PARAMOUNT Global has had conversations with Amazon.com about expanding the ties between their media businesses, according to sources familiar with the talks.
The discussions may not amount to anything, but are said to include bundled sales of channels, according to the sources, who asked not to be identified because the conversations are private. One of the sources said the talks also involved advertising.
Paramount has also had discussions with Comcast about a streaming joint venture.
Paramount’s streaming service, Paramount+, is already one of the more popular choices on Amazon’s Channels store, which lets customers subscribe to online TV networks such as Starz, Max and Discovery+. Paramount is also a large supplier of TV programmes to Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service, including the hits Reacher and Jack Ryan.
Paramount, the parent of CBS, MTV and other media businesses, is fielding offers from independent film and TV producer David Ellison as well as Apollo Global Management about a takeover of the business from controlling shareholder Shari Redstone. Apollo has partnered with Sony Group in its bid.
The New York-based media giant has struggled with falling ad sales and a money-losing streaming business. Paramount recently replaced its chief executive officer, Bob Bakish, with a trio of executives who are working on their own plan to improve the company’s finances. BLOOMBERG
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
