Viacom Joins Upcoming T-Mobile Video Service

Viacom has inked a deal with T-Mobile to bring linear channels and on-demand content to the telco’s upcoming video service.

The deal encompasses the linear feeds of MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount and more, plus a range of shows on-demand. T-Mobile acquired Layer3 TV last year and since has been preparing an in-home TV solution, “designed to replace cable for the 5G era,” and mobile TV services, with Viacom serving as a “cornerstone launch partner.” T-Mobile has almost 80 million customers.

“Viacom represents the best of the best, most-popular brands on cable, so they are an amazing partner for us,” said John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile. “TV programming has never been better, but consumers are fed up with rising costs, hidden fees, lousy customer service, non-stop BS. And MacGyvering together a bunch of subscriptions, apps and dongles isn’t much better. That’s why T-Mobile is on a mission to give consumers a better way to watch what they want, when they want.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with T-Mobile on a new entertainment service that represents an important evolution in how audiences consume our content,” said Bob Bakish, Viacom’s president and CEO. “Today’s landmark announcement marks a major step forward in our strategy to accelerate the presence of our brands on mobile and other next-generation platforms, and we’re so excited to partner with T-Mobile to provide millions of subscribers with access to our networks and more choice in a new service that will be unlike any other in the market.”