Paramount Network will be undergoing another brand update, which means “Yellowstone” will also see a few differences starting with season 4…
The Paramount Network is moving away from scripted and unscripted television series but that doesn’t mean the hugely popular show “Yellowstone” is going anywhere.
On Tuesday it was confirmed by Variety that the ViacomCBS-owned network would be rebranding itself again after just changing from Spike TV to the Paramount Network a few years ago. Now the Paramount Network will be changed to The Paramount Movie Network.
The plan for the new network will be to produce 52 original movies per year — or one per week — with budgets ranging from the low-to-mid seven figures. Once per quarter, the new network plans to program a mini-series or scripted series on par with a show like “Yellowstone” with the potential for characters or stories from those shows then being spun off into their own films or mini-series.
Now what exactly does that mean for “Yellowstone,” which has been the most watched TV series on cable for the past three summers?
As part of the new Paramount Movie Network, “Yellowstone” won’t be going anywhere except being given an even bigger platform for the series. The show was already renewed for season 4 but now “Yellowstone” is expected to be presented with a more “cinematic” experience with the possibility of two episodes airing in one night with limited commercial interruptions.
The plans to put more money into the original programming could also allow “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan to expand his vision for the already ambitious series to an even bigger, bolder place after he previously wrote critically acclaimed films such as “Sicario” and “Hell or High Water.”
Sheridan also recently signed a lucrative overall first-look deal with ViacomCBS, which included his latest series “Mayor of Kingstown.” That series will more than likely remain on the Paramount Movie Network with the potential to pair it up alongside “Yellowstone” as a serious one-two punch with Sheridan behind both shows.
“We’re doubling down on scripted but diversifying with made for TV movies, mini-series and blockbuster series with movie stars like ‘Yellowstone’” President of entertainment and youth brands for ViacomCBS domestic media networks Chris McCarthy said.
“Made-for-TV movies provide all the creative upside and ability to work with great talent, without the full time commitment of a series or feature. Plus, we’re maximizing our investment because we can build a valuable library to use across our streaming, cable and global footprints.”
While “Yellowstone” will be staying put on the new Paramount Movie Network, other unscripted series wont be quite as lucky.
“Ink Master, “Wife Swap,” and “Battle of the Fittest Couples” will be cancelled with more popular series “Bar Rescue” and “Lip Sync Battle” being moved to a different broadcast home in the ViacomCBS family. Bellator MMA was also recently moved to CBS Sports Network after previously airing on Spike TV and the Paramount Network.
The shift in strategies along with the programming changes will take place over the next year as the Paramount Network will become the Paramount Movie Network.
