Viacom’s Bakish reveals skinny bundle plans

Bob Bakish

Viacom is in advanced talks with one US service provider to be part of the new wave of ‘skinny bundles’ aimed at cord-cutters and cord-nevers, according to CEO Bob Bakish.

Bakish, speaking at the JP Morgan  Global Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in Boston, said that it made sense to be part of a low-cost entertainment pack priced at around US$10-US$20, rather than an offering including broadcast channels and sports priced at US$40.

Bakish said he was skeptical about the appeal of US$40 bundles and doubted their appeal to millennials, adding that he did not see how packages in this price range would be economically sustainable if they include sports and other high-value content.

He said there was an opportunity to offer low-cost entertainment-focused bundles at a much lower price point without expensive sports content.

Bakish said that Viacom’s entertainment skinny bundle would be available this year.