What Paramount+ is and who owns it

Paramount+ is a streaming service owned by Paramount Global, the company behind CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and the Paramount film studio. You pay a monthly fee to watch movies, TV shows, sports, and live news on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV. The service includes both older content from Paramount's back catalog and new shows and films made specifically for the platform.

Paramount+ launched in 2021 as a rebrand of CBS All Access, which had been running since 2014. The service competes directly with Netflix, Disney+, and other subscription platforms. Unlike some streaming services that are free but ad-supported, Paramount+ requires a paid subscription in all tiers.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount+ offers two subscription tiers: one with ads for a lower monthly price, and one ad-free at a higher price.
  • The service includes live CBS broadcasts, sports events through CBS Sports, and original shows like Yellowstone and Star Trek: Discovery.
  • You can watch on most devices including phones, tablets, computers, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, PlayStation, and Xbox.
  • Paramount+ does not include a free trial period, so you pay from your first month of subscription.
  • You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty or remaining contract.

Subscription tiers and monthly cost

Paramount+ has two paid tiers. The Essential plan includes ads during shows and movies and costs less per month. The Premium plan removes most ads and costs more per month. Both plans give you access to the same library of content — the difference is whether you see commercials.

The exact monthly price varies depending on how you pay. If you pay month-to-month through the Paramount+ website or app, you pay one amount. If you pay through a third-party platform like Apple, Amazon, or Google Play, the price may be different because those platforms take a cut. Some cable and phone providers also bundle Paramount+ into their packages at their own rates. Check the Paramount+ website directly for the current month-to-month price, then compare it to what you would pay through your existing provider if you use one.

Paramount+ occasionally runs promotional offers for new subscribers, such as a discounted first month or a temporary price reduction. These offers change throughout the year and are not may provide. You will see the current offer, if any, when you visit the sign-up page.

What content is included

Paramount+ includes live CBS broadcasts, meaning you can watch the CBS evening news, sports games, and other live programming as it airs. The service also carries CBS Sports content, including some NFL games, NCAA college football and basketball, golf tournaments, and other sports events. Not all games are included — some remain exclusive to cable or other platforms.

The service has original shows made for Paramount+ only, such as Yellowstone, Star Trek: Discovery, The Good Fight, and Halo. It also includes movies from the Paramount film library, older TV shows from networks Paramount owns (including MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central), and licensed content from other studios. The exact titles available change as Paramount adds new shows and removes older ones.

Paramount+ does not include HBO, Showtime, or other premium channels that Paramount owns separately. Those require additional subscriptions. If you want Paramount+ bundled with Showtime or other add-ons, you can purchase those combinations, but they cost more than Paramount+ alone.

Devices you can use to watch

You can watch Paramount+ on most common devices. This includes smartphones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers running Windows or macOS, and web browsers on any computer. For TV viewing, Paramount+ works on Roku devices, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

To watch on a device, you read the Paramount+ app from that device's app store, or you visit the Paramount+ website and log in. You use the same account across all devices, so you can start watching on your phone and continue on your TV without creating separate accounts. However, the number of devices that can stream at the same time depends on your subscription tier — check Paramount's current terms for how many simultaneous streams each plan allows.

How to start and manage your subscription

To start a Paramount+ subscription, visit the Paramount+ website or read the app. You will be asked to create an account with an email address and password, then choose which subscription tier you want. You will need to provide a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or payment account like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your subscription will renew automatically each month on the same date you signed up.

You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing your account or settings. When you pause, you will not be charged, and when you resume, your watchlist and viewing history remain. You can also cancel at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so if you cancel mid-month, you can still watch until the end of that month.

To manage your subscription, log into your account on the Paramount+ website and go to your account settings. There you can change your payment method, update your email address, pause, or cancel. If you signed up through a third-party platform like Apple or Amazon, you may need to manage your subscription through that platform instead of through Paramount+ directly.

Differences between Paramount+ and cable TV

Paramount+ gives you on-demand access to thousands of titles, meaning you can watch what you want when you want it, rather than waiting for a scheduled broadcast time. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward through content. However, Paramount+ does not include all the channels that cable TV does — it focuses on Paramount's own networks and content.

If you want to watch live sports, news, or events on Paramount+, you get only the ones Paramount has rights to broadcast. Some major sports events, such as certain NFL games or the Super Bowl, may air on Paramount+ while others air only on cable or other platforms. Check Paramount's sports schedule before canceling cable if live sports are important to you.

Paramount+ also does not include local channels in most markets, so if you rely on local news or local broadcast stations, you would need to use an antenna or keep cable service. Some streaming services like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV include local channels, but Paramount+ does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Paramount+ without ads?

Yes, if you choose the Premium plan. The Premium tier removes most ads from shows and movies. The Essential plan includes ads, and those ads cannot be skipped. If ad-free viewing is important to you, compare the Premium plan price to the Essential plan price to decide if the difference is worth it.

Do I need to sign up for a free trial?

Paramount+ does not offer a free trial period. You pay for your first month of subscription from the day you sign up. Some promotional offers may give you a discounted first month, but there is no trial period where you watch for free before being charged.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

Your access ends at the end of your current billing period. If you cancel on the 15th of the month and your billing date is the 1st, you can watch until the end of that month. You will not be charged again. If you want to restart your subscription later, you can sign back in with the same email address and your watchlist will still be there.

Can I share my Paramount+ account with family members?

Paramount+ allows you to use your account on multiple devices, but the number of people who can watch at the same time is limited by your subscription tier. The exact number of simultaneous streams allowed varies, so check Paramount's current account terms. Sharing your password with people outside your household may violate Paramount's terms of service.

Is Paramount+ available outside the United States?

Paramount+ is available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and some other countries, but not everywhere. If you are outside the US, check the Paramount+ website to see if the service is available in your location. Pricing and content may differ by country.