ViacomCBS Secures Exclusive Domestic Streaming Rights To Hit “FBI” Series From NBCUniversal In Multi-Platform Content Licensing Deal

Sep 30, 2021
By ViacomCBS Staff

Paramount+ Subscribers In The U.S. Gain Access To All Seasons Beginning Friday, October 1;

Current Season Episodes Broadcast On CBS And Available To Stream Live And On Demand On Paramount+

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) today announced the acquisition of the hit CBS drama FBI from NBCUniversal in a new, multi-year content licensing agreement featuring exclusive domestic streaming rights for the Dick Wolf and Wolf Entertainment series. As part of the deal, ViacomCBS also secured non-exclusive media rights for its leading portfolio of U.S. cable networks.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210930005312/en/

The first three seasons of the show are available to stream on Friday, October 1 for Paramount+ subscribers in the U.S. The fourth and current season will continue to air on the CBS Television Network and be available to stream live and on demand on the CBS app and Paramount+.

“CBS is the proud home of Dick Wolf’s signature FBI series and we look forward to growing its considerable audience even further with more viewer touch points domestically and globally,” said George Cheeks, President & CEO of CBS, and Chief Content Officer, News & Sports for Paramount+. “We are committed to maximizing the power and impact of one of our most popular franchises by growing the FBI brand across the ViacomCBS portfolio.”

Over the course of NBCUniversal’s long relationship with Dick Wolf, we’ve seen the power of the Wolf Entertainment shows to resonate with viewers around the world, and FBI is no exception,” said Belinda Menendez, President and Chief Revenue Officer for NBCUniversal Global Distribution. “ViacomCBS is a valuable partner to us and we’re thrilled that through this agreement, audiences across America will soon have more ways to discover and enjoy this hugely successful show.”

From Emmy® Award winner Dick Wolf and the team behind the Law & Order brand, FBI is a fast-paced drama about the inner workings of the New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This elite unit brings to bear all their talents, intellect and technical expertise on major cases in order to keep New York and the country safe. Over the past four seasons, the series has starred an amazing ensemble cast, including Missy Peregrym, Zeeko Zaki, Jeremy Sisto, Alana De La Garza, John Boyd and Katherine Renee Turner. FBI is produced by Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with CBS Studios. Dick Wolf, Rick Eid, Alex Chapple, Arthur W. Forney and Peter Jankowski serve as executive producers.

Last season, FBI scored 11 million weekly viewers, ranked as television’s #3 drama and was Wolf Entertainment’s most-watched show on any network. The series now serves as the launch pad for CBS’s Tuesday block of three FBI dramas.

Barbara Zaneri, Chief Program Acquisitions Officer for ViacomCBS, negotiated the deal with NBCUniversal Global Distribution.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About ViacomCBS

ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution, and advertising solutions for partners on five continents.

For more information about ViacomCBS, please visit www.viacomcbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.

About NBCUniversal Global Distribution

NBCUniversal Global Distribution is responsible for the licensing and distribution of NBCUniversal product to all forms of television and new media platforms in the U.S., Canada and in over 200 territories internationally. NBCUniversal’s content portfolio includes a vast and diverse library of more than 5,300 feature films and 120,000 television episodes, including current and classic titles, non-scripted programming, kids, sports, news, long-form and short-form programming from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Television, UCP, NBCUniversal International Studios, Sky Studios, NBC Late Night properties, DreamWorks Animation, Telemundo, and more, as well as locally produced content from around the world. Global Distribution is a division of Comcast NBCUniversal.

VIAC-IR

Bridget Darcey
Corporate Communications, ViacomCBS
bridget.darcey@viacomcbs.com

Jennifer Hahn
Vice President, Publicity & Communications, NBCUniversal Global Distribution
jennifer.hahn@nbcuni.com

Source: VIACOMCBS INC.