In today’s crowded streaming landscape, choosing the right service can be overwhelming. Among the major players, Paramount Plus stands out as a compelling option for viewers who want a mix of TV shows, movies, live sports, news, kids content, and original programming — all under one roof. Whether you’re a casual viewer, a sports fan, or someone who wants premium entertainment on demand, Paramount Plus has something packed into its plans.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Paramount Plus pricing, subscription plans, features, content library, device support, live TV options, and how to subscribe — helping you make an informed streaming choice.
Table of Contents
1. What Is Paramount Plus?
2. Paramount Plus Pricing (2026 Update)
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- 2.1 Paramount Plus Essential
- 2.2 Paramount Plus Premium
3. Does Paramount Plus Offer Free Trials or Deals?
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- 3.1 Bundled Offers
- 3.2 Promotional Deals
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4. Detailed Feature Breakdown
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- 4.1 Content Library
- 4.2 Live Sports Streaming
- 4.3 Live News & CBS Networks
- 4.4 Streaming Quality & Downloads
- 4.5 Supported Devices
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5. How to Subscribe to Paramount Plus
6. Is Paramount Plus Worth the Cost?
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- 6.1 Good Choice If
- 6.2 Consider Alternatives If
7. Tips for Maximizing Your Paramount Plus Subscription
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- 7.1 Opt for Annual Billing
- 7.2 Use Promotions
- 7.3 Create Profiles
- 7.4 Download Content
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8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
9. Conclusion
What Is Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus is a subscription streaming service owned by Paramount Global that provides access to a wide range of content — including TV shows, movies, originals, live sports, and news. It began as CBS All Access in 2014 and was rebranded to Paramount+ in 2021 to incorporate more content, notably from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and more.
The platform combines on‑demand streaming and live elements, delivering exclusive content along with popular favorites. Sports programming, especially live NFL, UEFA Champions League soccer, and UFC events, has made Paramount Plus particularly appealing for sports fans.
Paramount Plus Pricing (2026 Update)
As of February 2026, Paramount Plus offers two primary subscription tiers — Essential and Premium. Here’s how they compare:
1. Paramount+ Essential
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Price: $8.99 per month
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Annual Subscription: $89.99 per year
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Key Features:
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Access to the full Paramount Plus streaming library with ads.
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Includes live streaming of certain sports events.
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Watch on up to three devices at once.
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Access to CBS sports coverage such as NFL games and UEFA Champions League matches.
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Ad‑supported: Yes (ads play during shows and movies)
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Showtime Content: Some select episodes (Full library not included)
2. Paramount+ Premium
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Price: $13.99 per month
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Annual Subscription: $139.99 per year
Key Features:
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Ad‑free streaming experience (except live TV).
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Full access to SHOWTIME library — including premium hits.
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Ability to download movies and shows for offline viewing.
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Stream in higher video quality such as 4K UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 on supported content.
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Live streaming of your local CBS channel.
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Devices: Up to three simultaneous screens.
Note: Both plans allow up to 3 simultaneous streams but do not typically offer 4–6 screen support like some competitors.
Does Paramount Plus Offer Free Trials or Deals?
Paramount Plus previously offered a 7‑day free trial for new subscribers — but as of early 2026, direct free trials have been discontinued on the platform itself.
However, there are still ways to access Paramount Plus without paying immediately:
Bundled Offers
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Walmart Plus subscribers get access to Paramount+ Essential (or choose between it and Peacock Premium) as part of their membership perks every 90 days.
Promotional Deals
From time to time, Paramount Plus runs special promotions (for example, discounted introductory rates around holiday shopping periods).
Detailed Feature Breakdown
Let’s take a closer look at what you get with Paramount Plus — beyond just the pricing.
1. Content Library
Paramount Plus boasts a diverse content library that includes:
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TV Shows from CBS, BET, MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and more.
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Original Series — including titles like Landman, 1923, Criminal Minds: Evolution, and other exclusives.
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Movies — from Paramount Pictures catalog and other studios.
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Late‑breaking Episodes of popular TV shows soon after airing on broadcast TV.
