Paramount+ has removed Jordan Peele's Twilight Zone reboot and a plethora of other original titles from its platform.
According to Deadline, Paramount+ has removed several original titles from its platform, including Jordan Peele's Twilight Zone. Other removed shows include Real World: Homecoming, the crime drama Interrogation, animated series The Harper House and No Activity, the Michael Chiklis-starring Coyote and the Kate Beckinsale-led Guilty Party.
The news of the removals comes shortly after Paramount, the corporate parent of Paramount+ and Showtime, announced it would be combining the two brands into a single streaming service. "While we are confident this is the right move for our company, our consumers, and our partners, we know this change brings uncertainty for the teams working on these brands and businesses," Paramount CEO Bob Bakish wrote in a memo distributed to staff. "We are committed to being as transparent and thoughtful as possible throughout this process, and we expect to share additional details in the coming weeks."
Bakish further explained, "Its [Showtime] name will always stand for critically acclaimed, groundbreaking entertainment and creative excellence," he lauded. "Now, with Showtime's content integrated into our flagship streaming service, and select Paramount+ originals joining the linear offering, Paramount+ will become the definitive multiplatform brand in the streaming space — and the first of its kind to integrate streaming and linear content in this way."
Paramount+ Joins HBO Max In Removing Original Titles
Paramount+'s move to remove shows such as The Twilight Zone -- which lasted two seasons from 2019-20 before it was canceled in 2021 -- from its streaming platform bares similarities to HBO Max's recent wave of cancelations and removals. In Dec. 2022, HBO Max originals such as Westworld, The Nevers, Raised by Wolves and more were abruptly removed and can no longer be viewed on the service; however, Tubi and Roku recently made licensing deals with Warner Bros. Discovery to begin carrying some of the titles removed from HBO Max.
"We love working with world-class, cutting-edge partners like the Roku Channel," David Decker, president of content sales for Warner Bros. Discovery, wrote about the company's licensing strategy. "Their innovative platforms provide us with new ways to bring our valuable content to fans across the country....These new channels are one more way we are bringing Warner Bros. Discovery’s vast array of content to our fans. Tubi is an incredible client, and we’re excited to expand our relationship with these new channels."
Source: Deadline