Paramount Plus has quickly become a major player in the streaming world, offering a vast library of content from CBS, Showtime, and Paramount Pictures, along with exclusive original series and live sports. If you’re considering subscribing, one of your first questions is likely: How Much Is Paramount Plus? This guide breaks down the Paramount Plus cost, outlining the different plans available, what each plan includes, and how to choose the best option for your streaming needs.
Paramount Plus delivers a wide array of on-demand entertainment from media giants like Paramount, CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and MTV. The Premium Plan elevates this offering by integrating Showtime and live CBS streaming into the package. The cost for this enhanced experience is $12.99 per month or $120 annually. A key benefit of the Premium Plan is the removal of advertisements from the on-demand streaming library, providing a more immersive viewing experience.
Understanding Paramount Plus: What Does It Offer?
Paramount Plus is a subscription-based streaming service operated by ViacomCBS, now Paramount Global. It serves as the streaming home for a diverse range of content, pulling from the libraries of CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV, and the Smithsonian Channel. Subscribers also gain access to 24/7 news programming and on-demand access the next day for CBS news programs like “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation.”
Beyond network programming, Paramount Plus boasts a rich catalog of both new and classic movies from Paramount Pictures. The service is also investing heavily in original content, creating Paramount Plus exclusives that you can’t find anywhere else. The top-tier plan further enhances the value proposition by incorporating everything available on the Showtime cable channel, along with live streaming of local CBS network broadcasts.
Decoding the Paramount Plus Price: Essential vs. Premium Plans
When considering a Paramount Plus subscription, understanding the pricing structure is crucial. Paramount Plus offers two primary plans to cater to different viewers: the Essential plan and the Premium plan.
Paramount Plus Essential Plan: The Budget-Friendly Option
The Essential plan is designed as the more affordable entry point into the Paramount Plus universe. How much is Paramount Plus Essential? It comes in at $8 per month or $60 per year.
With the Essential plan, subscribers unlock the full Paramount Plus on-demand library, including a wide selection of shows and movies. It also includes access to select live sports events, such as NFL games broadcast on CBS and UEFA Champions League soccer matches. However, it’s important to note that the Essential plan includes commercial interruptions while streaming on-demand content.
Paramount Plus Premium Plan: Ad-Free Viewing and More
For viewers seeking an upgraded experience, the Paramount Plus Premium plan offers a more comprehensive package. What is the cost of Paramount Plus Premium? This plan is priced at $13 per month or $120 per year.
The Premium plan builds upon the Essential plan by offering ad-free streaming for on-demand content. While live CBS streaming will still include standard commercial breaks due to the nature of live television, the on-demand library becomes uninterrupted. Furthermore, the Premium plan includes live access to your local CBS station, ensuring you don’t miss local programming. A significant addition to the Premium plan is full streaming access to Showtime’s extensive library of programs, effectively bundling two streaming services into one. For sports enthusiasts, the Premium plan also provides access to a wider range of live sports content. Finally, the Premium plan unlocks access to 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR streaming for supported content and devices, offering the highest possible video quality.
You can subscribe to either the Paramount Plus with Showtime Premium plan or the Paramount Plus Essential plan directly through the Paramount Plus website. The Premium plan is also available as an add-on channel through platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, and may be included in certain live TV streaming service packages.
Paramount Plus and Walmart+: A Bundle Deal
If you are a Walmart+ subscriber, you may already have access to Paramount Plus! Walmart+ memberships include a Paramount Plus Essential subscription at no additional cost. Walmart Plus is a membership service designed to compete with Amazon Prime, offering benefits like free shipping and fuel discounts. The inclusion of Paramount Plus Essential makes Walmart+ an even more attractive package for shoppers who also enjoy streaming entertainment. Considering the value of Paramount Plus Essential, this bundle effectively reduces the overall cost if you are already considering or using Walmart+ for its shopping perks. You can explore the full benefits of Walmart+ in dedicated guides.
The Showtime Integration: What It Means for Paramount Plus Subscribers
In a move to consolidate streaming offerings, Paramount Plus merged with Showtime in June 2023. This integration means that Showtime content is now directly accessible within the Paramount Plus app for Premium subscribers.
Does Paramount Plus include Showtime? Yes, the Paramount Plus Premium plan now includes Showtime by default. This means subscribers to the top-tier plan gain access to the entire Showtime library, alongside the already robust Paramount Plus content, all within a single subscription and app. However, it’s important to reiterate that the Paramount Plus Essential plan does not include Showtime. This merger reflects a trend in the streaming industry, with other major platforms like HBO Max and Discovery Plus combining into Max, and Disney offering a bundled experience for Hulu and Disney Plus subscribers.
Live Sports on Paramount Plus: What’s Available?
