Who Owns Pluto TV?
Pluto TV is owned by Paramount Global, a publicly traded American media conglomerate. Pluto TV was acquired by Paramount (then ViacomCBS) in 2019 for $340 million. Paramount Global is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol PARA and is headquartered in New York City, USA.
Parent Company
Paramount Global
Acquired
2019
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California, USA
Who Owns Pluto TV?
- Parent Company: Paramount Global
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2019
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: PARA
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pluto TV | Paramount Global | Wholly owned |
History of Pluto TV
- Founded: 2013
- Founders: Tom Ryan, Ilya Pozin, Nick Giallourakis
- Acquired by Paramount Global: 2019
Pluto TV was founded in 2013 by Tom Ryan, Ilya Pozin, and Nick Giallourakis with the vision of creating a free, ad-supported streaming television service that would mimic traditional cable TV without subscription fees. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for media entertainment solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the media entertainment category for generations. The company was established in Los Angeles, California. This strategic positioning demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to create differentiated media entertainment solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.
The platform launched in 2014, offering a selection of free channels that simulated the traditional TV experience with programming schedules and channel surfing. This period of excellence demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple media entertainment segments. Pluto TV's model differentiated it from on-demand streaming services by providing live TV-like content. This strategic diversification demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the media entertainment industry.
Throughout the mid-2010s, Pluto TV grew rapidly, expanding its channel lineup through partnerships with content providers and adding on-demand content. This continued evolution demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing media entertainment requirements and technological advancements. The company introduced channels across various genres including news, sports, movies, and entertainment. This continued excellence demonstrates Pluto TV's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing media entertainment dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to integrate into larger media entertainment corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the streaming-service industry.
In 2019, ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) acquired Pluto TV for $340 million, recognizing the growing importance of free ad-supported streaming in the media landscape. This continued evolution demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing media entertainment requirements and corporate dynamics. The acquisition provided Pluto TV with additional resources and integration with Paramount's content library. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of streaming-service and consumer-focused media entertainment solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct media entertainment identity and market leadership.
Under Paramount Global's ownership, Pluto TV has continued to expand its channel offerings, improve its user interface, and enhance its content library while maintaining its free, ad-supported model. This continued evolution demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing media entertainment requirements and technological advancements. This continued excellence demonstrates Pluto TV's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing media entertainment dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to integrate into larger media entertainment corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the streaming-service industry. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of streaming-service and consumer-focused media entertainment solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct media entertainment identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Pluto TV's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing media entertainment dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Pluto TV's exceptional ability to integrate into larger media entertainment corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the streaming-service industry.
About Paramount Global
Paramount Global operates as a comprehensive media and entertainment company with diverse revenue streams. The company's business includes streaming services, television networks, film production, and publishing operations.
The company's primary segments include streaming (Paramount+), television networks (CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET), film production (Paramount Pictures), and publishing (Simon & Schuster). Paramount Global generates revenue through streaming subscriptions, advertising, theatrical releases, and licensing agreements.
Paramount Global employs approximately 24,500 people worldwide, with major operations in New York, Los Angeles, and other global locations. The company continues to invest heavily in streaming technology and content production to compete in the evolving media landscape.
- Founded: 2019
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: PARA
Where Is Pluto TV Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Global (distributed operations)
Brands Owned by Paramount Global
- BET - American cable television network focused on African American culture, entertain...
- BritBox - Subscription streaming service offering British television programming, dramas, ...
- CBS - American commercial broadcast television network and flagship property of Paramo...
- Comedy Central - American cable television network focused on comedy programming, stand-up comedy...
- MTV - American cable television network focused on music, youth culture, entertainment...
- Nickelodeon - American cable television network and media company focused on children's entert...
- Paramount+ - American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from Pa...
- Paramount - American film and television studio founded in 1912, flagship brand of Paramount...
Pluto TV Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Free access to hundreds of live TV channels and on-demand content
- +Traditional TV-like experience with channel surfing
- +Integration with Paramount Global's content library and brands
- +Growing user base in the competitive streaming market
- +Ad-supported model providing revenue without charging users
Considerations
- -Advertisement interruptions during content viewing
- -Content library may not include premium or latest releases
- -Competition from other free and subscription streaming services
- -Dependency on content licensing agreements and partnerships
- -Limited original content compared to major subscription platforms
Frequently Asked Questions About Pluto TV
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Pluto TV
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Bros Discovery | USA | 1972 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Sony Group | USA | 1988 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Apple | USA | 2019 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Apple | USA | 2007 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Comcast | USA | 1980 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Warner Bros Discovery | USA | 1992 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

HBO
Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
American premium cable and satellite television network known for original programming, movies, and sports content.

Sony Music Entertainment
Owned by Sony Group Corporation
American global music company and one of the world's largest record labels, operating multiple music labels and music publishing services.

Apple Arcade
Owned by Apple Inc.
Apple's gaming subscription service providing access to premium games and exclusive titles across Apple devices.

Apple TV
Owned by Apple Inc.
Digital media player and streaming service developed by Apple Inc., offering access to movies, TV shows, and original content through Apple TV+ and other streaming apps.

Bravo
Owned by Comcast Corporation
American cable television network owned by Comcast Corporation's NBCUniversal division, specializing in lifestyle, reality, and entertainment programming.

Cartoon Network
Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
American children's television network known for animated series and original programming, currently owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD), which announced in June 2025 a plan to split into two companies, with Cartoon Network assigned to the TV networks spinoff entity.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Pluto TV competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Paramount Global Stock Information
Jobs at Paramount Global
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