GECs
ViacomCBS quarterly global streaming revenues cross $1 billion mark
Mumbai: ViacomCBS global streaming revenue surpassed $ one billion for the first time in the third quarter 2021 with a growth of 62 per cent year-on-year. The company added 4.7 million net subscribers during the quarter reaching nearly 47 million subscribers. This includes the streaming platforms Paramount+, Showtime, BET+ and Noggin.
The company saw 79 per cent growth YoY in streaming subscription revenue. It generated 48 per cent YoY growth in streaming advertising revenue, largely driven by Pluto TV, which grew global monthly active users (MAUs) to over 54 million and revenue by 99 per cent YoY. In terms of monetization, global streaming subscription ARPU increased 8 per cent year-over-year.
The company’s total revenue was up by 13 per cent for the quarter ended 30 September at $6.6 billion. The pace of subscriber growth has slowed compared to the previous quarter when the company added 6.5 million new additions across its streaming services.
The company attributed the growth of subscribers and consumption on Paramount+ on its diverse global content offering including “A Quiet Place Part II,” “Paw Patrol: The Movie,” the return of the NFL, and the New CBS Fall Season.
“The strength and momentum of both Paramount+ and Pluto TV are clearly evident, and demonstrate the power of the strategy we laid out at our investor event earlier this year,” said ViacomCBS president and chief executive officer Robert Bakish. “To that end, I want to remind you of three key enablers driving the ViacomCBS strategy, all of which we’re seeing in action. First, an incredible breadth and depth of compelling content which is critical to attracting and retaining consumers globally; second, robust distribution and marketing, which ensures we can build the broadest reach and awareness; and third, a strong and flexible financial engine to enable streaming investment, drive RoI and maximize shareholder value.”
Adding further, he said, “As the leading free ad-supported streaming TV service on the market, Pluto TV is winning in both scale and engagement, and it will be a $1 billion revenue business this year.”
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
