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Paramount+ is Paramount’s U.S. streaming service for on-demand movies and television, Paramount originals, CBS programming, Nickelodeon, selected SHOWTIME content, news, and selected live sports. As of August 18, 2026, the two regular U.S. plans cost $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year for Essential, and $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year for Premium.
Essential is the lower-cost, ad-supported option. Premium adds ad-free on-demand viewing, all SHOWTIME programming, your local live CBS station where available, downloads, and selected 4K/HDR/Dolby Vision titles. It is not a complete cable replacement, and Premium is not entirely free of advertising.
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Quick verdict
- Choose Essential if you mainly want Paramount+ shows, movies, CBS and Nickelodeon on demand, or selected sports at the lowest regular price.
- Choose Premium if you need local live CBS, all SHOWTIME programming, offline downloads, selected higher-quality video, or fewer ordinary ads during on-demand viewing.
- Choose neither if you want a broad live-TV replacement, every game from a particular sports league, or a general-purpose catalog comparable to Netflix without a specific interest in Paramount-owned brands.
Check Paramount’s current plan comparison before paying because prices, promotions, rights, and catalogs can change.
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These are the regular U.S. prices listed in Paramount’s current support documentation as of August 18, 2026. Taxes, promotional pricing, and third-party billing terms may change the amount you pay.
#1 Best Overall
- Essential 4K streaming – Get everything you need to stream in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+ (HDR10+).
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Make your TV even smarter – Fire TV gives you instant access to a world of content, tailor-made recommendations, and Alexa, all backed by fast performance.
- All your favorite apps in one place – Experience endless entertainment with access to Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. Easily discover what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes (subscription fees may apply), including free, ad-supported content.
- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
| Feature | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $8.99 | $13.99 |
| Annual price | $89.99 | $139.99 |
| On-demand ads | Yes | Generally ad-free |
| Local live CBS | No | Yes, where available |
| SHOWTIME | Selected series | All SHOWTIME programming |
| Downloads | No | Supported titles |
| 4K/HDR/Dolby Vision | No Premium feature | Selected titles |
| Profiles | Up to six | Up to six |
| Simultaneous streams | Up to three | Up to three |
Annual billing costs less than paying 12 regular monthly bills: Essential saves $17.89, while Premium saves $27.89. The trade-off is flexibility: a monthly plan may be cheaper overall if you only want Paramount+ for a short-term show or sports season.
The Paramount support page says these prices reflect a change for new subscribers. Some older web pages still show obsolete names and prices, including Essential at $5.99 and a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan at $11.99. Those figures should not be used as current pricing.
What is Paramount+?
Paramount+ combines several types of programming:
- On-demand streaming: movies, television series, library programming, and originals.
- Paramount entertainment: Paramount-produced films and series, including selected newer releases and franchise programming.
- CBS access: CBS shows on demand, CBS News 24/7, CBS Sports HQ, and local live CBS on Premium where available.
- Live programming: selected sports and curated live channels, with availability determined by rights, location, and plan.
Paramount’s support documentation describes the service as offering more than 40,000 full episodes and movies. That figure is a current promotional catalog description, not a permanently fixed or independently audited title count.
What does Paramount+ Essential include?
Essential includes the core Paramount+ library at the lower price, but it is ad-supported and omits several Premium features.
Included with Essential
- More than 40,000 episodes and movies, according to Paramount’s current description.
- Paramount+ original series and films.
- CBS programming available on demand.
- CBS News 24/7 and CBS Sports HQ.
- Approximately 20 curated live channels.
- Selected live sports, including NFL on CBS feeds, UEFA Champions League, UFC, and Zuffa Boxing, subject to rights and market restrictions.
- Selected SHOWTIME series.
- Up to six profiles and three simultaneous streams.
- Watchlist or My List functionality.
Not included with Essential
- Your local live CBS station.
- Offline downloads.
- All SHOWTIME programming.
- Ad-free on-demand viewing.
- Premium’s selected 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Vision content.
A key distinction is that Essential may include separate live feeds for certain sports without providing the local CBS station. Having access to NFL on CBS programming does not mean you receive every program broadcast by your local CBS affiliate.
What does Paramount+ Premium add?
Premium costs $5 more per month or $50 more per year than Essential. Its most important additions are:
Rank #2
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- Ad-free on-demand viewing: ordinary ads are removed from most on-demand programming, subject to Paramount’s stated exceptions.
- Local live CBS: available where Paramount supports the subscriber’s market.
- All SHOWTIME: the full SHOWTIME offering listed under the current plan comparison.
- Downloads: supported movies and shows can be watched offline.
- Higher-quality video: selected titles support 4K UHD, HDR10, or Dolby Vision on compatible devices and services.
- Additional live programming: local CBS access can provide sports and other programming unavailable through Essential’s separate feeds.
Premium does not increase the account’s basic usage limits: both plans support up to six profiles and three simultaneous streams.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Is Paramount+ Premium really ad-free?
No. Premium is best understood as “ad-free on-demand viewing,” not an entirely commercial-free service. Live television continues to contain commercial breaks, and Paramount says plans may also include trailers, sponsorship messages, or similar promotional material.
If you mostly watch recorded or on-demand shows, Premium can substantially reduce ordinary interruptions. If you mainly watch live sports or live CBS, you should still expect advertising.
What can you watch on Paramount+?
The catalog changes as licensing agreements and release windows change, so a title being promoted today is not a guarantee of permanent availability. Paramount’s current programming page is the best place to verify a specific show or movie.
