"THE CHI" SEASON SEVEN PREMIERE SCORES TWO MILLION CROSS-PLATFORM VIEWERS

SHOWTIME(R) Original Series Shatters Its Streaming Viewership Record

May 28, 2025 - THE CHI season seven premiere scored two million cross-platform viewers, making the season seven premiere the most-streamed in the series' history, up +2% on streaming versus last season.

"With the seventh season of THE CHI, Lena Waithe raised the bar creatively and it shattered viewership records, becoming the most-watched season premiere in the show's history, " said Chris McCarthy, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios. "Lena's storytelling defies convention and cuts through cliché, revealing the depth, power and complexity of life on the South Side of Chicago with fearless honesty."

THE CHI is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. Produced entirely in its namesake city, THE CHI is produced by 20th Television.

The series features an impressive ensemble cast, including Jacob Latimore, Lynn Whitfield, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker and Luke James. Kadeem Hardison, Chris Lee, Brett Gray, Rotimi, Jackie Long, Charmin Lee, Jill Marie Jones and Daniel J. Watts return to guest star, alongside Hannaha Hall, Jason Weaver, La La Anthony, Vic Mensa, Kandi Burruss, Tai Davis, Rolando Boyce, Ahmad Ferguson, Cortez Smith, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, Judae'a Brown, Zaria Imani Primer, L'lerrét Jazelle and Brian Keys.

Created and executive produced by Emmy(R) winner Lena Waithe (Twenties, Master of None) under her Hillman Grad banner, the series is executive produced by co-showrunners Justin Hillian (Hillianaire Productions) and Jewel Coronel, and by Academy Award(R) and Emmy winner Common (Selma).

Additional executive producers include Aaron Kaplan (A Million Little Things, The Neighborhood), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Resheida Brady-Anderson, Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone of ID8 Multimedia as well as Naomi Funabashi, who oversees for Hillman Grad and Rishi Rajani, CEO of Hillman Grad. Supervising producers Deondray Gossfield and Quincy LeNear Gossfield directed multiple episodes in season seven.

For more information on THE CHI, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and X and join the conversation using #TheChi.

Source: Internal streaming data, Total viewers defined by Total Watch Time / Run Time on first 7 days; Linear premiere on SHOWTIME(R), 5/18/25; 7-day windows, S7- 5/16-5/22/25, S6B- 5/10-5/16/24.

***

About Paramount+

Paramount+, part of Paramount's (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment and news brands, is a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combining live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment(TM). The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, the service's cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME(R) content, including scripted hits and critically acclaimed nonfiction projects and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf, basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis. For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus on social media.

About SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks

SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks is a global network of media assets that reaches over one billion people in more than 180 countries featuring some of the most iconic brands in entertainment including SHOWTIME(R), MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount Network among others - and, its Studios arm which produces 120+ series annually, including some of today's biggest hits such as Yellowstone, YELLOWJACKETS, Emily in Paris, 1883, 1923, GEORGE & TAMMY, South Park, TULSA KING, RuPaul's Drag Race, The Challenge and Jersey Shore, to name a few.

@ParamountPlus @PeakParamount #ParamountPlus