Integrating Paramount+ and Showtime’s massive content portfolios, ranging from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” to classic films and live sports—notably Super Bowl LVIII—spurred tremendous growth. Ryan’s strategic partnerships with Delta, Verizon +Play, Walmart and AARP led to 67.5 million global subscribers and a 69% year-over-year revenue spikein Q4 2023. His baby, Pluto TV, turns 10 this year, with 80 million monthly active users across the U.S., Europe and Latin America, when last reported. Ryan’s success stems from empowering team members to innovate, collaborate and think like a serial entrepreneur.
What emerging industry trend are you most excited by? From the rise of ad-supported tiers to the proliferation of live sports offerings and bundles, Paramount Streaming has been at the forefront of many of the trends we are seeing today in streaming. Since we founded Pluto TV and consequently the FAST space 10 years ago, we have prided ourselves on being a contrarian and it’s rewarding to see the market realize the value in our innovations.
Book, movie or TV series that greatly influenced my leadership style: I have spent a good deal of my career as an entrepreneur, and there’s one book I discovered years ago that continues to influence how I approach innovation, growth and leadership. “The Innovator’s Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book that Will Change the Way You Do Business” has served as a guide and a master class in both those early, scrappy days of Pluto TV and in my current role as the CEO of Paramount Streaming.
TV series everyone should binge: I keep telling people to watch “The Curse” starring Nathan Fielder, Benny Safdie and Emma Stone. This answer is a little biased as it’s streaming on Paramount+, but I honestly think it’s the most riveting show I’ve seen in a long time. It’s ambitious, more than a little mind-bending and very funny. It drew me in with that first episode and it had me uncomfortably on the edge of my seat until the end.
Favorite way to destress? When I’ve hit my limit, I like to drive through the canyon near my home and listen to music.