in the United Kingdom.The app is available, free of charge for all customers on Virgin Media in the United Kingdom. On October 8 of that same year, ViacomCBS announced Pluto TV's launch in Spain, Italy and France, with 40 channels and thousands of hours of on-demand content.{{Cite web |last=John Hopewell |date=October 8, 2020 |title=ViacomCBS' Pluto TV Sets Spain, France, Italy Launches, Seals Movistar Plus Deal (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/viacomcbs-pluto-tv-spain-france-italy-movistar-plus-1234797184/ |publisher=Variety}}

On July 17, 2021, Pluto TV added several new channels including News 12 New York, Pluto TV Home, and Professional Bull Riders' RidePass.{{Cite web |date=July 20, 2021 |title=Pluto TV Adds Three New Channels to Its Free Streaming Service |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-adds-three-new-channels-to-its-free-streaming-service/ |access-date=August 15, 2021 |website=Cord Cutters News}} A deal made between Pluto TV and PBR allowed for Pluto TV to be the exclusive home to RidePass content.{{Cite web |title=Professional Bull Riders' RidePass now on Pluto TV |url=https://406mtsports.com/rodeo/professional-bull-riders-ridepass-now-on-pluto-tv/article_bd90cfed-04ed-5af2-8edf-f17ac62e27bb.html |access-date=August 15, 2021 |website=406 MT SPORTS|date=July 17, 2021 }}

On September 29, 2021, Pluto TV's parent ViacomCBS agreed to pay $3.5 million and enter into a consent decree with the FCC to provide clear and accessible closed captioning, which would often not be passed down to the consumer via Pluto TV apps or websites despite either being part of a program already or being captioned by the live programming provider. The FCC's determined the service had not implemented proper and visible settings to allow the passthrough of captions, removed captioning capabilities, and did not maintain email or telephone captioning support hotlines required by the FCC to address viewer complaints. Under FCC rules, all nonexempt full-length video programming delivered over the Internet must present closed captions if originally aired over American television with captioning, if the programming had previously been shown on television in the U.S. with captions. This effectively applies to most television programming created after 1984, along with the 1990 Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990, which mandated a requirement for captions to be accessible on all but the smallest televisions.{{Cite web |title=Federal Communications Commission DA 21-1183 |url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1183A1.pdf |access-date=March 5, 2022 |website=Docs.fcc.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930013213/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1183A1.pdf |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |url-status=live }}

On November 29, 2021, ViacomCBS announced that Pluto TV would launch in Sweden, Norway and Denmark by 2022 as part of a joint venture with Nordic Entertainment Group, phasing out the company's existing AVOD service Viafree upon launch.{{Cite web |last=Keslassy |first=Elsa |date=November 29, 2021 |title=ViacomCBS, NENT Group Team to Launch New Pluto Service in Nordics (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/global/pluto-tv-nent-group-viafree-1235121007/ |access-date=December 11, 2021 |website=Variety.com}} On March 16, 2022, it was announced that the launch date of Pluto TV in the three countries will be on May 18, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Layton |first=Mark |date=March 16, 2022 |title=News round-up: Pluto TV sets Nordics launch; ZED to sell Zelenskyy doc; Federation shops 'Good People' |url=https://tbivision.com/2022/03/16/news-round-up-pluto-tv-sets-nordics-launch-zed-to-sell-zelenskyy-doc-federation-shops-good-people/ |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=TBIVision |quote=Paramount Global's AVOD service Pluto TV will launch in Sweden, Denmark and Norway on 18 May. The streamer will partner with NENT's Viafree service on 210 curated linear channels, offering viewers content ranging from reality shows such as MTV's Catfish to adult animated TV show South Park. NENT will handle advertising sales and contribute local titles to the service, while the Viafree streamer will close and integrate into Pluto TV.}}

On February 16, 2022, Pluto TV's parent company, ViacomCBS Streaming, was renamed to Paramount Streaming, in-line with the rebranding of parent company ViacomCBS to Paramount Global.{{Cite web |title=VIACOMCBS UNVEILS NEW COMPANY NAME, GLOBAL CONTENT SLATE AND INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION PLANS FOR PARAMOUNT+ AT INVESTOR EVENT |url=https://www.paramount.com/press/viacomcbs-unveils-new-company-name-global-content-slate-and-international-expansion-plans-for-paramount-at-investor-event |access-date=February 17, 2022 |website=Paramount.com}}

