Observed Signal · Aug 20, 2026 · Partnership · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Paramount+ Free Episodes Now on The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel now offers select Paramount+ content for free, letting viewers stream the first three episodes of series such as Lioness without a subscription. The free sampling is intended to lower the barrier to trial; viewers can then subscribe to Paramount+ directly through The Roku Channel, with subscription billing and account management consolidated in one interface. The arrangement follows broader streaming trends where free ad-supported platforms (FAST/AVOD) partner with premium services to provide limited previews that drive discovery and potential SVOD conversions. The move benefits Roku by strengthening its content hub and benefits Paramount+ through exposure to Roku’s large installed base.
This partnership affects CTV/streaming distribution and discovery: it expands AVOD sampling funnels, may increase SVOD conversions via consolidated billing, and is relevant to publishers and advertisers targeting Roku's large audience.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- The Roku Channel is making select Paramount+ content available for free on its service.
- Viewers can stream the first three episodes of series like Lioness on The Roku Channel without paying.
- Users can subscribe to Paramount+ through The Roku Channel and manage subscriptions and billing from the same account.
- The arrangement is presented as a sampling/discovery partnership aligning with free ad-supported streaming trends.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mapped“The Roku Channel has expanded its free ad-supported offerings by making select content from Paramount+ available at no cost, giving viewers ...”
“Paramount+, in turn, gains exposure to the large installed base of Roku devices and The Roku Channel users, many of whom already rely on the...”
“Please add Cord Cutters News as a source for your Google News feed HERE....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Paramount Plans Free Tier for Paramount+
Paramount is developing a free, ad-supported tier for Paramount+, described as a “free front porch” that would allow viewers to watch some content after creating a free account. Business Insider reports the feature and other product ideas (multiview, interactive features, short-form “microdramas” and podcast clips) were shown in an internal presentation. The free tier is expected to roll out in Q3 2026. The move follows an industry trend toward ad-supported options — companies such as YouTube, Tubi, Pluto TV, Fox and Roku are cited as examples of profitable free services — and could be used to drive engagement and paid conversions.
Roku Promotes Paramount+ CBS Feeds; Free Streams Remain
Roku has begun prominently featuring Paramount+ local CBS live news feeds inside The Roku Channel home and Live tabs, which can lead users to a Paramount+ subscription screen. The article explains that the placement is a promotional strategy that increases visibility of Paramount+ (benefiting both Roku and Paramount+) but does not remove existing free CBS affiliate streams. Users can still find free local CBS feeds on The Roku Channel via direct search and through ad-supported aggregators such as NewsON and Haystack News. The story frames the change as a navigation and discoverability issue—paid options are being surfaced more prominently while free alternatives still exist but require extra steps to locate.
Roku Adds 15 Free Channels; Paramount Advances Warner Deal
This Cord Cutters News daily roundup (May 6, 2026) summarizes several cord-cutting developments: Roku added 15 new live, free channels to Roku TVs and Roku players (linked coverage notes channels including Live PD and Alaska State Troopers); Paramount is making progress toward closing its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery later this year; Paramount+ is reporting strong growth as Paramount invests in the service; Philo added another AMC channel to its Bundle+ plan. The piece links to individual stories for each item and includes other streaming and TV updates such as new content arriving on Tubi and app shutdown notices across platforms.
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