In case you didn’t know, a Paramount+ subscription gives you access to one of the best streaming services around, one that is filled with everything from great original movies and shows to live sports and news, and so much more. Previously known as CBS All Access, Paramount+ has spent the better part of the past half-decade providing some of the most bang for your buck in the streaming world.
So, what all comes with a Paramount+ subscription? Stick around because we’re about to break down the various plans, how much they cost, what all comes with each, and just about everything else you’d want to know about the platform. And with so many great original shows, the ability to watch some of the biggest hits on the 2024 TV schedule, and a stacked library of Best Picture winners as well as big-time 2024 movies, there’s a lot to check out. Let’s get into it…
How Much Does Paramount+ Cost?
As of July 2024, there are two subscription plans: the cheaper Paramount+ Essential plan and the more expensive Paramount+ with Showtime plan, which has replaced the streamer's Premium option.
Those who choose the Essential plan can expect to pay a low price of $5.99 per month (or $59.99 for an annual subscription) but there are some caveats. With this lower price comes some drawbacks in the form of limited commercial breaks when streaming movies or TV Shows (more on those titles later) and not being able to livestream your local CBS affiliate station, though NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League feeds are still available.
The Paramount+ with Showtime plan runs $11.99 per month (or $119.99 for an annual subscription) and includes everything that comes with Paramount+ Essential but also includes no commercial breaks while streaming on-demand movies and TV shows as well as access to a live feed from your local CBS affiliate. As the name suggests, this plan also gives you access to countless Showtime original series, movies, documentaries, and specials that have called the premium cable network home over the years.
Paramount+ Subscribers Have Access To Original Movies And Streaming TV Shows
Even before CBS All Access became Paramount+ in March 2021, the streaming service was home to several high-profile original series like the most recent adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand, various titles set in the Star Trek universe, and more. Well, that list has only grown over the years to include great Paramount+ original series like Tulsa King, The Mayor of Kingstown, the return of iCarly, and Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butthead revival series, to name only a few.
The offering of Paramount+ original movies exclusive to the streaming service includes The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, Orphan: First Kill, The Tiger’s Apprentice, and Pet Sematary: Bloodlines.
There Are Hubs For ViacomCBS Brands Like MTV, Nickelodeon And Comedy Central
There is a staggering amount of content on Paramount+ and one of the best ways to make sense of it all is to check out the platform’s various brand-specific hubs. All in all, there are a total of seven hubs dedicated to the different brands including CBS, Showtime, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and the Smithsonian Channel. Each of these sections features shows, movies, and other programming released by each respective channel over the years, and is a great way of finding new series and revisiting some of the best animated TV shows on Nickelodeon or older episodes of MTV Unplugged from over the years.
There Are Plenty Of Movies And TV Shows On Paramount+
Even when you don’t factor in all the Paramount+ exclusives, there are thousands of movies to choose from, so much so that you can lose yourself in a seemingly endless scroll of movies ranging from Jackie Chan classics to all-time favorite westerns and just about anything and everything in between. The list of best movies on Paramount+ is honestly one of the best in the streaming game and has everything from classics to more modern gems like Top Gun: Maverick and the family-friendly Ryan Reynolds movie, If.
The only thing that trumps the number of movies available on Paramount+ is the vast library of TV shows that are split up into about every genre imaginable, meaning you can watch game shows like The Price is Right and soap operas like The Bold and the Beautiful at all hours. And with the Smithsonian Channel library, some of the best documentaries and docuseries can be found on the platform.
Premium Subscribers Have Access To Local CBS Feeds, Live News And Sports
One of the coolest things about Paramount+, at least when it comes to the Parmount+ with Showtime plan, is the fact that you can stream your local CBS affiliate whenever you want, meaning you can watch all the primetime shows like Big Brother, Survivor, and Ghosts, as well as all the FBI, NCIS, and CSI series without having to pay for an expensive cable package or deal with setting up a temperamental over-the-air antenna. Now, remember that this perk is only available for subscribers who go with the full-priced option and not the Essential plan.
All Paramount+ subscribers (no matter which plan they choose) can check out the Live TV feeds offered by the streaming service. This includes the 24-hour news network CBSN, CBS Sports, ET Live, and several others dedicated to random movies and TV shows or entire brands.
Watching Live Sports On Paramount+
Sports fans are in a good spot with their Paramount+ subscriptions, as the streaming service boasts a massive amount of content from various sports leagues, around-the-clock sports news, and hours upon hours of highlights and replays. However, it should be noted that there are some key differences between the two subscription plans when it comes to their sports offerings.
The Essential subscription is going to give you access to NFL on CBS highlights, news, and other special coverage and Champions League soccer. The Paramount+ with Showtime subscription gives you access to both of those plus additional soccer leagues, other sports, and best of all, the ability to watch live NFL games that are shown on your local CBS affiliate. This also includes the Super Bowl whenever it is broadcast on CBS, which will happen again in 2028 for Super Bowl LXII.
Paramount+ Supported Devices
What’s the use of a Paramount+ subscription if you have no way to enjoy it? Luckily, the streaming service is available on a multitude of devices including computers, mobile devices (iOS, Android, Amazon), smart TVs, video game consoles like Playstation and Xbox, and devices like Roku. The Paramount+ has a full list of supported devices as well as how to use the app on each of them with handy step-by-step guides.
The full list of supported devices.
How To Cancel Your Paramount+ Subscription
There may come a time when you need to cancel, or at least change, your Paramount+ subscription. If you find yourself in that camp, don’t fret, as ending your membership is a relatively straightforward process.
If you are directly subscribed to Paramount+, you can cancel your subscription by going to your account settings on the Paramount+ website on your computer or mobile browser, and then scroll down until you find “Cancel Subscription.” From there, you will be taken through a series of prompts that basically ask you if you really want to cancel. Just hit cancel and your subscription won’t automatically renew on your next billing cycle.
However, if you get Paramount+ through a third-party service like Apple, Prime Video, or Roku, there are a few additional steps you’ll need to keep in mind. For example, if your subscription is through your iPhone, you will need to open the Settings app on your phone, tap your name, tap on subscriptions, then tap on Paramount+, and then finally tap cancel.
The same applies when changing from Paramount+ Essential to Paramount+ with Showtime or vice-versa. But if you want a more in-depth walkthrough, check out the link below.
All the ways to cancel your Paramount+ subscription.
Hopefully, all this helps clear the air regarding Paramount+, its packages, bundles, and everything else that makes it one of the best bangs for your buck in the streaming game.