On May 18, 2022, Pluto TV was launched in the Nordics through a partnership with Viaplay Group (formerly called Nordic Entertainment Group).{{Cite web |title=PLUTO TV (A PARAMOUNT COMPANY) LAUNCHES IN NORDICS, UNVEILNG PROGRAMMING LINE-UP |url=https://www.aussieosbourne.com/2022/05/pluto-tv-paramount-company-launches-in.html |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=Aussie Osbourne}} On July 13, 2022, Pluto TV added five new channel categories: Game Shows, Daytime TV, Home, Food, and Lifestyle & Culture, and two new channels: Let's Make a Deal and The Judge Judy Channel.{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2022 |title=Pluto TV Introduces New Categories and Adds Two New Channels |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-introduces-new-categories-and-adds-two-new-channels/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=Cord Cutters News |language=en-US}} Additional channels devoted to Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune were added in August 2022.{{Cite news |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=July 11, 2022 |title=You'll Soon Be Able to Get a 24/7 Stream of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune |work=Vulture |publisher=New York Magazine |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/07/pluto-tv-streaming-jeopardy-wheel-of-fortune-24-7.html |access-date=July 11, 2022}}

On September 1, 2022, Pluto TV launched two new channels, the movie channel 00s Replay, and The Ed Sullivan Show. More channels were added throughout the month: CSI: Miami and its spin-off CSI: NY, launched on September 13, 60 Minutes launched on September 24, and Hallmark Movies & More and Rachael Ray launched on September 26.{{Cite web |title=Pluto TV is Adding 7 New Free Channels This Month – Cord Cutters News |date=September 10, 2022 |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-is-adding-7-new-free-channels-this-month/ |access-date=September 21, 2022 |language=en-US}} On October 31, 2022, Pluto TV announced that it would add 6,300 episodes of classic CBS-distributed series to its on-demand library by the end of 2022, including Cheers, Criminal Minds, Frasier, and Star Trek.{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Bevin |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Pluto TV adds 6,300 CBS classic episodes to on-demand offering |url=https://www.fiercevideo.com/video/pluto-tv-adds-6300-cbs-classic-episodes-demand-offering |website=Fierce Video}}

On December 1, 2022, Pluto TV launched in Canada in partnership with Corus Entertainment, which is handling marketing and Canadian advertising sales. Corus also contributed channels to the service that are drawn from its networks and libraries, such as Global News, Property Brothers, Anna Olson, and Bryan Baeumler.{{Cite web |last=Dowling |first=Amber |date=2022-12-02 |title=Pluto TV Launches in Canada With Property Brothers, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, Anna Olson on Slate |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/pluto-tv-launches-canada-slate-1235447997/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Andrea |title=Pluto TV eyes a FAST future |website=Media of Canada |url=https://mediaincanada.com/2023/12/18/pluto-tv-eyes-a-fast-future/ |access-date=2024-10-30}} The next day, the service added additional Christmas-related channels for the holiday season, as well as More Star Trek, Confess by Nosey, and AMC en Español.{{Cite web |title=Pluto is Adding 12 New Channels and Lots of Holiday Content This Month – Cord Cutters News |date=December 2, 2022 |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-is-adding-12-new-channels-and-lots-of-holiday-content-this-month/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |language=en-US}} On December 15, 2022, Pluto TV launched a new advertising campaign featuring actress Drew Barrymore.{{Cite news |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2022-12-15 |title=Drew Barrymore Signs On As Commercial Pitchwoman For Pluto TV, Corporate Sibling Of Her CBS Syndicated Talk Show |language=en-US |work=Deadline |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/drew-barrymore-commercials-pluto-cbs-talk-show-1235199588/ |access-date=2022-12-17}}

On April 11, 2023, Pluto TV launched the CBS Sports Golazo Network in the United States to take advantage of Paramount Global's worldwide soccer rights, including discussion shows and live games.{{cite web|title=CBS Sports Golazo Network launches: How to watch Morning Footy, Box 2 Box and live games; programming schedule|url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/cbs-sports-golazo-network-launches-how-to-watch-morning-footy-box-2-box-and-live-games-programming-schedule/|website=CBS Sports|date=April 11, 2023}}

On November 1, 2023, Paramount announced that Pluto TV would merge with My5 in the UK, with its full launch date set to be planned for the second half of 2024.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-01 |title=Paramount to Combine Pluto TV, Channel 5's My5 in U.K. |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-global-combine-pluto-tv-my5-uk-streaming-1235634038/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Paramount later called off the merger on August 20, 2024, opting to relaunch My5 in 2005 and keep Pluto TV as a separate service.{{Cite web |title=Channel 5 and My5 to relaunch as 5 in 2025 – across linear and streaming - Paramount |url=https://www.paramount-mediahub.co.uk/press-releases/channel-5-and-my5-to-relaunch-as-5-in-2025-%E2%80%93-across-linear-and-streaming- |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=www.paramount-mediahub.co.uk}}

My5 and Channel 5 were both rebranded to simply 5 in that year.

