As announced today exclusively at Prime Time in Ottawa, Ont., Pluto TV, the leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, and Fuse Media, a Latino-owned multi-platform entertainment company dedicated to empowering, celebrating, and amplifying young multicultural voices around the world, have secured the first North American distribution deal for OUTtv Proud launching on the service today. In addition, the companies have partnered to bring Shades of Black to Pluto TV Canada, streaming later this month on the service.
The OUTtv Proud channel, making its worldwide debut and now streaming on Pluto TV Canada, super-serves 2SLGBTQ+ audiences with a blend of rising stars and top talent in truly original programming. With an extensive collection of OUTtv’s original series, documentaries, films and specials which are custom-made to entertain, advocate for and galvanize global queer audiences, the channel launches with more than 400 hours of content. OUTtv Proud is a partnership between Fuse Media and OUTtv, the world’s first 2SLGBTQ+ network and streaming service.
The Shades of Black Channel celebrates Black culture with high-calibre stars and captivating stories. What matters –on your block and worldwide – comes together on Shades of Black with an exclusive collection of studio and independent films, scripted and reality series, powerful documentaries, and specials that authentically represent global Black culture. Shades of Black is a partnership between Cinedigm, Quincy Newell’s TwentyOne14 Media and Fuse Media
“Paramount has a long-standing commitment to increasing diverse representation, both onscreen and off,” said Katrina Kowalski, Vice President of Content, Pluto TV and Paramount+ in Canada. “This partnership speaks to our commitment, while also enhancing Pluto TV’s already vast channel lineup. We are proud to expand our library of hit shows and films to offer these new channels – OUTtv Proud and Shades of Black – exclusively to Canadians, completely free.”
“The response to Fuse Media’s FAST channels from distributors around the globe has been tremendous,” said Fuse Media Chairman & CEO, Miguel Roggero. “Shades of Black continues to connect with viewers, surpassing one billion minutes watched in 2022; and we are excited to grow the audience for our newest offering, OUTtv Proud. The success of our DEI-focused FAST channels shows that content that entertains and empowers knows no boundaries.”
“We are proud of our reputation for truly original LGBTQ+ programming and always strive to make our content available to audiences everywhere,” said Brad Danks, OUTtv CEO. “OUTtv Proud will increase distribution and discovery of our series, documentaries and films even further.”
Pluto TV launched in Canada on December 1, 2022. With more than 100 channels and more than 20,000 hours of FREE content, this was the strongest launch content offering of any international market, fueled by Paramount, Corus and third-party content. Pluto TV has been embraced by Canadians. Since its launch, it was the most downloaded app on Android and among the top 5 most downloaded applications on the majority of App Stores. Pluto TV is available for free, with no registration required. Canadian users can watch Pluto TV via web at www.pluto.tv, via the Pluto TV app for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android TV, Chromecast, Samsung and LG devices, and via mobile apps on the App Store and Google Play.