The platform hosts thousands of titles, making it a solid choice for viewers who enjoy variety — spanning drama, comedy, documentary, kids’ entertainment, and classic hits.
2. Live Sports Streaming
A standout feature of Paramount Plus is its sports coverage — a rare inclusion for streaming services:
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NFL on CBS games: Live football broadcasts for subscribers.
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UEFA Champions League and other soccer competitions: For global football fans.
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UFC Events: Paramount Plus took over UFC streaming rights in 2026 — enabling subscribers to stream fight nights live without additional pay‑per‑view fees.
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Other coverage includes select PGA, basketball, and exclusive sports news via CBS Sports HQ.
3. Live News & CBS Networks
Subscribers also get access to:
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CBS News channels and news programming run around the clock.
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Latest episodes of CBS programs like NCIS, Tracker, Ghosts, and others shortly after they air.
This blend of entertainment and live news makes Paramount Plus versatile — functioning both as a streaming library and a pseudo‑live TV service.
4. Streaming Quality & Downloads
Here’s how the quality and offline features stack up:
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Essential Plan: Standard (HD) streaming quality.
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Premium Plan: Enhanced quality options, including 4K UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 where available.
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Offline Viewing: Premium subscribers can download select movies and shows for offline playback — a big plus for mobile viewers.
5. Supported Devices
Paramount Plus works across a wide range of devices, including:
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Smartphones & Tablets – iOS and Android.
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Smart TVs – Samsung, LG, Vizio, etc.
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Streaming Devices – Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV.
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Gaming Consoles – PlayStation and Xbox.
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Web Browsers – PCs and laptops.
This ensures you can watch your favorite content virtually anywhere you go.
How to Subscribe to Paramount Plus
Subscribing to Paramount Plus is straightforward:
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Visit the Paramount Plus website or download the app.
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Choose the plan that fits your needs — Essential or Premium.
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Enter your email and create a password.
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Add your payment details.
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Complete the signup and start streaming.
Users can also subscribe through partner platforms such as Apple, Google Play, Roku, or mobile carriers which sometimes offer promotions.
Is Paramount Plus Worth the Cost?
This depends on your viewing preferences:
Good Choice If:
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You want live sports included with your streaming service.
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You enjoy CBS shows, exclusive originals, and kid‑friendly content.
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You want access to news programming and live events.
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You prefer a bundle that offers both TV and live coverage.
Consider Alternatives If:
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Your priority is an ad‑free experience and you want the highest video quality (although Premium offers ad‑free on demand).
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You want a broader selection of international titles.
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You already subscribe to multiple premium streaming competitors.
Comparatively, Paramount Plus sits competitively among other services like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and HBO Max — often at a lower price point for sports fans and network TV lovers.
Tips for Maximizing Your Paramount Plus Subscription
Here are some strategies to get the most value:
Opt for Annual Billing
Annual subscriptions offer savings compared to monthly plans — reducing overall cost.
Use Promotions
Look out for limited‑time promotions through retailer partnerships or seasonal deals.
Create Profiles
Take advantage of multiple profiles (up to 6) — perfect for families with varied viewing tastes.
Download Content
If you’re on the Premium plan, download your favorite shows and movies to watch offline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Paramount Plus include live TV?
Yes — the Premium plan provides live streaming of CBS channels along with sports coverage.
2. Can I cancel anytime?
Absolutely. You can cancel your subscription at any time without long‑term contracts.
3. Is there parental control?
Yes — Paramount Plus includes profile settings and parental controls. (Not widely documented in our sources but standard in most streaming services.)
4. How many devices can I stream on simultaneously?
Paramount Plus allows up to three concurrent streams across devices.
Conclusion
Paramount Plus stands out as a versatile and increasingly robust streaming service — blending on‑demand entertainment, live sports, news, and exclusive content. Whether you opt for Essential or Premium, the service offers breadth and value that can satisfy a wide range of viewer needs — from families and casual watchers to sports enthusiasts.
With strategic pricing, frequent promotions, and a vast library of TV shows and movies, Paramount Plus continues to grow in relevance — especially as it expands its sports portfolio and original programming.