In October 2024, the service announced a new partnership with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.{{cite news |last=Briel |first=Robert |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2024/10/31/pluto-tv-announces-new-partnership-with-nbcuniversal/ |title=Pluto TV announces new partnership with NBCUniversal |work=Broadband TV News |lang=en |accessdate=2025-05-12}}

As of December 2024, according to Media Technology Monitor, Pluto TV was the most popular free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in Canada.{{cite news |last=Quintet |first=John |url=https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2024/12/17/pluto-tv-tops-the-charts-as-canadas-1-free-streaming-service/ |title=Pluto TV Tops the Charts as Canada’s #1 Free Streaming Service |work=iPhone In Canada |lang=en |accessdate=2025-05-12}}

In April 2025, Pluto TV announced the addition of The Martha Stewart Channel, The Emeril Lagasse Channel ALLBLK Gems to its permanent channel lineup.{{cite news |last=Bouma |first=Luke |url=https://cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-adds-3-new-channels-in-april-2025/ |title=Pluto TV Adds 3 New Channels in April 2025 |publisher=Cord Cutters News |lang=en |accessdate=2025-05-12}}

Pluto TV is structured similarly to the traditional cable television model, offering its content as designated channels categorized by program content type into multiple channel categories:

;Current categories

• Featured – new channels and special event content;
• Movies – movie channels, consisting of both general-format and genre-based (e.g., comedy, action, horror) services;
• Comedy – comedy-based services, consisting of stand-up, sitcom/sketch comedy, and curated viral video channels;[https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/mst3k/mst3k-streaming-free-gizmoplex-classic-episodes-season-13/ MST3K Will Make Every Classic Episode Available to Stream for Free on New Gizmoplex Platform – Paste]
• Classic TV – channels focused on classic television shows and cartoons, mostly comedies;
• Westerns;
• Sci-Fi – channels focusing on science fiction shows (introduced October 2023);
• Drama – channels focusing on shows in the drama genre (introduced October 2023);
• True Crime – channels about true crime documentaries (introduced October 2023);
• Reality – reality and competition shows;
• Competition Reality;
• Entertainment – varied general and specialty entertainment-based programming;
• Game Shows – game shows, mostly classic series (introduced in July 2022);
• Daytime TV – channels focused on soap operas, and talk, court and lifestyle programs (introduced in July 2022);
• News + Opinion – mainstream news and opinion channels;
• Sports – live and previously aired events, sporting news and analysis programs;
• History + Science;
• Home + Food;
• Animals + Nature;
• Kids – channels aimed at children and young teenagers;
• Anime – Japanese animation (mostly subbed);
• En Español – Spanish-language channels;
• Music Videos – music videos and video concerts (audio-based music channels from Dash Radio were previously among the selections, but they were dropped in July 2020 and replaced by Vevo);{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2020 |title=Exclusive: Pluto TV removes Dash Radio stations from lineup |url=https://thedesk.matthewkeys.net/2020/07/dash-radio-pluto-tv-stations-removed/ |access-date=July 18, 2020 |website=The Desk}}
• Local News – Regional news channels and geolocated stations (including CBS News Local services)

;Seasonal channels

• Season's Greetings – Pop-up Christmas-themed movie and Yule Log channels that operate from November 1 to December 31; in November 2023, Pluto TV acquired streaming rights to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade for broadcast on one of the seasonal channels.{{Cite web |last=Bouma |first=Luke |date=2023-11-01 |title=Pluto TV is Adding 4 New Channels, Live MMA Fights, & A Ton of On-demand Content in November 2023 |url=https://cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-is-adding-4-new-channels-live-mma-fights-a-ton-of-on-demand-content-in-november-2023/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=Cord Cutters News |language=en-US}}

;Former categories

• Explore – travel, lifestyle, historical, science and special-interest channels.

