Editing Paramount Network (section)

==== Aborted rebrand as a movie network ====
In early 2020, Paramount Network began to cut back on scripted series development, having dropped upcoming projects such as ''[[Emily in Paris]]'' (which was subsequently picked up by [[Netflix]]), and cancelling ''[[68 Whiskey]]'' after a single season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=September 22, 2020|title=Paramount Network Rebrands, Doubles Down on Movies and Minis (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/paramount-network-made-for-tv-movies-1234711671/|access-date=September 22, 2020|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> On September 11, 2020, it was announced that Bellator would move to [[CBS Sports Network]] in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2020-09-11|title=Bellator MMA announces move from Paramount Network to CBS Sports Network|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/9/11/21432619/bellator-mma-announces-move-from-paramount-network-to-cbs-sports-network|access-date=2020-09-12|website=MMA Fighting}}</ref> It would later move to [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] in April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-31|title=No Showtime? No problem – at least for Bellator 255|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/bellator-255-mma-showtime-free-trial-subscription-patricio-freire-emmanuel-sanchez-rematch|access-date=2021-05-16|website=MMA Junkie}}</ref>

On September 22, 2020, ViacomCBS president of Entertainment and Youth Brands Chris McCarthy told ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' in an exclusive that Paramount Network would relaunch as the  Paramount Movie Network "within the next year". The relaunched network was to focus primarily on original [[Television film|made-for-TV films]] featuring major talent, with a plan to premiere 52 films per-year.<ref name=":0" /> The films would have been largely produced by Paramount Pictures and [[MTV|MTV Studios]], with plans for co-productions with [[Paramount Global Distribution Group|ViacomCBS International]] networks such as Argentina's [[Telefe]], Australia's [[Network 10]], and the United Kingdom's [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]].<ref name=":0" /> These changes would have mirrored a similar shift in programming that McCarthy undertook at sister channel [[Comedy Central]], which also dropped live-action series development in favor of original specials, films, and [[adult animation]].<ref name=":0" />

At least one scripted series or miniseries was to be carried per-quarter, such as ''Yellowstone'' (albeit with episodes premiering in a different format to suit a cinematic presentation), but the channel was to abandon non-scripted programming.<ref name=":0" /> In preparation for the relaunch, it was stated that ''Bar Rescue and Lip Sync Battle'' would move to another ViacomCBS channel to be determined, while ''[[Ink Master]]'' and ''[[Wife Swap (American TV series)|Wife Swap]]'' were both cancelled.<ref name=":0" />

Former [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] SVP of original movies Meghan Hooper White had been brought on as ViacomCBS's head of original movies and specials in May 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Elaine |date=2020-05-12 |title=Megan Hooper White to Head ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group's New Original Movies, Limited Series Division |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/megan-hooper-white-viacomcbs-original-movies-limited-series-1234604510/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> and was to oversee the Paramount Movie Network slate, as well as television films and specials across all other ViacomCBS networks.<ref name="deadline-pmn-ice" /> However, she was released from the company in August 2021 as part of a reorganization of [[Paramount+]] and MTV Entertainment Group's executive structure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2021-08-12 |title=MTV Entertainment Elevates Nina L. Diaz to Head Unscripted, Adult Animation for Paramount Plus; Meghan Hooper White and Justin Rosenblatt to Exit (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/meghan-hooper-white-viacomcbs-1235037581/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> In the interim, new seasons of ''Bar Rescue'' and ''Yellowstone'' would premiere on the network in 2021,<ref name="deadline-pmn-ice" /> and in October 2021, the second season of ''The Last Cowboy'' (a reality competition series by ''Yellowstone'' co-creator [[Taylor Sheridan]]) moved to CMT.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-20 |title=Taylor Sheridan Reality Series 'The Last Cowboy' Moves To CMT, Ropes Season 2 Premiere Date |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/taylor-sheridan-cmt-move-season-two-the-last-cowboy-yellowstone-november-12-1234859274/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Deadline}}</ref> ''Ink Master'' was also picked up for a new season by Paramount+.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2021-02-25 |title='Ink Master' & 'Dating Naked' Set For New Seasons At Paramount+ |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/ink-master-dating-naked-set-for-new-seasons-at-paramount-1234700573/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

The channel also began a strategy of promoting new Paramount+ original series involving Sheridan, such as ''[[Mayor of Kingstown]]'' and ''Yellowstone'' prequel ''[[1883 (TV series)|1883]]'', under which their initial episodes were given special television airings on Paramount Network as lead-outs for ''Yellowstone''. ''1883'' would set a record for the highest-rated premiere in Paramount Network history, and on cable overall since 2015, with 4.9 million viewers. McCarthy described this practice as a method of using its linear platforms as a "launch pad" for streaming content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zorrilla |first=Monica Marie |date=November 16, 2021 |title=TV Ratings: 'Yellowstone' Stays Strong in Week 2, 'Mayor of Kingstown' Premieres to 2.6 Million Viewers |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/tv-ratings-yellowstone-stays-strong-in-week-2-mayor-of-kingstown-premieres-to-2-6-million-viewers-1235113173/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118194442/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/tv-ratings-yellowstone-stays-strong-in-week-2-mayor-of-kingstown-premieres-to-2-6-million-viewers-1235113173/ |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2021-11-17 |title=As 'Yellowstone' Holds Up Well In Week 2 & 'Mayor Of Kingstown' Has Solid Ratings Debut, Chris McCarthy Discusses Growing Taylor Sheridan Universe |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/yellowstone-week-2-ratings-mayor-of-kingstown-premiere-chris-mccarthy-qa-taylor-sheridan-universe-1234874924/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2021-12-21 |title='1883': 'Yellowstone' Prequel Sets Paramount+ Premiere Record, Draws 4.9 Million Viewers On Paramount Network |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/1883-yellowstone-prequel-paramount-plus-premiere-record-ratings-paramount-network-viewership-1234900017/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline}}</ref>

In January 2022, ''[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]'' reported that the network relaunch had been shelved, partly due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television in the United States|impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television and film production]], in addition to ''Yellowstone''{{'}}s ratings success—which had been influenced by the acquisition of streaming rights to the series by [[NBCUniversal]]'s [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]].<ref name="deadline-pmn-ice">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/paramount-movie-network-put-on-ice-as-viacomcbs-nixes-rebrand-plans-1234917830/|title=Paramount Movie Network Put On Ice As ViacomCBS Nixes Rebrand Plans For 'Yellowstone' Network|first=Peter|last=White|work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|date=January 24, 2022|access-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref> The network also acquired linear rights to the [[Spectrum Originals]] series ''George & Tammy''.<ref name="deadline-pmn-ice" /> During the Paramount Global upfronts in May 2022, it was announced that ''Yellowstone'' spin-off ''6666'' had been shifted from Paramount+ to Paramount Network, the fifth season of ''Yellowstone'' would premiere in November 2022, and that the first two episodes of Sheridan and [[Sylvester Stallone]]'s Paramount+ series ''[[Tulsa King]]'' would receive special airings as lead-outs for ''Yellowstone''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2022-05-18 |title='Yellowstone' Spinoff '6666' Moves From Paramount+ To Paramount Network |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/yellowstone-spinoff-6666-moves-to-paramount-network-1235026901/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=2022-05-18 |title='Yellowstone' Season 5 Premiere Date: Kevin Costner Series Returns To Paramount Network In The Fall |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/yellowstone-season-5-premiere-date-kevin-costner-paramount-network-1235027462/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Deadline}}</ref>