Paramount has recently decided to cancel and remove several shows from its streaming service, including The Game, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Star Trek: Prodigy, and Queen of the Universe. This comes via a Variety report in which a Paramount+ spokesperson expressed their gratitude to the “talented cast, crew, and producing partners for their passionate work and dedication on these programs.”
These cancellations and subsequent removals coincide with the upcoming launch of the unified service Paramount+ with Showtime, scheduled for June 27. The integration will provide subscribers access to Showtime shows like Dexter, Yellowjackets, and Billions.
While Paramount did not disclose specific data to justify the cancellations, an individual familiar with the matter revealed that the decision was data-driven. It’s also unclear whether the shows will still be available to buy digitally/physically or if they will ultimately completely disappear.
This move reflects a growing trend among streaming platforms to remove content based on various factors. Warner Bros. Discovery, led by David Zaslav, has been at the forefront of such removals on Max, while Disney+ and Hulu have also followed suit.
Despite being renewed for a second season in 2021, Star Trek: Prodigy, the first animated kids show in the Star Trek universe, will not be returning to Paramount+ or Nickelodeon. However, CBS Studios will complete post-production on Season 2 and seek alternative outlets for distribution.
The Game, a revival of the CW/BET series, has aired two seasons on Paramount+ and will now be available for CBS Studios to shop around. Similarly, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, a prequel to the iconic musical, premiered its first season on Paramount+ in April and will be offered to other networks by Paramount Television Studios.
Queen of the Universe, a drag singing competition produced by World of Wonder, known for the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise, aired its final four episodes on June 22. The show is set to be removed from Paramount+ on June 30.
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