When was the last time that you watched a Video Home System (VHS) tape? For many of us, the answer is never. So what about a DVD or Blu-Ray? For older generations, physical copies of movies and films were common, but they are slowly becoming obsolete. It’s common knowledge that the DVD “killed” the VHS in the 2000s, but is the same happening to DVDs now? Generally speaking, streaming services have already killed it.

The newest addition to the ever-growing group of streaming services is Paramount+. The service is from ViacomCBS, a rebranding of Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) All Access. A wide range of networks has been lumped into this service, including Black Entertainment Television, Comedy Central, Music Television, Nickelodeon, Paramount and the Smithsonian Channel. More than 30,000 episodes and movies are available on Paramount+, which launched on March 4, 2021.

ViacomCBS is the latest in the series of traditional media companies that have created streaming services. Others include WarnerMedia (Home Box Office Max), Discovery (Discovery+) and Disney (Hulu and Disney+). Similar services also include Netflix and Amazon Video, although these were never traditional media companies. At one point, Netflix was merely a service for renting DVDs.

Popular TV series on Paramount+ include Star Trek: The Original Series, The Brady Bunch, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and even Nickelodeon shows like Spongebob Squarepants. This large range of content should provide for interests of all generations. Classic films such as The Godfather (1972), Mission: Impossible (1996), Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003) and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) will also be featured. In addition, the 2021 Grammys ceremony was broadcasted live on the platform.

Many of the characters from these series and films were showcased in an advertisement that aired during this year’s Super Bowl. Characters and actors climb the “Paramount Mountain,” referencing the famous Paramount logo. They are then met by Patrick Stewart, a renowned actor, who begins playing “Sweet Victory,” a well-known song by David Glen and Bob Kulick which was popularized by the beloved SpongeBob Squarepants. Seeing so many widely adored characters from popular series on one screen can pull on the heartstrings of any viewer.

During the pandemic, since most people have extra time on their hands, streaming services including Paramount+ have become increasingly popular. Caitlin Donovan (III) explains, “Streaming services like this are popular because there are a lot of shows [or] movies from our childhoods that are no longer on air or accessible. […] These services bring them back and allow us to re-experience them.”

Being able to rewatch such films can bring us back to our first magical moment of watching them.