Sports fans will find a compelling offering on Paramount Plus, particularly with the Premium plan. Can you watch live sports on Paramount Plus? Yes, both the Essential and Premium plans include live CBS sports, featuring local NFL games and select soccer events like the UEFA Champions League.
However, to unlock the full spectrum of live sports available on the platform, you will need the Premium plan. This plan expands the sports lineup to include major events such as The Masters golf tournament, NCAA basketball (including March Madness), PGA Tour events, SEC football, and MMA events. Therefore, for avid sports viewers, the Premium plan is the clear choice to maximize live sports streaming options on Paramount Plus.
Devices Compatible with Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus aims for broad accessibility and is compatible with a wide range of streaming devices, ensuring you can watch on your preferred screens. What devices can I use to watch Paramount Plus? The service supports:
- Mobile Devices: iOS and Android smartphones and tablets
- Streaming Media Players: Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Portal TV
- Smart TVs: Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio TVs, LG TVs
- Gaming Consoles: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Other Platforms: Xfinity Flex, X1, Cox Contour Box
This extensive device compatibility ensures that you can likely access Paramount Plus on devices you already own, making it easy to start streaming.
4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR Streaming on Paramount Plus
For viewers with 4K-capable televisions and a desire for the best possible picture quality, Paramount Plus offers select content in advanced video formats. Can you stream Paramount Plus in 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR? Yes, select titles on Paramount Plus support 4K streaming with HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. However, these enhanced formats are exclusively available to Premium plan subscribers and are not accessible on the Essential plan.
Shows and movies available in 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR are typically marked with visual “badges” on their title pages, or the format support is mentioned in the description. Paramount Plus also supports Dolby Atmos sound on some titles and compatible devices, further enhancing the immersive experience.
Supported devices for 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR streaming on Paramount Plus include:
- Select Roku models
- Amazon Fire TV (Stick 4K, Cube)
- Select Android TV models
- Apple TV 4K
To fully appreciate the visual fidelity of 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR, and the immersive audio of Dolby Atmos, ensure you have both a compatible display and sound system.
Content Library Highlights: Movies and Shows on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus boasts a diverse and growing content library, drawing from a rich portfolio of studios and networks. What movies and shows can I watch on Paramount Plus? Subscribers gain access to a vast catalog of classic, current, and original programming from Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, MTV, Paramount Pictures, and CBS. The Premium plan expands this further with on-demand access to Showtime’s content and live CBS network streaming.
Current CBS shows are typically available on Paramount Plus for on-demand viewing the day after their broadcast premiere. This allows cord-cutters to stay up-to-date on popular series like “Survivor,” “SWAT,” and “Ghosts.” The service is also home to the entire “Criminal Minds” franchise, including both the original CBS run and the Paramount Plus exclusive continuation, “Evolution.”
Fans of procedural dramas will find a wealth of content, with franchises like “Blue Bloods,” “CSI,” “FBI,” and “NCIS” readily available. For “Star Trek” enthusiasts, Paramount Plus is a must-have, hosting a vast collection of “Star Trek” series and movies. Critically acclaimed dramas from Robert and Michelle King, such as “The Good Wife,” “The Good Fight,” “Evil,” and “Elsbeth,” are also prominent within the library.
Paramount Plus serves as a streaming destination for new movies, often featuring Paramount theatrical releases after their cinema run, including anticipated titles like “Smile 2” and “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning.” Classic films, such as “Top Gun,” are also available, ensuring a mix of new and nostalgic content.
Popular Paramount Plus original series include “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Lioness,” “Halo,” the “Frasier” reboot, “iCarly,” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.” While “Yellowstone” itself resides on Peacock, Paramount Plus is the home for Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” universe spinoffs, “1883” and “1923.”
For a deeper dive into the content offerings, dedicated guides provide extensive lists of Paramount Plus movies and shows.
International Availability of Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus is expanding its global footprint and is currently available in numerous countries beyond the United States. Is Paramount Plus available internationally? Yes, the service has launched in the UK, Australia, Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, Chile, and other regions, with ongoing expansion plans. For a comprehensive list of supported countries, you can visit the Paramount Plus global landing page.
Pricing varies by region, but here are some starting monthly prices in select countries as of the latest information:
| Region | Starting Monthly Price |
|---|---|
| US | $8/month |
| UK | £5/month |
| Australia | $7/month |
| France | €8/month |
| Canada | $7/month |
These prices are for the base plans and may vary depending on specific plan features and promotions in each region. It’s always best to check the local Paramount Plus website for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information for your country.
Steven Cohen
Senior Tech Editor
Ben Blanchet
Streaming Fellow, Insider Reviews
Sarah Saril
Editor, Deals and How to Watch
Lillian Brown
Associate Editor of Streaming
