What Paramount+ is and how to set it up

Paramount+ is a streaming service owned by Paramount Global that lets you watch TV shows, movies, and live sports on demand. You pay a monthly or annual fee, create an account, and stream content to your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV. There is no contract — you can cancel anytime.

To start, go to paramountplus.com or read the Paramount+ app from your device's app store. Click "Sign Up" and enter your email address and a password. You will choose between two plan types (described below), enter a payment method, and your account activates when ready. You can start watching right away.

Paramount+ works on most devices: iPhones and Android phones, iPads and Android tablets, computers running Windows or Mac, and TV devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, and others. You can stream on multiple devices at once, depending on which plan you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount+ offers two plan types: one with ads (cheaper) and one without ads (more expensive), and you can switch between them anytime.
  • Your payment renews automatically each month or year depending on which billing cycle you chose, and you can cancel before the next renewal date.
  • You can stream on multiple devices at the same time, but the number allowed depends on which plan you have.
  • Paramount+ includes live sports like NFL games, college football, and soccer, plus thousands of on-demand shows and movies from Paramount's library.
  • You can create up to six user profiles on one account, so family members can have separate watch histories and recommendations.

The two plan types and what they cost

Paramount+ offers a plan with ads and a plan without ads. The ad-supported plan costs less per month. The ad-free plan costs more but has no commercials during shows and movies. Both plans include the same content library — the difference is only whether you see ads.

Pricing changes periodically and varies by region, so check paramountplus.com for current rates in your area. You can also choose to pay monthly or pay for a full year upfront. The yearly option usually costs less per month than paying month-to-month.

Some internet providers and phone carriers offer Paramount+ as part of a bundle or for free with certain plans. If you have a may have access to plan with your provider, you may be able to add Paramount+ at no extra cost or at a discount. Check with your provider to see what they offer.

How to watch live sports and sports events

Paramount+ includes live sports as part of both plan types. You can watch NFL games (including Thursday Night Football), college football, college basketball, soccer, golf, and other sports depending on the season and what rights Paramount holds.

To find live sports, open the Paramount+ app or website and look for the "Sports" section or search for the specific sport or team you want to watch. When a game is live, it will show a "Live" label. Click or tap to start watching. You do not need a separate sports package — it is included in your subscription.

Some live events may be blacked out in your region due to broadcasting rights. If you see a blackout message, it means another network has exclusive rights to show that game in your area. Paramount+ will tell you where else you can watch it.

Managing your account and payment method

Your subscription renews automatically on the same day each month (or each year, if you chose annual billing). Paramount+ will charge your payment method on file without asking again. You can update your payment method, billing address, or email address anytime by logging into your account on paramountplus.com and going to "Account Settings."

To change your plan — for example, switching from the ad-supported plan to the ad-free plan — go to "Account Settings" and select "Plan Details." You can make the change when ready, and your next bill will reflect the new price. If you switch to a more expensive plan mid-month, you may see a prorated charge.

If your payment method is declined, Paramount+ will try again a few times. If payment continues to fail, your account will be suspended until you update your payment information. You can still log in and fix it — just go to "Account Settings" and enter a valid payment method.

Creating profiles and watching on multiple devices

You can create up to six user profiles on one Paramount+ account. Each profile has its own watch history, recommendations, and saved shows. This is useful if you share your account with family members — everyone can have their own space without their viewing history mixing with others.

To create a profile, log into your account on paramountplus.com, go to "Account Settings," and select "Profiles." Click "Add Profile," give it a name, and choose an avatar. You can create a profile for each family member. When someone wants to watch, they select their profile when they open the app.

The number of devices that can stream at the same time depends on your plan. The ad-supported plan allows two simultaneous streams. The ad-free plan allows four simultaneous streams. If someone tries to watch on a fifth device while four are already streaming, they will see a message saying the limit has been reached.

What to do if you want to pause or cancel

You can cancel your Paramount+ subscription anytime. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period — if you cancel mid-month, you can still watch until the next renewal date. After that, your account closes and you lose access to all content.

To cancel, log into your account on paramountplus.com, go to "Account Settings," and look for "Plan Details" or "Subscription." You will see a "Cancel Subscription" button. Click it, and Paramount+ will ask you to confirm. Some cancellation screens offer a discount to stay (like a reduced rate for a few months), but you are not required to accept it.

Paramount+ does not offer a pause feature — you either have an active subscription or you do not. If you want to stop paying but might return later, you must cancel and then sign up again when you are ready. When you sign up again, you can use the same email address and password, and your profiles and watch history will still be there.

Troubleshooting common issues

If you cannot log in, first check that you are using the correct email address and password. If you forgot your password, go to paramountplus.com, click "Sign In," and select "Forgot Password?" Enter your email, and Paramount+ will send you a link to reset it. Check your spam folder if you do not see the email in your inbox.

If the app is not working or keeps crashing, try closing it completely and reopening it. If that does not help, uninstall the app and read it again from your device's app store. Make sure your device has the latest software updates installed, as older versions can cause compatibility problems.

If you see a message saying your account is not in your region, it means you are trying to watch from a country where Paramount+ is not available. Paramount+ is available in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia, and some other regions, but not everywhere. You can only stream from a country where the service operates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Paramount+ account with people outside my household?

Paramount+ allows you to create multiple profiles and stream on several devices at once, which is designed for household sharing. The service's terms say accounts are for personal use, so sharing login details with people who do not live with you may violate those terms. Paramount+ does not currently enforce household restrictions the way some other services do, but this could change.

What happens if I go over the simultaneous streaming limit?

If someone tries to watch on a device while you have already reached your plan's limit, they will see a message saying the maximum number of streams is active. They can either wait for someone else to stop watching or use a different profile on a device that is already streaming. Switching profiles on the same device does not count as an additional stream.

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

No. Paramount+ charges upfront for each billing period, and cancellations do not result in refunds. You keep access until the end of your current period, but you will not get money back for unused days. If you cancel on the first day of a month, you still have access for the entire month.

Can I watch Paramount+ offline or read shows?

Paramount+ does not currently offer offline viewing or downloads on most devices. You must have an internet connection to stream. Some mobile apps may test read features in the future, but as of now, streaming requires an active connection.

Why is some content not available in my region?

Paramount owns the content but does not always own the rights to show it everywhere. Movies and shows are licensed to other networks or services in different countries. Paramount+ shows you what is available where you are, and content can change as licensing agreements expire or renew.