May 8 (Reuters) - Paramount Global ( PARAA ) beat Wall

Street estimates for first-quarter revenue and profit on

Thursday, driven by a growth in its direct-to-consumer and

filmed entertainment businesses.

The company's direct-to-consumer business, which includes

streaming platforms Paramount+, BET and PlutoTV, was

strengthened by its originals and post-theatrical releases such

as "Gladiator II".

The segment posted revenue of $2.04 billion, up 9% for the

first quarter ended March 31.

Sales for its filmed entertainment segment increased 4% to

$627 million.

Paramount and Skydance's "Mission Impossible - The Final

Reckoning", which may mark Tom Cruise's last appearance in the

long-running franchise, is expected to boost studio revenue in

the second quarter.

Skydance Media and Paramount's $8 billion merger deadline

was automatically extended by 90 days from April 7, under the

terms of the companies' agreement. The deal is expected to close

in the first half of this year.

The company reported first-quarter revenue of $7.19 billion,

beating analysts' estimate of $7.09 billion, according to data

compiled by LSEG.

It posted an adjusted profit of 29 cents per share, ahead of

an estimate of 25 cents apiece.

Paramount+, the company's flagship streaming platform, added

1.5 million subscribers during the quarter, below the estimate

of 1.66 million new subscribers, according to data from Visible

Alpha.