Paramount+ originals and dramas
Paramount+ focuses on exclusive and Paramount-related series. Current promotional examples include MobLand, Lioness, Landman, 1923, Big Brother, and The Challenge. Availability should be checked when you subscribe, particularly for individual seasons.
CBS shows and news
You can watch selected current and library CBS programming on demand. Both plans include CBS News 24/7 and CBS Sports HQ. Premium additionally provides the local live CBS station where available.
Rank #3
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
These are different benefits. A CBS series may be available on demand without providing a live stream of your local affiliate. Essential specifically excludes the local live station.
SHOWTIME
Essential includes selected SHOWTIME series. Premium includes all SHOWTIME programming according to the current Paramount plan comparison, including selected SHOWTIME movies and series such as Dexter where available.
Movies
Paramount+ includes Paramount Pictures films, family movies, rotating library titles, and selected newer releases when Paramount places them on the service. It does not guarantee immediate access to every Paramount theatrical release. Movie availability depends on release windows, licensing, and market rights.
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Nickelodeon and family programming
Nickelodeon and other children’s and family programming are major parts of the service. Paramount supports individual profiles, including kids’ profiles. Families should review the current app interface and parental-control options before relying on the service for a particular child-safety setting.
Live sports
Paramount+’s current plan information identifies NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, UFC, and Zuffa Boxing among its sports offerings. That does not mean every game or event from those properties is available to every subscriber.
Sports can differ by:
- Location and local CBS availability.
- The subscriber’s plan.
- Broadcast and streaming rights.
- Whether the event is offered through a separate live feed or the local CBS station.
- Blackouts, schedules, and other market restrictions.
Verify the specific event and ZIP-code availability before subscribing solely for a game or fight.
Rank #4
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
Downloads, 4K, profiles, and simultaneous streams
Downloads
Downloads are a Premium feature and apply only to supported movies and shows. Paramount’s documentation says downloaded content is available for the earlier of 30 days after download or 48 hours after playback begins. A title can also become unavailable if its streaming rights change.
4K and HDR
Premium supports selected 4K UHD, HDR10, and Dolby Vision titles. You need compatible content, hardware, app support, and internet service. The entire Paramount+ catalog is not presented in 4K, and Premium does not automatically upgrade every title.
Profiles and streams
Both plans allow up to six individual profiles and three simultaneous streams. Six profiles do not mean six people can watch at the same time; the account limit is three concurrent streams.
Is Paramount+ worth it?
Paramount+ is strongest when its specific content matters to your household. It can be a practical subscription for Paramount originals, CBS programming, Nickelodeon, SHOWTIME, and selected sports, but it is not designed to replace a full live-TV package.
Essential is usually the better financial choice when:
- You prioritize the lowest regular price.
- You can tolerate ads on on-demand content.
- You mainly want on-demand Paramount, CBS, or Nickelodeon programming.
- You do not need local live CBS, downloads, or all SHOWTIME.
- You are subscribing for a particular show or event and plan to cancel before renewal.
Premium is worth the upgrade when:
- You want your local CBS station and it is available in your market.
- You watch enough SHOWTIME to value the complete catalog.
- You travel and need downloads.
- You have compatible 4K/HDR equipment.
- You mainly watch on demand and strongly prefer fewer ordinary ads.
- The extra $5 monthly or $50 annually is justified by several of these benefits.
Do not choose Premium solely because it is marketed as ad-free. Live programming still has commercial breaks and promotional material may still appear.
Paramount+ versus other streaming options
Paramount+ is a targeted service rather than a universal replacement for every streaming need.
Best Value
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
- Netflix: generally a stronger general-purpose choice if you want a broad mix of originals and licensed programming, but it does not provide Paramount+’s CBS, SHOWTIME, Nickelodeon, or sports combination. Visit Netflix for current plans.
- Max: a plausible alternative for HBO, Warner Bros., and premium television, but not for Paramount’s CBS or Paramount-specific sports offering. See Max.
- Peacock: more relevant for NBCUniversal programming and NBC sports. It does not substitute for Paramount originals or local CBS. See Peacock.
- Live-TV services: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo may better fit households seeking a wider channel lineup, but they generally cost more and have different regional availability, DVR terms, and sports rights.
If you already pay for Walmart+, check the current Walmart+ membership terms to see whether Paramount+ access is included for your account. Do not assume the benefit, eligibility rules, or effective price is permanent.
How to subscribe, cancel, or avoid an unwanted renewal
You can review the current offer and choose a plan on Paramount’s official signup page. Do not assume a free trial is available: trials and promotions can vary by date, account, device, retailer, and billing platform.
Paramount advertises “Cancel anytime,” but cancellation generally prevents the next renewal rather than ending access immediately. Cancel through the company that bills you. A direct Paramount+ subscription may be managed on Paramount’s website, while subscriptions billed through Apple, Google, Roku, Amazon, a television provider, or a bundle may require cancellation through that third party.
Before canceling, check the account page or receipt for:
- The billing company.
- Your next renewal date.
- Whether the subscription is monthly or annual.
- Any promotional terms.
- Whether canceling a bundle affects other benefits.
Prices and availability can change
Streaming prices and catalogs are moving targets. The figures in this guide are the regular U.S. prices documented as of August 18, 2026. They do not automatically apply outside the United States, and international plans, catalogs, sports rights, taxes, and features can differ. Recheck the official plan page before purchase, especially if a search result shows the older $5.99 or $11.99 pricing.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
