Baidu Approves $5 Billion Share Buyback and Plans First-Ever Dividend in 2026 
Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links 
Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million in Bellwether Sexual Assault Lawsuit 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Boeing Signals Progress on Delayed 777X Program With Planned April First Flight 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
AMD Shares Slide Despite Earnings Beat as Cautious Revenue Outlook Weighs on Stock 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Paramount Global media company revealed it would be combining its Showtime TV network and Paramount Plus streaming service. Once merged, the new service will have a new name - Paramount+ with Showtime.
Paramount Global said earlier this week that it is planning to fully merge Showtime and Paramount Plus and then allow it to operate as a standalone streaming platform. The company said that it is taking this step as a response to the ongoing streaming wars.
As per CNBC, integrating the two is not the only thing that Paramount Global is eyeing to do. It has more things up on its sleeve. For instance, as part of the merge, Showtime TV channel will be featuring content from Paramount Plus which will create original series based on its popular franchises such as “Criminal Minds” and “Yellowstone.”
Under the new name for the combined brands, Paramount Plus members can subscribe to Showtime for a low extra fee on their TV bundle. The price rates for the integrated streaming platform are not yet available at this time but are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, along with the release of other details.
Currently, Paramount+ subscribers are paying fees starting at $4.99 per month, while Showtime’s streaming service starts at $10.99 a month. It was suggested that a bundle deal for the two services may start at $11.99 per month.
“This new combined offering demonstrates how we can leverage our entire collection of content to drive deeper connections with consumers and greater value for our distribution partners,” Bob Bakish, Paramount’s chief executive officer, said in a memo addressed to employees this week.
He added, “This change will also drive stronger alignment across our domestic and international Paramount+ offerings, as international Paramount+ already includes Showtime content. And, very importantly, this integration will unlock operational efficiencies and financial benefits across our broader portfolio.”
Finally, Reuters reported that the Showtime streaming service would no longer be available later this year. In its place, the combined service with Paramount Plus will be offered to customers.
