What Happened to Pluto TV?
Pluto TV is a pioneering free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service that offers a wide array of live linear channels and on-demand content. Founded in 2013, it was acquired by Viacom in 2019 and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paramount Skydance, playing a crucial role in the company's direct-to-consumer streaming strategy.
Quick Answer
Pluto TV continues to thrive as a leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, offering hundreds of live channels and thousands of on-demand titles. It is currently owned by Paramount Skydance, following the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media in August 2025. As of early 2026, Pluto TV is expanding its content library, introducing new channels and a diverse selection of movies and series, while also testing new user interface features to enhance content discovery.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Pluto TV Founded
Pluto TV was founded in Los Angeles, California, by Tom Ryan, Ilya Pozin, and Nick Grouf, aiming to create a free, ad-supported streaming service.
US Launch
The service officially launched in the United States, offering a curated lineup of linear channels and on-demand content.
Raises $30 Million in Series B Funding
Pluto TV secured $30 million in Series B venture capital funding, valuing the company at $140 million.
Reaches 15 Million Users
Pluto TV announced it had reached over 15 million users and received a $5 million investment from Samsung.
Viacom Announces Acquisition
Viacom announced its intention to acquire Pluto TV for $340 million in cash, signaling a major shift in its streaming strategy.
Acquisition by Viacom Completed
Viacom finalized the $340 million all-cash acquisition of Pluto TV, integrating the free streaming service into its portfolio.
Becomes Part of ViacomCBS Streaming
Pluto TV became a core component of the newly formed ViacomCBS Streaming division, led by Pluto TV CEO Tom Ryan.
Launches in Nordic Countries
Pluto TV expanded its international presence by launching in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark through a partnership with Viaplay Group.
Reaches 80 Million Monthly Active Users
Pluto TV announced it had reached a total of 80 million monthly active users, demonstrating significant growth in its audience.
Expands Canadian Offering
Pluto TV added six new FAST channels from A+E Networks' library to its Canadian service, including popular reality series.
Canada Marks Two-Year Anniversary with Growth
Pluto TV Canada celebrated its two-year anniversary, reporting a 40% increase in monthly average viewing minutes and over 243 channels.
Paramount Global Merges with Skydance Media
Paramount Global completed its merger with Skydance Media, forming Paramount Skydance, making Pluto TV a subsidiary of the new entity.
Tests New Home Screen UI
Pluto TV began rolling out tests of a new Netflix-style home screen on Roku devices, aiming to better promote both live and on-demand content.
Adds New Channels and Content
Pluto TV introduced new channels and a significant slate of content for March 2026, including the full series of 'Fringe' and all 'Star Trek' films.
Announces April Content Lineup
Pluto TV unveiled its April 2026 content, featuring the 'Godfather' trilogy, over 50 comedy films, and live sports events like the HBCU All-Star Game and NFL Draft coverage.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Pluto TV was founded in 2013 by entrepreneurs Tom Ryan, Ilya Pozin, and Nick Grouf in Los Angeles, California, with the vision of creating a free, ad-supported streaming platform that mimicked traditional cable TV. It officially launched in the United States in early 2014, initially aggregating online video content into curated linear channels. This innovative approach targeted cord-cutters seeking a familiar television experience without subscription fees, quickly gaining traction by focusing on ad revenue.
A significant turning point for Pluto TV came on January 22, 2019, when Viacom announced its intention to acquire the company for $340 million in cash. The acquisition was completed on March 4, 2019, integrating Pluto TV into Viacom's direct-to-consumer strategy. Viacom saw Pluto TV as a valuable tool for marketing its extensive content library, including brands like MTV and Nickelodeon, and as a distribution outlet for its digital content. Following the Viacom-CBS merger, Pluto TV became part of ViacomCBS Streaming in October 2020, which was later rebranded as Paramount Streaming in February 2022.
Pluto TV's business model is entirely ad-supported (AVOD), generating revenue through commercials shown during programming and channel switching. It partners with over 250 content providers, offering a vast library of over 100,000 hours of programming across approximately 425 channels as of early 2026. The platform's linear-style experience encourages a traditional TV mindset, leading to high ad completion rates and making it an attractive platform for advertisers seeking engaged audiences.
International expansion has been a key growth strategy. After the 2019 acquisition, Pluto TV expanded its global reach to regions including Canada, Latin America, and various European countries. For instance, it launched in the Nordics in May 2022 and significantly expanded its Canadian offering throughout 2024. As of 2025, Pluto TV reached over 80 million monthly active users globally, with over 50 million in the United States.
The most recent major development occurred in August 2025, when Paramount Global merged with Skydance Media, forming Paramount Skydance. Pluto TV now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary within Paramount Skydance's Direct-to-Consumer division. Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison confirmed in August 2025 that Pluto TV and Paramount+ would move to a unified technology stack starting in 2026, with potential future consolidation of services. As of April 2026, Pluto TV continues to regularly update its content, adding new movies and series across various genres, and is testing new home screen layouts on devices like Roku to improve content discovery.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Pluto TV made different choices?