As of December 2024, Pluto TV carries approximately 425 channels, packaging content acquired through various content syndication deals, as well as programming from Paramount Global's internal libraries. Traditional television channels whose feeds are carried directly on Pluto include WeatherNation TV, Newsmax TV, Dabl, Bloomberg Television, Sky News, Ion Television, Professional Bull Riders' RidePass, Eleven Sports (albeit with some events replaced with alternative programming due to streaming rights restrictions), Stadium and TheBlaze.{{Cite news |date=February 24, 2018 |title=The Cord Cutters Guide to Pluto TV (A FREE Streaming Service) |work=Cord Cutters News |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/cord-cutters-guide-pluto-tv-free-streaming-service/ |access-date=April 27, 2018}} AVOD services whose feeds are carried on Pluto include CBS News 24/7, CBS Sports HQ, ET Live, Fox Sports, Nosey, NBC News Now, Scripps News (short-form Scripps News Briefs are inserted into commercial breaks on other Pluto channels), Cheddar News, TYT Network, People TV and the religious-owned TBN,{{Cite web |last=John-Michael Bond |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Pluto TV is essential for broke cord-cutters |url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/what-is-pluto-tv-channels-devices/ |access-date=February 12, 2020 |website=The Daily Dot}} In addition, Pluto also offers "pop-up channels," which maintain binge-viewing or specialty programming formats that operate on a temporary or open-ended basis.

Pluto TV content can be streamed through a number of desk, mobile and internet-connected TV platforms, including: Android and Apple iOS/iPadOS devices, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Cox Contour Stream Player, Vizio SmartCast, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, webOS, Chromecast, Virgin Media and macOS and Windows computers.{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2019 |title=Watch on your favorite devices |url=https://corporate.pluto.tv/where-to-watch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610213419/https://corporate.pluto.tv/where-to-watch/ |archive-date=June 10, 2019 |website=Pluto TV |publisher=Viacom}} Pluto-operated channels are also offered through The Roku Channel's live TV section.

In Canada, Pluto TV was available in a limited capacity due to existing program rights held by broadcasters.{{Cite web |title=How to Watch Pluto TV in Canada |url=https://techybuild.com/pluto-tv-in-canada/#Why_is_Pluto_TV_Inaccessible_in_Canada |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407102917/https://techybuild.com/pluto-tv-in-canada/ |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Techy Build|date=April 13, 2020 }} In June 2022, it was announced that Paramount would partner with Corus Entertainment to relaunch the service locally in late 2022, with Corus serving as ad-sale representative and providing library content to the service.{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2022 |title=Paramount Global's Pluto TV to Launch in Canada |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-globals-pluto-tv-to-launch-in-canada-1235161264/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2022 |title=Paramount's Pluto TV Sets Canada Launch in Advertising, Content Pact With Corus |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/pluto-tv-canada-launch-corus-free-streaming-1235288226/ |website=Variety}} Pluto TV was officially relaunched in Canada on December 1, 2022.{{Cite web |title=Pluto TV is Coming to Canada on December 1 – Cord Cutters News |date=September 21, 2022 |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/pluto-tv-is-coming-to-canada-on-december-1/ |access-date=September 22, 2022 |language=en-US}} During the Canadian launch event on December 1, 2022, executive VP and international general manager Olivier Jollet told The Hollywood Reporter that they plan to launch Pluto TV channels in Australia by August 2023 (through Paramount's existing BVOD service 10Play) and are exploring expansion into other European and Asian territories.{{cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |title=Can Pluto TV's Expansion Be Powered by Library Content Alone? A Chat With International Chief Olivier Jollet |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/can-library-content-alone-power-pluto-tvs-expansion-a-chat-with-international-chief-olivier-jollet-1235273771/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=December 11, 2022}}

• 10Play

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}

{{VOD services}}

{{CATV USA}}

{{ViacomCBS}}

{{Video digital distribution platforms}}

Category:2013 establishments in California

Category:2019 mergers and acquisitions

Category:American companies established in 2013

Category:Android (operating system) software

Category:Companies based in Berlin

Category:Companies based in Los Angeles

Category:Internet properties established in 2013

Category:Internet television streaming services

Category:IOS software

Category:MacOS software

Category:Paramount Streaming

Category:PlayStation 4 software

Category:Video on demand services

Category:Windows software

Category:TvOS software