Showtime Gets Free, Ad-Supported Sampling Channel On Pluto TV

ViacomCBS today launched a permanent, content-sampling channel for its premium streamer Showtime on its free, ad-supported video-on-demand platform, Pluto TV.

The free “Showtime Selects” channel aims to win new subscribers for the $10.99-per-month SVOD from among Pluto TV’s 28.4 million unique monthly users by targeting and converting them with specific types of content, Showtime CMO Michael Engleman told Variety, which first reported on the launch.

The content, which will be refreshed each month, includes 250 hours of episodes from select series, with pre- and post-roll ads.

Current offerings include the first episodes of the new “Your Honor” series starring Bryan Cranston and the final season of “Shameless,” as well as episodes from “Ray Donovan,” “The Affair,” “Billions,” “Californication,” and “The L Word.” The full limited series “The Loudest Voice” and “Murder in the Bayou” are also available.

Pluto TV’s menu is promoting the Showtime channel, and one feature now in development at Pluto will allow viewers to click out to subscribe immediately to Showtime.

That’s one of several products being developed to drive consumers from Pluto TV to the paid services of ViacomCBS and its partners, according to the report.

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