Paramount Plus is folding BET+ into its platform, bringing more than 1,000 hours of Black-culture-focused originals, seres, and movies under one subscription by June, according to an internal memo reported by multiple outlets. The integration follows Paramount's buyout of Tyler Perry Studios' equity in BET+ for an undisclosed sum that sources estimate could reach eight figures. New sign-ups for standalone BET+ have already stopped, redirecting users to Paramount Plus.

The eight-figure buyout of Tyler Perry's stake

Paramount CEO David Ellison orchestrated the purchase of Tyler Perry Studios' share in BET+ as a precondition for the merger, according to reports. While financial terms remain undisclosed, industry insiders have pegged the deal in the eight-figure range. this acquisition gives Paramount full control over BET+’s content library and future programming decisions, ensuring that Tyler Perry's shows—inculding All the Queen’s Men, The Ms. Pat Show, and Diarra From Detroit—will continue under the Paramount umbrella, as reported by multiple sources.

Why 1,000 hours of Black-centric content is a strategic play

Paramount Plus’s move to absorb BET+ is not merely about adding volume; it's about capturing a demographic that has historically been underserved by mainstream streaming platforms. BET has been a pillar of Black television since the 1980s, and BET+ launched in 2019 to double down on that heritage. By folding the service, Paramount Plus gains a curated catalogue of culturally significant titles that it can offer to its existing subscribers—and potentially attract new ones. The consolidation also mirrors broader industry trends: Disney merged Hulu into Disney+ earlier this year , another sign that the era of niche standalone streaming apps is giving way to all-in-one mega-platforms.

How the pending Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition changes the picture

Paramount’s integration of BET+ comes alongside a much larger pending purchase: a takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery that would bring HBO Max’s expansive library—including blockbuster films and prestige series—to Paramount Plus. According to reports, Paramount swooped in at the last minute to claim that deal. If finalized, Paramount Plus could become a direct rival to Netflix and Disney+, layering BET+’s cultural progrmming on top of HBO’s prestige content. The BET+ move, while smaller in scale, is a dry run for that larger transition, according to industry analysts cited in the coverage.

BET+ subscribers face a June shift and lingering questions

The migration is expected to occur sometime in June, though no exact date has been provided, according to the memo. Existing BET+ subscribers will presumably be migrated to Paramount Plus accounts , but it remains unclear whether BET+ content will be available on all Paramount Plus tiers, including the budget-friendly Essential plan. The president of BET Networks, Louis Carr, has stated that BET will remain a vital part of Paramount’s long-term strategy, as reported by multiple outlets. However, what happens to standalone BET+ subscribers who do not wish to switch platforms has not been addressed. Also unanswered: whether any exclusive BET+ originals will be lost, or if all current programming will transfer seamlessly.